Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Business Overview

Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (we, our, or us) is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey, that was previously focused on the development of drug therapy for treatment of chronic liver diseases. Our cyclophilin inhibitor, rencofilstat (formerly CRV431), was being developed to offer benefits to address multiple complex pathologies related to the progression of liver disease.

We were developing rencofilstat as our lead molecule. Rencofilstat is a compound that binds and inhibits the function of a specific class of isomerase enzymes called cyclophilins that regulate protein folding, in addition to other activities. Many closely related isoforms of cyclophilins exist in humans. Cyclophilins A, B, and D are the best characterized cyclophilin isoforms. Inhibition of cyclophilins has been shown in scientific literature to have therapeutic effects in a variety of experimental models, including liver disease models.

We have completed a number of Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials. In May 2023, we announced that our Phase 2a study (“ALTITUDE-NASH”) met its primary endpoint by demonstrating improved liver function and was well tolerated after four months of treatment with once daily oral rencofilstat administered to NASH subjects with stage 3 or greater fibrosis. All additional secondary efficacy and safety endpoints were also met. These observations provide further evidence that builds on previous findings from a shorter 28-day Phase 2a (“AMBITION”) trial. Taken together, the AMBITION and ALTITUDE-NASH trials reinforced rencofilstat’s direct antifibrotic mode of action and increase our confidence level that we anticipated observing fibrosis reductions in our 12-month Phase 2b (“ASCEND-NASH”) clinical trial.

In June 2023, we announced that the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (“DSMB”) met to review the current data for the ASCEND-NASH 2b study and issued a “study may proceed without modification” clearance. This, the first planned DSMB meeting, occurred on schedule, and all labs, electrocardiogram’s, adverse events, and protocol deviations were reviewed, focusing on any potential safety signals from the placebo-controlled trial.

In December 2023, the board of directors approved a strategic restructuring plan to preserve capital by reducing operating costs. We incurred a one-time restructuring charge of approximately $0.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Additionally, we initiated a process to explore a range of strategic and financing alternatives focused on maximizing stockholder value within the current financial environment and NASH drug development landscape.

On April 19, 2024, we announced that we have begun wind-down activities in our ASCEND- NASH clinical trial. We did not have access to sufficient funding to complete the study, as designed. The wind-down activities were implemented to halt further clinical activities other than those which would allow for an orderly and patient safety manner that would meet the minimum FDA requirements for safely closing a clinical trial. All clinical trial activities were completed and the trial was closed in August 2024.

On July 19, 2024, we along with Pharma Two B Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the State of Israel (“Parent”), and Pearl Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Merger Sub will merge with and into us (the “Merger”), pursuant to which we would survive the Merger as an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.

Concurrently with the Merger, on July 19, 2024, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) with certain purchasers pursuant to which we sold an aggregate of $2.9 million in principal amount of our Original Issue Discount Senior Unsecured Nonconvertible Notes (the “Notes”). The Notes are due on the earlier of: (i) December 31, 2024, (ii) the date of the closing of the Merger, (iii) the date that the Merger is terminated pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, or (iv) such earlier date as the Notes are required or permitted to be repaid as provided in the Note, as may be extended at the option of the holder of the Note as described in the Note.

On December 10, 2024, Parent informed us that Nasdaq would not exclude our historical losses from its burn rate calculation and as a result on December 10, 2024, we and Pharma Two B and Pearl entered into an agreement to terminate the Merger Agreement (the “Termination Agreement”). Pursuant to the Termination Agreement, the Merger Agreement was terminated.

2. Basis of Presentation

Basis of presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to U.S. GAAP as found in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our subsidiaries, Contravir Research Inc. and Hepion Research Corp, which conduct their operations in Canada. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reverse Stock Split

On May 3, 2023, our Board of Directors declared a 1-for-20 reverse stock split of the outstanding shares of our common stock in order to satisfy requirements for the continued listing of our common stock on Nasdaq. The reverse stock split was effective May 11, 2023. All applicable share and per share information in these consolidated financial statements on Form 10-K have been adjusted retrospectively to give effect to the reverse stock split for all periods presented. The reverse stock split did not reduce the number of authorized shares of common stock and did not alter the par value.

On March 17, 2025, we effected a reverse stock split of our voting common stock at a ratio of one-for-fifty (the “Reverse Stock Split”). When the Reverse Stock Split became effective, every fifty (50) shares of our issued and outstanding Common Stock immediately prior to the effective time was automatically reclassified into one (1) share of Common Stock, without any change in the par value per share. The Reverse Stock Split reduced the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise or vesting of its outstanding stock options and warrants in proportion to the ratio of the Reverse Stock Split and causes a proportionate increase in the conversion and exercise prices of such stock options and warrants. In addition, the number of shares reserved for issuance under our equity compensation plans immediately prior to the effective time was reduced proportionately. The Reverse Stock Split did not change the total number of authorized shares of Common Stock or preferred stock.

Going Concern

As of December 31, 2024, we had $0.4 million in cash, an accumulated deficit of $237.8 million, and working capital deficit of $1.5 million. For the year ended December 31, 2024, cash used in operating activities was $18.2 million and we had a net loss of $13.2 million. We have not generated revenue to date and have incurred substantial losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception. We have historically funded our operations through the issuance of convertible preferred stock, warrants, the issuance and sale of shares of our common stock, and subsequent issuances of shares of our common stock through at-the market offerings. Our ability to continue operations after our current cash resources are exhausted depends on future events outside of our control, including our ability to obtain additional financing or to achieve profitable operations, as to which no assurances can be given. If adequate additional funds are not available when required, management may need to curtail planned operations to conserve cash until sufficient additional capital can be raised. There can be no assurances that such a plan would be successful.

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the assumption that we will continue as a going concern. Due to our recurring and expected continuing losses from operations, we have concluded there is substantial doubt in our ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the issuance of these consolidated financial statements without additional capital becoming available to us. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

We cannot be certain that additional funding will be available on acceptable terms, or at all. To the extent that we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, our stockholders may experience significant dilution. Any debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants that impact our ability to conduct business. If we are unable to raise additional capital when required or on acceptable terms, we may have to (i) seek collaborators for our product candidates on terms that are less favorable than might otherwise be available; or (ii) relinquish or otherwise dispose of rights to technologies, product candidates or products that we would otherwise seek to develop or commercialize on unfavorable terms.

On January 23, 2025, we consummated a “best efforts” public offering of 553,846 shares of common stock (or pre-funded warrants in lieu thereof) with each share of common stock (or pre-funded warrant) accompanied by (i) a series A common warrant to purchase one (1) common share at an exercise price of $20.00 per share and (ii) a series B common warrant to purchase one (1) common share at an exercise price of $20.00 per share. The gross proceeds of the public offering were approximately $9.0 million before deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses and were used to repay certain indebtedness and for general corporate purposes, including working capital, operating expenses and capital expenditures. Refer to Note 14.

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Changes in estimates and assumptions are reflected in reported results in the period in which they become known. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Our most significant estimates include fair value of financial instruments, share-based compensation and contingent consideration.

Cash

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the amount of cash was $0.4 million and $14.8 million, respectively, consisting of checking accounts held at U.S. and Canadian commercial banks. At certain times, our cash balances with any one financial institution may exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits. We believe it mitigates our risk by depositing our cash balances with high credit, quality financial institutions. We have never experienced losses related to these balances.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820,Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”), establishes a fair value hierarchy for instruments measured at fair value that distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and our own assumptions (unobservable inputs). Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of us. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect our assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

ASC 820 identifies fair value as the exchange price, or exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, ASC Topic 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy that distinguishes among the following:

To the extent that the valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by us in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Financial instruments consist of cash, accounts payable, contingent consideration and derivative financial instruments. Cash and accounts payable are stated at their respective historical carrying amounts, which approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. Contingent consideration and derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value at the end of each reporting period. We recorded contingent consideration from the 2016 acquisition of Ciclofilin, which is required to be carried at fair value. See Note 5 for additional information on the fair value of the contingent consideration and derivative financial instruments.

Property, equipment and depreciation

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had $0 and $29,487, respectively, of property and equipment, consisting primarily of lab equipment, computer equipment, and furniture and fixtures. Expenditures for additions, renewals and improvements will be capitalized at cost. Depreciation will generally be computed on a straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the related assets. The estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets are 3 to 7 years. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to operations as incurred. We will periodically evaluate whether current events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our depreciable assets may not be recoverable. There wereno adjustments to the carrying value of property and equipment at December 31, 2024 or December 31, 2023.

In-Process Research & Development

In accordance with ASC Topic 350,Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (“ASC Topic 350”), goodwill and acquired IPR&D are determined to have indefinite lives and, therefore, are not amortized. Instead, they are tested for impairment annually, in our fourth quarter, and between annual tests if we become aware of an event or a change in circumstances that would indicate the carrying value may be impaired.

In-Process Research and Development (“IPR&D”) acquired in a business combination is capitalized as indefinite-lived assets on our consolidated balance sheets at the acquisition-date fair value. IPR&D relates to amounts that arose in connection with the acquisition of Ciclofilin. Once the project is completed, the carrying value of the IPR&D is reclassified to other intangible assets, net and is amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset. Post-acquisition research and development expenses related to the IPR&D projects are expensed as incurred. The projected discounted cash flow models used to estimate the fair values of our IPR&D assets, acquired in connection with the Ciclofilin acquisition, reflect significant assumptions regarding the estimates a market participant would make in order to evaluate a drug development asset, including: (i) probability of successfully completing clinical trials and obtaining regulatory approval; (ii) market size, market growth projections, and market share; (iii) estimates regarding the timing of and the expected costs to advance clinical programs to commercialization; (iv) estimates of future cash flows from potential product sales; and (v) a discount rate. These assumptions are based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 measurements within the fair value hierarchy. The use of different inputs and assumptions could increase or decrease our estimated discounted future cash flows, the resulting estimated fair values and the amounts of related impairments, if any.

The annual, or interim if (events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired), IPR&D impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of the asset to the asset’s carrying amount. When testing indefinite-lived intangibles for impairment, we may assess qualitative factors for its indefinite-lived intangibles to determine whether it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired. Alternatively, we may bypass this qualitative assessment for our indefinite-lived intangible asset and perform the quantitative impairment test that compares the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset with the asset’s carrying amount. If IPR&D becomes impaired or is abandoned, the carrying value of the IPR&D is written down to the revised fair value with the related impairment charge recognized in the period in which the impairment occurs. If the carrying value of the asset becomes impaired as the result of unfavorable data from any ongoing or future clinical trial, changes in assumptions that negatively impact projected cash flows, or because of any other information regarding the prospects of successfully developing or commercializing our programs, we could incur significant charges in the period in which the impairment occurs.

We performed a quantitative assessment of IPR&D for the year ended December 31, 2023 and concluded that our IPR&D asset was impaired due to the slowdown of our Phase 2b clinical trial delaying the potential approval of Rencofilstat, which also resulted in lower revenue and profit projections. We also discarded Hepatitis B as a second indication due to costs and to focus solely on NASH. The full $3.2 million IPR&D asset was impaired at December 31, 2023.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, as well as for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which we expect to recover or settle those temporary differences. We recognize the effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. We reduce the measurement of a deferred tax asset, if necessary, by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that we will not realize some or all of the deferred tax asset. We account for uncertain tax positions by recognizing the financial statement effects of a tax position only when, based upon technical merits, it is “more-likely-than-not” that the position will be sustained upon examination. Potential interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax positions are recognized in income tax expense.

We continue to maintain a full valuation allowance for our U.S. and foreign net deferred tax assets.

Under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, the net operating loss (NOL) and tax credit carryforwards are subject to review and possible adjustment by the Internal Revenue Service and state tax authorities. NOL and tax credit carryforwards may become subject to an annual limitation in the event of certain cumulative changes in the ownership interest of significant shareholders over a three-year period in excess of 50%, as defined under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, respectively, as well as similar state tax provisions. This could limit the amount of tax attributes that we can utilize annually to offset future taxable income or tax liabilities. The amount of the annual limitation, if any, will be determined based on our value immediately prior to the ownership change. Subsequent ownership changes may further affect the limitation in future years. The utilization of these NOLs is subject to limitations based on past and future changes in our ownership pursuant to Section 382. We completed a Section 382 study of transactions in our stock through December 31, 2021 and concluded that we have experienced ownership changes since inception that we believe under Section 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code will result in limitations on our ability to use certain pre-ownership change NOLs and credits. We believe that additional ownership changes have likely occurred since that time as a result of equity offerings and other changes in the ownership of our stock. As a result, the amount of the NOLs and tax credit carryforwards presented in our consolidated financial statements could be further limited. Similar provisions of state tax law may also apply to limit the use of accumulated state tax attributes.

Contingencies

In the normal course of business, we are subject to loss contingencies, such as legal proceedings and claims arising out of our business that cover a wide range of matters, including, among others, government investigations, shareholder lawsuits, product and environmental liability, and tax matters. In accordance with ASC Topic 450,Accounting for Contingencies, (“ASC 450”), we record accruals for such loss contingencies when it is probable that a liability will be incurred, and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. In accordance with this guidance, we do not recognize gain contingencies until realized.

Research and Development

Research and development costs, which include expenditures in connection with an in-house research and development laboratory, salaries and staff costs, application and filing for regulatory approval of proposed products, purchased in-process research and development, license costs, regulatory and scientific consulting fees, as well as contract research, insurance and FDA consultants, are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 730,Research and Development, (“ASC 730”). Also, as prescribed by this guidance, patent filing and maintenance expenses are considered legal in nature and therefore classified as general and administrative expense, if any.

We do not currently have any commercial biopharmaceutical products and do not expect to have such for several years, if at all. Accordingly, our research and development costs are expensed as incurred. While certain of our research and development costs may have future benefits, our policy of expensing all research and development expenditures is predicated on the fact that we have no history of successful commercialization of product candidates to base any estimate of the number of future periods that would be benefited.

Also as prescribed by ASC 730, non-refundable advance payments for goods or services that will be used or rendered for future research and development activities should be deferred and capitalized. As the related goods are delivered or the services are performed, or when the goods or services are no longer expected to be provided, the deferred amounts would be recognized as an expense. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had prepaid research and development costs of $0 million and $2.5 million, respectively.

Share-based payments

ASC Topic 718,Compensation—Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”), requires companies to measure the cost of employee and non-employee services received in exchange for the award of equity instruments based on the estimated fair value of the award at the date of grant. The expense is to be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award. Generally, we issue stock options with only service-based vesting conditions and record the expense for awards using the straight-line method (see Note 10). We account for awards granted to employees that are in excess of what is available to grant as a liability recorded at fair value each reporting period in the consolidated financial statements. ASC 718 allows for the election of forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we determined that 3% is our forfeiture rate based on historical experience. We will continue to analyze the forfeiture rate on at least an annual basis or when there are any identified triggers that would justify immediate review.

Foreign Exchange

The functional currency of Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and ContraVir Research Inc. is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of Hepion Research Corp. is the Canadian dollar. Assets and liabilities of Hepion Research Corp. are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates; income and expenses are translated using the average exchange rates for the reporting period. Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive loss, a separate component of shareholders’ equity. The amount of currency translation adjustment gain was $0.1 million and de minimis for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Transactions in foreign currencies are remeasured into the functional currency of the relevant subsidiaries at the exchange rate in effect at the date of the transaction. Any monetary assets and liabilities arising from these transactions are translated into the functional currency at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date or on settlement. Resulting gains and losses are recorded in general and administrative expense within the consolidated statements of operations. The impact of foreign exchange gains was $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Segment Information

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker (CODM), or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Our chief operating decision maker views our operations and manages the business inone segment. The Company reports its segment information to reflect the manner in which the CODM reviews and assesses performance. The Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer has the responsibility as the CODM and reviews and assesses the performance of the Company as a whole.

The primary financial measures used by the CODM to evaluate performance and allocate resources is consolidated net loss. The CODM uses consolidated net loss to evaluate the performance of the Company’s ongoing operations and as part of the Company’s internal planning and forecasting processes.

Net loss per share

Basic and diluted net loss per share is presented in conformity with ASC Topic 260,Earnings per Share, (“ASC 260”) for all periods presented. In accordance with this guidance, basic and diluted net loss per common share was determined by dividing net loss applicable to common stockholders by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On January 1, 2024, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-07,Segment Reporting (Topic 280). The new guidance improves reportable segment disclosures primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses and by requiring current annual disclosures to be provided in interim periods. The new guidance is to be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented unless impracticable to do so. As the guidance requires only additional disclosure, there are no effects of this standard on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. This adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

**4. Stockholders’ Equity **

On July 19, 2024, Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Pharma Two B Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the State of Israel (“Parent”), and Pearl Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger to which, among other things, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company surviving the Merger as an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. Merger Sub is a newly incorporated Delaware corporation and a wholly owned, direct subsidiary of P2B HoldCo, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holdco”). Holdco is a wholly owned, direct subsidiary of P2B Topco, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Topco”). Topco is a wholly owned, direct subsidiary of Parent. Each of Merger Sub, Holdco and Topco were formed for purposes of consummating the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements (as defined in the Merger Agreement).

Concurrently with the Merger, on July 19, 2024, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) with certain purchasers pursuant to which the Company sold an aggregate of $2.9 million in principal amount of the Company’s Original Issue Discount Senior Unsecured Nonconvertible Notes (the “Notes”). In addition, pursuant to the SPA, the Company issued to the purchasers an aggregate 23,185 shares of Common Stock (see Note 6).

The Merger was expected to be consummated in the fourth quarter of 2024, however, on December 11, 2024, the Company announced the termination of the Merger Agreement, as Pharma Two B informed the Company that Nasdaq will not exclude historical losses of the Company from its burn rate calculation.

Series A Convertible Preferred Stock

On October 14, 2014, our Board of Directors authorized the sale and issuance of up to 1,250,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A”). All shares of the Series A were issued between October 2014 and February 2015. Each share of the Series A is convertible at the option of the holder into the number of shares of common stock determined by dividing the stated value of such share by the conversion price that is subject to adjustment. As of December 31, 2024, there were 85,581 shares outstanding. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, no shares of the Series A were converted. If we sell common stock or equivalents at an effective price per share that is lower than the conversion price, the conversion price may be reduced to the lower conversion price. The Series A will be automatically convertible into common stock in the event of a fundamental transaction as defined in the offering.

Series C Convertible Preferred Stock Issuance

On July 3, 2018, we completed a rights offering pursuant to our effective registration statement on Form S-1. We offered for sale units in the rights offering and each unit sold in connection with the rights offering consisted of 1 share of our Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, or Series C, and common stock warrants (the “Rights Offering”). Upon completion of the offering, pursuant to the rights offering, we sold an aggregate of 10,826 units at an offering price of $1,000 per unit comprised of 10,826 shares of Series C and 89 common stock warrants that expired in July 2023. As of December 31, 2024, there were 1,688 shares outstanding. During the year ended December 31, 2023,113 shares of the Series C were converted into 1 shares of our common stock. There wereno conversions for the year ended December 31, 2024. Each share of Series C is convertible into common stock at any time at the option of the holder thereof at the conversion price then in effect. The conversion price for the Series C is determined by dividing the stated value of $1,000 per share by $0.0092 per share (subject to adjustments upon the occurrence of certain dilutive events).

Common Stock and Warrant Offering

On September 28, 2023, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with an institutional investor for the purchase and sale of 8,000 shares of our common stock (or common stock equivalents in lieu thereof) at a purchase price of $255.00 per share and pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 11,608 shares at a offering price of $254.50 in a registered direct offering priced at-the-market under Nasdaq rules. In addition, in a concurrent private placement, we issued to the investor unregistered Series A Warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 19,608 shares of common stock and Series B Warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 19,608 shares of common stock. The Series A and Series B Warrants will have an exercise price of $242.50 per share, will be exercisable immediately following the date of issuance and will expire in 5 years and 1.5 years, respectively. The closing of the registered direct offering and the concurrent private placement was on October 3, 2023. We received gross proceeds of $5.0 million, before deducting the underwriting discount and other offering expenses of approximately $0.5 million that was recorded as general and administrative costs in our consolidated statement of operations. All of the pre-funded warrants were exercised in the fourth quarter of 2023.

We used the guidance in ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, (“ASC 480”), ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815-40”) and ASC 260, Earnings Per Shares (“ASC 260”) to determine the accounting classification for the warrants.

Based on this evaluation, we determined that the Warrants are not indexed to our own stock and are precluded from being classified within equity. Therefore, the Warrants were classified as a liability on the balance sheet, initially recorded at fair value, and then subsequently will be carried at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in the income statement.

Upon the issuance of the warrants, the fair value of the warrants was determined to be approximately $8.9 million resulting in no residual to allocate to equity and, further, with the excess of the fair value over the proceeds received was recorded as a day one loss of $3.9 million that was recorded to “Change in fair value of contingent consideration and derivative financial instruments” in the consolidated statement of operations.

On February 16, 2024, the Company entered into an agreement with a current warrant holder to exercise the outstanding Series B Warrants (the “Series B Warrant Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Series B Warrant Agreement, the holder agreed to exercise the Series B Warrant in full and purchase a total of 19,608 shares of common stock at a reduced price of $105.00 per share, generating total gross cash proceeds of $2,058,825.

The Company accounted for this transaction as a modification and settlement of the Series B Warrant liability. As such, the Company first recognized a gain of $286,007 as a result of the change in fair value of the Series B Warrant immediately prior to the modification. As the modified Series B Warrant was immediately exercisable, the post-modification fair value was determined to be the intrinsic value of the Series B Warrant at the date of the modification. Therefore, the change in fair value on the date of the modification prior to the modification compared to the fair value on the date of the modification after the modification, but prior to exercise was determined to be $601,224, which was recorded as an inducement charge, within other expenses in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. The Company then subsequently reclassified the liability into equity upon settlement.

As part of the transaction, the Company incurred equity issuance costs of $209,118 related to advisory and legal fees directly attributable to the issuance of the common stock from the Series B Warrant Agreement, which were recorded against additional paid-in-capital.

In connection with the offering, the Company agreed to amend, effective upon the closing of this offering, the terms of the October 2023 Series A common stock purchase warrant held by a purchaser in the offering to reduce the exercise price thereof to $95.50 per share and to extend the expiration date to February 2029. All of the other terms of the October 2023 Series A common stock purchase warrant will remain unchanged.

The Company accounted for this transaction as a modification of the Series A Warrant liability. As such the Company first recognized a gain of $669,466 as a result of the change in fair value of the Series A Warrant immediately prior to the modification. As a result of the modification, the change in fair value on the date of the modification prior to the modification compared to the fair value on the date of the modification after the modification, but prior to exercise was an fair value of $346,869, which was recorded as an inducement expense, due to the modification being a result of the Series B Warrant Agreement, and is recorded within the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.

Additionally, as part of the Series B Warrant Agreement, we issued to the investor unregistered Series B-1 Warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 14,706 shares of common stock and Series B-2 Warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 14,706 shares of common stock, collectively the “New Warrant Shares”. The Series B-1 and Series B-2 Warrants will have an exercise price of $95.50 per share, will be exercisable immediately following the date of issuance and will expire in 5 years and 1.5 years, respectively. The grant date value of the New Warrant Shares issued of $2,821,000 was recorded as inducement expense within other expenses in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.

The fair value of these liability classified warrants was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. This method of valuation involves using inputs such as the fair value of our common stock, historical volatility, the contractual term of the warrants, risk-free interest rates and dividend yields. Due to the nature of these inputs, the valuation of the warrants is considered a Level 2 measurement (see Note 5). The following assumptions were used to measure the Series A and Series B Warrants at modification and to remeasure the liability as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and to measure Series B-1 and B-2 at issuance and to remeasure the liability as of December 31, 2024.

The following table sets forth the components of changes in our derivative financial instruments liability balance for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

5. Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents our liabilities that are measured and recognized at fair value on a recurring basis classified under the appropriate level of the fair value hierarchy at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

The unrealized gains or losses on the derivative liabilities are recorded as a change in fair value of derivative liabilities- warrants in our consolidated statement of operations. See Note 4 for a rollforward of the derivative liability for years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. The financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. At each reporting period, we review the assets and liabilities that are subject to ASC 815-40. At each reporting period, all assets and liabilities for which the fair value measurement is based on significant unobservable inputs or instruments which trade infrequently and therefore have little or no price transparency are classified as Level 3.

Contingent consideration was recorded for the acquisition of Ciclofilin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ciclofilin) on June 10, 2016. The contingent consideration represented the acquisition date fair value of potential future payments, to be paid in cash and our stock, upon the achievement of certain milestones and was estimated based on a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model.

At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the assumptions we used to calculate the fair value were as follows:

As of June 30, 2024, $0 was recorded as a current liability and as non-current liability based upon management’s best estimate using the latest available information. Management reviewed and updated the assumptions at June 30, 2024 and reduced the contingent consideration to $0 because the projected milestones upon which the liability was based will not be achieved. There wasno change in the assumptions at December 31, 2024, and therefore the liability was $0.

The following table presents the change in fair value of the contingent consideration for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

6. Notes Payable

Concurrently with the Merger, on July 19, 2024, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) with certain purchasers pursuant to which the Company sold an aggregate of $2.9 million in principal amount of the Company’s Original Issue Discount Senior Unsecured Nonconvertible Notes (the “Notes”). The Notes are due on the earlier of: (i)December 31, 2024, (ii) the date of the closing of the Merger, (iii) the date that the Merger is terminated pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, or (iv) such earlier date as the Notes are required or permitted to be repaid as provided in the Note, as may be extended at the option of the holder of the Note as described in the Note. The principal amount of the note was discounted by $400,000 (discount rate of 13.8%), fees and expenses. The Company allocated the proceeds of the $2,500,000 received in exchange for the Notes and common shares in accordance with their relative fair values, which was 65% and 35%, respectively. The difference between the allocated proceeds and the face value was treated as debt discount.

On December 11, 2024, the Company announced that it had entered into a termination agreement with Pharma Two B Ltd. which terminates the merger agreement between the two parties that was previously entered into on July 19, 2024. The termination of the merger triggered the notes to become due and payable, and began accruing interest at 14%. The accrued and unpaid interest was $23,684 as of December 31, 2024.

Subsequent to December 31, 2024, the notes payable was paid off with proceeds from the 2025 financing - see Note 14 Subsequent Events.

7. Related Party Transaction

As part of the July 19, 2024 Securities Purchase Agreement discussed in Note 6, the Company provided a $600,000 loan to Pharma Two B from the net proceeds from the transaction. The outstanding principal under this promissory note will be paid to, together with accrued interest, on the earlier of: (i) December 31, 2024 and (ii) the date that the Business Combination is terminated pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement. In the event the Business Combination is consummated, the outstanding principal amount under this promissory note, together with all accrued interest, shall be deemed to be paid in full and this note shall automatically be terminated and Pharma Two B shall have no further obligations hereunder. All payments shall be applied, first, to interest and then to principal, and the principal amount of this note may be prepaid in whole or in part at any time without penalty, in which event interest shall cease to accrue on the portion of the principal so prepaid.

On December 11, 2024, the Company announced that it had entered into a termination agreement with Pharma Two B Ltd. which terminates the merger agreement between the two parties that was previously entered into on July 19, 2024.

We were subsequently notified that Pharma Two B has filed for insolvency proceedings with the court and therefore are unable to fulfil its financial obligations regarding the loan payable. As a result, we have written off the receivable from Pharma Two B.

8. Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method, based on useful lives as follows:

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was de minimis and $0.1 million, respectively.

9. Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consist of the following:

At December 31, 2023, Other accrued expenses includes approximately $0.7 million for restructuring costs. In December 2023, the board of directors approved a strategic restructuring plan to preserve capital by reducing operating costs. The restructuring costs of approximately $0.7 million are related to severance amounts due to members of our clinical team and were recorded to research and development costs in the consolidated statement of operations at December 31, 2023. As part of this process, we formally communicated the termination of employment to 6 employees and terminated none of the employees during 2023. We incurred further restructuring costs of less than $0.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, the restructuring plan was completed and there were no additional accruals.

10. Accounting for Share-Based Payments

On June 3, 2013, we adopted the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2013 Plan), which expired in June 2023 and we are no longer making grants under it. Stock options granted under the 2013 Plan typically vest after three years of continuous service from the grant date and will have a contractual term often years. We granted options during the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, and at the time that these grants were made, we did not have any options available for grant under the Plan. We accounted for these option grants as liability-classified awards requiring us to measure the fair value of the awards each reporting period since there were not enough shares available at the time of the grant. In April 2023, with the approval of the 2023 Plan, these awards are no longer accounted for as liability-classified and the cumulative liability of $3.0 million was recorded to additional paid-in capital.

In April 2023, our board of directors approved the 2023 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the 2023 Plan), which became effective in June 2023 upon stockholder approval. The 2023 Plan allows for the grant of up to 500,000 awards for the purpose of attracting, motivating and retaining employees (including officers), non-employee directors and non-employee consultants. On March 6, 2024 pursuant to the 2023 Plan, we granted 1,000 RSUs with a fair value of $114.50 per share, which vest upon the earlier of (i)one year after date of grant or (ii) change of control of the Company. In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company granted 6,800 options with a term of 2 to 10 years that were vested upon issuance. Subsequent to the grant of these options, we had 1,460 awards available for grant from the 2023 Plan.

We classify stock-based compensation expense in our consolidated statement of operations in the same way the award recipient’s payroll costs are classified or in which the award recipients’ service payments are classified. We recorded stock-based compensation expense as follows:

A summary of stock option activity under the Plan is presented below:

The following weighted-average assumptions were used in the Black-Scholes valuation model to estimate fair value of stock option awards when granted.

The total fair value of awards vested during the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $0.7 million and $2.7 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2023, the unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options outstanding, net of expected forfeitures, was $0.

Stock price—The stock price used is the closing price of our common stock on the day prior to the grant date.

Risk-free interest rate—Based on the daily yield curve rates for U.S. Treasury obligations with maturities which correspond to the expected term of our stock options.

Dividend yield—We have not paid any dividends on our common stock since inception and do not anticipate paying dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.

Expected volatility—We base expected volatility on the trading price of our common stock.

Expected term—The expected option term represents the period that stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding based on the simplified method provided in SAB No. 107, which SAB No. 107, options are considered to be “plain vanilla” if they have the following basic characteristics: (i) granted “at-the-money”; (ii) exercisability is conditioned upon service through the vesting date; (iii) termination of service prior to vesting results in forfeiture; (iv) limited exercise period following termination of service; and (v) options are non-transferable and non-hedgeable.

SAB No. 110,Share-Based Payment, (“SAB No. 110”) expresses the views of the Staff of the SEC with respect to extending the use of the simplified method, as discussed in SAB No. 107, in developing an estimate of the expected term of “plain vanilla” share options in accordance with ASC 718. For the expected term, we have “plain-vanilla” stock options, and therefore used a simple average of the vesting period and the contractual term for options granted as permitted by SAB No. 107.

Forfeitures—ASC 718 allows for the election of forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we determined that 3% is our forfeiture rate based on historical experience. We will continue to analyze the forfeiture rate on at least an annual basis or when there are any identified triggers that would justify immediate review.

11. Income Taxes

We provide for income taxes under ASC 740,“Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”). Under ASC 740, the liability method is used in accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.

Our loss before income taxes was $16.2 million and $49.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and was generated entirely in the United States and Canada.

Income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $3.0 million and was related to the sale of our state NOLs related to prior years under the State of New Jersey’s Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program. Income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $0.4 million was related to the impairment of our IPR&D asset.

Deferred taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial statement and income tax purposes.

The significant components of our deferred tax assets are comprised of the following:

We have evaluated the positive and negative evidence bearing upon the realizability of our deferred tax assets. Based on our history of operating losses since inception, we have concluded that it is more likely than not that the benefit of our deferred tax assets will not be realized. Accordingly, we have provided a valuation allowance for all deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.

The valuation allowance did not significantly change and increased by $13.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, due primarily to the generation of net operating losses during these periods.

A reconciliation of income tax benefit computed at the statutory federal income tax rate to income taxes as reflected in the consolidated financial statements is as follows:

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had U.S. federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of $160.1 million and $148.0 million, respectively, which may be available to offset future income tax liabilities and will begin to expire at various dates starting in December 2037. We also had federal and state research and development tax credit carryforwards of approximately $1.6 million as of December 31, 2024, which will begin to expire in December 2027.

Under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, the NOL and tax credit carryforwards are subject to review and possible adjustment by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and state tax authorities. NOL and tax credit carryforwards may become subject to an annual limitation in the event of certain cumulative changes in the ownership interest of significant shareholders over a three-year period in excess of 50%, as defined under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, respectively, as well as similar state tax provisions. This could limit the amount of tax attributes that we can utilize annually to offset future taxable income or tax liabilities. The amount of the annual limitation, if any, will be determined based on our value immediately prior to the ownership change. Subsequent ownership changes may further affect the limitation in future years. The utilization of these NOLs is subject to limitations based on past and future changes in our ownership pursuant to Section 382. We completed a Section 382 study of transactions in our stock through December 31, 2021 and concluded that we have experienced ownership changes since inception that we believe under Section 382 and 383 of the Code will result in limitations on our ability to use certain pre-ownership change NOLs and credits, which have been removed from the table above. We believe that additional ownership changes have likely occurred since that time as a result of subsequent equity offerings and other changes in the ownership of our stock. As a result, the amount of the NOLs and tax credit carryforwards presented in our consolidated financial statements could be further limited. Similar provisions of state tax law may also apply to limit the use of accumulated state tax attributes.

We file income tax returns in the United States, Canada and various state jurisdictions. Our federal income tax returns for the years 2018 and forward, and state income returns for the years 2017 and forward remain subject to examination by the IRS and state authorities. Our tax returns in Canada are also subject to examination.

We have approximately $2.2 million of undistributed earnings in Canada, which we continue to reinvest indefinitely, and therefore no withholding taxes related to its repatriation has been recorded.

12. Loss per Share

Basic and diluted net loss per common share was determined by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share for the periods indicated:

In connection with series B warrants exercise (see Note 4),6,520 warrants that were exercised during the quarter ended March 31, 2024 were not yet issued as common stock and are held by the Company in abeyance, were included in the Company’s calculation of basic and diluted loss per share. The shares of common stock held by the Company in abeyance are considered outstanding for the purposes of computing earnings per share, as these shares may be issued for little or no consideration, are fully vested, and are exercisable after the original issuance date.

The 6,520 warrants that were exercised during the quarter ended March 31, 2024 were issued as common stock in June 2024.

The following outstanding securities at December 31, 2024 and 2023 have been excluded from the computation of basic and diluted weighted shares outstanding, as they would have been anti-dilutive given the net loss in both periods:

The strike prices for the equity classified warrant ranges from $1,875- $2,500 each and the expiration dates are in 2025 and 2026.

13. Commitments and Contingencies

We are involved in various legal proceedings. Significant judgment is required to determine both the likelihood and the estimated amount of a loss related to such matters. Additionally, while any litigation contains an element of uncertainty, we have at this time no reason to believe that the outcome of such proceedings or claims will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Leases

In July 2014, we entered into a lease for corporate office space in Edison, New Jersey (“Edison Lease”). In July 2017, we entered into the first amendment to the Edison Lease expanding the office footprint and extending the Edison Lease for an approximate 5-year period that ended on March 31, 2023. In August 2023, we signed a second amendment to the Edison Lease in which we reduced our corporate office space and extended the lease for a period of 2.3 years ending July 31, 2025. As of December 2024, we had paid all outstanding rent on the lease, terminated the lease and vacated the office.

In October 2019, we entered into a 3-year lease for office and research laboratory space in Edmonton, Canada, which expired on September 30, 2022 and we leased this space on a month-to-month basis until December 31, 2023.

We account for leases in accordance with ASC Topic 842,Leases, (“ASC 842”). We determine if an arrangement is a lease at contract inception. A lease exists when a contract conveys to the customer the right to control the use of identified property or equipment for a period in exchange for consideration. The definition of a lease embodies two conditions: (1) there is an identified asset in the contract that is land or a depreciable asset (i.e., property and equipment), and (2) the customer has the right to control the use of the identified asset.

Operating leases where we are the lessee are included under the caption “Right of Use Assets” (“ROU”) on our consolidated balance sheets. The lease liabilities are initially and subsequently measured at the present value of the unpaid lease payments at the lease commencement date. Key estimates and judgments include how we determine (1) the discount rate used to discount the unpaid lease payments to present value, (2) lease term and (3) lease payments.

The ROU asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for lease payments made at or before the lease commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred less any lease incentives received. For operating leases, the ROU asset is subsequently measured throughout the lease term at the carrying amount of the lease liability, plus initial direct costs, plus (minus) any prepaid (accrued) lease payments, less the unamortized balance of lease incentives received. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

As of December 31, 2023, the ROU assets were $0.2 million, the current lease liabilities were $0.1 million, and there were $0.1 million non-current lease liabilities. An estimated incremental borrowing rate of 14.9% was used in to account for the second amendment of the Edison Lease. For the first amendment of the Edison Lease, an incremental borrowing rate 6.50% was used. As of December 31, 2024, there were no ROU and lease liabilities as we had paid all outstanding rent on the lease, terminated the lease and vacated the office.

Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, which included a de minimis amount for a short-term lease.

For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the weighted average remaining term of our noncancelable operating leases is 0 year and 1.58 years, respectively.

There were no future minimum rental payments under operating leases at December 31, 2024.

Employment Agreements

We do not have any employment agreements with employees which require the funding of a specific level of payments, if certain events, such as a change in control, termination without cause or retirement, occur.

14. Subsequent Events

On January 23, 2025, we consummated a “best efforts” public offering of 553,846 shares of common stock (or pre-funded warrants in lieu thereof) with each share of common stock (or pre-funded warrant) accompanied by (i) a series A common warrant to purchase one (1) common share at an exercise price of $20.00 per share and (ii) a series B common warrant to purchase one (1) common share at an exercise price of $20.00 per share. The exercise periods for the Series A and B warrants are five years and two and half years, respectively. The Series B warrants have an alternate cashless exercise of one warrant for three common shares.

The combined offering price of each share of common stock together with the accompanying Series A and Series B common warrants is $16.250, and the combined offering price of each pre-funded warrant, all of which were exercised as of April 2, 2025, together with the accompanying series A and series B common warrants is $16.245. The gross proceeds of the public offering were approximately $9.0 million before deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses and were used to repay certain indebtedness ($2.9 M note payable) and expected to be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, operating expenses and capital expenditures.

The Series B warrants contained certain volume weighted average price provisions that reset the exercise price to a minimum floor price of $3.21 and also resets the number of warrants to 3,406,390 which are exercisable into 10,219,170 common shares. As of April 2, 2025 all of the Series B warrants were exercised into 10,219,170 of common shares at a weighted average reset price of $3.27. Since the Series B warrants were exercised on a cashless basis, there were no proceeds to the company. No Series A warrants were exercised, however the reset provisions increased the amount of Series A warrants such that 3,443,461 are outstanding at an exercise price of $3.21.

On March 17, 2025, we effecteda reverse stock split of our voting common stock at a ratio of one-for-fifty (the “Reverse Stock Split”). When the Reverse Stock Split became effective, every fifty (50) shares of our issued and outstanding Common Stock immediately prior to the effective time was automatically reclassified into one (1) share of Common Stock, without any change in the par value per share. The Reverse Stock Split reduced the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise or vesting of its outstanding stock options and warrants in proportion to the ratio of the Reverse Stock Split and causes a proportionate increase in the conversion and exercise prices of such stock options and warrants. In addition, the number of shares reserved for issuance under our equity compensation plans immediately prior to the effective time was reduced proportionately. The Reverse Stock Split did not change the total number of authorized shares of Common Stock or preferred stock.

On March 18, 2025, we received written notice from Nasdaq indicating that the bid price for our common stock, for the last 10 consecutive business days, had closed below $0.10 per share and, as a result, we are subject to the provisions contemplated under Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A)(iii) (the “Low Priced Stocks Rule”).

As such, unless we request an appeal of Nasdaq’s determination to delist our common stock from The Nasdaq Capital Market by March 25, 2025 and pay Nasdaq a hearing fee of $20,000, our common stock will be delisted from The Nasdaq Capital Market at the opening of business on March 27, 2025. On March 25, 2025, we requested a hearing and we are awaiting a hearing date. No guarantee can be provided that we will be successful in the appeal and that our common stock will continue to be listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market.