Chromocell Therapeutics Corp

From time to time, we may be involved in legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are not presently a party to any legal proceedings that, in the opinion of our management, would have a material adverse effect on our business. Regardless of outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us due to defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources, negative publicity and reputation harm, and other factors.

On February 14, 2024, our board of directors received a demand letter from an attorney representing Chromocell Holdings and our former Chief Executive Officer and former Chief Strategy Officer, Mr. Christian Kopfli, who was released for “cause” as disclosed elsewhere in this Report. Mr. Kopfli alleges an improper termination for “cause” and seeks monetary damages in the amount of $479,169. Of the $479,169 asserted by Mr. Kopfli, as of March 31, 2024, the Company has accrued $363,091 in compensation expenses associated with Mr. Kopfli’s prior employment with the Company. To the extent Mr. Kopfli is successful in his assertions, we will pay any amounts owed thereunder from future working capital reserves; however, we believe the assertions made by Mr. Kopfli are without merit and intends to vigorously defend the matter.

On April 9, 2024, we received correspondence notifying us of an Entry of Default Notice, filed on April 8, 2024, against “Chromocell Corporation d/b/a Chromocell Therapeutics” in the matterNew Jersey Economic Development Authority v. Chromocell Corporation, et al. (Docket No. MER-L-001748-23). The complaint filed by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (the “EDA”) on September 12, 2023 in the Superior Court of New Jersey Law Division, Mercer County, alleges Chromocell Holdings’ (not the Company’s) breach of a Settlement Agreement between the EDA and Chromocell Holdings, dated December 31, 2022 (the “Settlement Agreement”), pursuant to which EDA and Chromocell Holdings agreed that Chromocell Holdings would (i) vacate the premises located at 671 US Highway One South, North Brunswick, New Jersey, on or before December 31, 2023, (ii) pay an initial lump-sum payment of $10,000 toward outstanding rent and provide a copy of its IPO Registration Statement and (iii) make a final one-time lump sum payment to the EDA of $510,700.62 to satisfy Chromocell Holdings’ outstanding rent and additional rent obligations within 90 days of Chromocell Holdings’ executing the Settlement Agreement or within 15 days of Chromocell Holdings’ IPO, whichever was the first to occur. The complaint alleges Chromocell Holdings’ breach of each of these provisions of the Settlement Agreement and seeks a judgment for the entire amount allegedly due and owing as of September 12, 2023 ($510,700.62), compensatory damages, pre-judgment interest, attorney’s fees, costs of suit and such other and further relief as the court deems just and proper. Besides including “Chromocell Therapeutics” in the case caption, the complaint does not include allegations related to any action purportedly taken by the Company. While the complaint appears to concern a matter between Chromocell Holding and EDA, the Company steadfastly believes it was inappropriately named as a defendant and filed motions to vacate the Entry of Default and have “Chromocell Therapeutics” dismissed from the matter on April 24, 2024.