U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

[mark one]

  x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended: June 30, 2020

 

  ¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from ______________ to ______________

 

Commission File Number 1-36598

 

 

 

CELLECTAR BIOSCIENCES, INC.
( Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter )

 

DELAWARE 04-3321804
( State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization )

( IRS Employer

Identification No. )

 

100 Campus Drive

Florham Park, New Jersey 07932

( Address of principal executive offices, including zip code )

 

(608) 441-8120

( Registrant’s telephone number, including area code )

 

( 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

Common stock, par value $0.00001

 

Warrant to purchase common stock, expiring
April 20, 2021

  

CLRB

 

CLRBZ

  

NASDAQ Capital Market

 

NASDAQ Capital Market

 

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. Yes x No ¨

 

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). Yesx     No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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 ¨		 Non-accelerated
filer x		 Smaller reporting
company x		 Emerging growth
company ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

 

Number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s common stock as of the latest practicable date: 26,626,633 shares of common stock, $0.00001 par value per share, as of August 6, 2020.

 

 

 

 

 

CELLECTAR BIOSCIENCES, INC.

 

FORM 10-Q INDEX

 

  Forward-Looking Statements 3
     
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION 4
     
Item 1. Financial Statements 4
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 15
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 21
     
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION 21
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 21
Item 1A. Risk Factors 21
Item 6. Exhibits 23

 

2

 

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Cellectar Biosciences, Inc. (the “Company”, “Cellectar”, “we”, “us”, “our”) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act. Examples of our forward-looking statements include:

 

  · our current views with respect to our business strategy, business plan and research and development activities;

 

  · the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, employees, operating results, ability to obtain additional funding, product development programs, research and development programs, suppliers and third-party manufacturers;

 

  · the progress of our product development programs, including clinical testing and the timing of commencement and results thereof;

 

  · our projected operating results, including research and development expenses;

 

  · our ability to continue development plans for CLR 131, CLR 1800 series, CLR 1900 series, CLR 2000 series, CLR 2100 series, CLR 2200 series and CLR 12120;

  

  · our ability to continue development plans for our Phospholipid Drug Conjugates (PDC)™;

 

    · our ability to maintain orphan drug designation in the U.S. for CLR 131 as a therapeutic for the treatment of multiple myeloma, neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, and the expected benefits of orphan drug status;

 

  · any disruptions at our sole supplier of CLR 131;

 

  · our ability to pursue strategic alternatives;

 

  · our ability to advance our technologies into product candidates;

 

  · our enhancement and consumption of current resources along with ability to obtain additional funding;

 

  · our current view regarding general economic and market conditions, including our competitive strengths;

 

  · uncertainty and economic instability resulting from conflicts, military actions, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, public health crises, including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness, including the COVID-19 pandemic, cyber-attacks and general instability;

 

  · assumptions underlying any of the foregoing; and

 

  · any other statements that address events or developments that we intend or believe will or may occur in the future. 

 

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “estimates”, “plans”, “believes”, “seeks”, “may”, “should”, “could” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Accordingly, these statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in them. Forward-looking statements also involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Any forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed throughout this report.

 

You should read this report completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. You should assume that the information appearing in this report is accurate as of the date hereof only. Because the risk factors referred to herein could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict which factors will arise. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We qualify all of the information presented in this report, and particularly our forward-looking statements, by these cautionary statements.

 

3

 

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

CELLECTAR BIOSCIENCES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

  

   

June 30,

2020

(Unaudited)

     December 31,
2019		  
ASSETS                
CURRENT ASSETS:                
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 22,450,203     $ 10,614,722  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     593,590       770,951  
Total current assets     23,043,793       11,385,673  
Fixed assets, net     410,624       435,083  
Right-of-use asset, net     316,917       348,841  
Long-term assets     81,214       75,000  
Other assets     —       6,214  
TOTAL ASSETS   $ 23,852,548     $ 12,250,811  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
CURRENT LIABILITIES:                
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   $ 3,207,041     $ 2,663,873  
Lease liability     112,713       105,885  
Total current liabilities     3,319,754       2,769,758  
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:                
Lease liability     363,534       421,644  
Loan payable     184,000       —  
Total long-term liabilities     547,534       421,644  
TOTAL LIABILITIES     3,867,288       3,191,402  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 7)                
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:                
Preferred stock, $0.00001 par value; 7,000 shares authorized;
Series C preferred stock: 215 issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019		     1,148,204       1,148,204  
Common stock, $0.00001 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized; 25,472,383 and 9,386,689 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively     254       94  
Additional paid-in capital     138,087,590       119,592,366  
Accumulated deficit     (119,250,788 )     (111,681,255 )
Total stockholders’ equity     19,985,260       9,059,409  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   $ 23,852,548     $ 12,250,811  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4

 

 

CELLECTAR BIOSCIENCES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

 

   

Three Months Ended

June 30,

    

Six Months Ended

June 30,

  
    2020     2019     2020     2019  
COSTS AND EXPENSES:                                
Research and development   $ 2,465,392     $ 1,809,547     $ 5,081,729     $ 4,117,944  
General and administrative     1,156,842       1,390,812       2,499,160       2,712,227  
Total costs and expenses     3,622,234       3,200,359       7,580,889       6,830,171  
                                 
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS     (3,622,234 )     (3,200,359 )     (7,580,889 )     (6,830,171 )
                                 
OTHER INCOME:                                
Gain/(Loss) on revaluation of derivative warrants     —       1,000       —       (3,000 )
Interest income, net     10,309       11,798       11,356       23,969  
Total other income     10,309       12,798       11,356       20,969  
NET LOSS   $ (3,611,925 )   $ (3,187,561 )   $ (7,569,533 )   $ (6,809,202 )
BASIC AND DILUTED NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS PER COMMON SHARE   $ (0.26 )   $ (0.46 )   $ (0.65 )   $ (1.15 )
SHARES USED IN COMPUTING BASIC AND DILUTED NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS PER COMMON SHARE     13,793,548       6,963,301       11,591,605       5,935,111  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5

 

 

CELLECTAR BIOSCIENCES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

 

    Preferred Stock     Common Stock     Additional Paid-
In Capital		     Accumulated
Deficit		     Total
Stockholders'
Equity		  
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Par
Amount		                    
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2018     473     $ 2,526,049       4,732,387     $ 47     $ 108,323,208     $ (97,588,343 )   $ 13,260,961  
Stock-based compensation     —       —       —       —       207,654       —       207,654  
Vested restricted stock     —       —       9,334       —       —       —       —  
Retired shares     —       —       (12 )     —       —       —       —  
Conversion of preferred shares into common shares     (138 )     (736,987 )     345,000       4       736,983       —       —  
Net loss     —       —       —       —       —       (3,621,641 )     (3,621,641 )
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2019     335     $ 1,789,062       5,086,709     $ 51     $ 109,267,845     $ (101,209,984 )   $ 9,846,974  
                                                         
Issuance of common stock and warrants, net of issuance costs     —       —       4,000,000       40       9,024,529       —       9,024,569  
Stock-based compensation     —       —       —       —       301,471       —       301,471  
Retired shares     —       —       (6 )     —       —       —       —  
Conversion of preferred shares into common shares     (120 )     (640,858 )     300,000       3       640,855       —       —  
Net loss     —       —       —       —       —       (3,187,561 )     (3,187,561 )
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 2019     215     $ 1,148,204       9,386,703     $ 94     $ 119,234,700     $ (104,397,545 )   $ 15,985,453  
                                                         
                                                         
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2019     215     $ 1,148,204       9,386,689     $ 94     $ 119,592,366     $ (111,681,255 )   $ 9,059,409  
Stock-based compensation     —       —       —       —       144,146       —       144,146  
Vested restricted stock     —       —       9,334       —       —       —       —  
Retired shares     —       —       (8 )     —       —       —       —  
Net loss     —       —       —       —       —       (3,957,608 )     (3,957,608 )
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2020     215     $ 1,148,204       9,396,015     $ 94     $ 119,736,512     $ (115,638,863 )   $ 5,245,947  
                                                         
Issuance of common stock and warrants, net of issuance costs     —       —       14,601,628       146       18,258,435       —       18,258,581  
Stock-based compensation     —       —       —       —       92,643       —       92,643  
Conversion of warrants into common shares     —       —       1,474,740       14       —       —       14  
Net loss     —       —       —       —       —       (3,611,925 )     (3,611,925 )
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 2020     215     $ 1,148,204       25,472,383     $ 254     $ 138,087,590     $ (119,250,788 )   $ 19,985,260  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

6

 

 

CELLECTAR BIOSCIENCES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

    Six Months Ended
June 30,		  
    2020     2019  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                
Net loss   $ (7,569,533 )   $ (6,809,202 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization     69,603       66,347  
Stock-based compensation expense     236,789       509,125  
Noncash lease expense     31,923       27,123  
Loss on revaluation of derivative warrants     —       3,000  
Changes in:                
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     177,361       (692,628 )
Other assets     —       477,695  
Lease liability     (51,282 )     (33,843 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities     543,168       984,198  
Cash used in operating activities     (6,561,971 )     (5,468,185 )
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                
Purchases of fixed assets     (45,143 )     (15,724 )
Cash used in investing activities     (45,143 )     (15,724 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants, net of underwriting
issuance costs		     18,258,581       9,024,569  
Proceeds from long-term obligations     184,000       —  
Issuance of common stock in connection with exercise of pre-funded warrants     14       —  
Payments on capital lease obligations     —       (1,645 )
Cash provided by financing activities     18,442,595       9,022,924  
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS     11,835,481       3,539,015  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD     10,614,722       13,310,616  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD   $ 22,450,203     $ 16,849,631  
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION                
Cash paid for interest expense   $ 1,584     $ 880  
Obtaining a right-of-use asset in exchange for a lease liability   $ —     $ 405,000  
Lease liability established through right-of-use asset   $ —     $ 609,000  

  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CELLECTAR BIOSCIENCES, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

1. NATURE OF BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION AND GOING CONCERN

 

Cellectar Biosciences, Inc. (the Company) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of drugs for the treatment of cancer leveraging our proprietary phospholipid drug conjugate™ (PDCs™) delivery platform that are designed to specifically target cancer cells and deliver improved efficacy and better safety as a result of fewer off-target effects. The COVID-19 pandemic has created uncertainties in the expected timelines for clinical stage biopharmaceutical companies such as us, and because of such uncertainties, it is difficult for us to accurately predict expected outcomes at this time. We have not yet experienced any significant impacts as a result of the pandemic and have continued to enroll patients in our clinical trials. However, COVID-19 may impact our future ability to recruit patients for clinical trials, obtain adequate supply of CLR 131 and obtain additional financing.

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a basis that assumes that the Company will continue as a going concern and that contemplates the continuity of operations, realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. The Company has incurred losses since inception in devoting substantially all of its efforts toward research and development and has an accumulated deficit of approximately $119,251,000 at June 30, 2020. The Company has devoted substantially all its efforts toward research and development and has, during the six months ended June 30, 2020, generated an operating loss of approximately $7,581,000. The Company expects that it will continue to generate operating losses for the foreseeable future.

 

The Company believes that it has sufficient liquidity to fund operations for at least 12 months from the filing of these financial statements, therefore, the accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a basis that assumes the Company will continue as a going concern and that contemplates the continuity of operations, realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. The Company’s ability to execute its operating plan beyond that time depends on its ability to obtain additional funding via the sale of equity and/or debt securities, a strategic transaction or otherwise. We plan to continue to actively pursue financing alternatives as there can be no assurance that we will obtain the necessary funding.

 

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2019 has been derived from audited financial statements. The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2020, the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, the Condensed Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 and the related interim information contained within the notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions, rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and the notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments which are of a nature necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial position at June 30, 2020 and consolidated results of its operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019. The results for the three or six months ended June 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of future results.

 

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, which was filed with the SEC on March 9, 2020.

 

Principles of Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the accounts of its wholly-owned subsidiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Fixed Assets — Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation on property and equipment is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets (3 to 10 years). Because of the significant value of leasehold improvements purchased, leasehold improvements are depreciated over 64 months (their estimated useful life), which represents the full term of the lease. Our only long-lived assets are property and equipment. The Company periodically evaluates long-lived assets for potential impairment. Whenever events or circumstances change, an assessment is made as to whether there has been impairment to the value of long-lived assets by determining whether projected undiscounted cash flows generated by the applicable asset exceed its net book value as of the assessment date. There were no long-lived fixed asset impairment charges recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2020 or year ended December 31, 2019.

 

Right-of-Use Asset and Lease Liabilities — In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842), which supersedes the existing guidance for lease accounting, Leases (Topic 840). ASU 2016-02 required lessees to recognize Right-Of-Use (“ROU”) Asset and Lease Liability for virtually all of their leases (other than leases that meet the definition of a short-term lease). On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842 using the modified retrospective method for all material leases that existed at or commenced after January 1, 2019. ROU Assets are amortized over their estimated useful life, which represents the full term of the lease.

 

8

 

 

Stock-Based Compensation — The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to calculate the grant-date fair value of stock option awards. The resulting compensation expense, net of expected forfeitures, for awards that are not performance-based is recognized on a straight-line basis over the service period of the award, which for grants issued in 2020 and 2019 ranged from one year to three years for stock options. For stock options with performance-based vesting provisions, recognition of compensation expense, net of expected forfeitures, commences if and when the achievement of the performance criteria is deemed probable. The compensation expense, net of expected forfeitures, for performance-based stock options is recognized over the relevant performance period. Non-employee stock-based compensation is accounted for in accordance with the guidance of FASB ASC Topic 505, Equity. As such, the Company recognizes expense based on the estimated fair value of options granted to non-employees over their vesting period, which is generally the period during which services are rendered and deemed completed by such non-employees.

 

Research and Development — Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. To the extent that such costs are reimbursed by the federal government on a fixed price, best efforts basis and the federal government is the sole customer for such research and development, the funding is recognized as a reduction of research and development expenses.

 

Income Taxes — Income taxes are accounted for using the liability method of accounting. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial statement basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities and net operating loss and credit carryforwards using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management has provided a full valuation allowance against the Company’s gross deferred tax asset. Tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing tax returns are required to be evaluated to determine whether the tax positions are “more likely than not” to be sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions deemed not to meet a more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded as tax expense in the current year. There were no uncertain tax positions that require accrual to or disclosure in the financial statements as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. 

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The guidance under FASB ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments, requires disclosure of the fair value of certain financial instruments. Financial instruments in the accompanying financial statements consist of cash equivalents, prepaid expenses and other assets, accounts payable and long-term obligations. The carrying amount of cash equivalents and accounts payable approximate their fair value as a result of their short-term nature. The carrying value of long-term obligations, including the current portion, approximates fair value because the fixed interest rate approximates current market rates of interest available in the market.

 

Derivative Instruments — The Company generally does not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow or market risks; however, certain warrants to purchase common stock that do not meet the requirements for classification as equity, in accordance with the Derivatives and Hedging Topic of the FASB ASC, are classified as liabilities. In such instances, net-cash settlement is assumed for financial reporting purposes, even when the terms of the underlying contracts do not provide for a net-cash settlement. These warrants are considered derivative instruments because the agreements contain a certain type of cash settlement feature, contain “down-round” provisions whereby the number of shares for which the warrants are exercisable, and/or the exercise price of the warrants are subject to change in the event of certain issuances of stock at prices below the then-effective exercise price of the warrants. The number of shares issuable under such warrants was 49,425 at June 30, 2019. The primary underlying risk exposures pertaining to the warrants and their related fair value is the change in fair value of the underlying common stock, the market price of traded warrants, and estimated timing and probability of future financings. Such financial instruments are initially recorded at fair value with subsequent changes in fair value recorded as a component of gain or loss on derivatives on the consolidated statements of operations in each reporting period. If these instruments subsequently meet the requirements for equity classification, the Company reclassifies the fair value to equity. At June 30, 2019, these warrants represented the only outstanding derivative instruments issued or held by the Company and expired on August 20, 2019.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk — Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk consist of cash and equivalents on deposit with financial institutions. The Company’s excess cash as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is on deposit in interest-bearing transaction accounts with well-established financial institutions. At times, such amounts may exceed the FDIC insurance limits. As of June 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, uninsured cash balances totaled approximately $22,000,000 and $10,100,000, respectively.

 

Leases — In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842), which supersedes the existing guidance for lease accounting, Leases (Topic 840). ASU 2016-02 required lessees to recognize Right-Of-Use Asset and Lease Liability for virtually all of their leases (other than leases that meet the definition of a short-term lease). Lessor accounting remains largely unchanged except for changes in the definition and classification of leases. Because of the immaterial financial impact, the Company will not apply ASC 842 to leases that individually have total lease payments of less than $100,000 over their life of service to the Company.

 

9

 

 

2. FAIR VALUE

 

In accordance with Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB ASC 820, the Company groups its financial assets and financial liabilities generally measured at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value:

 

  · Level 1: Input prices quoted in an active market for identical financial assets or liabilities.
  · Level 2: Inputs other than prices quoted in Level 1, such as prices quoted for similar financial assets and liabilities in active markets, prices for identical assets, and liabilities in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
  · Level 3: Input prices quoted that are significant to the fair value of the financial assets or liabilities which are not observable or supported by an active market.

 

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

  

3. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

June 2020 Public Offering

 

On June 5, 2020, the Company issued and sold 14,601,628 shares of common stock, 2,789,700 pre-funded warrants exercisable for one share of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.00001 per share and 8,695,664 Series H warrants to purchase 8,695,664 shares of common stock. The public offering price of a share of common stock together with one-half of a Series H warrant to purchase one share of common stock was $1.15. The public offering price of a pre-funded warrant together with one-half of a Series H Warrant was $1.1499. The Series H warrants have an exercise price of $1.2075 per share and are exercisable for five years from the date of issuance.

 

In accordance with the concept of ASC 820 regarding the June 2020 public offering, the Company allocated value of the proceeds to the common stock and warrants utilizing a relative fair value basis. Using the Nasdaq closing trading price for our stock on June 5, 2020, the Company computed the fair value of the shares sold. The fair value of the warrants was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model at that same date. This valuation did not impact total Stockholders’ Equity of $20.0 million, but is an internal proportionate calculation allocating the gross proceeds of approximately $12.1 million to common stock and $7.9 million to warrants.

 

Gross offering proceeds to the Company were $20.0 million, with net proceeds to the Company of approximately $18.3 million after deducting placement agent fees and related offering expenses. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for research and development, funding clinical studies, working capital and general corporate purposes.

 

The common stock, pre-funded warrants and Series H warrants were offered by the Company pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1 filed on May 8, 2020 with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”) and an additional registration statement filed on June 2, 2020 pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Act

 

May 2019 Public Offering

 

On May 20, 2019, the Company issued and sold 1,982,000 shares of common stock at an offering price of $2.50 per share. In a concurrent private placement, we issued to the purchasers of our common stock, Series F warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,982,000 shares of common stock. The Series F warrants were immediately exercisable, expire five years after the date of issuance, and have an exercise price of $2.40.

 

In a separate concurrent private placement transaction, the Company sold 2,018,000 shares of common stock together with Series G warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to 2,018,000 shares of common stock. The shares of common stock and Series G warrants were priced at $2.50 per fixed combination. The warrants sold in the private placement were immediately exercisable, expire five years after the date of issuance, and have an exercise price of $2.40.

 

In accordance with the concept of ASC 820 regarding the May 2019 public offering, the Company allocated value to the proceeds to the common stock and warrants utilizing a relative fair value basis. Using the Nasdaq closing trading price for our stock on May 20, 2019, the Company computed the fair value of the shares sold. The fair value of the warrants was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model at that same date. This valuation did not impact total Stockholders’ Equity of $10.0 million, but is an internal proportionate calculation allocating the gross proceeds of approximately $6 million to common stock and $4.0 million to warrants.

 

Gross offering proceeds to the Company were $10.0 million, with net proceeds to the Company of approximately $9.0 million after deducting placement agent fees and related offering expenses. The Company used the net proceeds from the offering for research and development, funding clinical studies, working capital and general corporate purposes.

 

The registered direct offering described above was made pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 previously filed with and subsequently declared effective by the SEC. The unregistered common shares and warrants were offered pursuant to the exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) under the Act, and Regulation D promulgated thereunder. The offerings’ unregistered common shares and warrants were ultimately registered through our May 31, 2019 filing of Form S-1 and acceptance of this Registration Statement by the SEC.

 

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Common Stock Warrants

 

The following table summarizes information with regard to outstanding warrants to purchase common stock as of June 30, 2020.

 

Offering   Number of Shares
Issuable Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Warrants		     Exercise
Price		     Expiration Date
June 2020 Series H Warrants     8,695,664     $ 1.21     June 5, 2025
June 2020 Pre-Funded Warrants     1,314,960     $ 0.00001     June 5, 2025
May 2019 Series G Warrants     2,018,000     $ 2.40     May 20, 2024
May 2019 Series F Warrants     1,982,000     $ 2.40     May 20, 2024
July 2018 Series E Warrants     4,140,000     $ 4.00     July 31, 2023
October 2017 Series D Warrants     310,856     $ 17.80     October 14, 2024
November 2016 Public Offering Series C     415,785     $ 15.00     November 29, 2021
April 2016 Underwritten Registered Series A     362,694     $ 30.40     April 20,2021
October 2015 Incremental Series A     30,006     $ 21.30     October 20,2021
October 2015 Private Placement Series A     8,636     $ 21.30     April 1, 2021
October 2015 Offering – Placement Agent     375     $ 283.00     October 1, 2020
Total     19,278,976              

 

4. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

 

During the six-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 options granted were 553,750 and 321,930, respectively. The following table summarizes amounts charged to expense for stock-based compensation related to employee and director stock option grants and recorded in connection with stock options granted to non-employee consultants:

 

    Six Months Ended
June 30,		  
    2020     2019  
Employee and director stock option grants:                
Research and development   $ 27,213     $ 26,003  
General and administrative     209,576       483,122  
Total stock-based compensation   $ 236,789     $ 509,125  

 

Assumptions Used in Determining Fair Value

 

Valuation and amortization method. The fair value of each stock award is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The estimated fair value of employee stock options is amortized to expense using the straight-line method over the required service period which is generally the vesting period. The estimated fair value of the non-employee options is amortized to expense over the period during which a non-employee is required to provide services for the award (usually the vesting period).

 

Volatility. The Company estimates volatility based on an average of (1) the Company’s historical volatility since its common stock has been publicly traded and (2) review of volatility estimates of publicly held drug development companies with similar market capitalizations.

 

Risk-free interest rate. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant commensurate with the expected term assumption.

 

Expected term. The expected term of stock options granted is based on an estimate of when options will be exercised in the future. The Company applied the simplified method of estimating the expected term of the options, as described in the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletins 107 and 110, as the historical experience is not indicative of the expected behavior in the future. The expected term, calculated under the simplified method, is applied to groups of stock options that have similar contractual terms. Using this method, the expected term is determined using the average of the vesting period and the contractual life of the stock options granted. The Company applied the simplified method to non-employees who have a truncation of term based on termination of service and utilizes the contractual life of the stock options granted for those non-employee grants which do not have a truncation of service.

 

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Forfeitures.  The Company records stock-based compensation expense only for those awards that are expected to vest. A forfeiture rate is estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from initial estimates. An annual forfeiture rate of 2% was applied to all unvested options for employees and directors, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and for the year ended December 31, 2019. Ultimately, the actual expense recognized over the vesting period will be for only those shares that vest.

 

Dividends. The Company has not historically recorded dividends related to stock options.

 

Exercise prices for all grants made during the six months ended June 30, 2020 were equal to the market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.

 

Stock Option Activity

 

A summary of stock option activity is as follows:

 

    Number of
Shares Issuable
Upon Exercise
of Outstanding
Options		     Weighted
Average
Exercise Price		     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contracted
Term in
Years		     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value		  
Outstanding at December 31, 2019     610,714     $ 6.78       8.83     $ 34,750  
Granted     553,750     $ 1.92                  
Forfeited     (80,000 )   $ 2.46                  
Outstanding at June 30, 2020     1,084,464     $ 4.62       8.99     $ —  
                                 
Exercisable, June 30, 2020     375,658     $ 9.55       8.10     $ —  
Unvested, June 30, 2020     708,806     $ 2.00       9.46     $ —  

 

The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding is calculated based on the positive difference between the estimated per-share fair value of common stock at the end of the respective period and the exercise price of the underlying options. There have been no option exercises to date. Shares of common stock issued upon the exercise of options are from authorized but unissued shares.

 

As of June 30, 2020, there was approximately $912,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock-based compensation arrangements. Of this total amount, the Company expects to recognize approximately $210,000, $389,000, $257,000, and $56,000 during 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 respectively. The Company’s expense estimates are based upon the expectation that all unvested options will vest in the future, less the forfeiture rate discussed above. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of vested and unvested options outstanding at June 30, 2020 was $7.68 and $1.53, respectively.

 

Restricted Stock Grants. During 2017, the Company issued 46,000 shares under the 2015 Plan of restricted common stock with a weighted average grant date fair value of $20.96. The shares vested annually over a three year period. The following table summarizes the restricted stock grants:

 

    Number of
Shares		    

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Per Share

     Total Grant
Date Fair
Value		  
Outstanding at December 31, 2019     9,334     $ 21.00     $ 196,000  
Vested     (9,334 )   $ 21.00     $ (196,000 )
Outstanding at June 30, 2020     —     $ —     $ —  

 

5. INCOME TAXES

 

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the liability method of accounting. Deferred tax assets or liabilities are computed based on the difference between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities, and net operating loss carryforwards, (“NOLs”) using the enacted tax rates. Deferred income tax expense or benefit is based on changes in the asset or liability from period to period. The Company did not record a provision or benefit for federal, state or foreign income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2020 or 2019 because the Company has experienced losses on a tax basis since inception. Because of the limited operating history, continuing losses and uncertainty associated with the utilization of the NOLs in the future, management has provided a full allowance against the value of its gross deferred tax assets.

 

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The Company also accounts for the uncertainty in income taxes related to the recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in an income tax return. The Company follows the applicable accounting guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition related to the uncertainty in income tax positions. No uncertain tax positions have been identified.

 

6. NET LOSS PER SHARE

 

Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019 is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the sum of the weighted average number of shares of common stock and the dilutive potential common stock equivalents then outstanding. Potential common stock equivalents consist of stock options, non-vested restricted stock, preferred shares convertible into common stock and, pre-funded warrants. Since there is a net loss attributable to common stockholders for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019, the inclusion of common stock equivalents in the computation for that period would be antidilutive.

 

The following potentially dilutive securities have been excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share since their inclusion would be antidilutive:

 

    Six Months Ended
June 30,		  
    2020     2019  
Warrants     19,278,976       9,318,747  
Preferred shares as convertible into common stock     537,500       537,500  
Stock options     1,084,464       520,714  
Non-vested restricted stock     —       9,334  
Total potentially dilutive shares     20,900,940       10,386,295  

 

7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Real Property Leases

 

Florham Park, New Jersey

 

On June 4, 2018, the Company entered in an Agreement of Lease for 3,893 square feet for its new corporate headquarters in Florham Park, New Jersey. The lease commencement date was October 2018 and terminates in February 2024. The Company has an option to extend the term of the lease for one additional 60-month period.

 

Under the terms of the lease, the Company paid a security deposit of $75,000 and the aggregate rent due over the term of the lease is approximately $828,000, which will be reduced to approximately $783,000 after certain rent abatements. The Company is required to pay its proportionate share of certain operating expenses and real estate taxes applicable to the leased premises. After certain rent abatements the rent is approximately $12,500 per month for the first year and then escalates thereafter by 2% per year for the duration of the term.

 

Madison, Wisconsin

 

The Company presently rents office space in Madison and is rented for approximately $3,000 per month under an agreement that expires on August 31, 2021.

 

Legal

 

From time to time, the Company may become engaged in litigation or other legal proceedings as part of our ordinary course of business but are not currently party to any litigation or legal proceedings that, in the opinion of management, are likely to have a material adverse effect on its business.

 

8. LEASES

 

Operating Lease Liability

 

In June 2018, the Company executed an agreement for office space in the Borough of Florham Park, Morris County, New Jersey to be used as its headquarters (“HQ Lease”). The HQ Lease commenced upon completion of certain improvements in October 2018 and terminates in February 2024 with an option to extend the term of the lease for one additional 60-month period. During 2018, the landlord made certain improvements to the facility. As of December 31, 2018, the Company recorded a deferred lease liability of approximately $176,000 for the improvements funded by the landlord in deferred rent current and deferred rent, long-term on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company amortized the deferred liability as a reduction to rent expense in the consolidated statement of operations over the term of the lease.

 

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For fiscal year 2018, rent expense was recognized on a straight-line basis and accordingly the difference between the recorded rent expense and the actual cash payments had been recorded as deferred rent current and deferred rent, long-term of each balance sheet date on the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2018, the Lease Liability was measured at the present value of the lease payments to be made over the lease term. Lease payments comprise of fixed and variable payments to be made by the Company to the Lessor during the lease term minus any incentives or rebates or abatements receivable by the Company from the Lessor or owner. Payments for non-lease components did not form part of lease payments. The lease term calculation included renewal options only in the case if these options are specified in the lease agreement and if failure to exercise the renewal option imposes a significant economic penalty. As there are no such significant economic penalties in the HQ Lease and renewal cannot be reasonably assured, the valuation of the HQ Lease does not include any renewal options. The Company has not entered into any leases with related parties.

 

Under the HQ Lease, the Company will pay monthly fixed rent based on approximate rate per rentable square foot which ranges between approximately $12,400 to $13,600 over the lease period. In addition, the Company received certain rent abatements and lease incentives subject to the limitations in the HQ Lease. The HQ Lease’s net ROU asset and ROU lease liability are approximately $317,000 and ($476,000), respectively, as of June 30, 2020 and rental expense for the six months ended June 30, 2020 is approximately $57,000.

 

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASC 842 using the modified retrospective method for all material leases that existed at or commenced after January 1, 2019 and elected to apply the practical expedients in ASC 842-10-65-1 (f) and (gg) to the HQ Lease. The Company accounts for short-term leases (i.e., lease term of 12 months or less) by making the short-term lease policy election and will not apply the recognition and measurement requirements of ASC 842. As a result of the immaterial financial impact, the Company will not apply ASC 842’s extensive calculation and reporting requirement against the leases that individually have total lease payments of less than $100,000 over their life of service to the Company. The adoption of ASC 842 did not have a material net impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as of the effective date. See Note 1 for additional details.

 

Discount Rate

 

The Company has determined the interest rate implicit in the lease considering factors such as Company’s credit rating, borrowing terms offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration, amount of lease payments, quality of collateral and alignment of the borrowing term and lease term. The Company considers 10% per annum as reasonable to use as the incremental borrowing rate for purposes of the calculation of lease liabilities.

 

Maturity Analysis of Short-Term and Operating Leases

 

The following table approximates the dollar maturity of the Company’s undiscounted payments for its short-term leases and operating lease liabilities as of June 30, 2020:

 

Remainder of 2020   $ 77,000  
Years ending December 31,        
2021     155,000  
2022     158,000  
2023     161,000  
2024     14,000  
Total undiscounted lease payments     565,000  
Less: Imputed interest     (89,000 )
Present value of lease liabilities   $ 476,000  

 

9. LOAN PAYABLE

 

On April 21, 2020, the Company received loan proceeds in the amount of approximately $184,000 under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”).  The PPP, established as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), provides for loans to qualifying businesses for amounts up to 2.5 times of the average monthly payroll expenses of the qualifying business. The loans and accrued interest are forgivable after twenty four weeks as long as the borrower uses the loan proceeds for eligible purposes, including payroll, benefits, rent and utilities, and maintains its payroll levels. The amount of loan forgiveness will be reduced if the borrower terminates employees or reduces salaries during the twenty four-week period.

 

The unforgiven portion of the PPP loan is payable over two years at an interest rate of 1%, with a deferral of payments for the first six months.  The Company intends to use the proceeds for purposes consistent with the PPP requirements. While the Company currently believes that its use of the loan proceeds will meet the conditions for forgiveness of the loan, we cannot assure you that we will not take actions that could cause the Company to be ineligible for forgiveness of the loan, in whole or in part.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Overview

 

We are a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of drugs for the treatment of cancer. We are developing proprietary drugs independently and through research and development collaborations. Our core objective is to leverage our proprietary phospholipid drug conjugate™ (PDC™) delivery platform to develop PDCs that are designed to specifically target cancer cells and deliver improved efficacy and better safety as a result of fewer off-target effects. Our PDC platform possesses the potential for the discovery and development of the next generation of cancer-targeting treatments, and we plan to develop PDCs both independently and through research and development collaborations. The COVID-19 pandemic has created uncertainties in the expected timelines for clinical stage biopharmaceutical companies such as us, and because of such uncertainties, it is difficult for us to accurately predict expected outcomes at this time. We have not yet experienced any significant impacts as a result of the pandemic and have continued to enroll patients in our clinical trials. However, COVID-19 may impact our future ability to recruit patients for clinical trials, obtain adequate supply of CLR 131 and obtain additional financing.

 

Our lead PDC therapeutic, CLR 131 is a small-molecule PDC designed to provide targeted delivery of iodine-131 directly to cancer cells, while limiting exposure to healthy cells. We believe this profile differentiates CLR 131 from many traditional on-market treatment options. CLR 131 is the company’s lead product candidate and is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 study in relapsed/refractory (r/r) B-cell malignancies, including multiple myeloma (MM), chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia (LPL/WM), marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). CLR 131 is also being evaluated in a Phase 1 dose escalation study in pediatric solid tumors and lymphoma. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) granted CLR 131 Fast Track Designation for both r/r MM and r/r DLBCL and Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) of MM, LPL/WM, neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma and osteosarcoma. CLR 131 was also granted Rare Pediatric Disease Designation (RPDD) for the treatment of neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma and osteosarcoma. Most recently, the European Commission granted an ODD for r/r MM. 

 

Our product pipeline also includes one preclinical PDC chemotherapeutic program (CLR 1900) and several partnered PDC assets. The CLR 1900 Series is being targeted for solid tumors with a payload that inhibits mitosis (cell division) a validated pathway for treating cancers.

 

We have leveraged our PDC platform to establish four collaborations featuring five unique payloads and mechanisms of action. Through research and development collaborations, our strategy is to generate near-term capital, supplement internal resources, gain access to novel molecules or payloads, accelerate product candidate development and broaden our proprietary and partnered product pipelines.

 

Our PDC platform provides selective delivery of a diverse range of oncologic payloads to cancerous cells, whether a hematologic cancer or solid tumor, a primary tumor, or a metastatic tumor and cancer stem cells. The PDC platform’s mechanism of entry does not rely upon specific cell surface epitopes or antigens as are required by other targeted delivery platforms. Our PDC platform takes advantage of a metabolic pathway utilized by all tumor cell types in all stages of the tumor cycle. Tumor cells modify specific regions on the cell surface as a result of the utilization of this metabolic pathway. Our PDCs bind to these regions and directly enter the intracellular compartment. This mechanism allows the PDC molecules to accumulate over time, which enhances drug efficacy, and to avoid the specialized highly acidic cellular compartment known as lysosomes, which allows a PDC to deliver molecules that previously could not be delivered. Additionally, molecules targeting specific cell surface epitopes face challenges in completely eliminating a tumor because the targeted antigens are limited in the total number on the cell surface, have longer cycling time from internalization to being present on the cell surface again and available for binding and are not present on all of the tumor cells in any cancer. This means a subpopulation of tumor cells always exist that cannot be targeted by therapies targeting specific surface epitopes. In addition to the benefits provided by the mechanism of entry, PDCs offer the ability to conjugate payload molecules in numerous ways, thereby increasing the types of molecules selectively delivered via the PDC.

 

The PDC platform features include the capacity to link with almost any molecule, provide a significant increase in targeted oncologic payload delivery and the ability to target all types of tumor cells. As a result, we believe that we can generate PDCs to treat a broad range of cancers with the potential to improve the therapeutic index of oncologic drug payloads, enhance or maintain efficacy while also reducing adverse events by minimizing drug delivery to healthy cells, and increasing delivery to cancerous cells and cancer stem cells.

 

We employ a drug discovery and development approach that allows us to efficiently design, research and advance drug candidates. Our iterative process allows us to rapidly and systematically produce multiple generations of incrementally improved targeted drug candidates. 

 

In June 2020, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) granted us Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise status by the EMA’s Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprise office. SME status allows us to participate in significant financial incentives that include a 90% to 100% EMA fee reduction for scientific advice, clinical study protocol design, endpoints and statistical considerations, quality inspections of facilities and fee waivers for selective EMA pre and post-authorization regulatory filings, including orphan drug and PRIME designations. We are also eligible to obtain EMA certification of quality and manufacturing data prior to review of clinical data. Other financial incentives include EMA-provided translational services of all regulatory documents required for market authorization, further reducing the financial burden of the market authorization process.

 

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A description of our PDC product candidates follows:

 

Clinical Pipeline

 

Our lead PDC therapeutic, CLR 131 is a small-molecule, PDC designed to provide targeted delivery of iodine-131 directly to cancer cells, while limiting exposure to healthy cells. We believe this profile differentiates CLR 131 from many traditional on-market treatments and treatments in development. CLR 131 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 study in r/r B-cell lymphomas, and two Phase 1 dose-escalating clinical studies, one in r/r MM and one in r/r pediatric solid tumors and lymphoma. The initial Investigational New Drug (IND) application was accepted by the FDA in March 2014 with multiple INDs submitted since that time. Initiated in March 2017, the primary goal of the Phase 2 study is to assess the compound’s efficacy in a broad range of hematologic cancers. The Phase 1 study is designed to assess the compound’s safety and tolerability in patients with r/r MM (to determine maximum tolerated dose) and was initiated in April 2015. The FDA previously accepted our IND application for a Phase 1 open-label, dose escalating study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of a single intravenous administration of CLR 131 in up to 30 children and adolescents with cancers including neuroblastoma, sarcomas, lymphomas (including Hodgkin’s lymphoma) and malignant brain tumors. This study was initiated during the first quarter of 2019. These cancer types were selected for clinical, regulatory and commercial rationales, including the radiosensitive nature and continued unmet medical need in the r/r setting, and the rare disease determinations made by the FDA based upon the current definition within the Orphan Drug Act.

 

In December 2014, the FDA granted ODD for CLR 131 for the treatment of MM. Multiple myeloma is an incurable cancer of the plasma cells and is the second most common form of hematologic cancers. In 2018, the FDA granted ODD and RPDD for CLR 131 for the treatment of neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma and osteosarcoma. The FDA may award priority review vouchers to sponsors of rare pediatric disease products that meet its specified criteria. The key criteria to receiving a priority review voucher is that the disease being treated is life-threatening and that it primarily effects individuals under the age of 18. Under this program, a sponsor who receives an approval for a drug or biologic for a rare pediatric disease can receive a priority review voucher that can be redeemed to receive a priority review of a subsequent marketing application for a different product. Additionally, these priority review vouchers can be exchanged or sold to other companies for them to use the voucher. In May 2019, the FDA granted Fast Track designation for CLR 131 for the treatment of multiple myeloma in July 2019 for the treatment of DLBCL, in September, CLR 131 received Orphan Drug Designation from the European Union for Multiple Myeloma, and in January 2020, the FDA granted Orphan Drug Designation for CLR 131 in lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL).

 

Phase 2 Study in Patients with r/r select B-cell Malignancies

 

In February 2020, we announced positive data from our Phase 2 CLOVER-1 study in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphomas. Relapsed/Refractory MM and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients were treated with three different doses (<50mCi, ~50mCi and ~75mCi total body dose (TBD). The <50mCi total body dose was a deliberately planned sub-therapeutic dose. CLR 131 achieved the primary endpoint for the study. Patients with r/r MM who received the highest dose of CLR 131 showed a 42.8% overall response rate (ORR). Those who received ~50mCi TBD had a 26.3% ORR with a combined rate of 34.5% ORR (n=33) while maintaining a well-tolerated safety profile. Patients in the studies were elderly with a median age of 70, and heavily pre-treated, with a median of five prior lines of treatment (range: 3 to 17), which included immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors and CD38 antibodies for the majority of patients. Additionally, a majority of the patients (53%) were quad refractory or greater and 44% of all treated multiple myeloma patients were triple class refractory. 100% of all evaluable patients (n=43) achieved clinical benefit (primary outcome measure) as defined by having stable disease or better. 85.7% of multiple myeloma patients receiving the higher total body dose levels of CLR 131 experienced tumor reduction. The 75mCi TBD demonstrated positive activity in both high-risk patients and triple class refractory patients with a 50% and 33% ORR, respectively.

 

Patients with r/r NHL who received ~50mCi TBD and the ~75mCi TBD had a 42% and 43% ORR, respectively and a combined rate of 42%. These patients were also heavily pre-treated, having a median of three prior lines of treatment (range, 1 to 9) with the majority of patients being refractory to rituximab and/or ibrutinib. The patients had a median age of 70 with a range of 51 to 86. All patients had bone marrow involvement with an average of 23%. In addition to these findings, subtype assessments were completed in the r/r B-cell NHL patients. Patients with DLBCL demonstrated a 30% ORR with one patient achieving a complete response (CR), which continues at nearly 24 months post-treatment. The ORR for CLL/SLL/MZL patients was 33%. Current data from our Phase 2 CLOVER-1 clinical study show that four LPL/WM patients demonstrated 100% ORR with one patient achieving a CR which continues at nearly 27 months post-treatment. This may represent an important improvement in the treatment of relapsed/refractory LPL/WM as we believe no approved or late-stage development treatments for second- and third-line patients have reported a CR. LPL/WM is a rare, indolent and incurable form of NHL that is composed of a patient population in need of new and better treatment options.

 

The most frequently reported adverse events in r/r MM patients were cytopenias, which followed a predictable course and timeline. The frequency of adverse events have not increased as doses were increased and the profile of cytopenias remains consistent. Importantly, these cytopenias have had a predictable pattern to initiation, nadir and recovery and are treatable. The most common grade ≥3 events at the highest dose (75mCi TBD) were hematologic toxicities including thrombocytopenia (65%), neutropenia (41%), leukopenia (30%), anemia (24%) and lymphopenia (35%). No patients experienced cardiotoxicities, neurological toxicities, infusion site reactions, peripheral neuropathy, allergic reactions, cytokine release syndrome, keratopathy, renal toxicities, or changes in liver enzymes. The safety and tolerability profile in patients with r/r NHL was similar to r/r MM patients except for fewer cytopenias of any grade. Based upon CLR 131 being well tolerated across all dose groups and the observed response rate, especially in difficult to treat patients such as high risk and triple class refractory or penta-refractory, and corroborating data showing the potential to further improve upon current ORRs and durability of those responses, the study has been expanded to test a two-cycle dosing optimization regimen of CLR 131.

 

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In July 2016, we were awarded a $2,000,000 National Cancer Institute (NCI) Fast-Track Small Business Innovation Research grant to further advance the clinical development of CLR 131. The funds are supporting the Phase 2 study initiated in March 2017 to define the clinical benefits of CLR 131 in r/r MM and other niche hematologic malignancies with unmet clinical need. These niche hematologic malignancies include Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma, Marginal Zone Lymphoma, Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma and DLBCL. The study is being conducted in approximately 10 U.S. cancer centers in patients with orphan-designated relapse or refractory hematologic cancers. The study’s primary endpoint is clinical benefit response (CBR), with additional endpoints of ORR, progression free survival (PFS,) median Overall Survival (mOS) and other markers of efficacy following a single 25.0 mCi/m2 dose of CLR 131, with the option for a second 25.0 mCi/m2 dose approximately 75-180 days later. Based on the performance results from Cohort 5 of our Phase 1 study in patients with r/r MM, reviewed below, we have modified the dosing regimen of this study to a fractionated dose of 15.625 mCi/m2 administered on day 1 and day 8. 

 

In May 2020, we announced that the FDA granted Fast Track Designation for CLR 131 in LPL/WM in patients having received two prior treatment regimens or more. 

 

Phase 1 Study in Patients with r/r Multiple Myeloma

 

In February 2020, we announced the successful completion of our Phase 1 dose escalation study. Data from the study demonstrated that CLR 131 was safe and tolerated at total body dose of approximately 90mCi in r/r MM. The Phase 1 multicenter, open-label, dose-escalation study was designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of CLR 131 administered as a 30-minute I.V. infusion, either as a single bolus dose or as two fractionated doses. The r/r multiple myeloma patients in this study received single cycle doses ranging from approximately 20mCi to 90mCi total body dose. To date, an independent Data Monitoring Committee determined that all doses have been safe and well-tolerated by patients.

 

CLR 131 in combination with dexamethasone is currently under investigation in adult patients with r/r MM. Patients must have been refractory to or relapsed from at least one proteasome inhibitor and at least one immunomodulatory agent. The clinical study is a standard three-plus-three dose escalation safety study to determine the maximum tolerable dose. Multiple myeloma is an incurable cancer of the plasma cells and is the second most common form of hematologic cancers. Secondary objectives include the evaluation of therapeutic activity by assessing surrogate efficacy markers, which include M protein, free light chain (FLC), PFS and OS. All patients have been heavily pretreated with an average of five prior lines of therapy. CLR 131 was deemed by an Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) to be safe and tolerable up to its planned maximum single, bolus dose of 31.25 mCi/m2. The four single dose cohorts examined were: 12.5 mCi/m2 (~25mCi TBD), 18.75 mCi/m2 (~37.5mCi TBD), 25 mCi/m2(~50mCi TBD), and 31.25 mCi/m2(~62.5mCi TBD), all in combination with low dose dexamethasone (40 mg weekly). Of the five patients in the first cohort, four achieved stable disease and one patient progressed at Day 15 after administration and was taken off the study. Of the five patients admitted to the second cohort, all five achieved stable disease however one patient progressed at Day 41 after administration and was taken off the study. Four patients were enrolled to the third cohort and all achieved stable disease. In September 2017, we announced results for cohort 4, showing that a single infusion up to 30-minutes of 31.25mCi/m2 of CLR 131 was safe and tolerated by the three patients in the cohort. Additionally, all three patients experienced CBR with one patient achieving a partial response (PR). We use the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) definitions of response, which involve monitoring the surrogate markers of efficacy, M protein and FLC. The IMWG defines a PR as a greater than or equal to 50% decrease in FLC levels (for patients in whom M protein is unmeasurable) or 50% or greater decrease in M protein. The patient experiencing a PR had an 82% reduction in FLC. This patient did not produce M protein, had received seven prior lines of treatment including radiation, stem cell transplantation and multiple triple combination treatments including one with daratumumab that was not tolerated. One patient experiencing stable disease attained a 44% reduction in M protein. In January 2019, we announced that the pooled mOS data from the first four cohorts was 22.0 months. In late 2018, we modified this study to evaluate a fractionated dosing strategy to potentially increase efficacy and decrease adverse events.

 

Following the determination that all prior dosing cohorts were safe and tolerated, we initiated a cohort 7 utilizing a 40mCi/m2 fractionated dose administered 20mCi/m2 (~40mCi TBD) on days 1 and day 8. Cohort 7 was the highest pre-planned dose cohort and subjects have completed the evaluation period. Final study report and study close-out will be completed later this year.

 

In May 2019, we announced that the FDA granted Fast Track Designation for CLR 131 in fourth line or later r/r MM. CLR 131 is our small-molecule radiotherapeutic PDC designed to deliver cytotoxic radiation directly and selectively to cancer cells and cancer stem cells. It is currently being evaluated in our ongoing CLOVER-1 Phase 2 clinical study in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma and other select B-cell lymphomas.

 

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Phase 1 Study in r/r Pediatric Patients with select Solid tumors, Lymphomas and Malignant Brain Tumors

 

In December 2017 the Division of Oncology at the FDA accepted our IND and study design for the Phase 1 study of CLR 131 in children and adolescents with select rare and orphan designated cancers. This study was initiated during the first quarter of 2019. In December 2017, we filed an IND application for r/r pediatric patients with select solid tumors, lymphomas and malignant brain tumors. The Phase 1 clinical study of CLR 131 is an open-label, sequential-group, dose-escalation study evaluating the safety and tolerability of intravenous administration of CLR 131 in up to 30 children and adolescents with cancers including neuroblastoma, sarcomas, lymphomas (including Hodgkin’s lymphoma) and malignant brain tumors. Secondary objectives of the study are to identify the recommended Phase 2 dose of CLR 131 and to determine preliminary antitumor activity (treatment response) of CLR 131 in children and adolescents. In 2018, the FDA granted OD and RPDD for CLR 131 for the treatment of neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma and osteosarcoma. Should any of these indications reach approval, the RPDD would enable us to receive a priority review voucher. Priority review vouchers can be used by the sponsor to receive priority review for a future New Drug Application (“NDA”) or Biologic License Application (“BLA”) submission, which would reduce the FDA review time from 12 months to six months. Currently, these vouchers can also be transferred or sold to another entity.  

  

Phase 1 Study in r/r Head and Neck Cancer

 

In August 2016, the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center (“UWCCC”) was awarded a five-year Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (“SPORE”) grant of $12,000,000 from the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research to improve treatments and outcomes for head and neck cancer, HNC, patients. HNC is the sixth most common cancer across the world with approximately 56,000 new patients diagnosed every year in the U.S. As a key component of this grant, the UWCCC researchers completed testing of CLR 131 in various animal HNC models and initiated the first human clinical trial enrolling up to 30 patients combining CLR 131 and external beam radiation with recurrent HNC in Q4 2019. This clinical trial was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic but has now been reopened for enrolment.

 

Preclinical Pipeline

 

We believe our PDC platform has potential to provide targeted delivery of a diverse range of oncologic payloads, as exemplified by the product candidates listed below, that may result in improvements upon current standard of care (“SOC”) for the treatment of a broad range of human cancers:

 

  · CLR 1800 Series was a collaborative PDC program with Pierre Fabre that expired in January 2019. The program has been successful in demonstrating improved tolerability and efficacy in multiple animal models. The newly developed PDCs may provide enhanced therapeutic indices to otherwise highly potent, nontargeted payloads through the targeted delivery of the chemotherapeutic payload to cancer cells via our proprietary phospholipid ether delivery platform. The CLR 1800 Series remains under evaluation by us as a number of PDC molecules have the potential to be progressed toward and into IND enabling studies.

 

  · CLR 1900 Series is an internally developed proprietary PDC program leveraging a novel small molecule cytotoxic compound as the payload. The payload inhibits mitosis (cell division) and targets a key pathway required to inhibit rapidly dividing cells that results in apoptosis. We believe that this program could produce a product candidate targeted to select solid tumors. Currently, the program is in early preclinical development and if we elect to progress any molecules further, we will select preferred candidates.

 

  · CLR 2000 Series is a collaborative PDC program with Avicenna Oncology, or Avicenna, that we entered into in July 2017. Avicenna is a developer of antibody drug conjugates (“ADCs”). The objective of the research collaboration is to design and develop a series of PDCs utilizing Avicenna’s proprietary cytotoxic payload. Although Avicenna is a developer of ADCs, this collaboration was sought as a means to overcome many of the challenges associated with ADCs, including those associated with the targeting of specific cell surface epitopes. The CLR 2000 Series has demonstrated improved safety, efficacy and tissue distribution with the cytotoxic payload in animal models. A candidate molecule and a back-up have been selected for further advancement.

 

  · CLR 2100 and 2200 Series are collaborative PDC programs with Onconova Therapeutics, Inc., or Onconova, that we entered into in September 2017. Onconova is a biotechnology company specializing in the discovery and development of novel small molecule cancer therapies. The collaboration is structured such that we will design and develop a series of PDCs utilizing different small molecules that Onconova was developing as payloads with the intent to show improved targeting and specificity to the tumor. At least one of the molecules was taken into Phase 1 clinical studies previously by Onconova. We would own all new intellectual property associated with the design of the new PDCs, and both companies will have the option to advance compounds.

 

  · CLR 12120 Series is a collaborative PDC program with Orano Med for the development of novel PDCs utilizing Orano Med’s unique alpha emitter, lead 212 conjugated to our phospholipid ether; the companies intend to evaluate the new PDCs in up to three oncology indications. Currently this series has shown efficacy in the first two animal models tested.

 

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Results of Operations

 

Research and development expense. Research and development expense consist of costs incurred in identifying, developing and testing, and manufacturing product candidates, which primarily include salaries and related expenses for personnel, cost of manufacturing materials and contract manufacturing fees paid to contract manufacturers and contract research organizations, fees paid to medical institutions for clinical trials, and costs to secure intellectual property. The Company analyzes its research and development expenses based on four categories as follows: clinical project costs, preclinical project costs, manufacturing and related costs, and general research and development costs that are not allocated to the functional project costs, including personnel costs, facility costs, related overhead costs and patent costs.

 

General and administrative expense. General and administrative expense consists primarily of salaries and other related costs for personnel in executive, finance and administrative functions.  Other costs include insurance, costs for public company activities, investor relations, directors’ fees and professional fees for legal and accounting services.

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

 

Research and Development. Research and development expense for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was approximately $2,465,000 compared to approximately $1,810,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019.

 

The following table is an approximate comparison summary of research and development costs for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019:

 

   

Three Months Ended

June 30,

        
    2020     2019     Variance  
                   
Clinical project costs   $ 992,000     $ 504,000     $ 488,000  
Manufacturing and related costs     384,000       752,000       (368,000 )
Pre-clinical project costs     71,000       170,000       (99,000 )
General research and development costs     1,018,000       384,000       634,000  
    $ 2,465,000     $ 1,810,000     $ 655,000  

 

The overall increase in research and development expense of $655,000, or 36%, was primarily a result of increased general research and development costs resulting from increased personnel related costs and in clinical project costs. Manufacturing and related costs decreased due to a decrease in materials production processes and related costs. Pre-clinical study costs were relatively consistent.

  

General and administrative. General and administrative expense for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was approximately $1,157,000, compared to approximately $1,391,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease of approximately $234,000, or 17%, was primarily a result of lower stock-based compensation expense.

 

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Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

 

Research and Development. Research and development expense for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was approximately $5,082,000 compared to approximately $4,118,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

 

The following table is a comparison summary of research and development costs for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019:

 

   

Six Months Ended

June 30,

        
    2020     2019     Variance  
                   
Clinical project costs   $ 1,883,000     $ 1,313,000     $ 570,000  
Manufacturing and related costs     1,263,000       1,645,000       (382,000 )
Pre-clinical project costs     157,000       246,000       (89,000 )
General research and development costs     1,779,000       914,000       865,000  
    $ 5,082,000     $ 4,118,000     $ 964,000  

 

 

The overall increase in research and development expense of approximately $964,000, or 23%, was primarily a result of increased general research and development costs resulting from increased personnel related costs and in clinical project costs. Manufacturing and related costs decreased due to a decrease in materials production processes and related costs. Pre-clinical study costs were relatively consistent.

 

General and Administrative. General and administrative expense for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was approximately $2,499,000, compared to approximately $2,712,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease of approximately $213,000, or 8%, was primarily a result of lower stock-based compensation expense.

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of June 30, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $22,450,000 compared to $10,615,000 as of December 31, 2019. This increase was due primarily to the approximately $18,300,000 of net proceeds received in connection with the June 5, 2020 public offering. Net cash used in operating activities during the six months ended June 30, 2020 was approximately $6,562,000.

 

Our cash requirements have historically been for our research and development activities, finance and administrative costs, capital expenditures and overall working capital. We have experienced negative operating cash flows since inception and have funded our operations primarily from sales of common stock and other securities. As of June 30, 2020, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $119,251,000.

 

We believe that the cash balance is adequate to fund our basic budgeted operations for at least 12 months from the filing of these financial statements. However, our future results of operations involve significant risks and uncertainties. Our ability to execute our operating plan beyond that time depends on our ability to obtain additional funding via the sale of equity and/or debt securities, a strategic transaction or otherwise. We plan to actively pursue all available financing alternatives; however, there can be no assurance that we will obtain the necessary funding. Other than the uncertainties regarding our ability to obtain additional funding, there are currently no known trends, demands, commitments, events or uncertainties that are likely to materially affect our liquidity. Because we have had recurring losses and negative cash flows from operating activities, and in light of our expected expenditures, the report of our independent auditors with respect to the financial statements as of December 31, 2019 and for the year ended December 31, 2019 contains an explanatory paragraph as to the potential inability to continue as a going concern. This opinion indicated at that time, that substantial doubt existed regarding our ability to remain in business.

 

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  Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Based on our management’s evaluation (with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer), as of June 30, 2020, our management has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms.

 

Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There have not been any significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

The Chief Executive Officer and the Audit Committee perform significant roles in ensuring the accuracy and completeness of our financial reporting and the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. We have not identified any changes that occurred during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2020 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Important Considerations. Any system of controls, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute assurance that the objectives of the system are met. In addition, the design of any control system is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. The effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures is subject to various inherent limitations, including cost limitations, judgments used in decision making, assumptions about the likelihood of future events, the soundness of our systems, the possibility of human error, and the risk of fraud. Because of these and other inherent limitations of control systems, there can be no assurance that any system of disclosure controls and procedures will be successful in achieving its stated goals, including but not limited to preventing all errors or fraud or in making all material information known in a timely manner to the appropriate levels of management, under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote.

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

None.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

Factors that could materially adversely affect our business and our equity securities are described in the Risk Factors previously disclosed in Form 10-K, our Annual Report filed with the SEC on March 9, 2020 pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (the “2019 10-K”). This information should be considered carefully, together with other information in this report and other reports and materials we file with the SEC. In addition, the following risk factor included substantive changes from those disclosed in the 2019 10-K:

 

Our operations and financial condition may be adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

While we have not yet experienced any significant impacts as a result of the pandemic and have continued to enroll patients in our clinical trials, we anticipate that the COVID-19 pandemic and a prolonged public health crisis may negatively impact our future financial condition and operating results. However, given the evolving health, economic, social, and governmental environments, the breadth and duration of any such impacts remains uncertain. Due to the pandemic, our clinical trial recruiting and participants and supply chain could also be slowed or delayed, or in a more severe scenario, our business, financial condition and operating results could be more severely affected. Given the dynamic nature of these circumstances, the duration of any business disruption or potential impact to our business resulting from the COVID-19 coronavirus is difficult to predict, but it may increase our costs or expenses.

 

The potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic could impact many of our risk factors, included in Part 1, Item A of our 2019 Form 10-K, However, given the evolving health, economic, social, and governmental environments, the potential impact that the COVID-19 pandemic could have on our risk factors that are described in our 2019 Form 10-K remain uncertain.

 

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We will require additional capital in order to continue our operations, and may have difficulty raising additional capital.

 

We expect that we will continue to generate significant operating losses for the foreseeable future. At June 30, 2020, our consolidated cash balance was approximately $22.5 million. We believe our cash balance at June 30, 2020, is adequate to fund basic operations at budgeted levels for at least 12 months from the filing of these financial statements. We will require additional funds to conduct research and development, establish and conduct clinical and preclinical trials, establish commercial-scale manufacturing arrangements and provide for the marketing and distribution of our products. Our ability to execute our operating plan depends on our ability to obtain additional funding via the sale of equity and/or debt securities, a strategic transaction or otherwise. We continue to actively pursue financing alternatives. However, there can be no assurance that we will obtain the necessary funding in the amounts we seek or that it will be available on a timely basis or upon terms acceptable to us. If we obtain capital by issuing debt or preferred stock, the holders of such securities would likely obtain rights that are superior to those of holders of our common stock. Our capital requirements and our ability to meet them depend on many factors, including:

 

  · current and future impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of our business;
  · the number of potential products and technologies in development;
  · continued progress and cost of our research and development programs;
  · progress with preclinical studies and clinical trials;
  · the time and costs involved in obtaining regulatory clearance;
  · costs involved in preparing, filing, prosecuting, maintaining and enforcing patent claims;
  · costs of developing sales, marketing and distribution channels and our ability to sell our drugs;
  · costs involved in establishing manufacturing capabilities for clinical trial and commercial quantities of our drugs;
  · competing technological and market developments;
  · claims or enforcement actions with respect to our products or operations:
  · market acceptance of our products;
  · costs for recruiting and retaining management, employees and consultants;
  · our ability to manage computer system failures or security breaches;
  · costs for educating physicians regarding the application and use of our products;
  · whether we are able to maintain our listing on a national exchange;
  · uncertainty and economic instability resulting from conflicts, military actions, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, public health crises, including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, cyber-attacks and general instability; and
  · the condition of capital markets and the economy generally, both in the U.S. and globally.

 

We may consume available resources more rapidly than currently anticipated, resulting in the need for additional funding sooner than expected. We may seek to raise any necessary additional funds through the issuance of warrants, equity or debt financings or executing collaborative arrangements with corporate partners or other sources, which may be dilutive to existing stockholders or have a material effect on our current or future business prospects. In addition, in the event that additional funds are obtained through arrangements with collaborative partners or other sources, we may have to relinquish economic and/or proprietary rights to some of our technologies or products under development that we would otherwise seek to develop or commercialize by ourselves. If we cannot secure adequate financing when needed, we may be required to delay, scale back or eliminate one or more of our research and development programs or to enter into license or other arrangements with third parties to commercialize products or technologies that we would otherwise seek to develop ourselves and commercialize ourselves. In such an event, our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

We have incurred net losses and negative cash flows since inception. We currently have no product revenues and may not succeed in developing or commercializing any products that will generate product or licensing revenues. We do not expect to have any products on the market for several years. Our primary activity to date has been research and development and conducting clinical trials. Development of our product candidates requires a process of preclinical and clinical testing, during which our product candidates could fail. We may not be able to enter into agreements with one or more companies experienced in the manufacturing and marketing of therapeutic drugs and, to the extent that we are unable to do so, we may not be able to market our product candidates. Whether we achieve profitability or not will depend on our success in developing, manufacturing, and marketing our product candidates. We have experienced net losses and negative cash flows from operating activities since inception and we expect such losses and negative cash flows to continue for the foreseeable future. As of June 30, 2020, we had a stockholders’ equity of approximately $19,985,000. The net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was approximately $7,570,000, and we may never achieve profitability.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

            Incorporation by Reference
Exhibit
No.		   Description   Filed with
this
Form 10-Q		   Form   Filing Date   Exhibit
No.
                     
10.1   Form of Series H Warrant     S-1/A  May 20, 2020   4.3
                   
10.2   Form of Pre-Funded Warrant     S-1/A  May 20, 2020   4.4
                   
10.3   Form of Warrant Agency Agreement     8-K  June 5, 2020   4.3
                   
10.4   Amended and Restated 2015 Stock Incentive Plan     8-K  June 25, 2020   10.1
                   
10.5   Employment Agreement between the Company and John Friend dated July 1, 2020     8-K  July 1, 2020   10.1
                   
31.1*   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002   X            
                     
31.2*   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002   X            
                     
32.1*   Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002   X            
                     
101   Interactive Data Files   X            
                     

 

* Filed herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

  CELLECTAR BIOSCIENCES, INC.
     
Date: August 10, 2020 By: /s/ James V. Caruso   
    James V. Caruso
    President and Chief Executive Officer

  

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