UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM
QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 |
For the transition period from to
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
☒ | Accelerated Filer | ☐ | |
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Non-accelerated Filer | ☐ | Smaller Reporting Company | |
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| Emerging Growth Company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act): Yes
On March 31, 2023, there were
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE | ||
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PART I Financial Information | 3 | |
3 | ||
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS | 27 | |
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK | 40 | |
40 | ||
PART II Other Information | 42 | |
42 | ||
42 | ||
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS | 42 | |
42 | ||
43 |
2
PART I. Financial Information
Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements
CytoDyn Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited, in thousands, except par value)
February 28, 2023 |
| May 31, 2022 | ||||
Assets |
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Current assets: |
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Cash | $ | | $ | | ||
Restricted cash |
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Prepaid expenses |
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Prepaid service fees |
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Total current assets |
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Inventories, net | — | | ||||
Other non-current assets |
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Total assets | $ | | $ | | ||
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit |
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Current liabilities: |
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Accounts payable | $ | | $ | | ||
Accrued liabilities and compensation |
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Accrued interest on convertible notes |
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Accrued dividends on convertible preferred stock |
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Convertible notes payable, net |
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Total current liabilities |
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Operating leases |
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Total liabilities |
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Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9) |
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Stockholders’ deficit: |
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Preferred stock, $ |
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Series B convertible preferred stock, $ |
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Series C convertible preferred stock, $ |
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Series D convertible preferred stock, $ |
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Common stock, $ |
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Treasury stock, $ | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
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Accumulated deficit |
| ( |
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Total stockholders’ deficit |
| ( |
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Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit | $ | | $ | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
3
CytoDyn Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
Three months ended February 28, | Nine months ended February 28, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||||||
(Restated) (1) | (Restated) (1) | ||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | | |||||
Cost of goods sold | — | — | — | | |||||||||
Gross profit | — | — | — | | |||||||||
Operating expenses: |
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General and administrative | | | | | |||||||||
Research and development |
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Amortization and depreciation |
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Inventory charge | — | | | | |||||||||
Total operating expenses |
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Operating loss |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
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Interest and other expenses: | |||||||||||||
Interest on convertible notes |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |||||
Amortization of discount on convertible notes | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||
Amortization of debt issuance costs |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |||||
Loss on induced conversion |
| ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||
Finance charges |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |||||
Inducement interest expense |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | |||||
Legal settlement |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( | |||||
Loss on derivatives | ( | — | ( | — | |||||||||
Total interest and other expenses |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |||||
Loss before income taxes |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |||||
Income tax benefit |
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Net loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||
Basic and diluted: | |||||||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding | | | | | |||||||||
Loss per share | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( |
(1)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
4
CytoDyn Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit
(Unaudited, in thousands)
Preferred stock | Common stock | Treasury stock |
| Additional |
| Accumulated |
| Total stockholders' | ||||||||||||||||
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Shares |
| Amount | paid-in capital | deficit | deficit | ||||||||||
Balance at May 31, 2022 | | $ | — | | $ | | | $ | — | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||
Stock issued for compensation | — | — | | | — | — |
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| — |
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Stock issued for private offerings | — | — | | | — | — |
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| — |
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Issuance costs related to stock issued for private offerings | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | ||||||||||||
Conversion of Series C convertible preferred stock to common stock | ( | — | | | — | — |
| ( |
| — |
| — | ||||||||||||
Warrant exercises | — | — | | | — | — |
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Deemed dividend paid in common stock due to down round provision, recorded in additional paid-in capital | — | — | | | — | — |
| ( |
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Dividends accrued on Series C and D convertible preferred stock | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | ||||||||||||
Reclassification of warrants from liability to equity classified | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — | | |||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | — |
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| — |
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Reclassification of prior period preferred stock dividends | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | | — | |||||||||||||||
Net loss | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| ( |
| ( | ||||||||||||
Balance at August 31, 2022 | | — | | | | — | | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
Issuance of stock for convertible note repayment | — | — | | | — | — | | — |
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Loss on induced conversion | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — | | |||||||||||||||
Stock issued for compensation | — | — | | — | — | — | | — | | |||||||||||||||
Exercise of warrants, net of offering costs | — | — | | | — | — | | — | | |||||||||||||||
Make-whole shares related to private warrant exchange | — | — | | — | — | — | — | — |
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Dividend paid in common stock upon conversion of Series C convertible preferred stock ($ | — | — | | — | — | — | | — |
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Dividends accrued on Series C and D convertible preferred stock | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — |
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Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — |
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Net loss | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( |
| ( | ||||||||||||||
Balance at November 30, 2022 | | — | | | | — | | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
Issuance of stock for convertible note repayment | — | — | | | — | — | | — | | |||||||||||||||
Loss on induced conversion | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — | | |||||||||||||||
Stock issued for compensation | — | — | | | — | — | | — |
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Stock to be issued for private offerings | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — |
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Issuance costs related to stock to be issued for private offerings | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||
Exercise of warrants, net of offering costs | — | — | | | — | — | | — |
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Deemed dividend paid in common stock due to down round provision, recorded in additional paid-in capital | — | — | | | — | — | ( | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Dividends accrued on Series C and D preferred stock | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — |
| ( | ||||||||||||||
Reclassification of warrants from liability to equity classified | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — |
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Finance charges related to warrant issuance for surety bond backstop agreement | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — | | |||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — |
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Net loss | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( |
| ( | ||||||||||||||
Balance at February 28, 2023 | | $ | — | | $ | | | $ | — | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
5
CytoDyn Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit
(Unaudited, in thousands)
Preferred stock | Common stock | Treasury stock |
| Additional |
| Accumulated |
| Total stockholders' | ||||||||||||||||
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Shares |
| Amount | paid-in capital | deficit | deficit | ||||||||||
(Restated) (1) | (Restated) (1) | (Restated) (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at May 31, 2021 | | $ | — | | $ | | | $ | — | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||
Issuance of stock for convertible note repayment | — | — | | | — | — |
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Loss on induced conversion | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — | | |||||||||||||||
Issuance of legal settlement warrants | — | — | — | — | — | — |
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Stock option exercises | — | — | | — | — | — |
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Stock issued for compensation and tendered for income tax | — | — | | | — | — |
| ( |
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Stock issued for private offerings | — | — | | | — | — |
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Private warrant exchanges | — | — | | | — | — |
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Warrant exercises | — | — | | | — | — |
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Inducement interest expense related to private warrant exchanges | — | — | — | — | — | — |
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Accrued preferred stock dividends | — | — | — | — | — | — |
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| ( |
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Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | — |
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Net loss | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| ( |
| ( | ||||||||||||
Balance at August 31, 2021 | | — | | | | — | | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
Issuance of stock for convertible note repayment | — |
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Loss on induced conversion | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — | | |||||||||||||||
Stock option exercises | — |
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Stock issued for private offerings | — |
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Conversion of Series B preferred stock to common stock | ( |
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Private warrant exchanges | — | — | | | — | — | | — | | |||||||||||||||
Offering costs related to stock issuance | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||
Warrant exercises | — |
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Inducement interest expense related to private warrant exchanges | — |
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Preferred stock dividends accrued and paid in common stock | — |
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| ( |
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Stock-based compensation | — |
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Net loss | — |
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| ( |
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Balance at November 30, 2021 | | — | | | | — | | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
Issuance of stock for convertible note repayment | — |
| — | |
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| — |
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Loss on induced conversion | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — | | |||||||||||||||
Stock issued for private offerings | — | — | | | — | — | | — | | |||||||||||||||
Conversion of Series C preferred stock to common stock | ( | — | | | — | — | ( | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Warrant exercises | — | — | | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Inducement interest expense related to private warrant exchanges | — | — | | | — | — | | — | | |||||||||||||||
Preferred stock dividends accrued and paid in common stock | — | — | | — | — | — | | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||
Finance charges related to warrant issuance for surety bond backstop agreement | — |
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Net loss | — |
| — | — |
| — | — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
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Balance at February 28, 2022 | | $ | — | | $ | | | $ | — | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( |
(1)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
6
CytoDyn Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited, in thousands)
Nine months ended February 28, | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |||
(Restated) (1) | ||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
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Net loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
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Amortization and depreciation |
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Amortization of debt issuance costs |
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Amortization of discount on convertible notes |
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Warrants issued for legal settlement | — | | ||||
Loss on derivatives | | — | ||||
Loss on induced conversion | | | ||||
Inducement interest expense and non-cash finance charges |
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Inventory charge | | | ||||
Stock-based compensation |
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Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
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(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets | | ( | ||||
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses |
| ( |
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Net cash used in operating activities |
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Cash flows from investing activities: |
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Furniture and equipment purchases |
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Net cash used in investing activities |
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Cash flows from financing activities: |
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Proceeds from warrant transactions, net of offering costs | | | ||||
Proceeds from sale of common stock and warrants, net of issuance costs |
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Proceeds from warrant exercises |
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Proceeds held in escrow |
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Proceeds from stock option exercises | — | | ||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
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Net change in cash and restricted cash |
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| ( | ||
Cash at beginning of period |
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Cash and restricted cash at end of period | $ | | $ | | ||
Cash and restricted cash consisted of the following: | ||||||
Cash | $ | | $ | | ||
Restricted cash | | | ||||
Total cash and restricted cash | $ | | $ | | ||
Supplemental disclosure: | ||||||
Cash paid for interest | $ | — | $ | | ||
Non-cash investing and financing transactions: |
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Derivative liability associated with warrants | $ | | $ | — | ||
Issuance of common stock for principal and interest of convertible notes | $ | | $ | | ||
Accrued dividends on Series C and D convertible preferred stock | $ | | $ | | ||
Dividend paid in common stock on Series B and C convertible preferred stock conversions | $ | | $ | | ||
Warrants issued to placement agent, recorded in additional paid-in capital | $ | | $ | | ||
Warrants issued for surety bond backstop agreement | $ | | $ | | ||
Deemed dividend due to equity modifications, recorded in additional paid-in capital | $ | | $ | — |
(1) See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Revision and Restatement of Financial Statements.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
7
CYTODYN INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2023
(Unaudited)
Note 1. Organization
CytoDyn Inc. (together with its wholly owned subsidiaries, the “Company”) was originally incorporated under the laws of Colorado on May 2, 2002, under the name RexRay Corporation and, effective August 27, 2015, reincorporated under the laws of Delaware. The Company is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the clinical development of innovative treatments for multiple therapeutic indications based on its product candidate, leronlimab (PRO 140), a novel humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the CCR5 receptor. The Company has been engaged in studying leronlimab for use in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (“HIV”), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (“NASH”), and solid tumors in oncology.
The Company has been investigating leronlimab as a viral entry inhibitor for HIV, believed to competitively bind to the N-terminus and second extracellular loop of the CCR5 receptor. For immunology, the CCR5 receptor is believed to be implicated in immune-mediated illnesses such as NASH. The CCR5 receptor may also be present on cells that undergo malignant transformation and may also be present in the tumor microenvironment. Leronlimab is being studied in NASH, NASH-HIV, solid tumors in oncology, and other HIV indications where CCR5 is believed to play an integral role.
The Company is pursuing the regulatory approval of leronlimab in hopes that commercial sales will be obtained for one or more indications. The Company previously submitted a Biologic License Application (“BLA”) for leronlimab as a combination therapy with highly active antiretroviral therapy (“HAART”) for highly treatment-experienced HIV patients. In July 2020, the Company received a Refusal to File letter from the FDA regarding its BLA submission due to the BLA not containing certain information and data needed for the FDA to complete a substantive review. In November 2021, the Company resubmitted the non-clinical and chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (“CMC”) sections of the BLA. In March 2022, the FDA placed the Company’s HIV trials on a partial clinical hold. In October 2022, the Company voluntarily withdrew its BLA submission after concluding that a significant risk existed that the BLA would not receive FDA approval due to its former contract research organization’s (“CRO”) inadequate process and performance around the monitoring and oversight of the clinical data.
The Company is engaged in litigation with its former CRO as previously reported and as described in Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies - Legal Proceedings.
The Company’s efforts are currently primarily directed toward obtaining the removal of the partial clinical hold on its HIV program, preparation for and development of a Phase 2b/3 NASH clinical trial protocol, research and development of longer-acting molecules including for the treatment and/or prevention of HIV, maintenance and testing of clinical drug product, and resolving legal and regulatory matters.
As of the date of this filing, the Company has submitted the following to the FDA in connection with resolving the clinical hold: an aggregate analysis of cardiovascular events across all leronlimab clinical programs, a Safety Surveillance Plan, an aggregate safety data analysis, an updated Investigator’s Brochure, annual reports, a benefit-risk assessment, and a general investigational plan. The Company is currently working on a supplemental submission to address items discussed with the FDA during a late March 2023 informal meeting.
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of presentation
The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CytoDyn Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, CytoDyn Operations Inc. and Advanced Genetic Technologies, Inc. (“AGTI”); AGTI is a dormant entity. All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated financial statements reflect
8
all normal recurring adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations for the interim financial statements. The interim financial information and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Company's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2022 (the “2022 Form 10-K”). The results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the entire fiscal year or for any other future annual or interim period.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year and prior quarter amounts shown in the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Such reclassifications did not have material effect on the Company’s previously reported financial position, results of operations, stockholders’ deficit, or net cash provided by operating activities.
During the quarter ended August 31, 2022, the Company reclassified amounts recorded as accumulated dividends for Series C and D preferred stockholders from accumulated deficit to additional paid-in capital. These reclassifications were made to reflect the proper presentation for accrued dividends when an entity has accumulated deficit.
Revision and restatement of financial statements
During the preparation of the quarterly financial statements as of and for the period ended November 30, 2021, the Company identified an error in how non-cash inducement interest expense was calculated in previous reporting periods dating back to fiscal year 2018. The error resulted in an understatement of non-cash inducement interest expense and additional paid-in capital. For details, refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Revision of Financial Statements, in the 2022 Form 10-K. Also, during the preparation and audit of the annual financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2022, the Company concluded that a material error was identified in how the Company was accounting for common stock issued to settle certain convertible note obligations dating back to fiscal year 2021. For details, refer to Note 14, Restatement, in the 2022 Form 10-K. Neither of the errors had impact on operating loss, cash, net cash used in or provided by operating, financing, and investing activities, assets, liabilities, commitments and contingencies, total stockholders’ deficit, number of shares issued and outstanding, basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding, and number of shares available for future issuance for any period presented, and are reflected in the accompanying statement of operations, changes in stockholders’ deficit, and statement of cash flows.
Going concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, the Company had losses for all periods presented. The Company incurred a net loss of approximately $
The Company’s continuance as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to obtain additional operating capital, complete the development of its product candidate, leronlimab, obtain approval to commercialize leronlimab from regulatory agencies, continue to outsource manufacturing of leronlimab, and ultimately achieve revenues and attain profitability. The Company plans to continue to engage in research and development activities related to leronlimab for multiple indications and expects to incur significant research and development expenses in the future, primarily related to its regulatory compliance, including seeking the lifting of the FDA’s clinical hold with regard to the Company’s HIV program, performing additional clinical trials in various indications, and seeking regulatory approval for its product candidate for commercialization. These research and development activities are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The Company intends to finance its future development activities and its working capital needs primarily
9
from the sale of equity and debt securities, combined with additional funding from other sources. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in these endeavors.
Use of estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP” or “GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates are assessed each period and updated to reflect current information, such as the status of our analysis of the results of our clinical trials and/or discussions with the FDA which could have an impact on the Company’s significant accounting estimates and assumptions. The Company’s estimates are based on historical experience and on various market and other relevant, appropriate assumptions. Significant estimates include, but are not limited to, those relating to capitalization of pre-launch inventories, charges for excess and obsolete inventories, research and development expenses, commitments and contingencies, stock-based compensation, and the assumptions used to value warrants and warrant modifications. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Restricted cash
As of February 28, 2023, the Company had recorded approximately $
Pre-launch inventories
In October 2022, the Company voluntarily withdrew its BLA submission after concluding that a significant risk existed that the BLA would not receive FDA approval due to the inadequate process and performance by its former CRO around the monitoring and oversight of the clinical data from its trials. Following this decision, the Company’s inventories no longer qualified for capitalization as pre-launch inventories and were written-off. See Note 3, Inventories, net.
For additional information about the Company’s significant accounting policies, refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the 2022 Form 10-K.
Recently adopted accounting pronouncements
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40), which simplifies the accounting for convertible instruments. The guidance removes certain accounting models that separate the embedded conversion features from the host contract for convertible instruments. Either a modified retrospective method of transition or a fully retrospective method of transition is permissible for the adoption of this standard. Update No. 2020-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU No. 2020-06 as of June 1, 2022, using the modified retrospective method. The adoption of ASU No. 2020-06 had no impact on the Company’s balance sheets, statements of operations, cash flows or financials statement disclosures.
In May 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-04, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt—Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50), Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Issuer’s Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options. ASU 2021-04 addresses the accounting for certain modifications
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or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options (e.g., warrants). Entities should treat a modification of the terms or conditions, or an exchange of a freestanding equity-classified written call option that remains equity-classified after modification or exchange, as an exchange of the original instrument for a new instrument. Guidance should be applied prospectively after the date of initial application. ASU 2021-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted.
The Company adopted the new guidance prospectively as of June 1, 2022 and used the framework to record modifications to equity classified instruments during the nine months ended February 28, 2023. The modifications consisted of the following approximate amounts: induced warrant exercises recorded as $
Note 3. Inventories, net
Inventories were as follows (in thousands):
February 28, 2023 | May 31, 2022 | |||||
Raw materials | $ | — | $ | | ||
Work-in-progress |
| — |
| | ||
Total inventories, net | $ | — | $ | |
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, the Company reviewed purchase commitments made by its manufacturing partner, Samsung BioLogics Co., Ltd. (“Samsung”), under the master agreement between the Company and Samsung, and its vendors for specialized raw materials for which the Company made a prepayment in the amount of approximately $
In October 2022, the Company voluntarily withdrew its rolling BLA submission after concluding that a significant risk existed that the BLA would not receive FDA approval due to the inadequate process and performance by its former CRO around the monitoring and oversight of the clinical data from its trials. Following this decision, the Company’s inventories no longer qualified for capitalization as pre-launch inventories. During the three months ended November 30, 2022, the Company charged-off the remaining raw material resin and work-in-progress bulk product inventories of approximately $
For additional information, refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Pre-launch Inventories in this Form 10-Q, and to Note 3, Inventories, net, in the 2022 Form 10-K.
Note 4. Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities and Compensation
As of February 28, 2023 and May 31, 2022, the accounts payable balance was approximately $
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The components of accrued liabilities and compensation are as follows (in thousands):
February 28, 2023 | May 31, 2022 | |||||
Compensation and related expense | $ | | $ | | ||
Legal fees and settlement | | | ||||
Clinical expense | | | ||||
Accrued inventory charges and expenses |
| |
| | ||
License fees | | | ||||
Lease payable | | | ||||
Investor proceeds held in escrow | | — | ||||
Other liabilities | | | ||||
Total accrued liabilities | $ | | $ | |
Note 5. Convertible Instruments and Accrued Interest
Convertible preferred stock
The following table presents the number of potentially issuable shares of common stock should shares of preferred stock and amounts of undeclared and accrued preferred dividends be converted to common stock.
February 28, 2023 | May 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
(in thousands except conversion rate) |
| Series B |
| Series C |
| Series D |
| Series B |
| Series C |
| Series D | ||||||
Shares of preferred stock | | | | | | | ||||||||||||
Common stock conversion rate | ||||||||||||||||||
Total shares of common stock if converted | | | | | | | ||||||||||||
Undeclared dividends | $ | | $ | - | $ | - | $ | | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||
Accrued dividends | $ | - | $ | | $ | | $ | - | $ | | $ | | ||||||
Total shares of common stock if dividends converted | | | | | | |
Under the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), dividends on its outstanding shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series B preferred stock”) may be paid in cash or shares of the Company’s common stock at the option of the Company. Dividends on outstanding shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series C preferred stock”) and Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series D preferred stock”) are payable in cash or shares of common stock at the election of the holder. The preferred stockholders have the right to dividends only when and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors. Under Section 170 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Company is permitted to pay dividends only out of capital surplus or, if none, out of net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared or net profits from the preceding fiscal year.
Series B preferred stock provides for a liquidation preference over the common shares of $
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Convertible notes and accrued interest
Key terms of the outstanding convertible notes are as follows:
February 28, 2023 | ||||||||
| April 2, 2021 Note |
| April 23, 2021 Note | |||||
Interest rate per annum | | % | | % | ||||
Conversion price per share upon trading days' notice | $ | | $ | | ||||
Party that controls the conversion rights | Investor | Investor | ||||||
Maturity date | April 5, 2023 | April 23, 2023 | ||||||
Security interest | All Company assets excluding intellectual property |
In addition to standard anti-dilution adjustments, the conversion price of the April 2, 2021 Note and April 23, 2021 Note is subject to full-ratchet anti-dilution protection, pursuant to which the conversion price will be automatically reduced to equal the effective price per share in any new offering by the Company of equity securities that have registration rights, are registered or become registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The April 2, 2021 Note and April 23, 2021 Note provide for liquidated damages upon failure to deliver common stock within specified timeframes and require the Company to maintain a share reservation of
February 28, 2023 | May 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) |
| April 2, 2021 Note |
| April 23, 2021 Note |
| Total |
| April 2, 2021 Note |
| April 23, 2021 Note |
| Total | ||||||
Convertible notes payable outstanding principal | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||
Less: Unamortized debt discount and issuance costs | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
Convertible notes payable, net | | | | | | | ||||||||||||
Accrued interest on convertible notes | | | | | | | ||||||||||||
Outstanding convertible notes payable, net and accrued interest | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
Reconciliation of changes to the outstanding balance of convertible notes, including accrued interest, were as follows:
(in thousands) | April 2, 2021 Note | April 23, 2021 Note | Total | ||||||
Outstanding balance at May 31, 2022 | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||
Amortization of issuance discount and costs | | | | ||||||
Interest expense | | | | ||||||
Fair market value of shares exchanged for repayment | ( | - | ( | ||||||
Difference between market value of | | - | | ||||||
Outstanding balance at February 28, 2023 | $ | | $ | | $ | |
Long-term convertible note – April 2, 2021 Note
During the nine months ended February 28, 2023, in satisfaction of redemptions, the Company and the April 2, 2021 Noteholder entered into four exchange agreements, pursuant to which the April 2, 2021 Note was partitioned into new notes (the “Partitioned Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of $
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cash loss on convertible debt induced conversion of $
As of March 31, 2023, the holders of the April 2 and April 23 Notes had waived all provisions in the notes that, based on the occurrence of various events through that date, could have triggered the imposition of a default interest rate, a downward adjustment of the conversion price, or specified other provisions relating to default, breach or imposition of a penalty. Accordingly, the Company was not in default under the notes on February 28, 2023. Refer to Note 6, Equity Awards and Warrants.
Please refer to Note 6, Convertible Instruments and Accrued Interest, in the Company’s 2022 Form 10-K for additional information.
Note 6. Equity Awards and Warrants
Approval of increase in authorized common stock
On August 31, 2022, at a special stockholders’ meeting, the Company’s stockholders approved a proposal to increase the total number of authorized shares of common stock from
Liability classified warrants
From June 24, 2022 through August 31, 2022, the Company had insufficient authorized common stock to reserve for the shares underlying the Surety Backstop warrants and warrants issued to a placement agent in connection with the June 2022 offering (refer to Private Placement of Warrants under Surety Bond Backstop Agreement and Private Placement of Common Stock and Warrants through Placement Agent sections below). After approval by the Company’s stockholders of an increase to the Company’s authorized common stock, on August 31, 2022, sufficient shares were authorized to cover the shares underlying the warrants. Given that the Company did not have a sufficient number of authorized shares for the instruments at the time they were issued, the Company accounted for such warrants issued from June 24, 2022 through August 2022 as liability classified warrants consistent with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging.
On December 1, 2022, the Company entered into the second amendment of the Surety Bond Backstop Agreement which included the issuance of a warrant covering up to
In accordance with the prescribed accounting guidance, the Company measured fair value of liability classified warrants using fair value hierarchy which include:
Level 1. Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2. | Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets), or model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from or corroborated with observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs also include non-binding market consensus prices that can be corroborated with observable market data, as well as quoted prices that were adjusted for security-specific restrictions. |
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Level 3. | Unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology are significant to the measurement of the fair value of assets or liabilities. These Level 3 inputs also include non-binding market consensus prices or non-binding broker quotes that the Company was unable to corroborate with observable market data. |
As of February 28, 2023, in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, the Company reclassified the warrants to equity when the warrants no longer qualified as liabilities. The Company recorded a loss on derivatives of approximately $
(in thousands) |
| Liability Classified Warrants |
Balance at May 31, 2022 | $ | — |
Classified as liability due to lack of shares availability at issuance |
| |
Classified as equity upon increase in availability |
| ( |
Loss on derivative due to change in fair market value |
| |
Balance at August 31, 2022 | $ | — |
Balance at November 30, 2022 | $ | — |
Classified as liability due to variable settlement term |
| |
Classified as equity upon finalized settlement term |
| ( |
Loss on derivative due to change in fair market value |
| |
Balance at February 28, 2023 | $ | — |
The Company used a Black-Scholes valuation model to estimate the value of the liability classified warrants using assumptions presented in the table below. The Black-Scholes valuation model was used because management believes it reflects all the assumptions that market participants would likely consider in negotiating the transfer of the warrant. The Company’s derivative liability is classified within Level 3.
| |||||||||||||||||
| Initial Fair Market Value at Issuance |
| Fair Market Value at Equity Classification | ||||||||||||||
Backstop | Backstop | Placement | Backstop | Backstop | Backstop | Placement | Backstop | ||||||||||
Warrant #1 | Warrant #2 | Agent Warrants | Warrant #3 | Warrant #1 | Warrant #2 | Agent Warrants | Warrant #3 | ||||||||||
Fair value of underlying stock | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Risk free rate | |||||||||||||||||
Expected term (in years) | |||||||||||||||||
Stock price volatility | |||||||||||||||||
Expected dividend yield |
The Company had no liability classified warrants as of February 28, 2023.
Equity Incentive Plan (“EIP”)
As of February 28, 2023, the Company had
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amount equal to
The Company recognizes the compensation cost of employee and director services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments based on the grant date estimated fair value of the awards. The Company estimates the fair value of RSUs and PSUs using the value of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. Share-based compensation cost is recognized over the period during which the employee or director is required to provide service in exchange for the award and, as forfeitures occur, the associated compensation cost recognized to date is reversed. For awards with performance-based payout conditions, the Company recognizes compensation cost based on the probability of achieving the performance conditions, with changes in expectations recognized as an adjustment to earnings in the period of change. Any recognized compensation cost is reversed if the conditions are ultimately not met.
Stock-based compensation for the three months ended February 28, 2023 and 2022 was $
Stock options
Stock option activity is presented in the table below:
Weighted | ||||||||||
average | ||||||||||
Weighted | remaining | Aggregate | ||||||||
Number of | average | contractual | intrinsic | |||||||
(in thousands, except per share data and years) |
| shares |
| exercise price |
| life in years |
| value | ||
Options outstanding at May 31, 2022 |
| | $ | |
| $ | — | |||
Granted |
| | $ | |
|
| ||||
Exercised |
| — | $ | — |
|
| ||||
Forfeited, expired, and cancelled |
| ( | $ | |
|
| ||||
Options outstanding at February 28, 2023 |
| | $ | |
| $ | — | |||
Options outstanding and exercisable at February 28, 2023 |
| | $ | |
| $ | — |
During the nine months ended February 28, 2023 and 2022, stock options for approximately
RSUs and PSUs
The Company’s stock incentive plan provides for equity instruments, such as RSUs and PSUs, which grant the right to receive a specified number of shares over a specified period of time. RSUs and PSUs are service-based awards that vest according to the terms of the grant. PSUs have performance-based payout conditions.
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The following table summarizes the Company’s RSU and PSU activity:
Number of | Weighted-average | remaining contractual | |||||
(shares in thousands) |
| RSUs and PSUs (1) |
| grant date fair value | life in years | ||
Unvested RSUs and PSUs at May 31, 2022 |
| | $ | | |||
RSUs and PSUs granted |
| | | ||||
Unvested RSUs and PSUSs forfeited |
| ( | | ||||
RSUs and PSUs vested |
| ( | | ||||
Unvested RSUs and PSUs at February 28, 2023 |
| | $ | |
(1) | The number of PSUs disclosed in this table are at the target level of |
The unvested balance of RSUs and PSUs as of February 28, 2023 includes approximately
Based on the estimated level of achievement of the performance targets associated with the PSUs as of February 28, 2023, unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested portion of the Company’s RSUs and PSUs was $
Issuance of shares to former and current executives
During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2022, the employment of our CEO and General Counsel was terminated. Under the terms of their respective employment agreements, the Company was obligated to pay severance equal to
During the nine months ended February 28, 2023, the Company issued to our former General Counsel a total of
In order to preserve cash resources, in April 2022, the Board approved the issuance to then executive officers of shares of common stock with a value equal to
Private placement of warrants under Surety Bond Backstop Agreement
On February 14, 2022, the Company entered into a Surety Bond Backstop Agreement (as amended, the “Backstop Agreement”) with an accredited investor, Dr. David Welch, in his individual capacity and as trustee of a revocable trust, as well as certain other related parties (collectively, the “Indemnitors”). Pursuant to the original terms of the Backstop Agreement, the Indemnitors agreed to assist the Company in obtaining a surety bond (the “Surety Bond”) for posting in connection with the Company’s ongoing litigation with Amarex Clinical Research, LLC ("Amarex”) by, among other things, agreeing to indemnify the issuer of the Surety Bond (the “Surety”) with respect to the Company’s obligations under the Surety Bond through August 13, 2022. As consideration for the Indemnitors’ agreement to indemnify the Surety, the Company agreed (i) to issue to 4-Good Ventures LLC, an affiliate of the Indemnitors (“4-Good”), a warrant
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for the purchase of
Pursuant to amendments to the Backstop Agreement executed in July and December of 2022 (the “Backstop Amendment”), among other matters: (i) each of the 4-Good Warrants has a
Except as described above, the terms of the additional warrants issued in December 2022 are similar to the warrants issued under the original Backstop Agreement, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 17, 2022. The shares covered by the additional warrants are entitled to registration rights.
Following the issuance of the additional warrants, Dr. Welch is deemed to beneficially own in excess of
Private placement of common stock and warrants through placement agent
In April 2022, the Company initiated a private placement of common stock and warrants, completed in June 2022, to accredited investors through a placement agent. Between April and June 2022, the Company sold a total of approximately
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In January 2023, the Company commenced a private placement of units consisting of common stock and warrants, completed March 3, 2023, to accredited investors through a placement agent. Each unit sold included a fixed combination of
Private placement of shares of common stock and warrants
On February 13, 2023, Cyrus Arman, President, entered into a private transaction with the Company in which he purchased
Down round provision issuance and modification to previous private offerings and private warrant exchanges
During the three months ended August 31, 2022, common stock and warrants previously issued between February and April 2022 to accredited investors directly by the Company in a private placement became subject to a down round provision under the original purchase agreements requiring the Company to reduce the purchase price of common stock from the original price of $
During the three months ended February 28, 2023, common stock previously issued November 2022 to accredited investors directly by the Company in a private warrant exchange became subject to a down round provision under the original induced exercise agreements as a result of the transaction described below under Private Warrant Exchanges through Placement Agent, The required adjustments resulted in the issuance of approximately
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Warrants
Warrant activity is presented in the table below:
Weighted | ||||||||||
average | ||||||||||
Weighted | remaining | Aggregate | ||||||||
Number of | average | contractual | intrinsic | |||||||
(in thousands, except for share data and years) |
| shares |
| exercise price |
| life in years |
| value | ||
Warrants outstanding at May 31, 2022 |
| | $ | |
| $ | | |||
Granted |
| | $ | |
|
| ||||
Exercised |
| ( | $ | |
|
| ||||
Forfeited, expired, and cancelled |
| ( | $ | |
|
| ||||
Warrants outstanding at February 28, 2023 |
| | $ | |
| $ | | |||
Warrants outstanding and exercisable at February 28, 2023 |
| | $ | |
| $ | |
Private warrant exchanges
During the three months ended November 30, 2022, the Company entered into various separate privately negotiated warrant exchange agreements directly with certain accredited investors, pursuant to which the investors exercised warrants with an original exercise price of $
Private warrant exchanges through placement agent
During the three months ended February 28, 2023, the Company entered into various separate privately negotiated warrant exchange agreements with certain accredited investors through a placement agent, pursuant to which the investors exercised warrants with an original exercise price of $
Warrant expiration extension
During the nine months ended February 28, 2023, the Company extended the expiration dates of approximately
Warrant exercises
During the nine months ended February 28, 2023, the Company issued approximately
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stock in connection with the cashless exercise of approximately
Note 7. Loss per Common Share
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss adjusted for preferred stock dividends by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share includes the weighted average common shares outstanding and potentially dilutive common stock equivalents. Because of the net losses for all periods presented, the basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding are the same since including the additional shares would have an anti-dilutive effect on loss per share. The reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted net loss per share computations are as follows:
Three months ended February 28, | Nine months ended February 28, | |||||||||||
(in thousands, except per share amounts) | 2023 |
| 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
(Restated) (1) | (Restated) (1) | |||||||||||
Net loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||
Less: Deemed dividends | ( | — | ( | — | ||||||||
Less: Accrued preferred stock dividends | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||
Net loss applicable to common stockholders | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||
Basic and diluted: | ||||||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding | | | | | ||||||||
Loss per share | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( |
(1) See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Revision and Restatement of Financial Statements.
The table below shows the approximate number of shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise, vesting or conversion of outstanding options, warrants, unvested restricted stock units (including those subject to performance conditions), convertible notes, and convertible preferred stock (including undeclared dividends) that were not included in the computation of basic and diluted weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the periods presented:
Three and nine months ended February 28, | ||||
(in thousands) | 2023 |
| 2022 | |
Stock options, warrants, and unvested restricted stock units | | | ||
Convertible notes | | | ||
Convertible preferred stock | | |
Note 8. Income Taxes
The Company calculates its quarterly taxes under the effective tax rate method based on applying an anticipated annual effective rate to its year-to-date income, except for discrete items. Income taxes for discrete items are computed and recorded in the period that the specific transaction occurs. The Company’s net tax expense for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2023 and 2022 was
Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments with Samsung BioLogics Co., Ltd. (“Samsung”)
In April 2019, the Company entered into an agreement with Samsung, pursuant to which Samsung will perform technology transfer, process validation, manufacturing, pre-approval inspection and supply services for the commercial supply of leronlimab bulk drug substance effective through calendar year 2027. In 2020, the Company entered into an
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additional agreement, pursuant to which Samsung will perform technology transfer, process validation, vial filling and storage services for clinical, pre-approval inspection, and commercial supply of leronlimab drug product. Samsung is obligated to procure necessary raw materials for the Company and manufacture a specified minimum number of batches, and the Company is required to provide a rolling
On January 6, 2022, Samsung provided written notice to the Company alleging that the Company had materially breached the parties’ Master Services and Project Specific Agreements for failure to pay $
Fiscal Year |
| Amount | |
2023 (3 months remaining) | $ | | |
2024 | | ||
2025 | | ||
2026 and thereafter | — | ||
Total | $ | |
Operating lease commitments
We lease our principal office location in Vancouver, Washington (the “Vancouver Lease”). The Vancouver Lease expires on April 30, 2026. Consistent with the guidance in ASC 842, Leases, we have recorded this lease in our consolidated balance sheet as an operating lease. For the purpose of determining the right of use asset and associated lease liability, we determined that the renewal of the Vancouver lease was not reasonably probable. The lease does not include any restrictions or covenants requiring special treatment under ASC 842, Leases. Operating lease costs for the three months ended February 28, 2023 and 2022 were $
(in thousands) | February 28, 2023 | May 31, 2022 | |||||
Assets | |||||||
Right-of-use asset | $ | | $ | | |||
Liabilities | |||||||
Current operating lease liability | $ | | $ | | |||
Non-current operating lease liability |
| |
| | |||
Total operating lease liability | $ | $ |
22
The minimum (base rental) lease payments are expected to be as follows as of February 28, 2023 (in thousands):
Fiscal Year | Amount | ||
2023 (3 months remaining) | $ | | |
2024 | | ||
2025 | | ||
2026 | | ||
Total operating lease payments | | ||
Less: imputed interest | ( | ||
Present value of operating lease liabilities | $ | |
Supplemental information related to operating leases was as follows:
February 28, 2023 | |||
Weighted average remaining lease term | years | ||
Weighted average discount rate | % |
Distribution and licensing commitments
Refer to Note 10, Commitments and Contingencies, in the 2022 Form 10-K for information.
Legal proceedings
As of February 28, 2023, the Company did not record any accruals related to the outcomes of the legal matters described below. It may not be possible to determine the outcome of these proceedings, including the defense and other litigation-related costs and expenses that may be incurred by the Company, as the outcomes of legal proceedings are inherently uncertain. Therefore, it is possible that the ultimate outcome of any proceeding, if in excess of a recognized accrual, if any, could be material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Securities class action lawsuit
On March 17, 2021, a stockholder filed a putative class-action lawsuit (the “March 17, 2021 lawsuit”) in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington against the Company and certain former officers. The complaint generally alleges the defendants made false and misleading statements regarding the viability of leronlimab as a potential treatment for COVID-19. On April 9, 2021, a second stockholder filed a similar putative class action lawsuit in the same court, which the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed without prejudice on July 23, 2021. On August 9, 2021, the court appointed lead plaintiffs for the March 17, 2021 lawsuit. On December 21, 2021, lead plaintiffs filed an amended complaint, which is brought on behalf of an alleged class of those who purchased the Company’s common stock between March 27, 2020 and May 17, 2021. The amended complaint generally alleges that the defendants violated Sections 10(b) and/or 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by making purportedly false or misleading statements concerning, among other things, the safety and efficacy of leronlimab as a potential treatment for COVID-19, the Company’s CD10 and CD12 clinical trials, and its HIV BLA. The amended complaint also alleges that the individual defendants violated Section 20A of the Exchange Act by selling shares of the Company’s common stock purportedly while in possession of material nonpublic information. The amended complaint seeks, among other relief, a ruling that the case may proceed as a class action and unspecified damages and attorneys’ fees and costs. On February 25, 2022, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint. On June 24, 2022, lead plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint. The second amended complaint is brought on behalf of an alleged class of those who purchased the Company’s common stock between March 27, 2020 and March 30, 2022, makes similar allegations, names the same defendants, and asserts the same claims as the prior complaint, adds a claim for alleged violation of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5(a) and (c) promulgated thereunder, and seeks the same relief as the prior complaint. The Company and the individual defendants deny all allegations of wrongdoing in the complaint and intend to vigorously defend the matter. Since this case is in an early stage where the number of plaintiffs is not known, and the claims do not specify an amount of damages, the Company is unable to predict the
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ultimate outcome of the lawsuit and cannot reasonably estimate the potential loss or range of loss the Company may incur.
2021 shareholder derivative lawsuits
On June 4, 2021, a stockholder filed a purported derivative lawsuit against certain of the Company’s former officers and directors, and the Company as a nominal defendant, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. Two additional shareholder derivative lawsuits were filed against the same defendants in the same court on June 25, 2021 and August 18, 2021, respectively. The court has consolidated these
Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Justice investigations
The Company has received subpoenas from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) requesting documents and information concerning, among other matters, leronlimab, the Company’s public statements regarding the use of leronlimab as a potential treatment for COVID-19, HIV, and triple-negative breast cancer, related communications with the FDA, investors, and others, litigation involving former employees, the Company’s retention of investor relations consultants, and trading in the Company’s securities. Certain former Company executives and directors have received subpoenas concerning similar issues and have been interviewed by the DOJ and SEC, including the Company’s former CEO, Nader Z. Pourhassan.
On January 24, 2022, Mr. Pourhassan was terminated and removed from the Board of Directors and has had no role at the Company since. On December 20, 2022, the DOJ announced the unsealing of a criminal indictment charging both Mr. Pourhassan, and Kazem Kazempour, CEO of Amarex Clinical Research LLC, a subsidiary of NSF International, Inc., which had formerly served as the Company’s CRO. Mr. Pourhassan was charged with
The Company is committed to cooperating fully with the DOJ and SEC investigations, which are ongoing, and which the Company’s counsel frequently engages with them on. Further, the Company has made voluminous productions of information and made witnesses available for voluntary interviews. The Company will continue to comply with the requests of the SEC and DOJ. The Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the DOJ and SEC investigations or the case against Mr. Pourhassan, nor can it predict whether any other governmental authorities will initiate separate investigations or litigation. The investigations and any related legal and administrative proceedings could include a wide variety of outcomes, including the institution of administrative, civil injunctive or criminal proceedings involving the Company and/or former executives and/or former directors in addition to Mr. Pourhassan, the imposition of fines and other penalties, remedies and/or sanctions, modifications to business practices and compliance programs and/or referral to other governmental agencies for other appropriate actions. It is not possible to accurately predict at this time when matters relating to the investigations will be completed, the final outcome of the investigations, what additional actions, if any, may be taken by the DOJ or SEC or by other governmental agencies, or the effect that such actions may have on our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition, which could be material.
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The DOJ and SEC investigations, including any matters identified in the investigations and indictments, could also result in (1) third-party claims against the Company, which may include the assertion of claims for monetary damages, including but not limited to interest, fees, and expenses, (2) damage to the Company's business or reputation, (3) loss of, or adverse effect on, cash flow, assets, results of operations, business, prospects, profits or business value, including the possibility of certain of the Company's existing contracts being cancelled, (4) adverse consequences on the Company's ability to obtain or continue financing for current or future projects and/or (5) claims by directors, officers, employees, affiliates, advisors, attorneys, agents, debt holders or other interest holders or constituents of the Company or its subsidiaries, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, operating results and financial condition. Further, to the extent that these investigations and any resulting third-party claims yield adverse results over time, such results could jeopardize the Company's operations and exhaust its cash reserves, and could cause stockholders to lose their entire investment.
Former CEO indemnification dispute
In December 2022, subsequent to the announcement of the indictments against the Company’s former CEO, described above under Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Justice Investigations, the Company notified Mr. Pourhassan that it would no longer be advancing and/or indemnifying him for certain legal fees. Subsequently, on January 13, 2023, Mr. Pourhassan filed a complaint against the Company in Delaware Chancery Court demanding that the Company continue to indemnify his legal expenses associated with the indictments. In March 2023, Mr. Pourhassan withdrew his claims against the Company, see Note 11, Subsequent Events.
Amarex dispute
On October 4, 2021, the Company filed a complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief and a motion for a preliminary injunction against NSF International, Inc. and its subsidiary Amarex Clinical Research LLC (“Amarex”), the Company’s former CRO. Over the past eight years, Amarex provided clinical trial management services to the Company and managed numerous clinical studies of the Company’s drug product candidate, leronlimab. On December 16, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland issued a preliminary injunction requiring Amarex to provide the Company with access to all of its materials in the possession of Amarex. The court also granted CytoDyn the right to conduct an audit of Amarex’s work for CytoDyn. That case has been administratively closed. The Company simultaneously filed a demand for arbitration with the American Arbitration Association. The arbitration demand alleges that Amarex failed to perform services to an acceptable professional standard and failed to perform certain services required by the parties’ agreements. Further, the demand alleges that Amarex billed the Company for services it did not perform. The Company contends that, due to Amarex’s failures, it has suffered avoidable delays in obtaining regulatory approval of leronlimab and has paid for services not performed. Amarex has counterclaimed alleging that CytoDyn has failed to pay invoices due under the contract between the parties. In light of the fact that this dispute is in an early stage, the Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the lawsuit and cannot reasonably estimate the potential loss or range of loss that the Company may incur.
Note 10. Related Party Transactions
The Board’s Audit Committee, composed of independent directors, or the full Board reviews and approves all related party transactions. The terms and amounts described below are not necessarily indicative of the terms and amounts that would have been incurred had comparable transactions been entered with independent parties.
On February 13, 2023, Cyrus Arman, President, entered into a private placement with the Company in which he purchased approximately
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Note 11. Subsequent Events
In March 2023, the Company’s former CEO, Nader Pourhassan, withdrew his claims against the Company described in Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies—Former CEO indemnification dispute.
During March 2023, in satisfaction of redemptions, the Company and the April 2, 2021 Noteholder entered into exchange agreements, pursuant to which a portion of the April 2, 2021 Note was partitioned into new notes with an aggregate principal amount of $
During March 2023, approximately 5.5 million additional units were sold in the private placement conducted by the Company through a placement agent, for gross proceeds of approximately $1.3 million and net proceeds of approximately $1.1 million. Each unit comprised a fixed combination of one share of common stock and one warrant to purchase one share of common stock for a purchase price of $0.23 per unit. The warrants issued to investors in the private placement, which covered a total of approximately 5.5 million shares, have a five-year term and an exercise price of $0.50 per share, and are immediately exercisable. Refer to Note 6, Equity Awards and Warrants – Private Placement of Common Stock and Warrants through Placement Agent for additional information.
In March 2023, as required and in connection with the Backstop Amendment extension, as described in Note 6, Equity Awards and Warrants—Private placement of warrants under Surety Bond Backstop Agreement, the Company relieved the Indemnitor of the remaining $
In April 2023, the Company and the holders of convertible notes issued by the Company on April 2, 2021, and April 23, 2021 (the “Noteholders”) agreed to extend the original maturity date of each of the notes by two years, and for which the Company agreed to pay an Extension Fee. The Extension Fee is equal to
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Certain information included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains, or incorporates by reference, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Words and expressions reflecting optimism, satisfaction or disappointment with current prospects, as well as words such as “believes,” “hopes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “plans,” “anticipates” and variations thereof, or the use of future tense, identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.
Our forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance, and actual results could vary materially from those contained in or expressed by such statements. In evaluating all such statements, we urge you to specifically consider various risks identified in this quarterly report, and those set forth in Item 1A. Risk Factors in our 2022 Form 10-K, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by our forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on currently available financial, economic, scientific, and competitive data and information about current business plans. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements about leronlimab, its ability to have positive health outcomes, the Company’s ability to resolve the clinical hold imposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) and information regarding future operations, future capital expenditures and future net cash flows. You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things: the regulatory determinations of leronlimab’s safety and effectiveness by the FDA and various drug regulatory agencies in other countries; the Company’s ability to raise additional capital to fund its operations; the Company’s ability to meet its debt and other payment obligations; the Company’s ability to enter into or maintain partnership or licensing arrangements with third-parties; the Company’s ability to recruit and retain key employees; the timely and sufficient development, through internal resources or third-party consultants, of analyses of the data generated from the Company’s clinical trials required by the FDA or other regulatory agencies in connection with the Company’s regulatory submissions or applications for approval of the Company’s drug product; the Company’s ability to achieve approval of a marketable product; the design, implementation and conduct of clinical trials; the results of any such clinical trials, including the possibility of unfavorable clinical trial results; the market for, and marketability of, any product that is approved; the existence or development of vaccines, drugs, or other treatments that are viewed by medical professionals or patients as superior to the Company’s products; regulatory initiatives, compliance with governmental regulations and the regulatory approval process; legal proceedings, investigations or inquiries affecting the Company or its products; general economic and business conditions; changes in foreign, political, and social conditions; stockholder actions or proposals with regard to the Company, its management, or its Board of Directors; and various other matters, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties develop, or should underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially and adversely from those anticipated, believed, estimated, or otherwise indicated by our forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we do not undertake any responsibility to update these forward-looking statements to take into account events or circumstances that occur after the date of this quarterly report. Additionally, we do not undertake any responsibility to update you on the occurrence of any unanticipated events that may cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “2022 Form 10-K”), and the other sections of this Form 10-Q, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes set forth in Part I, Item 1. This discussion and analysis contain forward-looking statements, including information about possible or assumed results of our financial condition, operations, plans, objectives and performance that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The actual results may differ materially from those anticipated and set forth in such forward-looking statements.
Overview
The Company is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the clinical development and potential commercialization of its product candidate, leronlimab, which is being studied for NASH, NASH-HIV, solid tumors in oncology, and other HIV indications. Our current business strategy is to seek the removal of the partial clinical hold imposed by the US FDA in March 2022. In October 2022, the Company voluntarily withdrew its BLA submission, for leronlimab as a combination therapy for highly treatment experienced HIV patients, due to management’s conclusion
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that a significant risk existed that the BLA would not receive FDA approval due to the inadequate process and performance around the monitoring and oversight of the clinical data from its clinical trials by its former CRO.
As further discussed in Part I, Item 1, Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Inventories, and Note 3, Inventories, net, the Company previously capitalized procured or produced pre-launch inventories in preparation for product launches. The Company has reserved for or written off $99.2 million in previously capitalized pre-launch inventories. Although these inventories have been written off from an accounting perspective, they may still have clinical use.
The Company’s strategy and efforts are currently primarily directed toward obtaining the removal of the partial clinical hold on its HIV program, preparation for and development of a Phase 2b/3 NASH clinical trial protocol, research and development of longer-acting molecules including for the treatment and/or prevention of HIV, maintenance and testing of clinical drug product, and resolving legal and regulatory matters. See below for updates on these initiatives.
Third Quarter Overview
Partial clinical hold on HIV program
In March 2022, the FDA notified the Company that it had placed a partial clinical hold on the Company’s HIV program; the Company was not enrolling any new patients in the trials placed on hold. The partial clinical hold on the HIV program impacted patients enrolled in HIV extension trials, who were transitioned to other available therapeutics. No new clinical studies can be initiated or resumed for the HIV indication until the partial clinical hold is resolved. Recent efforts by the Company have been focused on activities that will allow us to resolve this partial clinical hold. During the third quarter ended February 28, 2023, the Company submitted the documents requested by the FDA in its March 2022 clinical hold letter. Subsequently, the FDA responded through written communication to the Company, requesting additional information and clarification regarding our benefit-risk assessment for the HIV population, which had previously been submitted, and made a supplemental request that the Company submit a general investigational plan under the HIV program IND. In March 2023, the Company responded to and submitted to the FDA the additional information and clarifications requested for the items previously requested. The FDA then responded with further written communication requesting information relating to the benefit-risk assessment, as well as requesting the submission of a new protocol for the HIV indication. At the end of March 2023, the Company and the FDA held an informal meeting in which the FDA clarified certain questions with respect to the clinical hold submission and further information requests made by the FDA. The Company is currently preparing a supplemental submission to address items discussed with the FDA during the informal meeting.
NASH clinical developments
During December 2022, the Company presented expanded data on the efficacy data from the CDI-NASH-01 trial (NCT04521114), which was previously presented at the EASLD meeting in June 2022, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) meeting in Washington, DC November 2022, NASH and Obesity Drug Development Summit held in Boston in November 2022, which is discussed in more detail below. The data presented included the functional biomarker and supportive mechanism of action data for leronlimab in NASH and further raised the clinical development needs for addressing NASH in people living with HIV. Similar data were also presented during the Company’s R&D Investor Update on December 7, 2022, which is available on the Company’s website.
NASH is a chronic liver disease characterized by the presence of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Patients with advanced fibrosis due to NASH are at significantly higher risk of liver‐related mortality. There is currently no approved drug for NASH. Liver disease is one of the leading causes of non-AIDS-related death in HIV patients. The Company is identifying the next steps in clinical development to continue the investigation of leronlimab in the NASH indication and in HIV patients with NASH.
In NASH, liver homeostasis is impaired due to an accumulation of toxic lipids which can activate both Kupffer cells (KCs) and tissue-resident macrophages resulting in the production of fibrogenic cytokines and chemoattractant chemokines such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Not
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only do these cytokines/chemokines promote transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into myofibroblasts (the primary source for fibrillary collagens), but they also amplify the immune response by recruiting additional cells into the damaged area. Recruitment of extra-hepatic inflammatory cells to the site of hepatic injury is typically mediated by interactions between cytokines/chemokines and their receptors. It has also been shown that patients with NASH also have high levels of C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) and the associated ligand, CCL5, thus demonstrating a potential role of CCR5 and its ligands in liver fibrosis.
The potential for leronlimab in the treatment of NASH was demonstrated in a pre-clinical model of fatty liver disease. Immunodeficient, NOD-SCID Gamma (NSG) mice were fed a high fat, NASH-inducing diet, transplanted with human stem cells to repopulate the deficient immune system, and treated with leronlimab. Sixteen (16) male NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ, commonly known as the NOD scid IL-2 receptor gamma knockout mice (NSG), were first humanized by intravenous inoculation with normal human umbilical cord blood cells (105). After 5 weeks on normal mouse chow, mice were successfully humanized, demonstrating >25% human CD45 cells in peripheral blood. Mice were switched to high fat (52%) high cholesterol (1.25%) diet (FPC diet: fructose, palmitate, cholesterol, trans-fat; Envigo-Teklad TD.160785). Leronlimab and control antibody (normal human IgG, Sigma) were administered i.p. at a dose of 2mg i.p. twice weekly, n=8 mice/group. The results showed that leronlimab inhibited fatty liver development, a key characteristic of early-stage NASH, such that treatment of humanized NSG mice with leronlimab caused a three-fold reduction in hepatic steatosis compared to control in an animal model of high fructose, high palmitate, high cholesterol diet.
The Company has reported clinical data from patients with NASH from the CDI-NASH-01 trial which was designed as a multi-center Phase 2a study and was subsequently converted into an exploratory study to evaluate the dose, efficacy, and safety of leronlimab at 350 mg and 700 mg, versus placebo. The study also included an expansive biomarker program designed to inform future clinical trials and to more fully understand leronlimab’s mechanism of action within the NASH setting. CDI-NASH-01 was run in two parts. Part 1 of the study was to assess the efficacy of leronlimab 700 mg (n=22) in improving NAFLD/NASH measures in adult patients diagnosed with NASH compared to placebo (n=28). Part 2 was subsequently added to assess leronlimab 350 mg in improving NAFLD/NASH measures in adult patients diagnosed with NASH (n=22). In Part 1 of the study, eligible subjects were randomized 1:1 to one of the two study arms to receive either leronlimab 700mg (Group A), or placebo (Group B), given once per week (±1day) at the study site for up to 13 weeks during the treatment period (with up to 60 participants). In Part 2 of the study, eligible subjects enrolled to receive leronlimab 350 mg open-label given once per week (±1day) at the study site for up to 13 weeks during the treatment period (with up to 28 participants). The primary efficacy objective was percent change from baseline in hepatic fat fraction, as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging-derived proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) at week 14. The secondary efficacy objective was absolute change from baseline in fibro-inflammatory activity in the liver as assessed by MRI-corrected T1 imaging (MRI-cT1) at week 14. MRI-cT1 is obtained by multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging of the liver and is a quantitative metric for assessing a composite of liver inflammation and fibrosis, expressed in milliseconds (msec). MRI-PDFF is being studied as an imaging surrogate endpoint for the fat density in the liver. MRI-cT1 is being studied as an imaging surrogate endpoint for hepatic fibro-inflammation. This is a critical unmet need in the NASH space, as many agents have been unable to show reductions in fibro-inflammation despite reductions in hepatic steatosis.
All analyses performed are being treated as exploratory. Treatment with leronlimab was well tolerated in both Part 1 and Part 2 compared to placebo. In Part 1 of the study, leronlimab 700 mg did not reduce mean change in PDFF and cT1 from baseline to week 14 vs. placebo. In Part 2, leronlimab 350 mg reduced mean change in PDFF and cT1 from baseline to week 14 vs. the placebo group from Part 1, despite increased degree of baseline fibro-inflammation. In the combined group of patients with moderate (≥ 875 msec) and severe (≥ 950 msec) cT1 values at baseline, leronlimab 350 mg reduced cT1 from baseline to week 14 vs. placebo. Based on post hoc CCR5 haplotype analysis of a small subgroup (n=5), we are considering further investigation of the 700mg dose of leronlimab for specific haplotypes.
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Pre-clinical development of a long-acting CCR5 antagonist
In December 2022, researchers from Oregon Health and Sciences University, an academic research collaboration partner of the Company, presented at the HIV DART Conference and the HIV Persistence During Therapy Conference results from two pre-clinical studies performed on macaque monkeys for two different potential longer-acting therapeutics targeting the CCR5 receptor. The first longer-acting potential therapeutic is a modified monoclonal antibody designed to have a longer half-life, which could lead to the development of an HIV prophylactic for humans at high risk of contracting HIV. The second longer-acting potential therapeutic is a gene therapy that could lead to the development of a functional cure for humans living with HIV. While both longer-acting therapeutics are still in the early stages of development, early data from pre-clinical macaque monkey studies suggest that longer dosing intervals from once weekly to over three months are possible. Data from both potential therapeutics were also presented during the Company’s R&D Investor Update on December 7, 2022, which is available on the Company’s website. By making this and other references to the Company’s website, we do not intend to incorporate by reference into this report any information posted on our website. The website should not be considered part of this report.
In March 2023, as part of its conveyed long-term development and value creation initiatives, the Company made efforts to pursue the continued development of a longer-acting agent. In furtherance of this initiative, the Company entered into a joint development agreement with a third-party company to develop one or more longer-acting molecules. In addition to potentially leading to a modified therapeutic that will have greater acceptance by patients, the services provided by the third party may yield extended intellectual property protection, thereby increasing the value of the Company’s patent portfolio.
Cancer clinical developments
The Company continues to identify the next steps in clinical development and is exploring potential business opportunities to continue the investigation of leronlimab for solid tumors in oncology based on data generated to date by the Company.
Summary of TNBC data
To assess the impact of leronlimab treatment on mTNBC patients, we pooled the data from 3 studies: CD07_TNBC Phase 1b/2, CD07_TNBC_Compassionate Use, and CD-09 Basket. The study population for pooled efficacy analysis was a total of 28 subjects (10 subjects from the Phase 1b/2 study, 16 subjects from the Compassionate Use Study, and 2 subjects from the Basket Study).
To explore the impact of leronlimab in the mTNBC patients’ disease progression, investigator assessed Progression Free Survival (PFS) was analyzed in the 28 subjects. There was a total of 19 subjects dosed between 525 mg and 700 mg (4 subjects increased dose from 350 mg to 525 mg and were included in the higher dose cohort). The median PFS (mPFS) for the 525 mg – 700 mg cohort was 6.2 months (95% CI 2.6 months - 7.5 months). There were 9 subjects dosed at 350 mg, mPFS was 2.2 months (95% CI 0.7 months - 12+ months). There was a meaningful PFS advantage at the higher doses when compared with the lower, 350 mg dose cohort.
Furthermore, the preliminary results of the leronlimab studies also showed similarity in the PFS outcomes of mTNBC patients treated with leronlimab + carboplatin compared to overall leronlimab treated population. Of the 28 subjects enrolled, 13 subjects received leronlimab + carboplatin treatment. The mPFS for leronlimab + carboplatin population was 3.9 months (95% CI 2.3 months - 6.0 months).
The subgroup analysis of PFS based on the individual subjects in each study was also reviewed. The mPFS for Phase 1b/2 study was 3.9 months (95% CI 2.3 months – 6.2 months), mPFS for the Compassionate Use study was 3.3 months (95% CI 1.3 months – 7.5 months), and mPFS for the Basket Study was 2.8 months (95% CI N/A).
Combined, the overall mPFS for all 28 patients treated with leronlimab in the population of mTNBC patients regardless of dosage, conjunction therapy type, brain or bone metastases that have failed more than one line of previous therapy was 4.1 months (95% CI 2.5 months – 7.0 months). The mean PFS was 3.7 ± 2.93 standard deviation (SD).
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To explore the impact of leronlimab in the mTNBC patients’ disease progression, Overall Survival (OS) was analyzed in the same 28 subjects. The median OS (mOS) for leronlimab + carboplatin population was 12+ months (95% CI 5.4 months - 12+ months).
The mOS for the 350 mg cohort was 4.6 months (95% CI 1.1 months -12+ months). The mOS for the 525-700 mg cohort was 12+ months (95% CI 5.5 months – 12+ months).
The overall median OS for leronlimab treated population of mTNBC patients regardless of brain or bone metastases that have failed more than one line of previous therapy was 6.5 months (95% CI 5.0 months – 12+ months). The mean value for OS was 5.5 ±4.31 standard deviation (SD).
Corporate developments
On December 19, 2022, Scott A. Kelly, M.D. resigned as the Company’s Chief Medical Officer (“CMO”) and Head of Business Development. The Company is in the hiring process for a new CMO and anticipates filling this position in the near future. Dr. Kelly previously resigned from his role as a director of the Company on October 13, 2022; this director vacancy was filled on October 13, 2022 with the appointment of Stephen M. Simes to the Board of Directors.
During January 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors reconstituted the Board committees as follows:
● | Audit Committee – Chair: Ryan M. Dunlap; Members: Tanya Durkee Urbach and Stephen M. Simes |
● | Compensation Committee – Chair: Stephen M. Simes; Members: Tanya Durkee Urbach and Karen J. Brunke, Ph.D. |
● | Corporate & Governance Committee – Chair: Tanya Durkee Urbach; Members: Lishomwa C. Ndhlovu, M.D., Ph.D. and Ryan M. Dunlap |
During the quarter ended February 28, 2023, the Company concluded private warrant exchanges through a placement agent, and also commenced a private offering, primarily through a placement agent, resulting in aggregate net proceeds through the March 3, 2023 closing date, of approximately $0.7 million and $14.5 million, respectively.
Results of Operations
Fluctuations in operating results
The Company’s operating results may fluctuate significantly depending on the outcomes, number and timing of pre-clinical and clinical studies, patient enrollment and/or completion rates in the studies, and their related effect on research and development expenses, regulatory and compliance activities, activities related to seeking removal of the partial clinical hold and FDA approval of our drug product, general and administrative expenses, professional fees, and legal and regulatory proceedings and related consequences. We require a significant amount of capital to continue to operate; therefore, we regularly conduct financing offerings to raise capital, which may result in various forms of non-cash interest expense or other expenses. Additionally, we periodically seek to negotiate settlement of debt payment obligations in exchange for equity securities of the Company and enter into warrant exchanges or modifications that may result in non-cash charges. Our ability to continue to fund operations will depend on our ability to raise additional funds. Refer to Risk Factors, Liquidity and Capital Resources, and Going Concern sections included in this quarterly report.
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The results of operations were as follows for the periods presented:
Three months ended February 28, | Change | Nine months ended February 28, | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except for per share data) |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| $ |
| % |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| $ |
| % | |||||||
(Restated) (1) | (Restated) (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | — | % | $ | — | $ | 266 | $ | (266) | (100) | % | |||||||
Cost of goods sold | — | — | — | — | — | 53 | (53) | (100) | |||||||||||||||
Gross profit | — | — | — | — | — | 213 | (213) | (100) | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses: |
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative | 2,971 |
| 10,140 | (7,169) | (71) | 14,347 |
| 33,960 | (19,613) | (58) | |||||||||||||
Research and development |
| 938 |
|
| 3,569 |
| (2,631) | (74) |
| 1,651 |
|
| 23,036 |
| (21,385) | (93) | |||||||
Amortization and depreciation |
| 12 |
|
| 129 |
| (117) | (91) |
| 165 |
|
| 657 |
| (492) | (75) | |||||||
Inventory charge | — | 5,559 | (5,559) | (100) | 20,633 | 8,916 | 11,717 | 131 | |||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
| 3,921 |
|
| 19,397 |
| (15,476) | (80) |
| 36,796 |
|
| 66,569 |
| (29,773) | (45) | |||||||
Operating loss |
| (3,921) |
|
| (19,397) |
| 15,476 | 80 |
| (36,796) |
|
| (66,356) |
| 29,560 | 45 | |||||||
Interest and other expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest on convertible notes |
| (1,142) | (1,187) | 45 | 4 | (3,447) | (4,299) | 852 | 20 | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of discount on convertible notes |
| (565) |
|
| (637) |
| 72 | 11 |
| (1,721) |
|
| (2,382) |
| 661 | 28 | |||||||
Amortization of debt issuance costs | (17) | (19) | 2 | 11 | (51) | (70) | 19 | 27 | |||||||||||||||
Loss on induced conversion | (2,018) | (12,066) | 10,048 | 83 | (2,656) | (37,381) | 34,725 | 93 | |||||||||||||||
Finance charges |
| (5,884) |
|
| (7,025) |
| 1,141 | 16 |
| (7,761) |
|
| (8,084) |
| 323 | 4 | |||||||
Inducement interest expense |
| — |
|
| (954) |
| 954 | 100 |
| — |
|
| (6,186) |
| 6,186 | 100 | |||||||
Legal settlement |
| — |
|
| — |
| — | — |
| — |
|
| (1,941) |
| 1,941 | 100 | |||||||
Loss on derivatives | (155) | — | (155) | (100) | (8,756) | — | (8,756) | (100) | |||||||||||||||
Total interest and other expenses |
| (9,781) |
|
| (21,888) |
| 12,107 | 55 |
| (24,392) |
|
| (60,343) |
| 35,951 | 60 | |||||||
Loss before income taxes |
| (13,702) |
|
| (41,285) |
| 27,583 | 67 |
| (61,188) |
|
| (126,699) |
| 65,511 | 52 | |||||||
Income tax benefit | — | — | — | — |
| — |
|
| — |
| — | — | |||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (13,702) |
| $ | (41,285) | $ | 27,583 | 67 | % | $ | (61,188) | $ | (126,699) | $ | 65,511 | 52 | % | ||||||
Basic and diluted: |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding | 832,215 | 695,614 | 136,601 | 20 | 810,986 | 663,373 | 147,613 | 22 | |||||||||||||||
Loss per share | $ | (0.02) | $ | (0.06) | $ | 0.04 | 67 | $ | (0.08) |
| $ | (0.19) | $ | 0.11 | 58 |
(1) See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Revision and Restatement of Financial Statements.
Product revenue, Cost of goods sold (“COGS”) and Gross margin
We had no revenue in the three- and nine-months ended February 28, 2023 as compared to approximately $266.0 thousand in the nine months ended February 28, 2022; none in the three months ended February 28, 2022. Revenue was related to the fulfillment of orders under a Compassionate Special Permit (“CSP”) in the Philippines for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Sales were made under the April 2021 exclusive supply and distribution agreement granting Chiral the right to distribute and sell up to 200,000 vials of leronlimab through April 15, 2022. At the time of the sales, FDA approval had not yet been received for leronlimab and the product sold was previously expensed as research and development expense due to its being manufactured prior to the commencement of the manufacturing of commercial grade pre-launch inventories. Therefore, COGS consists only of the costs of packaging and shipping of the vials, including related customs and duties.
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General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses
G&A expenses consisted of the following:
Three months ended February 28, | Change | Nine months ended February 28, | Change | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2023 |
| 2022 |
| $ |
| % |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| $ |
| % | |||||||
Salaries, benefits, and other compensation | $ | 918 | $ | 3,227 | $ | (2,309) | (72) | % | $ | 3,175 | $ | 5,463 | $ | (2,288) | (42) | % | ||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| 419 |
| (438) | 857 | 196 |
| 3,537 |
| 4,219 | (682) | (16) | ||||||||||
Legal fees | 255 | 5,161 | (4,906) | (95) | 2,752 | 16,718 | (13,966) | (84) | ||||||||||||||
Other |
| 1,379 |
| 2,190 | (811) | (37) |
| 4,883 |
| 7,560 | (2,677) | (35) | ||||||||||
Total general and administrative | $ | 2,971 | $ | 10,140 | $ | (7,169) | (71) | % | $ | 14,347 | $ | 33,960 | $ | (19,613) | (58) | % |
The decreases in G&A expenses for the three- and nine-month periods ended February 28, 2023, compared to the same periods in the prior year, were primarily due to a reduction in legal fees, salaries, benefits, and other compensation, and other. The decreases in legal fees were due to lowered legal fees related to the SEC and DOJ investigations, Pestell employment dispute (which was resolved in May 2022), Amarex dispute, the absence of legal fees related to the prior year proxy contest and related lawsuits, and the payment of certain legal fees by the Company’s insurance carriers. The decreases in salaries, benefits, and other compensation were the result of decreased headcount and cash compensation. The decreases in other expenses were the result of a reduction in expenses related to the prior year proxy contest, insurance premiums, and recruiting and contract services, offset by an increase in auditor fees. The increase in stock-based compensation for the three-month period was primarily related to a credit balance in the prior year for the same three-month period related to the forfeiture of unvested equity grants of the former CEO upon separation.
Research and development (“R&D”) expenses.
R&D expenses consisted of the following:
Three months ended February 28, | Change | Nine months ended February 28, | Change | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2023 |
| 2022 |
| $ |
| % |
| 2023(1) |
| 2022 |
| $ |
| % | |||||||
Clinical | $ | 486 | $ | 2,612 | $ | (2,126) | (81) | % | $ | (145) | $ | 17,273 | $ | (17,418) | (101) | % | ||||||
Non-clinical |
| 4 |
| 203 | (199) | (98) |
| 31 |
| 878 | (847) | (96) | ||||||||||
CMC |
| 203 |
| 508 | (305) | (60) |
| 1,122 |
| 4,170 | (3,048) | (73) |
| |||||||||
License and patent fees |
| 245 |
| 246 | (1) | (0) |
| 643 |
| 715 | (72) | (10) |
| |||||||||
Total research and development | $ | 938 | $ | 3,569 | $ | (2,631) | (74) | % | $ | 1,651 | $ | 23,036 | $ | (21,385) | (93) | % |
(1) Certain prior quarter amounts totaling approximately $215 thousand have been reclassified from CMC to Clinical for consistency with the current quarter presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on the reported results of operations.
The decreases in R&D expenses in the three- and nine-month periods ended February 28, 2023, compared to the same periods in the prior year, were primarily the result of clinical trials related to COVID-19, NASH, HIV extension, and oncology studies, being completed, paused, or closed that had been active in the same periods of the prior year in addition to decreased activity related to the BLA resubmission, partially offset by increased costs related to activities focused on addressing the HIV program partial clinical hold. The credit balance in clinical expenses for the nine months ended February 28, 2023, is related to credits received related to the uncompleted Brazilian COVID-19 trials. The decreases in non-clinical expenses from the same periods in the prior year were the result of decreased activity related to non-clinical studies related to the BLA. The decreases in CMC related expenses from the same periods last year were the result of decreased activity related to CMC manufacturing.
The future trend of our R&D expenses is dependent on the timing of FDA clearance of the clinical hold and any future clinical trials, our decision-making and timing of which indications on which to focus our future efforts toward the clinical development and study of leronlimab, which may include the treatment of NASH, NASH-HIV, oncology, and other HIV related indications, and the timing and outcomes of such efforts.
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Amortization and depreciation expenses
The decreases in amortization and depreciation expenses for the three- and nine-month periods ended February 28, 2023, compared to the same periods last year were attributable to the ProstaGene noncompete intangible asset becoming fully amortized as of November 30, 2021 and the remaining ProstaGene intellectual property being returned in connection with a legal settlement in May 2022.
Inventory charge
The decrease in the inventory charge for the three-month period ended February 28, 2023, compared to the same period in the prior year was attributable to the full inventory write-off in the prior quarter. The increase in the inventory charge for the nine-month period ended February 28, 2023, compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily attributable to pre-launch inventories no longer qualifying for inventory capitalization due to the withdrawal of the BLA submission, in addition to expected expiration based on estimated shelf lives for the nine-month period. See Note 3, Inventories, net, for additional information.
Interest and other expense
Interest and other expense consisted of the following:
Three months ended February 28, | Change | Nine months ended February 28, | Change | |||||||||||||||||||
2023 |
| 2022 |
| $ |
| % |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| $ |
| % | ||||||||
(in thousands) | (Restated) (1) | (Restated) (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest on convertible notes payable | $ | 1,142 | $ | 1,187 | $ | (45) | (4) | % | $ | 3,447 | $ | 4,299 | $ | (852) | (20) | % | ||||||
Amortization of discount on convertible notes |
| 565 |
| 637 | (72) | (11) |
| 1,721 |
| 2,382 | (661) | (28) | ||||||||||
Amortization of debt issuance costs | 17 | 19 | (2) | (11) | 51 | 70 | (19) | (27) | ||||||||||||||
Loss on induced conversion |
| 2,018 |
| 12,066 | (10,048) | (83) |
| 2,656 |
| 37,381 | (34,725) | (93) |
| |||||||||
Finance charges |
| 5,884 |
| 7,025 | (1,141) | (16) |
| 7,761 |
| 8,084 | (323) | (4) |
| |||||||||
Inducement interest expense | — | 954 | (954) | (100) | — | 6,186 | (6,186) | (100) | ||||||||||||||
Legal settlement | — | — | — | — | — | 1,941 | (1,941) | (100) | ||||||||||||||
Loss on derivatives | 155 | — | 155 | — | 8,756 | — | 8,756 | 100 | ||||||||||||||
Total interest and other expenses | $ | 9,781 | $ | 21,888 | $ | (12,107) | (55) | % | $ | 24,392 | $ | 60,343 | $ | (35,951) | (60) | % |
(1) See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Revision and Restatement of Financial Statements.
The decreases in interest and other expenses for the three-month period ended February 28, 2023, compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily due to a decrease in non-cash loss on induced conversion, finance charges and inducement interest expense. The decreased non-cash loss on induced conversions resulted from the Company settling less outstanding convertible debt with common stock during the current period as compared to the same period last year (refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 14, Restatement in the 2022 Form 10-K). The decrease in finance charges is the result of lower expenses related to the issuance of warrants under the Surety Bond Backstop Agreement (as amended, the “Backstop Agreement”). The decrease in inducement interest expense is the result of its now being recorded in stockholders’ equity as a result of the adoption of ASU No. 2021-04 (refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements).
For the nine-month period ended February 28, 2023, the decrease was primarily due to decreases in loss on induced conversion, finance charges and inducement interest expense as discussed above, as well as a decrease in legal settlement expenses, partially offset by an increase in loss on derivatives. The decrease in legal settlement expense resulted from there being no legal settlements during the nine months ended February 28, 2023. The increase in loss on derivatives was primarily attributable to the change in the fair value of liability-classified warrants related to the Backstop Agreement and placement agent warrants issued in connection with an offering for which the related warrants subsequently became equity classified upon stockholder approval of an increase in authorized shares on August 31, 2022.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of February 28, 2023, we had a total of approximately $5.1 million in cash and $6.0 million in restricted cash and approximately $121.3 million in short-term liabilities. We expect to continue to incur operating losses and require a significant amount of capital in the future as we continue to develop and seek approval to commercialize leronlimab. Despite the Company’s negative working capital position, vendor relations remain relatively accommodative, and we do not currently anticipate significant delays in our business initiatives schedule due to liquidity constraints. We cannot be certain, however, that future funding will be available to us when needed on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all. We sell securities and incur debt when the terms of such arrangements are deemed acceptable to both parties under then current circumstances and as necessary to fund our current and projected cash needs.
Since inception, the Company has financed its activities principally from the public and private sale of equity securities as well as with proceeds from issuance of convertible notes and related party notes payable. The Company intends to finance its future operating activities and its working capital needs largely from the sale of equity and debt securities. The sale of equity and convertible debt securities to raise additional capital is likely to result in dilution to stockholders and those securities may have rights senior to those of common shares. If the Company raises funds through the issuance of additional preferred stock, convertible debt securities or other debt or equity financing, the related transaction documents could contain covenants restricting its operations.
During the 2021 fiscal year, the Company entered into long-term convertible notes that are secured by all of our assets (excluding our intellectual property), and include certain restrictive provisions, including limitations on incurring additional indebtedness and future dilutive issuances of securities, any of which could impair our ability to raise additional capital on acceptable terms.
In exchange for warrants, the Company entered into the Backstop Agreement with an accredited investor whereby the Company pledged its patents and the investor agreed to indemnify the issuer of the Surety Bond in the Amarex dispute with respect to the Company’s obligations under the Surety Bond. As described in Note 11, Subsequent Events, the Indemnitor has released all encumbrances on the Company’s patents and the Company has assumed the surety bond from the Indemnitor. Future third-party funding arrangements may also require the Company to relinquish valuable rights. Additional capital, if available, may not be available on reasonable or non-dilutive terms.
Cash
The Company’s cash and restricted cash position of approximately $5.1 million and $6.0 million, respectively, as of February 28, 2023 increased by approximately $0.9 million and $6.0 million, respectively, when compared to the balance of $4.2 million and $0.0 million, respectively, as of May 31, 2022. This increase was primarily the result of approximately $28.6 million in cash provided by financing activities, offset by approximately $21.7 million in cash used in our operating activities during the nine months ended February 28, 2023. Refer to Item 1, Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Going Concern, and the Going Concern discussion below for information regarding concerns about the Company’s ability to continue to fund its operations and satisfy its payment obligations and commitments. A summary of cash flows and changes between the periods presented is as follows:
Nine months ended February 28, | Change | |||||||||
(in thousands) | 2023 |
| 2022 |
| $ | |||||
Net cash (used in) provided by: | ||||||||||
Net cash used in operating activities | $ | (21,698) | $ | (71,679) | $ | 49,981 | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities | $ | — | $ | (30) | $ | 30 | ||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | $ | 28,577 | $ | 40,129 | $ | (11,552) |
Cash used in operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities totaled approximately $21.7 million during the nine months ended February 28, 2023, representing an improvement of approximately $50.0 million compared to the nine months ended February 28, 2022. The decrease in the net amount of cash used was due primarily to a decrease in our net loss, primarily attributable
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to decreased G&A, R&D, and working capital fluctuations, all of which are highly variable. Refer to General and Administrative, and Research and Development Expense sections for further discussion.
Cash used in investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended February 28, 2023 did not change significantly from the prior year period.
Cash provided by financing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities totaled approximately $28.6 million, a decrease of approximately $11.6 million compared to the nine months ended February 28, 2022. The decrease in net cash provided was primarily the result of raising less funds from private placements of common stock and warrants, and a decrease in cash received from warrant transactions and exercises.
Pre-launch inventories
The Company previously capitalized pre-launch inventories which were subsequently charged-off in October of 2022 for GAAP accounting purposes due to no longer qualifying for pre-launch inventory capitalization resulting from the withdrawal of the BLA submission. Work-in-progress and finished drug product inventories continue to be physically maintained, can be used for clinical trials, and can be sold commercially upon regulatory approval if the shelf-lives can be extended as a result of the performance of on-going stability tests. Raw material continued to be maintained so that they can be used in the future if needed.
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, the Company reviewed purchase commitments made by its manufacturing partner, Samsung, under the master agreement between the Company and Samsung, and its vendors for specialized raw materials for which the Company made a prepayment in the amount of $2.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2022, which were recorded as prepaid expenses in the consolidated financial statements as of May 31, 2022. As discussed in Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies – Commitments with Samsung BioLogics Co., Ltd. (“Samsung”), the Company and Samsung remain in ongoing discussions about, among other things, deferring the unfulfilled commitments. These additional specialized raw materials are estimated to have shelf-lives ranging from 2023 to 2026. The entire amount of approximately $2.7 million was charged-off as of August 31, 2022.
In October 2022, the Company voluntarily withdrew its BLA submission after concluding that a significant risk existed that the BLA would not receive FDA approval due to the inadequate process and performance by its former CRO around the monitoring and oversight of the clinical data from its trials. Following this decision, none of the Company’s inventories qualify for capitalization as pre-launch inventories. For the three months ended November 30, 2022, the Company charged-off the remaining raw material resin and work-in-progress bulk product inventories of approximately $16.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively.
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The table below summarizes previously capitalized pre-launch inventories which were subsequently charged-off for GAAP accounting purposes due to no longer qualifying for pre-launch inventory capitalization due to the withdrawal of the BLA submission and estimated expiration based on remaining shelf life. Work-in-progress and finished drug product inventories continue to be physically maintained, can be used for clinical trials, and can be commercially sold upon regulatory approval if the shelf-lives can be extended as a result of the performance of on-going stability tests. Raw materials continue to be maintained so that they can be used in the future if needed.
Raw Materials | Work-in-progress | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, Expiration period ending February 28,) |
| Remaining shelf-life (mos) |
| Specialized | Resins | Other | Total Raw Materials | Bulk drug product | Finished drug product | Total inventories | |||||||||
2023 | 0 to 12 | $ | 4,764 | $ | 16,264 | $ | 1,589 | $ | 22,617 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 22,617 | ||||
2024 | 13 to 24 | 2,511 | - | - | 2,511 | 1,661 | 29,142 | 33,314 | |||||||||||
2025 | 25 to 36 | 884 | - | - | 884 | - | 32,343 | 33,227 | |||||||||||
2026 | 37 to 48 | 1,420 | - | - | 1,420 | - | - | 1,420 | |||||||||||
Thereafter | 49 or more | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||
Inventories, gross | 9,579 | 16,264 | 1,589 | 27,432 | 1,661 | 61,485 | 90,578 | ||||||||||||
Inventory charge | (9,579) | (16,264) | (1,589) | (27,432) | (1,661) | (61,485) | (90,578) | ||||||||||||
Inventories, net | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - |
For additional information, refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Pre-launch Inventories in this Form 10-Q, and to Note 3, Inventories, net, in the 2022 Form 10-K.
Convertible debt
April 2, 2021 Convertible Note
On April 2, 2021, we issued a convertible note with a principal amount of $28.5 million resulting in net cash proceeds of $25.0 million, after $3.4 million of debt discount and $0.1 million of offering costs. The note accrues interest daily at a rate of 10% per annum, contains a stated conversion price of $10.00 per share, and matures in April 2025 (see Note 11, Subsequent Events for further information regarding extension of the original April 2023 maturity date). The April 2, 2021 Note required monthly debt reduction payments of $7.5 million for the six months beginning in May 2021, which could also be satisfied by payments on other notes held by the noteholder or its affiliates. Beginning six months after the issuance date, the noteholder may request monthly redemptions of up to $3.5 million. As of February 28, 2023, the outstanding balance of the April 2, 2021 Note, including accrued interest, was approximately $11.4 million.
April 23, 2021 Convertible Note
On April 23, 2021, we issued a convertible note with a principal amount of $28.5 million resulting in net cash proceeds of $25.0 million, after $3.4 million of debt discount and $0.1 million of offering costs. The note accrues interest daily at a rate of 10% per annum, contains a stated conversion price of $10.00 per share, and matures in April 2025 (see Note 11, Subsequent Events for further information regarding the extension of the original April 2023 maturity date). Beginning six months after the issuance date, the noteholder may request monthly redemptions of up to $7.0 million. As of February 28, 2023, the outstanding balance of the April 23, 2021 Note, including accrued interest, was approximately $34.4 million.
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Common stock
We have 1,350.0 million authorized shares of common stock. The table below summarizes intended uses of common stock.
As of | |
(in millions) | February 28, 2023 |
Issuable upon: | |
Warrants exercise | 179.9 |
Convertible preferred stock and undeclared dividends conversion | 33.3 |
Outstanding stock options exercise or vesting of outstanding RSUs and PSUs | 23.4 |
Reserved for issuance pursuant to future stock-based awards under equity incentive plan | 17.9 |
Reserved and issuable upon conversion of outstanding convertible notes | 12.0 |
Reserved for private placement of common stock and warrants through a placement agent | 141.1 |
Reserved for private placement of common stock and warrants | 0.8 |
Total shares reserved for future uses | 408.4 |
Common stock outstanding | 836.6 |
As of February 28, 2023, we had approximately 105.0 million unreserved authorized shares of common stock available for issuance. Our ability to continue to fund our operations depends on our ability to raise capital. The funding necessary for our operations may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. If we deplete our cash reserves, we may be forced to file for bankruptcy protection, discontinue operations or liquidate our assets.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of February 28, 2023, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a material effect on our current or future financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Contractual Obligations
Refer to Note 4, Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Note 5, Convertible Instruments and Accrued Interest, and Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q, and Notes 6 and 10 in Part II, Item 8 in the 2022 Form 10-K.
Legal Proceedings
The Company is a party to various legal proceedings described in Part I, Item 1, Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies – Legal Proceedings of this Form 10-Q. We are unable to predict the outcome of these proceedings, including the defense and other litigation-related costs and expenses that may be incurred by the Company, as the outcomes of legal proceedings are inherently uncertain. Therefore, it is possible that the ultimate outcome of any proceeding, if in excess of a recognized accrual, if any, could be material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. As of February 28, 2023, the Company had not recorded any accruals related to the outcomes of the legal matters discussed in this Form 10-Q.
Regulatory Matters
Voluntary Withdrawal of HIV BLA Submission
In July 2020, the Company received a Refusal to File letter from the FDA regarding its BLA submission for leronlimab as a combination therapy with HAART for highly treatment-experienced HIV patients. In November 2021, the Company resubmitted the non-clinical and CMC sections of the BLA. In October 2022, the Company voluntarily withdrew its BLA submission due to management’s conclusion that a severe risk of the BLA not receiving approval by the FDA existed due to the Company’s former CRO's inadequate process and performance around the monitoring and
38
oversight of the clinical data. For additional information see Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies – Legal Proceedings.
FDA warning letter re COVID-19 misbranding of investigational drug
In January 2022, the Company received a Warning Letter from the FDA alleging that its former CEO had made references in a video interview to COVID-19 and leronlimab in a promotional context to the effect that leronlimab, an investigational new drug, is safe and effective for the purpose for which it is being investigated or otherwise promoted the drug. The FDA warned the Company that leronlimab has not been approved or authorized by the FDA, its safety and effectiveness have not yet been established, and the related clinical trial data was mischaracterized in the video. The FDA further alleged that the video misbranded leronlimab under section 502(f)(1) of said Act and in violation of section 301(a) of the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act, as the claims in the video made representations in a promotional context regarding the safety and efficacy of an investigational new drug that has not been approved or authorized by the FDA. CytoDyn has completed all the corrective steps requested by the FDA. On September 26, 2022, CytoDyn sent a letter to the FDA informing the FDA that it had completed all corrective steps and requested that FDA issue a close-out letter.
FDA HIV partial clinical hold and COVID-19 full clinical hold letters
In March 2022, the FDA placed a partial clinical hold on the Company’s HIV program and a full clinical hold on its COVID-19 program in the United States. The Company was not enrolling any new patients in the trials placed on hold in the United States. Under the full clinical hold on the COVID-19 program, no new clinical studies may be initiated for the COVID-19 indication until the clinical hold is resolved. The Company has made a business decision not to pursue the use of leronlimab in COVID-19 patients, has no plans for further trials under the COVID-19 indication and has withdrawn the IND for COVID-19. Should the opportunity arise, the Company may explore potential non-dilutive clinical development options. CytoDyn is working diligently with the FDA to resolve the partial clinical hold for HIV as soon as possible, no new clinical studies can be initiated or resumed for the HIV indication until the partial clinical hold is resolved.
During the third quarter ended February 28, 2023, the Company submitted the documents requested by the FDA in its March 2022 clinical hold letter. Subsequently, the FDA responded through written communication to the Company, requesting additional information and clarification regarding an item that was previously submitted, the benefit-risk assessment for the HIV population, and made a supplemental request that the Company submit a general investigational plan under the HIV program IND. In March 2023, the Company responded to and submitted to the FDA the additional information and clarifications requested for the items previously requested. The FDA responded with further written communication requesting information relating to the benefit-risk assessment, as well as requesting the submission of a new protocol for the HIV indication. At the end of March 2023, the Company and the FDA held an informal meeting in which the FDA addressed certain clarifying questions with respect to the clinical hold submission and further information requests made by the FDA. As of the date of this filing, the Company has submitted the following to the FDA in connection with resolving the clinical hold: an aggregate analysis of cardiovascular events across all leronlimab clinical programs, a Safety Surveillance Plan, an aggregate safety data analysis, an updated Investigator’s Brochure, annual reports, a benefit-risk assessment, and a general investigational plan. The Company is currently working on a supplemental submission to address items discussed with the FDA during the informal meeting.
Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, the Company had losses for all periods presented. The Company incurred a net loss of approximately $61.2 million in the nine months ended February 28, 2023 and has an accumulated deficit of approximately $823.1 million as of February 28, 2023. These factors, among several others, including the various legal matters discussed in Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies – Legal Proceedings, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of assets and liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
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The Company’s continuance as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to obtain additional operating capital, complete the development of its product candidate, leronlimab, obtain approval to commercialize leronlimab from regulatory agencies, continue to outsource manufacturing of leronlimab, and ultimately achieve revenues and attain profitability. The Company plans to continue to engage in research and development activities related to leronlimab for multiple indications and expects to incur significant research and development expenses in the future, primarily related to its regulatory compliance, including seeking the lifting of the FDA’s partial clinical hold with regard to the Company’s HIV program, performing additional clinical trials, and seeking regulatory approval of its product candidate for commercialization. These research and development activities are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The Company intends to finance its future development activities and its working capital needs primarily from the sale of equity and debt securities, combined with additional funding from other sources. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in these endeavors.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Part I, Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Recent Accounting Pronouncements of this Form 10-Q.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
This discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which we have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of our financial statements and related disclosures requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The Company’s critical accounting policies are described under the heading Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates in our 2022 Form 10-K.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
There have been no material changes from the information previously reported under Part II, Item 7A of the 2022 Form 10-K.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
During the quarter ended February 28, 2023, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Our President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the reasonable assurance level as of February 28, 2023, due to the unremediated material weakness in internal control over financial reporting described below.
We maintain controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("the Exchange Act"), is accurately recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our President and Chief Financial Officer, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
As previously disclosed in Item 9A of the 2022 Form 10-K, during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2022, the Company identified an error that resulted in revisions to additional paid-in capital and non-cash inducement interest expense beginning in fiscal year 2018 through the three months ended August 31, 2021. Additionally, the Company also
40
identified a material error in how the Company accounted for common stock issued to settle certain convertible note obligations dating back to fiscal year 2021. The error resulted in an understatement of the previously reported non-cash loss on induced conversion and additional paid-in capital. Therefore, management reached the following conclusions as of May 31, 2022.
● | Management concluded that the failure to identify errors related to evaluation of complex accounting issues for which alternative accounting treatments exist constitutes a material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. This material weakness is deemed to be caused by lack of review of equity transactions to allow for consideration of alternative accounting treatments, and an insufficient number of finance reporting and accounting personnel with the knowledge, experience, or training appropriate in light of the Company’s financial reporting requirements. |
● | The Company failed to perform an adequate risk assessment, did not adequately design, and did not fully document information technology (IT) general controls in the areas of user access, program change management, operations over certain IT systems that support the Company’s financial reporting processes, including controls to respond to the Complementary User Entity Controls assumed in the design and implementation of third-party service organizations controls. We concluded that in the aggregate, these failures constitute a material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. |
A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Our independent registered public accounting firm, Macias Gini & O’Connell LLP, who audited the consolidated financial statements included in the 2022 Form 10-K, issued an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
In connection with the identification of the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we have evaluated, designed, and are in the process of implementing controls and procedures to address these weaknesses. We have entered into consulting arrangements for external resources and have hired additional personnel with accounting skills to strengthen internal control over financial reporting, specifically in the areas of technical accounting and financial reporting. We also have performed a risk assessment of our internal controls related to information technology systems, and have designed and are in the process of placing into operation controls tailored to address risks that we deem to be relevant to our Company. Further, we have documented all of our control activities in this area, including controls to respond to the Complementary User Entity Controls assumed in the design and implementation of third-party service organizations.
A material weakness in internal control over financial reporting is a matter that may require some period of time to correct. Management has taken actions to remediate the deficiencies in its internal controls over financial reporting and implemented additional processes and controls designed to address the underlying causes associated with the above-mentioned material weakness. Until the controls have been operating for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are operating effectively, the material weakness described above will continue to exist.
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PART II – Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
For a description of pending material legal proceedings, please see Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies–Legal Proceedings, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
We are subject to various risks, including risk factors identified in our 2022 Form 10-K and our Form 10-Q filed January 9, 2023 (“Q2 2023 Form 10-Q"). The Risk Factors section in our 2022 Form10-K, as updated by our Q2 2023 Form 10-Q, remains current in all material respects. You should carefully consider these risk factors in addition to the other information in this Form 10-Q.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
During March 2023, in satisfaction of redemptions, the Company and the April 2, 2021 Noteholder entered into exchange agreements, pursuant to which a portion of the April 2, 2021 Note was partitioned into new notes with an aggregate principal amount of $1.0 million, which were exchanged concurrently with the issuance of approximately 3.8 million shares of common stock. The Company relied on the exemption afforded by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act for the exchange transactions described above.
Item 5. Other Information
In April 2023, the Company and the holders of convertible notes issued by the Company on April 2, 2021, and April 23, 2021 (the “Noteholders”) agreed to extend the original maturity date of each of the notes by two years, and for which the Company agreed to pay an Extension Fee. The Extension Fee, which was equal to 2.5% of the outstanding balance of each of the notes as of April 10, 2023, increased the outstanding balance of the note issued on April 2, 2021 to approximately $10.7 million and of the note issued on April 23, 2021 to approximately $35.6 million.
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Item 6. Exhibits
Incorporated by Reference | ||||||||
Exhibit |
| Description | Filed | Form | Exhibit No. | Filing Date | ||
31.1 | Rule 13a-14(a) Certification by PEO of the Registrant. | X | ||||||
31.2 | X | |||||||
32 | X | |||||||
101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document. | X | ||||||
101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. | X | ||||||
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. | X | ||||||
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. | X | ||||||
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. | X | ||||||
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. | X | ||||||
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). | X |
*Furnished, not filed.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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| CYTODYN INC. | |
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| (Registrant) | |
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Dated: April 10, 2023 |
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| /s/ Cyrus Arman |
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| Cyrus Arman |
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| President |
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| (Principal Executive Officer) |
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Dated: April 10, 2023 |
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| /s/ Antonio Migliarese |
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| Antonio Migliarese |
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| Chief Financial Officer |
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| (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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