UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
(Mark One)
For
the quarterly period ended
or
For the transition period from to
Commission
File Number
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
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| N/A |
| (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
| The Stock Market LLC | ||||
| The Stock Market LLC |
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 (§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.
| ☐ Large accelerated filer | ☐ Accelerated filer |
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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 ☐ No
As of August 12, 2024, there were shares of common stock, $ par value of the registrant issued and outstanding.
CONDUIT PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
Form 10-Q
Table of Contents
| i |
EXPLANATORY NOTE
On November 12, 2024, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, after discussions with the Company’s management and independent registered public accounting firm, determined that the Company’s unaudited financial statements included in each of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ending March 31, 2024 (the “Q1 2024 Form 10-Q”) and June 30, 2024 (the “Q2 2024 Form 10-Q”), together (the “Financial Statements” or “Affected Periods), filed with the SEC on May 14, 2024, and August 12, 2024, respectively, as well as the relevant portions of any communication which describe or are based on the Financial Statements, should no longer be relied upon.
In connection with the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company’s management determined that a reclassification was necessary in its previously issued unaudited financial statements, relating solely to the balance sheet, as of June 30, 2024. It was determined that the Company’s deferred commission payable, previously classified as a long term liability, should have been classified as a current liability in the Company’s June 30, 2024 condensed consolidated balance sheet. Such reclassification did not have any impact on the total liabilities owed by the Company as of June 30, 2024.
Items Amended in this Filing
This Form 10-Q/A amends and restates the following items included in the original form 10-Q as appropriate to reflect the Restatement and revision of the relevant periods:
| ● | Part I, Item 1-Financial Statements (Unaudited) |
The Company is including with this Form 10-Q/A currently dated certifications of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (Exhibits 31.1, 31.2, 32.1, and 32.2).
Except as discussed above and as further described in Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q/A, the Company has not modified or updated the disclosures presented in the original form 10-Q to reflect events that occurred at a later date or facts that subsequently became known to the Company. Accordingly, forward-looking statements included in this Amendment No.1 may represent management’s views as of the original form 10-Q and should not be assumed to be accurate as of any date thereafter. Disclosures not affected by the Restatement are unchanged and reflect the disclosures made at the time of the original filing. Accordingly, this amended form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our filings with the SEC subsequent to the date on which we filed the original filing with the SEC.
| ii |
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”) for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2024 contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy, and other future conditions. This includes, without limitation, statements regarding the financial position and the plans and objectives of management for our future operations. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this Quarterly Report, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “strive,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Factors that could materially affect our business operations and financial performance and condition include, but are not limited to, those risks and uncertainties described herein under “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, under “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the filing date of this Quarterly Report. Unless required by law, we do not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events or otherwise. You should, however, review the risk factors we describe in the reports we will file from time to time with the SEC after the date of this Quarterly Report.
This Quarterly Report may also contain market data related to our business and industry. These market data include projections that are based on a number of assumptions. If these assumptions turn out to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based on these assumptions. As a result, our markets may not grow at the rates projected by these data, or at all. The failure of these markets to grow at these projected rates may harm our business, results of operations, financial condition, and the market price of our common stock.
| iii |
PART I-FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
CONDUIT PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
| June 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
(unaudited) (As Restated) | (audited) | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||
| Marketable Investments | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | ||||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets, net | ||||||||
| Property, plant, and equipment, net | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other long-term assets | ||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT | ||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | ||||||||
| Convertible promissory note payable | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability, current portion | ||||||||
| Loans payable | ||||||||
| Deferred commission payable | ||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||
| Derivative warrant liability | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability, non-current portion | ||||||||
| Deferred commission payable | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ deficit | ||||||||
| Common stock, par value $; shares authorized at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, par value $; shares authorized at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023; shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 | ||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | ||||||||
| Total stockholders’ deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 1 |
CONDUIT PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
| Three Months ended June 30, | Six Months ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Research and development expenses | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Other income (expense): | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Interest income | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Total other (expense) income, net | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Basic earnings/(net loss) per share | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Diluted earnings/(net loss) per share | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||
| Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive loss: | ||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Total comprehensive loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 2 |
CONDUIT PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share amounts)
| Common stock | Additional paid-in | Accumulated | Accumulated other comprehensive | Total stockholders’ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | capital | deficit | income |
deficit | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at April 1, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Common Stock for services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Common Stock upon vesting of restricted stock units | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Warrants | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at June 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Common stock | Additional paid-in | Accumulated | Accumulated other comprehensive | Total stockholders’ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | capital | deficit | income |
deficit | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at January 1, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Common Stock for services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Common Stock upon vesting of restricted stock units | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Warrants | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at June 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Common stock | Additional
paid-in | Accumulated | Accumulated other comprehensive | Total stockholders’ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | capital | deficit | income | deficit | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at April 1, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at June 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Common stock | Additional paid-in | Accumulated | Accumulated other comprehensive | Total stockholders’ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | capital | deficit | income | deficit | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at January 1, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Retroactive application of Merger | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification of additional paid-in capital | - | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted Balances, beginning of period | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at June 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 3 |
CONDUIT PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
| Six Months ended June 30, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Cash flows used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Gain on change in fair value of Cizzle option | ( | ) | ||||||
| Gain on change in fair value of Vela option | ( | ) | ||||||
| Loss on issuance of Vela option | ||||||||
| Change in reserve for related party uncollectible loan | ||||||||
| Loss on change in fair value of convertible notes payable | ||||||||
| Unrealized foreign exchange loss | ||||||||
| Issuance of warrants for lock-up | ||||||||
| Gain on change in fair value of derivative warrant liability | ( | ) | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | ||||||||
| Non-cash interest expense | ||||||||
| Operating lease obligations | ( | ) | ||||||
| Amortization of financed Directors and Officers insurance | ||||||||
| Issuance of common stock for services | ||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Accounts payable | ||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net cash flows used in operating activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash flows used in investing activities: | ||||||||
| Issuance of loan - related party | ( | ) | ||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | ( | ) | ||||||
| Purchases of short term investments | ( | ) | ||||||
| Proceeds from the sale of short-term investments | ||||||||
| Proceeds from the issuance of the Vela option | ||||||||
| Net cash flows used in investing activities | ( | ) | ||||||
| Cash flows provided by financing activities: | ||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes payable, carried at fair value | ||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of warrants from lock-up | ||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of convertible promissory note payable, carried at cost | ||||||||
| Net cash flows provided by financing activities | ||||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents before effect of exchange rate changes | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net change in cash | ( | ) | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | $ | ||||||
| Supplemental cash flow information: | ||||||||
| Cash paid for interest | $ | $ | ||||||
| Non-cash investing and financing activities | ||||||||
| Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
| Purchases of PP&E in accounts payable | ||||||||
| Receivables from issuance of warrants for lock-up | ||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 4 |
CONDUIT PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Nature of the Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Conduit” or the “Company”), is a clinical-stage specialty biopharmaceutical company that was formed to facilitate the development and commercialization of clinical assets. The Company has developed a unique business model that allows it to act as a conduit to bring clinical assets from pharmaceutical companies and develop new treatments for patients. Our novel approach addresses unmet medical needs and lengthens the intellectual property for our existing assets through cutting-edge solid-form technology and then commercializing these products with life science companies.
The Company’s current development pipeline, following the recently completed License Agreement with AstraZeneca AB (PUBL) (“AstraZeneca”) dated August 7, 2024, includes two HK-4 Glucokinase Activators, which have been determined to be Phase 2 ready for application in autoimmune disorders, as well as the Company’s proprietary, patent pending in some jurisdictions, solid-form compound targeting autoimmune disorders. The Company’s development pipeline also includes a potent, irreversible inhibitor of human Myeloperoxidase (MPO) that has been licensed in, and has the potential to treat, idiopathic male infertility. See Note 16, Subsequent Events.
Through June 30, 2024, the Company’s development pipeline, through a relationship with St. George Street Capital included a single HK-4 Glucokinase Activator licensed to St George Street Capital for use in uveitis, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, preterm labor, and renal transplant rejection. The Company’s development pipeline also included a potent, irreversible inhibitor of human Myeloperoxidase (MPO) licensed in idiopathic male infertility. See Note 13, Related Party transactions.
Merger Agreement
On September 22, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), a merger transaction between Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited (“Old Conduit”), Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp (“MURF”) and Conduit Merger Sub, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company and a wholly owned subsidiary of MURF (“Merger Sub”), was completed (the “Merger”, see Note 3) pursuant to the initial merger agreement dated November 8, 2022 and subsequent amendments to the merger agreement dated January 27, 2023 and May 11, 2023 (the “Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, on the Closing Date, (i) Merger Sub merged with and into Old Conduit, with Old Conduit surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of MURF, and (ii) MURF changed its name from Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp. to Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. The common stock of the Company commenced trading on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “CDT” on September 25, 2023, and the Company’s warrants commenced trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CDTTW” on September 25, 2023.
The Merger was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Under the reverse recapitalization method, MURF was treated as the acquired company for financial reporting purposes, and the accounting acquirer was assumed to have issued shares of stock for the net assets of MURF, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company in accordance with U.S. GAAP as set forth by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). References to U.S. GAAP issued by the FASB in these notes to the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codifications (“ASC”) and Accounting Standards Update (“ASUs”).
The accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this quarterly report have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and, in the opinion of the Company, contain all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of its financial position as of June 30, 2024, and its results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2023, was derived from the audited annual financial statements but does not contain all of the footnote disclosures from the annual financial statements.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries Conduit UK Management Ltd. (United Kingdom) and Conduit Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (Cayman Islands). As used herein, references to the “Company” include references to Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Liquidity and Going Concern
In
accordance with ASC 205-40, Going Concern, the Company has evaluated whether there are conditions and events, considered in the
aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the
date the financial statements are issued. Since its inception, the Company has generated significant losses and as of June 30, 2024,
the Company had an accumulated deficit of $
On
March 4, 2024, the Company received a Commitment Letter in the amount of $
On August 5, 2024, the
Company entered into a Senior Secured Promissory Note (the “Note”) with Nirland Limited (“Nirland”),
pursuant to which the Company issued and sold to the Nirland the Note in the original principal amount of $
| 5 |
The Company’s expectation is to generate operating losses and negative operating cash flows in the future and will need additional funding to support its current business plan. Management’s plans to alleviate the conditions that raise substantial doubt include the pursuit of additional cash resources through public or private equity or debt financings. There is no assurance that such funding will be available when needed or on acceptable terms. If additional funding is not available when required, the Company would need to delay or curtail its operations and its research and development activities until such funding is received, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company and its financial condition.
These financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern and do not include adjustments to reflect the possible effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Other Risks and Uncertainties
The Company is subject to risks common to companies in the pharmaceutical industry including, but not limited to, uncertainties related to commercialization of competitor products, regulatory approvals, dependence on key products, dependence on key customers and suppliers, and protection of intellectual property rights. Clinical assets currently under development will require significant additional research and development efforts, including extensive preclinical and clinical testing and regulatory approval prior to commercialization. These efforts will require significant amounts of additional capital, adequate personnel, infrastructure, and extensive compliance and reporting capabilities. Even if the Company’s efforts are successful, it is uncertain when, if ever, the Company will realize significant revenue from royalties or product sales.
The Company licenses clinical assets from AstraZeneca. See Note 13 and Note 17. If there is a breach or other termination of such agreements, there could be a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, operating results, and prospects. While the Company holds its own intellectual property outside of the scope of these agreements, termination of such agreements could adversely affect the business and ability to commercialize our clinical assets.
Nasdaq Listing Deficiencies
Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard
On May 28, 2024, the Company received a notice (the “Notice”) it was expecting from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) notifying the Company that, due to the previously disclosed resignation of Ms. Jennifer McNealey from the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and from all committees on which she served, the Company, effective as of such date of resignation, was not in compliance with Nasdaq’s independent audit committee requirements as set forth in Listing Rule 5605 as a result of the audit committee being comprised of only two independent directors. The Company has until the earlier of its next annual meeting of stockholders or May 13, 2025 or, if the next annual meeting of stockholders is held before November 12, 2024, then the Company must evidence compliance no later than November 12, 2024. The Notice has no immediate effect on the listing of the Company’s securities on Nasdaq. The Company intends to regain compliance with the requirement that the audit committee be comprised of at least three independent directors prior to the expiration of the cure period provided pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(c)(4).
Notice of Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule
On August 12, 2024, the Company received a deficiency letter from the Listing Qualifications Department (the “Staff”) of the Nasdaq notifying the Company that for the last 30 consecutive business days the closing bid price for the Company’s common stock had closed below the minimum $ per share requirement for continued inclusion on the Nasdaq Global Market pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1) (the “Bid Price Rule”). The deficiency letter does not result in the immediate delisting of the Company’s common stock from the Nasdaq Global Market.
In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A) (the “Compliance Period Rule”), the Company has been provided an initial period of 180 calendar days, or until February 10, 2025 (the “Compliance Date”), to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule. If, at any time before the Compliance Date, the closing bid price for the Company’s common stock closes at $ or more for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days as required under the Compliance Period Rule, the Staff will provide written notification to the Company that it complies with the Bid Price Rule, unless the Staff exercises its discretion to extend this 10 day period pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(H).
If the Company does not regain compliance by February 10, 2025, the Company may be eligible for an additional 180 calendar day grace period if it applies to transfer the listing of its common stock to the Nasdaq Capital Market. To qualify, the Company would be required to meet the continued listing requirement for the market value of its publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for the Nasdaq Capital Market, with the exception of the minimum bid price requirement, and provide written notice of its intention to cure the minimum bid price deficiency during the second compliance period. If the Nasdaq staff determines that the Company will not be able to cure the deficiency, or if the Company is otherwise not eligible for such additional compliance period, Nasdaq will provide notice that the Company’s common stock will be subject to delisting. The Company would have the right to appeal a determination to delist its common stock, and the common stock would remain listed on the Nasdaq Global Market until the appeal process is complete. There can be no assurance that, if the Company does appeal the delisting determination by the Staff to the NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Panel, that such appeal would be successful.
The Company intends to monitor the closing bid price of its common stock and may, if appropriate, consider available options to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule, which could include effecting a reverse stock split. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule.
| 6 |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash
and cash equivalents are primarily maintained with major financial institutions in the United Kingdom and Switzerland. The Company considers
cash equivalents to be short-term, highly liquid investments that (a) are readily convertible into known amounts of cash, (b) are traded
and held for cash management purposes, and (c) have original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase. The Company’s
Switzerland bank accounts, which hold immaterial cash balances, are uninsured, and the Company’s U.K. bank account, with a balance
at June 30, 2024 of £
Marketable Investments
Short-term may investments include marketable debt and equity securities with maturities of less than one year or where management’s intent is to use the investments to fund current operations or to make them available for current operations. All investments in marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. Investments with remaining maturities or that are due within one year from the balance sheet date are classified as current. The Company reviews its short-term investments for other-than-temporary impairment whenever the fair value of a marketable security is less than the amortized cost and evidence indicates that a short-term investment’s carrying amount is not recoverable within a reasonable period of time.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are initially recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or, for leasehold improvements, the life of the lease, if shorter. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in other income or expense for the period. As of June 30, 2024, property, plant and equipment primarily consisted of leasehold improvements.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates are based on several factors including the facts and circumstances available at the time the estimates are made, historical experience, risk of loss, general economic conditions and trends, and the assessment of the probable future outcome. Actual results could differ materially from such estimates. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically by management and changes in estimates are made as management becomes aware of changes in circumstances surrounding the estimates. The effects of changes are reflected in the financial statements in the period that they are determined.
Fair Value Measurements
ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is to be determined based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. In determining fair value, the Company used various valuation approaches. A fair value hierarchy has been established for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company.
Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s assumption about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy is categorized into three levels, based on the inputs, as follows:
| ● | Level 1-Valuations based on quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these instruments does not entail a significant degree of judgment. | |
| ● | Level 2- Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for either similar instruments in active markets, identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, or model-derived valuations whose inputs or significant value drivers are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. | |
| ● | Level 3-Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable. These valuations require significant judgment. |
| 7 |
The Company’s Level 1 assets consist of cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying balance sheets, convertible notes payable and the value of accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities.
Warrants
The Company determines the accounting classification of warrants as either liability or equity by first assessing whether the Warrants meet liability classification in accordance with ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”). Under ASC 480, a financial instrument that embodies an unconditional obligation, or a financial instrument other than an outstanding share that embodies a conditional obligation, that the issuer must or may settle by issuing a variable number of its equity shares must be classified as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances) if, at inception, the monetary value of the obligation is based solely or predominantly on any one of the following: (a) a fixed monetary amount known at inception; (b) variations in something other than the fair value of the issuer’s equity shares; or (c) variations inversely related to changes in the fair value of the issuer’s equity shares. If financial instruments, such as the warrants, are not required to be classified as liabilities under ASC 480, the Company assesses whether such instruments are indexed to the Company’s own stock under ASC 815-40. In order for an instrument to be considered indexed to an entity’s own stock, its settlement amount must always equal the difference between the following: (a) the fair value of a fixed number of the Company’s equity shares, and (b) a fixed monetary amount or a fixed amount of a debt instrument issued by the Company.
Equity classified warrants are recorded in stockholders’ deficit and liability classified warrants are recorded as liabilities within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The liability classified warrants are remeasured each period with changes recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.
As of June 30, 2024, the Company had outstanding warrants that are classified as a liability within the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the warrant liability is determined each balance sheet date based on Level 2 inputs as such inputs are based on observable inputs other than quoted prices. The warrant liability is valued using a Black-Scholes model, with the most judgmental non-observable input being the volatility measure. Changes in the assumptions around the volatility can cause significant changes in the estimated fair value of the warrant liability. See Note 4 for further information on the Company’s financial liabilities carried at fair value.
During the sixth months ended June 30, 2024, the Company issued warrants that met the criteria to be classified within stockholders’ deficit within the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the warrants was determined by using a Black-Scholes model, with the most judgmental non-observable input being the volatility measure. Changes in the assumptions around the volatility could have caused significant changes in the estimated fair value of the warrants. See Note 14 for further information on the warrants classified within stockholders’ deficit.
Share Based Compensation
The Company accounts for share based compensation arrangements granted to employees in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation: Stock Compensation, by measuring the grant date fair value of the award and recognizing the resulting expense over the period during which the employee is required to perform service in exchange for the award. The grant date fair value of stock options is determined using a Black-Scholes model, with the most judgmental non-observable input being the volatility measure. Changes in the assumptions around the volatility can cause significant changes in the grant date fair value of stock options. The Company accounts for forfeitures when they occur.
Research and Development and Funding
Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs incurred in connection with the research and development of our clinical assets and programs. The Company expenses research and development costs and intangible assets acquired that have no alternative future use as incurred. These expenses include:
| ● | expenses incurred under agreements with organizations that support the Company’s drug discovery and development activities; | |
| ● | expenses incurred in connection with the preclinical and clinical development of the Company’s clinical assets and programs, including under agreements with contract research organizations, or CROs; | |
| ● | costs related to contract manufacturing organizations, or CMOs, that are primarily engaged to provide drug substance and product for our clinical trials, research and development programs, as well as investigative sites and consultants that conduct the Company’s clinical trials, nonclinical studies and other scientific development services; | |
| ● | the costs of acquiring and manufacturing nonclinical and clinical trial materials, including manufacturing registration and validation batches; | |
| ● | employee-related expenses, including salaries, related benefits and equity-based compensation expense, for employees engaged in research and development functions; | |
| ● | costs related to compliance with quality and regulatory requirements; | |
| ● | payments made under third-party licensing agreements; and | |
| ● | direct and allocated costs related to facilities, information technology, personnel and other overhead. |
Advance payments that we make for goods or services to be received in the future for use in research and development activities are recorded as prepaid expenses. Such amounts are recognized as an expense as the goods are delivered or consumed or the related services are performed, or until it is no longer expected that the goods will be delivered, or the services rendered.
| 8 |
Income Taxes
ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, sets forth standards for financial presentation and disclosure of income tax liabilities and expense. Interest and penalties recognized have been classified in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and Comprehensive Loss as income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amount of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating losses carried forward. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and Comprehensive Loss in the period that includes the enactment date. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced, if necessary, by a valuation allowance for any tax benefits of which future realization is uncertain.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, which introduces new income tax disclosure requirements. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. After reviewing the provisions of the new standard, the Company has determined that these changes will not materially affect our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows as presented in our financial statements.
The Company calculates basic and diluted earnings/(net loss) per share under ASC Topic 260, Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings/(net loss) per share is computed by dividing the net income/(loss) by the number of weighted-average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings/(net loss) is computed by adjusting net income/(loss) based on the impact of any dilutive instruments. Diluted earnings/(net loss) per share is computed by dividing the diluted net income/(loss) by the number of weighted-average common shares outstanding for the period including the effect, if dilutive, of any instruments that can be settled in common shares. When computing diluted net income/(loss) per share, the numerator is adjusted to eliminate the effects that have been recorded in net income/(loss) (net of tax, if any) attributable to any liability-classified dilutive instruments.
Foreign Currency Translation
The Company translated the assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries from their respective functional currency, the British pound, to United States dollars at the appropriate spot rates as of the balance sheet date. Income and expenses of operations are translated to United States dollars using weighted average exchange rates during the year. The foreign subsidiaries use the local currency as their functional currency. The effects of foreign currency translation adjustments are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ deficit. Non-monetary items in the subsidiaries’ functional currency are re-measured into the reporting currency at the historical exchange rate (i.e., the rate of exchange at the date of the transaction).
2. Restatement and Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements
Restatement of Previously Issued Financial Statements: June 30, 2024
In connection with the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company’s management determined that a reclassification was necessary in its previously issued unaudited financial statements, relating solely to the balance sheet, as of June 30, 2024. It was determined that the Company’s deferred commission payable, previously classified as a long term liability, should have been classified as a current liability in the Company’s June 30, 2024 condensed consolidated balance sheet. Such reclassification did not have any impact on the total liabilities owed by the Company as of June 30, 2024. Management has evaluated this change and concluded it was material to the prior ending June 30, 2024. Therefore, the Company is restating the previously issued unaudited financial statements, and related notes thereto, as of June 30, 2024.
The impact of the errors described above on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2024, is as follows:
| As of June 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| (Dollar amounts in thousands) | As Previously Reported | Adjustment | As Restated | |||||||||
| Condensed Consolidated Balance | ||||||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||||||
| Deferred commission payable | ||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||||||
| Deferred commission payable | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||||||
Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements: June 30, 2023
In connection with the preparation of the Company’s financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company’s management identified errors in its previously issued unaudited financial statements as of and for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2023 with respect to how certain expenses relating to the Merger were previously expensed and that as part of the Company’s annual audit it was determined that such expenses should have been capitalized and subsequently recorded against equity and restated such quarterly period in the December 31, 2023 Form 10-K. The accounting for legal costs was deemed to be specific incremental costs directly attributable to the Merger and concurrent PIPE financing (See Note 3). Management has evaluated this correction to the accounting treatment of such costs, which overstated net loss, additional paid in capital, and accumulated deficit and understated prepaid expense, and concluded it was material to the prior quarterly periods, individually and in the aggregate. Additionally, certain items included in the comparative financial statements for the prior period have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
| 9 |
The impact of the errors described above on the balance sheet as of June 30, 2023, is as follows (in thousands):
| As of June 30, 2023 (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||
| As Previously Reported | Adjustment | As Revised | ||||||||||
| Balance Sheets | ||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||||||||
| Total assets | ||||||||||||
| Stockholders’ deficit | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Total shareholders’ deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
The impact of the errors described above on the statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, is as follows (in thousands):
| For the three months ended June 30, 2023 (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||
| As Previously Reported | Adjustment | As Revised | ||||||||||
| Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss | ||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Total operating costs and expenses | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Operating loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| Net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders – basic and diluted* | $ | ) | $ | $ | ) | |||||||
| Total comprehensive income (loss) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| * |
| For the six months ended June 30, 2023 (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||
| As Previously Reported | Adjustment | As Revised | ||||||||||
| Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss | ||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Total operating costs and expenses | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Operating loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| Net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders – basic and diluted* | $ | ) | $ | $ | ) | |||||||
| Total comprehensive income (loss) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| * |
The impact of the errors described above on the statements of changes in shareholders’ deficit as of June 30, 2023, is as follows (in thousands):
| As of June 30, 2023 (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||
| As Previously Reported | Adjustment | As Revised | ||||||||||
| Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Deficit | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated deficit* | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| Total shareholders’ deficit | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| * |
The impact of the errors described above on the statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2023, is as follows (in thousands):
| For the six months ended June 30, 2023 (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||
| As Previously Reported | Adjustment | As Revised | ||||||||||
| Statements of Cash Flows | ||||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||||
In connection with the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company’s management identified errors in its previously issued unaudited financial statements as of and for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2024, with respect to how certain accrued expenses were accounted for in comparative three and six months ended June 30, 2023. The error relates to the Company inaccurately estimating accrued professional fees incurred in connection with the Merger as of June 30, 2023. Management has evaluated this correction to the accounting treatment of such costs, which overstated general and administrative expense, other income (expense), net loss, accumulated deficit, and accrued professional fees, and concluded it was not material to the prior periods, individually and in the aggregate.
| 10 |
Additionally, certain items included in the comparative financial statements for the prior period have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
The impact of the errors described above on the balance sheet as of June 30, 2023, is as follows (in thousands):
| As of June 30, 2023 (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||
| As Previously Reported | Adjustment | As Revised | ||||||||||
| Balance Sheets | ||||||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||||||
| Accrued professional fees | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Total liabilities | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Stockholders’ deficit | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated deficit* | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Total shareholders’ deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| * |
The impact of the errors described above on the statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, is as follows (in thousands):
| For the three months ended June 30, 2023 (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||
| As Previously Reported | Adjustment | As Revised | ||||||||||
| Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss | ||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Total operating costs and expenses | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Operating loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Other income (expense): | ||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Total other (expense) income, net | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| Basic earnings/(net loss) per share | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
Diluted earnings/(net loss) per share | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| Total comprehensive income (loss) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| For the six months ended June 30, 2023 (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||
| As Previously Reported | Adjustment | As Revised | ||||||||||
| Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss | ||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Total operating costs and expenses | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Operating loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Other income (expense): | ||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Total other (expense) income, net | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| Basic earnings/(net loss) per share | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| Diluted earnings/(net loss) per share | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| Total comprehensive income (loss) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
The impact of the errors described above on the statements of changes in shareholders’ deficit as of June 30, 2023, is as follows (in thousands):
| As of June 30, 2023 (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||
| As Previously Reported | Adjustment | As Revised | ||||||||||
| Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Deficit | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated deficit* | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| Total shareholders’ deficit | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| * |
The impact of the errors described above on the statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2023, is as follows (in thousands):
| For the six months ended June 30, 2023 (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||
| As Previously Reported | Adjustment | As Revised | ||||||||||
| Statements of Cash Flows | ||||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||
| 11 |
3. Merger
As discussed in Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” on September 22, 2023, the Company and MURF completed the Merger. Upon the closing of the Merger, the following occurred:
| ● | Each share of Old Conduit common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the Merger, which totaled shares, was exchanged for the right to receive shares of the Company’s Common Stock (“Common Stock”) resulting in the issuance of shares of the Company’s Common Stock. | |
| ● | In addition to the shares issued to legacy Conduit shareholders noted above, an additional shares of Common Stock were issued to Conduit convertible note holders, resulting in a total of shares of Common Stock being issued to Conduit shareholders and holders of Conduit convertible notes payable. | |
| ● | In
connection with the Merger, share of MURF Class A common stock held by the MURF Sponsor was transferred to MURF Directors.
Each share was exchanged on a | |
| ● | Each share of MURF Class A common stock held by the MURF Sponsor prior to the closing of the Merger, which totaled shares, was exchanged for, on a one-for-one basis for shares of Common Stock. | |
| ● | Each share of MURF common stock subject to possible redemption that was not redeemed prior to the closing of the Merger, which totaled shares, was exchanged for, on a one-for-one basis, for shares of Common Stock. | |
| ● | In connection with the Merger, shares of MURF Class B common stock held by the Sponsor was automatically converted into shares of MURF Class A common stock and then subsequently converted into shares of Common Stock on a one-for-one basis. | |
| ● | In
connection with the Merger, A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners (“A.G.P.”), whom acted as a financial advisor to both MURF
and Conduit, was due to receive (i) a cash fee of $ | |
| ● | In
connection with the Merger, MURF entered into subscription agreements (the “Subscription Agreements”) with certain accredited
investors (the “PIPE Investors”) for an aggregate of units, with each
unit consisting of one share of Common Stock (the “PIPE Shares”), together with one warrant exercisable into one share
of Common Stock (the “PIPE Warrants”), at a purchase price of $ per unit, for an aggregate purchase price of $ | |
| ● | The
proceeds received by the Company from the Merger and PIPE Financing, net of transaction costs, totaled $ |
The following table presents the total Common Stock outstanding immediately after the closing of the Merger:
| Number of Shares | ||||
| Exchange of MURF common stock subject to possible redemption for Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. common stock | ||||
| Exchange of MURF Class A common stock held by MURF Directors for Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. common stock | ||||
| Exchange of MURF Class A common stock held by MURF Sponsor for Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. common stock | ||||
| Subtotal - Merger, net of redemptions | ||||
| Issuance of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. common stock in connection with PIPE Financing | ||||
| Exchange of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited ordinary shares for Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. common stock on the Closing Date | ||||
| Issuance of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. common stock to holders of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited convertible notes on the Closing Date | ||||
| Issuance of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. common stock to an advisor for services directly related to the Merger | ||||
| Total - Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. common stock outstanding as a result of the Merger, PIPE Financing, exchange of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited shares for shares of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc., issuance of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. common stock to holders of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited convertible notes, and advisors. | ||||
| 12 |
4. Marketable Investments
The following table summarizes the Company’s investments accounted for as available-for-sale securities as of June 30, 2024 (in thousands):
| As of June 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gross | Gross | |||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost | Unrealized Gain | Unrealized Loss | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale, short-term investments: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment in trading securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Total available-for-sale, short-term investments | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
The Company had no short-term investments as of December 31, 2023.
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities as of June 30, 2024, were not significant. There were no significant realized gains or losses recognized on the sale or maturity of available-for-sale investments for the six months ended June 30, 2024.
5. Fair Value
The following table presents as of June 30, 2024 the Company’s liabilities subject to measurement at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
| Fair Value Measurements as of June 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment in trading securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Derivative warrant Liability | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Liabilities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
The following table presents as of December 31, 2023 the Company’s liabilities subject to measurement at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
| Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Derivative warrant liability | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Total Liabilities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
The fair value of the investment in trading securities was valued based on the purchase price of the investments and has therefore been classified as a Level 3 fair value measurement. The Company had no investment in trading securities as of December 31, 2023. There were no significant gains or losses recognized on the sale of investments in trading securities for the six months ended June 30, 2024.
The warrants issued to the PIPE Investors and an advisor in connection with the Merger are accounted for as liabilities in accordance with ASC 815-40 and are presented within warrant liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The measurements of the liability classified warrants are classified as Level 2 fair value measurements due to the use of an observable market quote for the Company’s publicly traded warrants, which are considered to be a similar asset in an active market.
The warrant liabilities are calculated by multiplying the quoted market price of the Company’s publicly traded warrants by the number of liability classified warrants.
During the period ended June 30, 2024, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2, nor into or out of Level 3.
6. Balance Sheet Details
Current assets consisted of the following as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands):
| As of | As of | |||||||
| June 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Prepaid directors and officers insurance | $ | $ | ||||||
| Prepaid Expenses | ||||||||
| Other Receivables | ||||||||
| Other Current Assets | ||||||||
| Total prepaid expenses and other current assets | $ | $ | ||||||
Accrued Expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands):
| As of | As of | |||||||
| June 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Accrued Professional Fees | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accrued Payroll | ||||||||
| Accrued Interest | ||||||||
| Accrued Expenses | ||||||||
| Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
| 13 |
7. Convertible Notes Payable
On
May 27, 2021, the Company approved a Master Convertible Loan Note Instrument (the “2021 Convertible Loan Note Instrument”),
permitting the Company to issue convertible notes in a maximum aggregate principal amount of up to $
On
November 1, 2022, the Company approved a master Convertible Loan Note Instrument (the “2022 Convertible Loan Note Instrument”),
permitting the Company to issue convertible notes payable for a maximum aggregate principal amount of up to $
During
January and February 2023, under the terms of the 2022 Convertible Loan Note Instrument, the Company issued convertible notes
payable with an aggregate principal amount of $
million (£
million) to non-related third parties. As discussed in Note 13, “Related Party Transactions,”
during January and February 2023, under the terms of the 2022 Convertible Loan Note Instrument, the Company issued convertible notes payable
with an aggregate principal amount of $
On September 22, 2023, as discussed in Note 3, “Merger,” the Company and MURF completed the Merger, at which point all outstanding convertible notes issued under the 2021 and 2022 Convertible Loan Instruments converted into shares of Common Stock.
The Company elected to fair value the convertible notes payable issued under the 2021 and 2022 Convertible Loan Note Instruments. At the end of each reporting period, the Company calculated the fair value of the convertible notes payable, and any changes in fair value are reported in other income (expense), net, in the current period’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and Comprehensive Loss. There has been no change in fair value from a change in credit quality.
For
the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company recorded a $
Convertible Promissory Notes Payable
During
March 2023, the Company issued a convertible promissory note payable with an aggregate principal amount of $
8. Loans Payable
On
May 1, 2022, the Company entered into Loan Agreements (the “Loans”) with two lenders, totaling $
| 14 |
9. Deferred Commission Payable
As
discussed in Note 3, A.G.P was a financial advisor to both MURF and Old Conduit in connection with the Merger transaction. Upon the
completion of the Merger, A.G.P.: (i) received a cash fee of $
On September 22, 2023, in connection with the Merger, the Company adopted the Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2023 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2023 Plan”). The 2023 Plan became effective upon the closing of the Merger. The 2023 Plan initially provides for the issuance of up to shares of Common Stock. Pursuant to the 2023 Plan’s “evergreen” provision, the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the 2023 Plan was increased by shares of common stock effective January 1, 2024. The number of authorized shares will automatically increase on January 1, 2025 and continuing annually on each anniversary thereof through (and including) January 1, 2033, equal to the lesser of (i) % of the shares of common stock outstanding on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (ii) such smaller number of shares of common stock as determined by the Board or the applicable committee of the Board. The 2023 Plan allows for awards to be issued to employees and non-employee directors in the form of options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance stock units, dividend equivalents, other stock-based, or other cash-based awards. As of June 30, 2024, there were shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the 2023 Plan.
For the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, there was a total of $ million and $, respectively in stock-based compensation expense recognized within General and Administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations and Comprehensive Loss, respectively, related to the RSUs and stock options granted since the Merger.
For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, there was a total of $million and $, respectively in stock-based compensation expense recognized within General and Administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations and Comprehensive Loss, respectively, related to the RSUs and stock options granted since the Merger.
On June 24, 2024, in connection with a services agreement with an unrelated third party to provide marketing services, the Company issued shares of its Common Stock (the “Service Shares”). The Company valued the Service Shares at $ per share, the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on June 21, 2024. The total compensation for these shares is $ million which will recognized within General and Administrative expenses over the service period of the agreement.
Restricted Stock
In connection with the Merger, as discussed in Notes 1 and 3, and by Unanimous Written Consent of the Board of Directors, the then Chief Financial Officer of the Company was granted RSUs on December 1, 2023 at a weighted average grant date fair value of $. The RSUs were to vest in equal annual instalments on the first three anniversaries of the closing of the Merger. Upon the then Chief Financial Officer’s resignation, effective May 15, 2024, all such RSUs were forfeited. On June 7, 2024 by Unanimous Written Consent of the Board of Directors, the Interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company and a Board member were each granted shares of immediately vested restricted stock at a weighted average grant date fair value of $. The shares of restricted stock were fully vested as of the grant date. additional RSU’s or shares of restricted common stock were granted during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024.There were shares of restricted common stock vested as of June 30, 2024 and RSUs vested as of December 31, 2023.
| Number of Awards | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Unit | |||||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2023 | $ | |||||||
| Granted | $ | |||||||
| Cancelled/forfeited | ( | ) | $ | |||||
| Vested | ( | ) | $ | |||||
| Outstanding at June 30, 2024 | $ | |||||||
| 15 |
Stock Options
The Company estimates the fair value of each option award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company then recognizes the grant date fair value of each option as compensation expense ratably using the straight-line attribution method over the service period (generally the vesting period). The Black-Scholes model incorporates the following assumptions:
| ● | Expected volatility – the Company estimates the volatility of the share price of their peer companies at the date of grant using a “look-back” period which coincides with the expected term, defined below. The Company believes using a “look-back” period which coincides with the expected term is the most appropriate measure for determining expected volatility. | |
| ● | Expected term – the Company estimates the expected term using the “simplified” method outlined in SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, “Share-Based Payment.” | |
| ● | Risk-free interest rate – the Company estimates the risk- free interest rate using the U.S. Treasury Yield curve for periods equal to the expected term of the options in effect at the time of grant. | |
| ● | Dividends – the Company uses an expected dividend yield of zero because the Company has not declared nor paid a cash dividend, nor are there any plans to declare a dividend. |
The Company did not grant stock options during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 or June 30, 2023.
The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur, which may result in the reversal of compensation costs in subsequent periods as the forfeitures arise.
| Number of Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) | |||||||||||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Granted | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||||||
| Cancelled/forfeited | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||||||
| Exercised | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||||||
| Outstanding at June 30, 2024 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Exercisable | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Unvested | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
The aggregate intrinsic value of options is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying options and the fair value of the Company’s Common Stock for those options that had exercise prices lower than the fair value of the Company’s Common Stock. As of June 30, 2024, the total compensation cost related to non-vested option awards not yet recognized was $ million with a weighted average remaining vesting period of years.
11. Income Taxes
For
the six months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023, the Company’s effective tax rate was
| 16 |
For the three months ended June 30, | For the six months ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Numerator: | ||||||||||||||||
| Net loss - basic | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||
| Less: Change in fair value and income impact of Cizzle option liability | ||||||||||||||||
| Less: Change in fair value and income impact of Vela option liability | ||||||||||||||||
| Net loss - diluted | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Denominator: | ||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average common stock outstanding, basic | ||||||||||||||||
| Add: Cizzle option liability shares | ||||||||||||||||
| Add: Vela option liability shares | ||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares used in computing net loss per share - diluted | ||||||||||||||||
| Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net income loss per share attributable to common stockholders, diluted | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| As of | As of | |||||||
| June 30, 2024 | June 30, 2023 | |||||||
| Equity classified warrants | ||||||||
| Liability classified warrants | ||||||||
| Convertible notes payable | ||||||||
| Stock options | ||||||||
| Convertible promissory notes payable | ||||||||
| Antidilutive Securities | ||||||||
| 17 |
13. Related Party Transactions
Corvus Capital Limited
Corvus is a significant investor in the Company and the Chief Executive Officer of Corvus is a member of Conduit’s Board. In conjunction with the execution of the Subscription Agreements, Corvus and its affiliates entered into a participation and inducement agreement with the PIPE Investors whereby Corvus agreed to provide certain payments and economic benefits to such investor in the event Corvus sold or pledged in a debt transaction any of the shares it was receiving in the Merger. In certain circumstances, such investor may have a right to cause Corvus to transfer certain of its shares to such investor.
For
the six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company incurred travel expenses on behalf of the CEO of Corvus of approximately $
As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company did not owe the CEO of Corvus any director’s fees as the CEO of Corvus and the Company agreed to cease director’s fees to the CEO of Corvus effective at the closing of the Merger.
During
January and February 2023, under the terms of the 2022 Convertible Loan Note Instrument, the Company issued convertible notes payable
with an aggregate principal amount of $
St George Street Capital
St George Street Capital (“SGSC”) is a stockholder and the Company has a Funding Agreement (as defined below) with SGSC. Following the execution of the License Agreement with AstraZeneca (See Note 16, Subsequent Events), the Company will no longer fund the development of AZD1656 or AZD5904 under the terms of the Funding Agreement, dated March 26, 2021 (the “Funding Agreement”).
In this regard, the Company previously entered into a deed of amendment in May 2024 amending the Funding Agreement. The parties agreed that the project funding provisions of the Funding Agreement whereby the Company had the right to fund a project or refer other funders to SGSC, but not the obligation to fund any project, would be amended to provide that SGSC must still include the Company in any project funding opportunities and requests but may now seek other third party project funders in addition to the Company.
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not incur expenses to SGSC and as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company did not owe any amounts to SGSC.
Related Party Loan
On
August 20, 2022, the Company entered into a loan agreement with SGSC, with a total principal amount of $
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14. Other Income (expense), net
The following table presents other income (expense), net, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
For the three months ended June 30, | For the six months ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Other income: | ||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of Cizzle option | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of Vela option liability | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain on change in fair value of derivative warrant liability | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized foreign Currency gain | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest Income | ||||||||||||||||
| Total other income: | ||||||||||||||||
| Other expense: | ||||||||||||||||
| Loss on Vela Option | ||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of convertible notes payable | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest Expense on Deferred Commission payable | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense on convertible promissory note payable | ||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized foreign currency transaction loss | ||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Warrants for lock up | ||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||
| Total other expense | ||||||||||||||||
| Total other expense, net | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
15. Warrants
Upon the closing of the Merger, the Company assumed (i) the warrants initially included in the MURF units issued in MURF’s initial public offering (the “Publicly Traded Warrants”), and (ii) the warrants that were included in the private placement units issued to the Sponsor simultaneously with the closing of MURF’s initial public offering (the “Private Placement Warrants”). In connection with the Merger, the Company also issued warrants to the PIPE Investors (the “PIPE Warrants”) pursuant to the Subscription Agreements and to an advisor (the “A.G.P. Warrants,” and together with the PIPE Warrants, the “Liability Classified Warrants”) pursuant to the Company’s engagement agreement with the advisor.
The Company determined that the settlement amount of the Publicly Traded Warrants and the Private Placement Warrants would equal the difference between the fair value of a fixed number of shares and a fixed monetary amount (or a fixed amount of a debt instrument) and must be classified as equity, while the settlement amount of the Liability Classified Warrants would not equal the difference between the fair value of a fixed number of shares and a fixed monetary amount (or a fixed amount of a debt instrument) and must be classified as a liability.
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On
March 20, 2024, the Company issued in a private placement equity classified common stock purchase warrants to an unrelated third
party to purchase up to an aggregate
| March 20, 2024 | ||||
| Closing stock price | $ | |||
| Contractual exercise price | $ | |||
| Risk-free rate | % | |||
| Estimated volatility | % | |||
| Time period to expiration | Years | |||
On
April 20, 2024, the Company issued in a private placement equity classified common stock purchase warrants to shareholders’ of
the Company to purchase up to an aggregate
| April 20, 2024 | ||||
| Closing stock price | $ | |||
| Contractual exercise price | $ | |||
| Risk-free rate | % | |||
| Estimated volatility | % | |||
| Time period to expiration | Years | |||
Equity Classified Warrants
Pursuant
to MURF’s initial public offering, the Company sold
Simultaneously
with the closing of its initial public offering, MURF consummated the private sale to the Sponsor of
In connection with the closing of the Merger on September 22, 2023, the Equity Classified Warrants were amended to entitle each holder to purchase one share of the Company’s Common Stock.
The Equity Classified Warrants became exercisable 30 days after the Closing Date of the Merger. The Equity Classified Warrants will expire five years after the Closing Date of the Merger or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of an Equity Classified Warrant and will have no obligation to settle such exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying the warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to our satisfying our obligations described below with respect to registration. No Equity Classified Warrant will be exercisable and we will not be obligated to issue shares of Common Stock upon exercise unless the Common Stock issuable upon such exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the Equity Classified Warrant. In the event that the conditions in the two immediately preceding sentences are not satisfied with respect to an Equity Classified Warrant, the holder of such warrant will not be entitled to exercise such warrant and such warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In no event will we be required to net cash settle any Equity Classified Warrant. In the event that a registration statement is not effective for the exercised Equity Classified Warrant, the purchaser of a unit containing such Equity Classified Warrant will have paid the full purchase price for the unit solely for the share of Common Stock underlying such unit.
Conduit
may call the Publicly Traded Warrants in whole and not in part, at a price of $
| ● | upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each Publicly Traded Warrant holder; and | |
| ● | if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the Common Stock equals or exceeds $ per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period commencing once the Publicly Traded Warrants become exercisable and ending three business days before we send the notice of redemption to the warrant holders. |
If and when the Publicly Traded Warrants become redeemable by Conduit, Conduit may not exercise its redemption right if the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Publicly Traded Warrants is not exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state blue sky laws or Conduit are unable to effect such registration or qualification. Conduit will use its best efforts to register or qualify such shares of Common Stock under the blue sky laws of the state of residence in those states in which the Publicly Traded Warrants were offered by Conduit in the offering.
| 20 |
The Private Placement Warrants are identical to the Publicly Traded Warrants, except that such warrants will be exercisable for cash or on a cashless basis, at the holder’s option, and will not be redeemable by Conduit, in each case so long as they are still held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees.
The
warrants issued in March 2024 (the “March 2024 Warrants”) are not exercisable until one year after their date of
issuance. Each March 2024 Warrant is exercisable into one share of the Company’s Common Stock at a price per share of $
(as adjusted from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof) for a two-year period after the date of exercisability.
The
warrants issued April 2024 (the “April 2024 Warrants”) are not exercisable until one year after their date of issuance.
Each April 2024 Warrant is exercisable into one share of the Company’s Common Stock at a price per share of $
(as adjusted from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof) for a two-year period after the date of exercisability.
Liability Classified Warrants
As
discussed in Note 3, warrants were issued to the PIPE Investors as of the closing of the Merger pursuant to subscription agreements.
The warrants provide the PIPE Investors the right to purchase up to
The Liability Classified Warrants contain materially the same terms and are exercisable for a period of five years, beginning on October 22, 2023.
The PIPE Warrants are exercisable for cash or on a cashless basis, at the holder’s option. The PIPE Warrants are not redeemable by the Company.
The
A.G.P. Warrants are exercisable for cash or on a cashless basis, at the holder’s option. The Company may call the A.G.P. Warrants
for redemption, in whole and not in part, at any time after the A.G.P. Warrants become exercisable and prior to their expiration, at
a price of $
| ● | upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrant holder; |
| ● | if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the Common Stock equals or exceeds $ per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and other similar events) for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period commencing once the A.G.P. Warrants become exercisable and ending three business days before we send the notice of redemption to the warrant holders; and |
| ● | provided there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying the A.G.P. Warrants for each day in the 30 trading day period and continuing each thereafter until the redemption date. |
These warrants are classified as derivative liabilities because they do not meet the criteria in ASC 815-40 to be considered indexed to the entity’s own stock as the warrants could be settled for an amount that is not equal to the difference between the fair value of a fixed number of the entity’s shares and a fixed monetary amount. The Liability Classified Warrants are initially measured at fair value based on the price of the Publicly Traded Warrants and are remeasured at fair value at subsequent financial reporting period end dates and upon exercise (see Note 6 for additional information regarding fair value).
As
June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the consolidated balance sheets contained derivative warrant liabilities of $
16. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
The Company is subject to certain claims and contingent liabilities that arise in the normal course of business. While we do not expect that the ultimate resolution of any of these pending actions will have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties. As such, there can be no assurance that any pending legal action, which we currently believe to be immaterial, does not become material in the future.
In
August 2023, prior to the Business Combination, our now wholly-owned subsidiary, Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited, received a letter from
Strand Hanson Limited (“Strand”) claiming it was owed advisory fees pursuant to a previously executed letter. Conduit rejected
and disputed the substance of the letter in full. Following such rejection, on September 7, 2023, Strand filed a claim in the Business
and Property Courts of England and Wales claiming it is entitled to be paid the sum of $
| 21 |
Leases
On
March 7, 2024, the Company entered into a lease agreement with respect to approximately
17. Subsequent Events
On August 7, 2024, the Company and AstraZeneca, a related party of the Company, entered into a License Agreement, dated August 7, 2024 (the “License Agreement”). Pursuant to such License Agreement, AstraZeneca agreed to grant an exclusive license to the Company for certain intellectual property rights controlled by AstraZeneca related to HK-4 Glucokinase activators AZD1656 and AZD5658 in all indications and myeloperoxidase inhibitor AZD5904 for the treatment, prevention, and prophylaxis of idiopathic male infertility. The Company will be responsible for the development and commercialization of the relevant products licensed under the License Agreement (the “Licensed Products”) at its sole cost and expense in accordance with the Development plan, as defined. The Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize the Licensed Products.
As
consideration for the grant of the license, the Company (i) granted AstraZeneca Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Issuance Agreement
(as further set out below), (ii) paid AstraZeneca an up-front payment of $
AstraZeneca has been granted a right of first negotiation to develop, manufacture, and commercialize a Licensed Product if Conduit receives an offer for, or solicits, a transaction where a third party would obtain the right to develop, manufacture, or commercialize a Licensed Product. If AstraZeneca exercises such right, the parties will negotiate in good faith for an agreed period of time on an exclusive basis. If Conduit intends to commercialize any Licensed Product itself, it shall discuss in good faith the appropriate royalty to be paid to AstraZeneca, subject to a low double digit royalty floor.
AstraZeneca agreed to transfer to Conduit has the right to purchase all quantities of existing inventory of Licensed Products including up to 450kg of AZD1656 at pre-agreed prices, which the Company believes would be sufficient to commercial launch, assuming all clinical trials were successfully completed and regulatory approvals granted.
Either party may terminate the License Agreement for material breach (subject to a cure period) or insolvency of the other party. The Company may terminate the License Agreement for convenience (in its entirety or on a Licensed Product-by-Licensed Product basis). In addition, AstraZeneca may terminate the License Agreement in certain circumstances, including (but not limited to) the Company ceasing development of all Licensed Products (subject to certain exceptions for normal pauses or gaps between clinical studies).
In connection with the execution of the License Agreement, the Company and AstraZeneca entered into a Stock Issuance Agreement, dated August 7, 2024 (the “Issuance Agreement”), whereby the Company has issued AstraZeneca shares of the Company’s Common Stock. The Issuance Agreement provides AstraZeneca with resale registration rights for such shares.
On August 5,
2024, the Company entered into a Senior Secured Promissory Note (the “Note”) with Nirland Limited (the
“Nirland”), a related party of the Company, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold to the Nirland the Note in
the original principal amount of $
The Company has certain obligations to mandatorily prepay the Note, and any accrued interest, with portions of any proceeds received in connection with future financings. The Company may prepay the outstanding principal and accrued interest on the Note with no fee. Until the Note is no longer outstanding, Nirland has a right of first refusal to participate, in an amount up to 100%, with certain exceptions, in any future equity or debt offering of the Company.
The Note is secured
by all assets of the Company and its subsidiary. The Note is guaranteed by the subsidiary of the Company. The Note contains customary
default provisions for a transaction of this nature. Upon an event of default, the interest rate of the Note will increase to
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the related notes included under Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”) as well as the Company’s audited financial statements and notes thereto included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 that was filed with the SEC on April 16, 2024. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under the section titled “Risk Factors” or in other parts of this Quarterly Report. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any period in the future. Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp. (“MURF”) on November 8, 2022. The transaction contemplated by the terms of the Merger Agreement was completed on September 22, 2023 (the “Merger”), in conjunction with which MURF changed its name to Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. (hereafter referred to, collectively with is subsidiaries as “Conduit”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”, unless the context otherwise requires).
Overview
Conduit has developed a unique business model that allows it to act as a “conduit” to bring clinical assets from pharmaceutical companies and develop new treatments for patients. Our novel approach addresses unmet medical need and lengthens the intellectual property for our existing assets through cutting-edge solid-form technology and then commercialize these products with life science companies.
We are led by highly experienced pharma executives, Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall, former Chief Medical Officer of Pfizer Inc., the Chair of our Board of Directors, and Dr. David Tapolczay, former Chief Executive Officer of the United Kingdom-based medical research charity LifeArc, our Chief Executive Officer.
While simultaneously leveraging the capabilities of our Cambridge laboratory facility and highly experienced team of solid-form experts to extend or develop proprietary solid-form intellectual property for our existing and future clinical assets. Our own intellectual property portfolio comprises a 20-year patent pending (in certain remaining jurisdictions) solid-form compound, the AZD1656 Cocrystal (a HK-4 Glucokinase Activator), targeting a wide range of autoimmune diseases. Our pipeline research includes a number of compounds that serve as promising alternatives to existing clinical assets currently marketed and sold by large pharmaceutical companies, which we have identified as having an opportunity to develop further intellectual property positions through solid-form technology.
In connection with the funding and development of clinical assets, we evaluate and select the specific molecules to be developed and collaborate with external contract research organizations (“CROs”) and Key Opinion Leaders (“KOLs”) to run clinical trials that are managed, funded, and overseen by us. We intend to leverage our comprehensive clinical and scientific expertise in order to facilitate development of clinical assets through Phase II trials in an efficient manner by using CROs and third-party service providers. We will also collaborate closely with disease specific KOLs to collectively assess and determine the most appropriate indications for all our current and forthcoming assets.
We believe that successful Phase II trials of the clinical assets in our pipeline will increase the value of our assets. There is no assurance that any clinical trials on the assets owned or licensed by us will be successful, however, following a successful Phase II clinical trial, we would look to licensing opportunities with large biotech or pharmaceutical companies, typically for up-front milestone payments and royalty income streams for the life of the asset patent. We anticipate using any future royalty income stream to develop our asset portfolio in combination with other potential sources of financing, including debt or equity financing.
Outside of our proprietary owned patented clinical assets, AstraZeneca AB (PUBL) (“AstraZeneca”) agreed to grant a license to the Company under certain intellectual property rights controlled by AstraZeneca related to HK-4 Glucokinase activators AZD1656 and AZD5658 in all indications and myeloperoxidase inhibitor AZD5904 for the treatment, prevention, and prophylaxis of idiopathic male infertility. The Company will be responsible for the development and commercialization of the relevant products licensed under the related License Agreement (the “Licensed Products”). The Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize the Licensed Products.
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AstraZeneca has conducted initial pre-clinical and, in some instances, clinical trials on these assets, but has decided to license them for further development.
As the clinical assets have undergone initial pre-clinical and clinical testing conducted by AstraZeneca, we are able to use the safety data generated in these clinical trials to assess which clinical assets to further develop and for which indications.
Through this relationship, there are considerable active pharmaceutical ingredients (“APIs”) that were manufactured by AstraZeneca in conducting its clinical trials available. As a result, Conduit may not have to develop the APIs, which is often a time consuming and expensive process, and the APIs already produced were subject to rigorous quality control measures.
Furthermore, Conduit is well positioned to pursue, and intends, to pursue additional relationships and/or partnerships with third parties for the licensing of further assets which are currently deprioritized. We plan to focus our efforts on developing clinical assets to address diseases that impact a large population where there is no present treatment or the present treatment, carries significant unwanted side effects.
Key Component of Result of Operations
Operating Expenses
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs incurred in connection with the research and development of our candidates and programs. We expense research and development costs and intangible assets acquired that have no alternative future use as incurred. These expenses include:
| ● | personnel-related expenses, including salaries, bonuses, benefits and stock-based compensation for employees engaged in research and development functions; | |
| ● | expenses incurred in connection with the clinical development and regulatory approval of our clinical assets, including under agreements with third parties, such as consultants, contractors and CROs; | |
| ● | license fees with no alternative use; and | |
| ● | other expenses related to research and development. |
We expense research and development costs as incurred. Advance payments that we make for goods or services to be received in the future for use in research and development activities are recorded as prepaid expenses. The prepaid amounts are expensed as the benefits are consumed.
We incurred approximately $25,000 and $153,000 on research and development activities during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. There was no comparable research and development funding during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. Our research and development activities have been wholly focused on developing co-crystals of AZD1656 to increase patent life. Some of this work was completed by third-party CROs but all intellectual property is retained by us. We currently have one pending international patent application and two pending national patent applications. The successful completion of clinical trials increases the value of clinical assets and may lead to the commercialization and/or licensing of such assets to other pharmaceutical companies. There is no assurance that any clinical trials on the assets owned or licensed by us will be successful.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist of salaries and other related costs, legal fees relating to intellectual property and corporate matters, professional fees for accounting, auditing, tax and consulting services, insurance costs, travel, and other operating costs.
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We anticipate that our general and administrative expenses will increase substantially for the foreseeable future as we increase our administrative headcount to operate as a public company and as we advance clinical assets through clinical development. We also will incur additional expenses as a result of operating as a public company, including expenses related to compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and the Nasdaq listing rules, additional insurance expenses, investor relations activities and other administrative and professional services. In addition, if regulatory approval is obtained for clinical assets, we expect to incur expenses associated with building a sales and marketing team.
Other Income (Expenses)
Other income (expenses), net
Other income (expense), net consists of change in the fair value of options, change in fair value of convertible notes, and expense incurred upon the issuance of warrants during the quarter. Other income (expense), net consists of change in the fair value of options, change in fair value of convertible notes, and expense incurred upon the issuance of warrants during the quarter.
Interest expense, net
Interest expense, net consists primarily of interest expense on convertible loan notes and promissory notes and interest expense on deferred commissions payable to an advisor for fees related to the Merger, as well as a small amount of interest income on cash and cash equivalents held by the Company.
Results of Operations
The following table set forth our results of operations for the periods indicated:
| Three Months ended June 30, | Six Months ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||
| (Dollar amounts in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Research and development expenses | $ | 25 | $ | - | 153 | - | ||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 3,115 | 888 | 5,942 | 2,403 | ||||||||||||
| Total operating costs and expenses | 3,140 | 888 | 6,095 | 2,403 | ||||||||||||
| Operating loss | (3,140 | ) | (888 | ) | (6,095 | ) | (2,403 | ) | ||||||||
| Other income (expenses): | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | (2,126 | ) | (845 | ) | (2,613 | ) | (1,002 | ) | ||||||||
| Interest Income | 2 | - | 11 | - | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (119 | ) | - | (238 | ) | - | ||||||||||
| Total other (expense) income, net | (2,243 | ) | (845 | ) | (2,840 | ) | (1,002 | ) | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (5,383 | ) | $ | (1,733 | ) | (8,935 | ) | (3,405 | ) | ||||||
Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023
Research and Development Expenses
| Three Months ended June 30, | Change | |||||||||||||||
| (Dollar amounts in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Amount | % | ||||||||||||
| Research and development expenses | $ | 25 | $ | - | $ | 25 | 100 | % | ||||||||
Research and development expenses increased by $25,000, or 100%, for the three months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to $0 for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was primarily due to the development of certain co-crystals of AZD1656 (AZD1656 Co-Crystal PCT/IB2022/00075 - Patent Expires 02/09/2042) during the quarter ended June 30, 2024. We will seek to develop the AZD1656 Co-Crystal in psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, lupus, sarcoidosis, diabetic wound healing, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (“NASH”). There was no comparative activity during the three months ended June 30, 2023.
General and Administrative Expenses
| Three Months ended June 30, | Change | |||||||||||||||
| (Dollar amounts in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Amount | % | ||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | $ | 3,115 | $ | 888 | $ | 2,227 | 251 | % | ||||||||
General and administrative expenses increased by $2.2 million, or 251%, to $3.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to $0.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was primarily driven by a $1.1 million increase in salaries and stock compensation expense, a $0.4 million increase in insurance related the amortization of D&O insurance, and $0.7 million in professional fees and other general and administrative expenses.
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Other Income (Expense), Net
| Three Months ended June 30, | Change | |||||||||||||||
| (Dollar amounts in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Amount | % | ||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | $ | (2,126 | ) | $ | (845 | ) | $ | (1,281 | ) | 152 | % | |||||
Other income (expense), net changed by $1.3 million, or 152%, to $2.1 million of expense for the three months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to $0.8 million of net expense for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was primarily driven by an increase of $2.2 million related to the issuance of warrants in exchange for stockholders’ entering into lock-up agreements during the three months ended June 30, 2024. The $0.8 million expense for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was primarily driven by a $1.0 million loss on the Vela option in the prior period offset by a, $0.2 million gain on the change in fair value of the Cizzle option.
For further details refer to Note 14, “Other income (expense), net,” in the unaudited financial statements as of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023 included elsewhere in this document.
Interest Expense, Net
| Three Months ended June 30, | Change | |||||||||||||||
| (Dollar amounts in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Amount | % | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | $ | (119 | ) | $ | - | $ | (119 | ) | -100 | % | ||||||
Interest expense was $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $0 for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The change was driven by $79,000 of interest expense on the deferred commission payable to an advisor for fees related to the Merger and $40,000 of interest expense for interest on convertible notes for the three months ended June 30, 2024.
Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023
Research and Development Expenses
| Six Months ended June 30, | Change | |||||||||||||||
| (Dollar amounts in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Amount | % | ||||||||||||
| Research and development expenses | $ | 153 | $ | - | $ | 153 | 100 | % | ||||||||
Research and development expenses increased by $0.2 million, or 100%, for the six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to $0 for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was primarily due to the development of certain co-crystals of AZD1656 (AZD1656 Co-Crystal PCT/IB2022/00075 - Patent Expires 02/09/2042) during the quarter ended June 30, 2024. We will seek to develop the AZD1656 Co-Crystal in psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, lupus, sarcoidosis, diabetic wound healing, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and NASH. There was no comparative activity during the six months ended June 30, 2023.
General and Administrative Expenses
| Six Months ended June 30, | Change | |||||||||||||||
| (Dollar amounts in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Amount | % | ||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | $ | 5,942 | $ | 2,403 | $ | 3,539 | 147 | % | ||||||||
General and administrative expenses increased by $3.5 million, or 147%, to $5.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to $2.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was primarily driven by a $2.0 million increase in salaries and stock compensation expense, $0.9 million increase in insurance related the amortization of D&O insurance, and a $0.6 million in professional fees and other general and administrative expenses.
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Other Income (Expense), Net
| Six Months ended June 30, | Change | |||||||||||||||
| (Dollar amounts in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Amount | % | ||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | $ | (2,613 | ) | $ | (1,002 | ) | $ | (1,611 | ) | 161 | % | |||||
Other income (expense), net changed by $1.6 million, or 161%, to $2.6 million of expense for the six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to $1.0 million of net expense for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was primarily driven by an increase of $2.7 million related to the issuance of warrants in exchange for stockholders’ entering into lock-up agreements during the six months ended June 30, 2024. The $0.9 million expense for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was primarily driven by a $0.3 million change in fair value on the convertible notes payable, a loss on the Vela option of $0.9 million, offset by a gain on the change in fair value of the Cizzle option of $0.3 million.
For further details refer to Note 14, “Other income (expense), net,” in the unaudited financial statements as of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023 included elsewhere in this document.
Interest Expense, Net
| Six Months ended June 30, | Change | |||||||||||||||
| (Dollar amounts in thousands) | 2024 | 2024 | Amount | % | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | $ | (238 | ) | $ | - | $ | (238 | ) | -100 | % | ||||||
Interest expense was $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $0 for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The change was driven by $0.2 million of interest expense on the deferred commission payable to an advisor for fees related to the Merger and $80,000 of interest expense for interest on convertible notes for the six months ended June 30, 2024.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Management assesses liquidity in terms of our ability to generate cash to fund operating, investing and financing activities. Since our inception, and in line with our growth strategy, we have prepared our financial statements assuming we will continue as a going concern. Since our inception, we have incurred net losses and experienced negative cash flows from operations. To date, our primary sources of capital have been through private placements of equity securities and convertible debt as well as PIPE financing as a result of the Merger. During the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, we had net losses of $8.9 million and $3.4 million, respectively. We expect to incur additional losses and higher operating expenses for the foreseeable future as we continue to invest in research and development programs. We have determined that additional financing will be required to fund our operations for the next 12 months and our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon obtaining additional capital and financing.
Sources and Uses of Liquidity
Our primary uses of cash are to fund our operations as we continue to develop our product candidates. We will require a significant amount of cash for expenditures as we invest in ongoing research and development and business operations. Until such time as we can generate significant revenue from commercialization or licensing, we expect to finance our cash needs for ongoing research and development and business operations through public or private equity or debt financings or other capital sources, including strategic partnerships. However, we may be unable to raise additional funds or enter into such other arrangements, when needed, on favorable terms or at all. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest of our stockholders will be, or could be, diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our common stockholders. Debt financing and equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, or substantially reduce research and development efforts. While the Company believes in the viability of its ability to raise additional funds, there can be no assurances to that effect.
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Cash Requirements
Our material cash requirements include the following contractual and other obligations.
Promissory Convertible Note
In March 2023, we issued an aggregate principal amount of $0.8 million convertible promissory note payable to an investor.
The promissory convertible note matures and is payable in full, 18 months from the date of the note. The note carries 20% interest and is payable every six months from the date of the note until the maturity date. The notes became convertible into shares Conduit’s common stock following the consummation of the Merger.
Loans Payable
In May 2022, we entered into two loan agreements, with an aggregate principal amount of $0.2 million, with two lenders.
The loans payable mature and is payable in full two years from the date of the agreement and bear no interest.
For additional information regarding our convertible promissory note, see Note 7 of the note to the unaudited financial statements.
Working Capital
We currently anticipate that cash required for working capital for the next 12 months is approximately $17.1 million, which includes deferred financing fees payable of $5.7 million, accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $1.7 million, a convertible promissory note, if not converted prior to maturity, of $0.8 million, and a note payable of $0.2 million that matures within the next 12 months. We do not anticipate being able to fund required capital expenditures for the next 12 months with cash and cash equivalents on hand as we have a history of limited cash on hand. We have historically been able to access funds through the issuance of our convertible notes and believe we can continue to obtain funding through debt and equity financing agreements as needed to meet cash requirements for the next 12 months.
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Cash Flows
The following table set forth our cash flows for the period indicated (in thousands):
| Six Months ended June 30, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by: | ||||||||
| Operating Activities | $ | (3,870 | ) | $ | (2,398 | ) | ||
| Investing Activities | (224 | ) | 161 | |||||
| Financing Activities | 113 | 2,231 | ||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (28 | ) | 6 | |||||
| Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (4,009 | ) | $ | 0 | |||
Cash Flows Used in Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2024, was $3.9 million, resulting primarily from a net loss of $8.9 million and a change in the fair value of warrants of $0.1 million, adjusted for non-cash items including $0.9 million of stock-based compensation, $0.9 million of amortization expense, $2.7 million expense on the issuance of warrants, $0.2 million interest expense of the deferred commission payable, $0.2 million non-cash share issuance and a $0.4 million cash inflow from operating assets and liabilities. The $0.4 million cash inflow from operating assets and liabilities is primarily due to a $0.8 million cash inflow from accounts payable, partially offset by a $0.1 million cash outflow from accrued expenses and other current liabilities and a $0.3 million cash outflow from prepaid expenses.
Net cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023, was $2.4 million, resulting primarily from a net loss of $3.8 million, adjusted for non-cash charges of $0.3 million for a loss on the change in fair value of convertible notes payable, a $0.3 million loss change in reserve on a related party loan, and a $0.6 million loss on the change in fair value of the Cizzle option. The $0.1 million cash inflow from operating assets and liabilities is primarily due to a $1.0 million cash inflow from accrued expense and other current liabilities due to differences in the timing of disbursements and a $0.9 million cash outflow from prepaid expenses.
Cash Flows (Used) Provided by Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2024, resulted from net purchases of short term investments of $0.2 million and purchases of PP&E during the year.
Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023, was $0.3 million, resulting from the issuance of a loan to a related party of $0.03 million and proceeds on issuance of an option of $0.5 million.
Cash Flows Provided by Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2024, was $0.1 million, resulting from the proceeds on the issuance of the April 2024 warrants.
Net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023, was $2.7 million, resulting from the issuance of a convertible note payable of $1.4 million and $0.7 million from the issuance of a convertible promissory note payable.
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Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments
As of June 30, 2024, we had no non-cancellable commitments for the purchase of clinical materials, contract manufacturing, maintenance and committed funding which we expect to pay within one year.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements. These estimates, judgments and assumptions are evaluated on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable at that time, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from those estimates. The accounting policies that reflect our more significant estimates, judgments and assumptions and which we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results include the following:
Fair Value Measurements
ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is to be determined based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. In determining fair value, the Company used various valuation approaches. A fair value hierarchy has been established for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company.
Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s assumption about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy is categorized into three levels, based on the inputs, as follows:
| ● | Level 1-Valuations based on quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these instruments does not entail a significant degree of judgment. |
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| ● | Level 2- Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for either similar instruments in active markets, identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, or model-derived valuations whose inputs or significant value drivers are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. | |
| ● | Level 3-Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable. These valuations require significant judgment. |
The Company’s Level 1 assets consist of cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying balance sheets and the value of accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities.
Warrants
The Company determines the accounting classification of warrants as either liability or equity by first assessing whether the warrants meet liability classification in accordance with ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”). Under ASC 480, a financial instrument that embodies an unconditional obligation, or a financial instrument other than an outstanding share that embodies a conditional obligation, that the issuer must or may settle by issuing a variable number of its equity shares must be classified as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances) if, at inception, the monetary value of the obligation is based solely or predominantly on any one of the following: (a) a fixed monetary amount known at inception; (b) variations in something other than the fair value of the issuer’s equity shares; or (c) variations inversely related to changes in the fair value of the issuer’s equity shares. If financial instruments, such as the warrants, are not required to be classified as liabilities under ASC 480, the Company assesses whether such instruments are indexed to the Company’s own stock under ASC 815-40. In order for an instrument to be considered indexed to an entity’s own stock, its settlement amount must always equal the difference between the following: (a) the fair value of a fixed number of the Company’s equity shares, and (b) a fixed monetary amount or a fixed amount of a debt instrument issued by the Company.
Equity classified warrants are recorded in stockholders’ deficit and liability classified warrants are recorded as liabilities within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The liability classified warrants are remeasured each period with changes recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.
As of June 30, 2024, the Company had outstanding warrants that are classified as a liability within the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the warrant liability is determined each balance sheet date based on Level 2 inputs as such inputs are based on observable inputs other than quoted prices. The warrant liability is valued using a Black-Scholes model, with the most judgmental non-observable input being the volatility measure. Changes in the assumptions around the volatility can cause significant changes in the estimated fair value of the warrant liability. See Note 4 for further information on the Company’s financial liabilities carried at fair value.
During the sixth months ended June 30, 2024, the Company issued warrants that met the criteria to be classified within stockholders’ deficit within the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the warrants was determined by using a Black-Scholes model, with the most judgmental non-observable input being the volatility measure. Changes in the assumptions around the volatility could have caused significant changes in the estimated fair value of the warrants. See Note 14 for further information on the warrants classified within stockholders’ deficit.
Share Based Compensation
The Company accounts for share based compensation arrangements granted to employees in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation: Stock Compensation, by measuring the grant date fair value of the award and recognizing the resulting expense over the period during which the employee is required to perform service in exchange for the award. The grant date fair value of stock options is determined using a Black-Scholes model, with the most judgmental non-observable input being the volatility measure. Changes in the assumptions around the volatility can cause significant changes in the grant date fair value of stock options. The Company accounts for forfeitures when they occur.
Emerging Growth Company Status and Smaller Reporting Company Status
The Company is an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act until such time as those standards apply to private companies. The Company has elected to use this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date that: (i) is no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opts out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act. As a result, these financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with the new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.
Upon closing of the Merger, the surviving company remained an emerging growth company, as defined by the JOBS Act until the earliest of (i) the last day of the combined entity’s first fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of MURF’s initial public offering, (ii) the last day of the fiscal year in which the combined entity has total annual gross revenue of at least $1.235 billion, (iii) the last day of the fiscal year in which the combined entity is deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of the combined entity’s common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of the prior December 31st or (iv) the date on which the combined entity has issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three year period.
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In addition, Conduit is a smaller reporting company as defined in the Exchange Act. The Company may continue to be a smaller reporting company even after we are no longer an emerging growth company. We may take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosures available to smaller reporting companies and will be able to take advantage of these scaled disclosures for so long as (i) Conduit’s voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250.0 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter or (ii) Conduit’s annual revenue is less than $100.0 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and its voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700.0 million measured on the last business day of its second fiscal quarter.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide disclosure regarding quantitative and qualitative market risk.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2024 and for the comparison fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2023, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that during the periods covered by this Quarterly Report, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective, due to material weaknesses previously identified and not yet remediated as of the end of both such periods.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes to in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the most recent fiscal quarter.
On May 15, 2024, Adam Sragovicz’s resignation as Chief Financial Officer of the Company became effective. Mr. Sragovicz’s resignation was not due to any disagreement with management or the Company’s operations, policies or practices. Effective May 15, 2024 the Board appointed James Bligh, Senior Vice President – Strategy, as Interim Chief Financial Officer (and principal financial officer).
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
During the quarter ended June 30, 2024, there were no material developments to the legal proceeding previously disclosed, and other than such proceeding, we are not currently party to or aware of being subject to any other material legal proceedings. However, we may from time to time become a party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. Regardless of outcome, litigation could impact our business due to defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide disclosure regarding material changes to our previously disclosed risk factors.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
On April 22, 2024, the Company issued in a private placement common stock purchase warrants (the “April Warrants”) to third parties, including certain directors, to purchase up to an aggregate of 907,725 shares of the Company’s common stock, in exchange for entering into a lock-up with respect to the shares of common stock held by such holder and for such directors, $0.125 per warrant.
The April Warrants are not exercisable until one year after their date of issuance. Each April Warrant is exercisable into one share of the Company’s common stock at a price per share of $3.12 (as adjusted from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof) for a two-year period after the date of exercisability. There is no established public trading market for the April Warrants.
On June 24, 2024, in connection with a services agreement, entered into with an unrelated third party, to provide marketing services over a six month period, the Company issued 96,154 shares of its common stock (the “Service Shares”), having an aggregate value of $150,000. The issuance of the Service Shares was made in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.
The issuance of the April Warrants and the Service Shares was made in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information.
During
the three month period ended June 30, 2024, none of our executive officers or directors (as defined in Section 16 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended),
Notice of Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule
On August 12, 2024, Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the “Company”) received a deficiency letter from the Listing Qualifications Department (the “Staff”) of the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) notifying the Company that for the last 30 consecutive business days the closing bid price for the Company’s common stock had closed below the minimum $1.00 per share requirement for continued inclusion on the Nasdaq Global Market pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1) (the “Bid Price Rule”). The deficiency letter does not result in the immediate delisting of the Company’s common stock from the Nasdaq Global Market.
In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A) (the “Compliance Period Rule”), the Company has been provided an initial period of 180 calendar days, or until February 10, 2025 (the “Compliance Date”), to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule. If, at any time before the Compliance Date, the closing bid price for the Company’s common stock closes at $1.00 or more for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days as required under the Compliance Period Rule, the Staff will provide written notification to the Company that it complies with the Bid Price Rule, unless the Staff exercises its discretion to extend this 10 day period pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(H).
If the Company does not regain compliance by February 10, 2025, the Company may be eligible for an additional 180 calendar day grace period if it applies to transfer the listing of its common stock to the Nasdaq Capital Market. To qualify, the Company would be required to meet the continued listing requirement for the market value of its publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for the Nasdaq Capital Market, with the exception of the minimum bid price requirement, and provide written notice of its intention to cure the minimum bid price deficiency during the second compliance period. If the Nasdaq staff determines that the Company will not be able to cure the deficiency, or if the Company is otherwise not eligible for such additional compliance period, Nasdaq will provide notice that the Company’s common stock will be subject to delisting. The Company would have the right to appeal a determination to delist its common stock, and the common stock would remain listed on the Nasdaq Global Market until the appeal process is complete. There can be no assurance that, if the Company does appeal the delisting determination by the Staff to the NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Panel, that such appeal would be successful.
The Company intends to monitor the closing bid price of its common stock and may, if appropriate, consider available options to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule, which could include effecting a reverse stock split. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule.
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Item 6. Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
EXHIBIT INDEX
| * | Filed herewith. |
| § | In accordance with Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K and SEC Release Nos. 33-8238 and 34-47986, Final Rule: Management’s Reports on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and Certification of Disclosure in Exchange Act Periodic Reports, the certifications furnished in Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 hereto is deemed to accompany this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference. |
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SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| CONDUIT PHARMACEUTICALS INC | ||
| November 14, 2024 | By: | /s/ David Tapolczay |
| Name: | Dr. David Tapolczay | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
| November 14, 2024 | By: | /s/ James Bligh |
| Name: | James Bligh | |
| Title: | Interim Chief Financial Officer | |
| (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | ||
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