MRKR Marker Therapeutics Inc

Table of Contents

​

​

​

​

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

​

FORM 10-Q

​

☒   Quarterly Report Under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023

​

☐   Transition Report Under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from _____ to _____.

​

Commission File Number: 001-37939

​

​

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 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 ☒  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). Yes ☒  No ☐

​

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “accelerated filer”, “large accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

​

​

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

​

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

​

As of May 8, 2023, the Company had 8,798,829 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

​

​

​

​

Table of Contents

​

​

​

​

​

​

Table of Contents

​

Table of Contents

​

On January 26, 2023, the Company effected a one-for-ten (1-for-10) reverse stock split of its common stock. All historical share and per share amounts reflected in this report have been adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split.

See accompanying notes to these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

​

2

Table of Contents

​

On January 26, 2023, the Company effected a one-for-ten (1-for-10) reverse stock split of its common stock. All historical share and per share amounts reflected in this report have been adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split.

See accompanying notes to these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

​

3

Table of Contents

​

See accompanying notes to these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

​

4

Table of Contents

​

MARKER THERAPEUTICS, INC.

5

Table of Contents

​

Any shares of its common stock sold will be issued pursuant to the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-258687), which the SEC declared effective on August 19, 2021. The shelf registration statement on Form S-3 includes a prospectus supplement covering the offering up to $9.87 million of shares of common stock over the 12 months ending March 22, 2024 pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, which limits the amounts that the Company may sell under the registration statement, and in accordance with the ATM agreement. The Sales Agents will be entitled to compensation under the Sales Agreement at a commission rate equal to 3.0% of the gross sales price per share sold under the ATM Agreement, and the Company has provided each of the Sales Agents with indemnification and contribution rights. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company sold 200,261 shares of its common stock under the ATM Agreement for proceeds of $0.6 million.

In August 2021, the Company received notice of a Product Development Research award totaling approximately $13.1 million from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (“CPRIT”) to support the Company’s Phase 2 clinical trial of its lead multiTAA-specific T cell product MT-401. The CPRIT award is intended to support the adjuvant arm of the Company’s Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating MT-401 when given as an adjuvant therapy to patients with acute myeloid leukemia following a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. The primary objectives of the adjuvant arm of the trial are to evaluate relapse-free survival after MT-401 treatment when compared with a randomized control group. To date, the Company has received $4.8 million of funds from the CPRIT grant. The Company recorded $1.1 million of grant income related to the CPRIT grant as revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

In April 2022, the Company entered into a binding services agreement (the “Agreement”), effective April 12, 2022 (see Note 9), with Wilson Wolf Manufacturing Corporation (“Wilson Wolf”). Mr. John Wilson is a member of the Company’s board of directors and is serving as the CEO of Wilson Wolf, therefore Wilson Wolf is a related party. Wilson Wolf is in the business of creating products and services intended to simplify and expedite the transition of cell therapies and gene-modified cell therapies to mainstream society (the “Wilson Wolf Mission”). Pursuant to the Agreement, Wilson Wolf made a cash payment to the Company in the amount of $8.0 million. For the three-month period ending March 31, 2023, the Company recognized the final $2.5 million of revenue pursuant to this Agreement. Additionally, pursuant to the Agreement, Wilson Wolf agreed to pay the Company an additional $1.0 million because the Company achieved the agreed milestone of completing the services within one year from the onset of the Agreement. As such, the Company recorded an additional $1.0 million of service fee revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2023, with a corresponding $1.0 million related party receivable on its condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2023. The Company received the $1.0 million payment in May 2023.

In September 2022, the Company received notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) that it had awarded the Company a $2.0 million grant from the FDA’s Orphan Products Grant program to support the Company’s Phase 2 clinical trial of MT-401 for the treatment of post-transplant AML. The Company recorded $0.1 million of grant income related to the FDA grant as revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

In December 2022, the Company entered into a purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (“Lincoln Park”), which provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the agreement, the Company has the right, but not the obligation, to sell to Lincoln Park up to $25,000,000 of shares of its common stock (“the Purchase Shares”) from time to time over a 24-month term, at a variable price with certain market-based terms as defined in the Purchase Agreement. The Purchase Agreement does not exhibit any of the characteristics for liability classification under ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity. Instead, the purchase agreement is indexed to the Company’s own stock under ASC Subtopic 815-40, Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity, and classified as equity. In January 2023, Lincoln Park was issued 180,410 shares of stock as a commitment fee at a value of $0.5 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company sold 12,500 shares of its common stock under the Purchase Agreement for proceeds of approximately $33,000.

In March 2023, the Company signed an agreement with AlloVir, Inc. in which Marker will provide services for AlloVir’s long range process development and scale optimization. Under the terms of this agreement, Marker will receive total compensation in the amount of $0.4 million, estimated to be fully earned by the end of quarter ended September 30, 2023. As of March 31, 2023, the Company did not receive any funds from the Allovir agreement. The Company anticipates that the Allovir agreement will be a Purchased Asset under the Cell Ready Agreement.

In May 2023, the Company entered into a purchase agreement (the “Cell Ready Agreement”) with Cell Ready, LLC (“Cell Ready”), pursuant to which the Company will (i) assign to Cell Ready the leases for the Company’s two manufacturing facilities in Houston, Texas (the “Manufacturing Facilities”), (ii) sell to Cell Ready all of the equipment and leasehold improvements at the Manufacturing Facilities and (iii) assign to Cell Ready its rights, title and interest in the Company’s Master Services Agreement for Product Supply,

6

Table of Contents

​

dated April 7, 2023, by and between the Company, Cell Ready and Indapta Therapeutics, Inc., as well as its rights, title and interest in any contracts related to the equipment and Manufacturing Facilities (collectively, the “Purchased Assets”). Mr. John Wilson is a member of the Company’s board of directors and is serving as the CEO of Cell Ready, therefore Cell Ready is a related party. Pursuant to the Cell Ready Agreement, Cell Ready will acquire the Purchased Assets for total consideration of approximately $19.0 million. In connection with the purchase of the Manufacturing Facilities, Cell Ready also intends to extend offers of employment to approximately 50 of the Company’s employees currently employed in its manufacturing, development, quality and regulatory affairs functions. The Cell Ready Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants of the Company and Cell Ready that are customary for a transaction of this nature. The transaction is expected to close on June 26, 2023, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

The Company expects to continue to incur substantial losses over the next several years during its development phase. To fully execute its business plan, the Company will need to complete certain research and development activities and clinical trials. Further, the Company’s product candidates will require regulatory approval prior to commercialization. These activities will span many years and require substantial expenditures to complete and may ultimately be unsuccessful. Any delays in completing these activities could adversely impact the Company. The Company plans to meet its capital requirements primarily through issuances of debt and equity securities and, in the longer term, revenue from sales of its product candidates, if approved.

Based on the Company’s clinical and research and development plans and its timing expectations related to the progress of its programs, the Company expects that its cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2023 will enable the Company to fund its operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the third quarter of 2023. Such estimate does not include receipt of the approximately $19.0 million in connection with the closing of the Cell Ready Agreement, which is expected on June 26, 2023, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, and related anticipated cost savings. In an effort to further preserve the Company’s working capital, the Company’s employees took a portion of their 2022 earned bonus in the form of equity in lieu of cash.

The Company has based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and the Company could utilize its available capital resources sooner than it currently expects. Furthermore, the Company’s operating plan may change, and it may need additional funds sooner than planned in order to meet operational needs and capital requirements for product development and commercialization. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with the development and commercialization of the Company’s product candidates and the extent to which the Company may enter into additional collaborations with third parties to participate in their development and commercialization, the Company is unable to estimate the amounts of increased capital outlays and operating expenditures associated with its current and anticipated clinical trials. The Company’s future funding requirements will depend on many factors, as it:

The Company has no sources of revenue to provide incoming cash flows to sustain its future operations. As outlined above, its ability to pursue its planned business activities is dependent upon its successful efforts to raise additional capital.

​

These factors raise substantial doubt regarding its ability to continue as a going concern. The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which implies that it will continue to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company’s financial statements do not include any adjustments to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should it be unable to continue as a going concern.

​

The COVID-19 pandemic, decades-high inflation and concerns about an economic recession in the United States or other major markets has resulted in, among other things, volatility in the capital markets that may have the effect of reducing the Company’s ability to access

7

Table of Contents

​

capital, which could in the future negatively affect the Company’s liquidity. In addition, a recession or market correction due to these factors could materially affect the Company’s business and the value of its common stock.

​

NOTE 4: SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

New Accounting Standards

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) or other standard setting bodies that the Company adopts as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the Company does not believe that the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will have a material impact on its consolidated financial position or results of operations upon adoption.

There have been no material changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies to those previously disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed on March 22, 2023.

​

NOTE 5: NET LOSS PER SHARE

Basic loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted loss per common share is computed similarly to basic loss per common share except that it reflects the potential dilution that could occur if dilutive securities or other obligations to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.

The following table sets forth the computation of net loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively:

​

​

The following securities, rounded to the nearest thousand, were not included in the diluted net loss per share calculation because their effect was anti-dilutive for the periods presented:

​

​

​

8

Table of Contents

​

Depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was approximately $0.8 million and $0.6 million, respectively.

$142,000 of property and equipment transactions are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of March 31, 2023.

​

NOTE 7: LEASES

The Company leases manufacturing, research and administrative facilities under operating leases. The Company evaluates its contracts to determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception and classify it as a finance or operating lease. Currently, all of the Company’s leases are classified as operating leases. Leased assets and corresponding liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the lease payments over the lease term. The lease terms may include options to extend when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option.

Topic ASC 842 requires the Company to recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. Right-of-use assets are recorded in other assets on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. Current and non-current lease liabilities are recorded in other accruals within current liabilities and other non-current liabilities, respectively, on its condensed consolidated balance sheets. Costs associated with operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis within operating expenses over the term of the lease.

As of March 31, 2023, the Company had total operating lease liabilities of approximately $7.5 million and right-of-use assets of approximately $5.3 million, which were included in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Such leases do not require any contingent rental payments, impose any financial restrictions, or contain any residual value guarantees. Certain of the Company’s leases include renewal options and escalation clauses; renewal options have not been included in the calculation of the lease liabilities and right-of-use assets as the Company is not reasonably certain to exercise the options. Variable expenses generally represent the Company’s share of the landlord’s operating expenses. The Company does not act as a lessor or have any leases classified as financing leases.

9

Table of Contents

​

The following summarizes quantitative information about the Company’s operating leases for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively:

​

​

​

The weighted-average remaining lease term as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was approximately 7.3 years and 7.5 years, respectively. The weighted-average discount rate used to determine the operating lease liability as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was approximately 5.5%, respectively.

Maturities of our operating leases, excluding short-term leases, are as follows:

​

​

​

​

10

Table of Contents

​

NOTE 9: RELATED PARTY RECEIVABLE AND RELATED PARTY DEFERRED REVENUE

In April 2022, the Company entered into a binding services agreement, effective April 12, 2022, with Wilson Wolf Manufacturing Corporation (“Wilson Wolf”). Mr. John Wilson is a member of the Company’s board of directors and is serving as the CEO of Wilson Wolf. Wilson Wolf is in the business of creating products and services intended to simplify and expedite the transition of cell therapies and gene-modified cell therapies to mainstream society (the “Wilson Wolf Mission”). Pursuant to the Services Agreement, Wilson Wolf made a cash payment to the Company in the amount of $8.0 million, as consideration for certain training and research services allocated as follows:

The Company recognizes related party revenue over time in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification, or ASC, 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as each of the training and/or research services are provided to Wilson Wolf. Revenue is recognized, using an output method based on progress toward satisfaction of the performance obligations. Additionally, in accordance with the spirit of the standard expressed in ASC 606-50-1, the timing of the revenue recognition is expected to be approximately 12 months.

For the three-month period ending March 31, 2023, the Company recognized the final $2.5 million of revenue pursuant to this $8.0 million agreement and at March 31, 2023, the Company had no related party deferred revenue on its condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Additionally, pursuant to the Agreement, Wilson Wolf agreed to pay the Company an additional $1.0 million because the Work Direction was completed within one year from the onset of the Agreement, achieving the agreed milestone. As such, the Company recorded an additional $1.0 million of service fee revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2023, with a corresponding $1.0 million related party receivable on its condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2023. The Company received the $1.0 million payment in May 2023.

​

NOTE 10: STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Reverse Stock Split

On January 26, 2023, the Company effected the Reverse Stock Split and a corresponding reduction in the total number of authorized shares of its common stock from 300,000,000 to 30,000,000. The Reverse Stock Split, which was approved by stockholders at an annual stockholder meeting on May 24, 2022, was consummated pursuant to a Certificate of Amendment filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on January 26, 2023. The Reverse Stock Split was effective on January 26, 2023. All historical share and per share amounts reflected in this report have been adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split.

11

Table of Contents

​

Common Stock Transactions

Issuance of Stock Pursuant to ATM Agreement

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company sold 200,261 shares of its common stock under the ATM Agreement for proceeds of $0.6 million.

Stock Purchase Agreement

In December 2022, the Company entered into a purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (“Lincoln Park”) which provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the agreement, the Company has the right, but not the obligation, to sell to Lincoln Park up to $25,000,000 of shares of its common stock (the “Purchase Shares”) from time to time over a 24-month term, at a variable price with certain market-based terms as defined in the Purchase Agreement. The Purchase Agreement does not exhibit any of the characteristics for liability classification under ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity. Instead, the purchase agreement is indexed to the Company’s own stock under ASC Subtopic 815-40, Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity, and classified as equity. In January 2023, Lincoln Park was issued 180,410 shares of stock as a commitment fee at a value of $0.5 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company sold 12,500 shares of its common stock under the Purchase Agreement for proceeds of approximately $33,000.

NOTE 11: STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock Options

2022 Equity Incentive Awards

On February 27, 2023, pursuant to the Company’s 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, the compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors approved a total of 316,855 options to purchase the Company’s common stock as equity-based incentive awards to the Company’s executive officers and management team. Each option award was granted with an exercise price of $2.14 per share, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on February 27, 2023, with the option award vesting in 48 equal monthly installments over a four-year period, subject to such executive officer’s continued service on the applicable vesting date. Additionally, on February 27, 2023, the compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors approved a total of 87,677 options to purchase the Company’s common stock to non-executive employees and management team of the Company as equity-based incentive awards. Each option award was granted with an exercise price of $2.14 per share, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on February 27, 2023, with the option award vesting in 48 equal monthly installments over a four-year period, subject to such employee’s continued service on the applicable vesting date.

The above awards were in addition to 7,000 stock option awards issued during the three months ended March 31, 2023 to new employees upon their commencement of employment with the Company. Each option award was granted with an exercise price of $2.769 per share, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on January 3, 2022, with 25% of the option award vesting in one year and the remaining 75% vesting in 36 equal monthly installments thereafter over a three-year period, subject to such employee’s continued service on the applicable vesting date.

12

Table of Contents

​

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2023 is as follows:

​

​

The Black-Scholes option pricing model is used to estimate the fair value of stock options granted under the Company’s share-based compensation plans. The weighted average assumptions used in calculating the fair values of stock options that were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2023 was as follows:

​

​

The following table sets forth stock-based compensation expenses recorded during the respective periods:

​

​

As of March 31, 2023, the total stock-based compensation cost related to unvested awards not yet recognized was $3.5 million. The expected weighted average period compensation costs to be recognized was approximately 2.0 years. Future option grants will impact the compensation expense recognized.

​

NOTE 12: GRANT INCOME

In August 2021, the Company received notice of a Product Development Research award totaling approximately $13.1 million from CPRIT to support the Company’s Phase 2 clinical trial of MT-401. The CPRIT award is intended to support the adjuvant arm of the Company’s Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating MT-401 when given as an adjuvant therapy to patients with acute myeloid leukemia following a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. The primary objectives of the adjuvant arm of the trial are to evaluate relapse-free survival after MT-401 treatment when compared with a randomized control group.

Restricted cash received from grants in advance of incurring qualifying costs is recorded as deferred revenue and recognized as revenue when qualifying costs are incurred. Qualifying grant income earned in advance of cash received from grants is recognized as revenue and recorded as other receivable.

The Company recorded $1.2 million of grant income related to the CPRIT grant as revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

In September 2022, the Company received notice from the FDA that it had awarded the Company a $2.0 million grant from the FDA’s Orphan Products Grant program to support the Company’s Phase 2 clinical trial of MT-401 for the treatment of post-transplant AML. The Company recorded $1.2 million of grant income related to the FDA grant as revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

​

13

Table of Contents

​

NOTE 13: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, the Company may be party to ordinary, routine litigation incidental to their business. The Company knows of no material, active or pending legal proceedings against the Company, nor is the Company involved as a plaintiff in any material proceeding or pending litigation. There are no proceedings in which any of the Company’s directors, officers or affiliates, or any registered or beneficial shareholder, is an adverse party or has a material interest adverse to the Company’s interest. The Company is not currently a party to any material legal proceedings, and the Company is not aware of any pending or threatened legal proceeding against it that it believes could have an adverse effect on its business, operating results or financial condition.

​

$97,400 of related party transactions are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of March 31, 2023.

Agreements with The Baylor College of Medicine (“BCM”).

In November 2018, January 2020 and February 2020, the Company entered in Sponsored Research Agreements with BCM, which provided for the conduct of research for the Company by credentialed personnel at BCM’s Center for Cell and Gene Therapy.

In September 2019, May 2020 and July 2021, the Company entered into Clinical Supply Agreements with BCM, which provided for BCM to provide to the Company multi tumor antigen specific products.

In October 2019, the Company entered in a Workforce Grant Agreement with BCM, which provided for BCM to provide to the Company manpower costs of projects for manufacturing, quality control testing and validation run activities.

In August 2020, the Company entered in a Clinical Trial Agreement with BCM, which provided for BCM to provide to the Company investigator-initiated research studies.

Purchases from Bio-Techne Corporation.

The Company is currently utilizing Bio-Techne Corporation and two of its brands for the purchases of reagents, primarily cytokines. Mr. David Eansor is a member of the Company’s board of directors and was serving as the President of the Protein Sciences Segment of Bio-Techne Corporation. Mr. Eansor resigned from Bio-Techne Corporation on March 1, 2022, and as such, two months of transactions in 2022 are included in the table above.

Purchases from Wilson Wolf.

The Company is currently utilizing Wilson Wolf for the purchases of cell culture devices called G-Rexes. Mr. John Wilson is a member of the Company’s board of directors and is serving as the CEO of Wilson Wolf Manufacturing Corporation.

​

​

14

Table of Contents

​

Table of Contents

​

Table of Contents

​

We believe that the simplicity of our manufacturing process allows additional modifications to expand multiTAA-specific T cell recognition of cancer targets. In May 2023, we entered into a purchase agreement with Cell Ready, LLC with respect to our manufacturing facility and certain related assets. See “—Recent Developments.”

Pipeline

Our clinical-stage pipeline, including clinical trials being conducted by BCM and other partners, is set forth below:

​

Recent Developments

On May 1, 2023, we entered into a purchase agreement, or the Cell Ready Agreement, with Cell Ready, LLC, or Cell Ready, pursuant to which we will (i) assign to Cell Ready the leases for our two manufacturing facilities in Houston, Texas, or the Manufacturing Facilities, (ii) sell to Cell Ready all of the equipment and leasehold improvements at the Manufacturing Facilities and (iii) assign to Cell Ready our rights, title and interest in our Master Services Agreement for Product Supply, dated April 7, 2023, or the Indapta Agreement, by and between the Company, Cell Ready and Indapta Therapeutics, Inc., or Indapta, as well as our rights, title and interest in any contracts related to the equipment and Manufacturing Facilities, collectively, the Purchased Assets. Mr. John Wilson is a member of the Company’s board of directors and is serving as the CEO of Cell Ready.

Pursuant to the Cell Ready Agreement, Cell Ready will acquire the Purchased Assets for total consideration of approximately $19.0 million. In connection with the purchase of the Manufacturing Facilities, Cell Ready also intends to extend offers of employment to approximately 50 of our employees currently employed in our manufacturing, development, quality and regulatory affairs functions.

The Cell Ready Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants of the Company and Cell Ready that are customary for a transaction of this nature. The transaction is expected to close on June 26, 2023, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

17

Table of Contents

​

Reverse Stock Split

On January 26, 2023, the Company effected the Reverse Stock Split and a corresponding reduction in the total number of authorized shares of its common stock from 300,000,000 to 30,000,000. The Reverse Stock Split, which was approved by stockholders at an annual stockholder meeting on May 24, 2022, was consummated pursuant to a Certificate of Amendment filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on January 26, 2023. The Reverse Stock Split was effective on January 26, 2023. All historical share and per share amounts reflected in this report have been adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split.

Results of Operations

In this discussion of our results of operations and financial condition, amounts in financial tables, other than per-share amounts, have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

Revenue

We did not generate any revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, from the sales or licensing of our product candidates.

In August 2021, we received notice of a Product Development Research award totaling approximately $13.1 million from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, or CPRIT, to support our Phase 2 clinical trial of MT-401. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we recognized $1.1 million of revenue associated with the CPRIT grant.

In September 2022, we received notice from the FDA that it had awarded us a $2.0 million grant from the FDA’s Orphan Products Grant program to support our Phase 2 clinical trial of MT-401 for the treatment of post-transplant AML. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we recognized $0.1 million of revenue associated with the FDA grant.

In April 2022, we entered into a binding services agreement with Wilson Wolf Manufacturing Corporation. Or Wilson Wolf. Wilson Wolf is in the business of creating products and services intended to simplify and expedite the transition of cell therapies and gene-modified cell therapies to mainstream society. Pursuant to the agreement, Wilson Wolf made a cash payment to us in the amount of $8.0

18

Table of Contents

​

million, as consideration for certain training and research services. During the three-month period ending March 31, 2023, we recognized the final $2.5 million of revenue pursuant to this $8.0 million agreement. Additionally, pursuant to the Agreement, Wilson Wolf agreed to pay us an additional $1.0 million because we achieved the agreed milestone of completing the Work Direction, which included certain CAR T and TCR G-Rex optimization work under the direction of Wilson Wolf, within one year from the onset of the Agreement. As such, we recorded an additional $1.0 million of service fee revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2023, with a corresponding $1.0 million related party receivable on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2023. We received the $1.0 million payment in May 2023.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2023 were $9.8 million compared to $10.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Significant changes and expenditures in operating expenses are outlined as follows:

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses increased by 3% to $7.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $7.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

The increase of $0.3 million in 2023 was primarily attributable to the following:

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses decreased by 33% to $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

The decrease of $1.2 million in 2023 was primarily attributable to the following:

Other Income (Expense)

Arbitration Settlement

An arbitration proceeding was brought against us before the FINRA by a broker seeking to be paid compensation for two financing transactions that occurred in 2018, a warrant conversion and a private placement brokered by another broker. The FINRA panel found in favor of the broker and awarded the broker $2.4 million for compensation, interest and attorney fees, which we recorded in the year ended December 31, 2021. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we recorded an additional $0.1 million of expense related to this matter.

19

Table of Contents

​

Interest Income

Interest income was $0.1 million and $3,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and was attributable to interest income relating to funds that are held in U.S. Treasury notes and U.S. government agency-backed securities.

Net Loss

The decrease in our net loss during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022 was due to the timing of process development expenses, lower costs associated with our BCM clinical supplies agreement and higher grant income, offset by the continued expansion of our research and development activities, increased expenses relating to future clinical trials, and the overall growth of our corporate infrastructure. We anticipate that we will continue to incur net losses in the future as we continue to invest in research and development activities, including clinical development of our multiTAA T cell product candidates.

Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $5.9 million compared to $12.2 million for the same period last year.

Net cash used in operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $5.9 million. The changes in cash flow from operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2023 were due to $5.0 million of net losses and a $2.6 million decrease from changes in operating assets and liabilities. This was in addition to $0.7 million of stock-based compensation, $0.8 million of depreciation expense and $0.2 million right-of-use asset amortization and lease liability accretion.

Net cash used in operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $12.2 million. The changes in cash flow from operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2022 were due to $9.9 million of net losses and a $4.8 million decrease from changes in operating assets and liabilities. This was in addition to $1.6 million of stock-based compensation, $0.6 million of depreciation expense and $0.3 million right-of-use asset amortization and lease liability accretion.

20

Table of Contents

​

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $0.1 million for the purchase of property and equipment during the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Net cash used in investing activities was $2.5 million for the purchase of property and equipment and construction in progress related to our manufacturing facility during the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was $0.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023, due to sales of common stock under the ATM Agreement and the Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement (as defined below).

Future Capital Requirements

To date, we have not generated any revenues from the commercial sale of approved drug products, and we do not expect to generate substantial revenue for at least the next several years. If we fail to complete the development of our product candidates in a timely manner or fail to obtain their regulatory approval, our ability to generate future revenue will be compromised. We do not know when, or if, we will generate any revenue from our product candidates, and we do not expect to generate significant revenue unless and until we obtain regulatory approval of, and commercialize, our product candidates. We expect our expenses to increase in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we continue the research and development of, continue or initiate clinical trials of and seek marketing approval for our product candidates. In addition, if we obtain approval for any of our product candidates, we expect to incur significant commercialization expenses related to sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution. We anticipate that we will need substantial additional funding in connection with our continuing operations. If we are unable to raise capital when needed or on attractive terms, we could be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our research and development programs or future commercialization efforts.

In August 2021, we received notice of a Product Development Research award totaling approximately $13.1 million from CPRIT to support our Phase 2 clinical trial of MT-401. The CPRIT award is intended to support the adjuvant arm of the Company’s Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating MT-401 when given as an adjuvant therapy to patients with acute myeloid leukemia following a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. The primary objectives of the adjuvant arm of the trial are to evaluate relapse-free survival after MT-401 treatment when compared with a randomized control group. To date, we have received $4.8 million of funds from the CPRIT grant.

In April 2022, we entered into a binding services agreement with Wilson Wolf, pursuant to which Wilson Wolf made a cash payment to the Company in the amount of $8.0 million at the time of execution of the agreement. Further, we earned an additional $1.0 million upon the achievement of certain milestones, which was recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2023.

In September 2022, we received notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) that it had awarded us a $2.0 million grant from the FDA’s Orphan Products Grant program to support our Phase 2 clinical trial of MT-401 for the treatment of post-transplant AML. In March 2023, we received $0.1 million of funds from the FDA grant. To date, we have received $0.2 million of funds from the FDA grant.

In March 2023, we signed an agreement with AlloVir, Inc. in which we will provide services for AlloVir’s long range process development and scale optimization. Under the terms of this agreement, we will receive total compensation in the amount of $400,000, estimated to be fully earned by the end of the third quarter in 2023. To date, we have not received any funds from the Allovir agreement. The Company anticipates that the Allovir agreement will be a Purchased Asset under the Cell Ready Agreement.

In April 2023, we signed the Indapta Agreement, pursuant to which provided services to Indapta. Under a work order of that agreement, now complete, we received approximately $0.8 million for the services rendered.

In May 2023, we entered into the Cell Ready Agreement with Cell Ready, pursuant to which we will (i) assign to Cell Ready the Manufacturing Facilities, (ii) sell to Cell Ready all of the equipment and leasehold improvements at the Manufacturing Facilities and (iii) assign to Cell Ready our rights, title and interest in the Indapta Agreement, as well as our rights, title and interest in any contracts related to the equipment and Manufacturing Facilities, collectively, the Purchased Assets. Pursuant to the Cell Ready Agreement, Cell Ready will acquire the Purchased Assets for total consideration of approximately $19.0 million. In connection with the purchase of the

21

Table of Contents

​

Manufacturing Facilities, Cell Ready also intends to extend offers of employment to approximately 50 of our employees currently employed in our manufacturing, development, quality and regulatory affairs functions. We expect to close this transaction on June 26, 2023.

As of March 31, 2023, we had working capital of $5.6 million, compared to working capital of $8.8 million as of December 31, 2022. Based on our revised clinical and research and development plans and our revised timing expectations related to the progress of our programs, we expect that our cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2023 will enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the third quarter of 2023. Such estimate does not include receipt of the approximately $19.0 million in connection with the closing of the Cell Ready Agreement, which is expected on June 26, 2023, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, and related anticipated cost savings. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could utilize our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect. Furthermore, our operating plans may change, and we may need additional funds sooner than planned in order to meet operational needs and capital requirements for product development and commercialization. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with the development and commercialization of our product candidates and the extent to which we may enter into additional collaborations with third parties to participate in their development and commercialization, we are unable to estimate the amounts of increased capital outlays and operating expenditures associated with our current and anticipated clinical trials. Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, as we:

Because all of our product candidates are in the early stages of clinical and preclinical development and the outcome of these efforts is uncertain, we cannot estimate the actual amounts necessary to successfully complete the development and commercialization of product candidates or whether, or when, we may achieve profitability. Until such time, if ever, that we can generate substantial product revenue, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity or debt financings and collaboration arrangements.

We plan to continue to fund our operations and capital funding needs through equity and/or debt financing. We may also consider new collaborations or selectively partner our technology. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interests of our stockholders will be diluted, and the terms may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our existing stockholders’ common stock. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased fixed payment obligations and could involve certain restrictive covenants, such as limitations on our ability to incur additional debt, limitations on our ability to acquire or license intellectual property rights and other operating restrictions that could adversely impact our ability to conduct our business. If we raise additional funds through strategic partnerships and alliances and licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies or product candidates or grant licenses on terms unfavorable to us. We may also be required to pay damages or have liabilities associated with litigation or other legal proceedings involving our company.

The COVID-19 pandemic, decades-high inflation and concerns about an economic recession in the United States or other major markets has resulted in, among other things, volatility in the capital markets that may have the effect of reducing the Company’s ability to access capital, which could in the future negatively affect the Company’s liquidity. In addition, a recession or market correction due to these factors could materially affect the Company’s business and the value of its common stock.

ATM Agreement

In August 2021, we entered into a Controlled Equity Offering^SM Sales Agreement (the “ATM Agreement”) with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. and RBC Capital Markets, LLC (the “Sales Agents”), pursuant to which we can offer and sell, from time to time at our sole discretion through the Sales Agents, shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $75.0 million. Any shares of our common stock sold will be issued pursuant to our shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-258687), which the SEC declared effective on August 19, 2021. The shelf registration statement on Form S-3 includes a prospectus supplement covering the

22

Table of Contents

​

offering up to $9.87 million of shares of common stock over the 12 months ending March 22, 2024 pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, which limits the amounts that the Company may sell under the registration statement, and in accordance with the ATM agreement. The Sales Agents will be entitled to compensation under the Sales Agreement at a commission rate equal to 3.0% of the gross sales price per share sold under the ATM Agreement, and we have provided each of the Sales Agents with indemnification and contribution rights. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we sold 200,261 shares of our common stock under the ATM Agreement for proceeds of $0.6 million.

Stock Purchase Agreement

In December 2022, we entered into a purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (“Lincoln Park”) which provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Purchase Agreement, we have the right, but not the obligation, to sell to Lincoln Park up to $25,000,000 of shares of our common stock (the “Purchase Shares”) from time to time over a 24-month term, at a variable price with certain market-based terms as defined in the Purchase Agreement. The Purchase Agreement does not exhibit any of the characteristics for liability classification under ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity. Instead, the purchase agreement is indexed to the Company’s own stock under ASC Subtopic 815-40, Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity, and classified as equity. In January 2023, Lincoln Park was issued 180,410 shares of stock as a commitment fee at a value of $0.5 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we sold 12,500 shares of our common stock under the Purchase Agreement for proceeds of approximately $33,000.

Going Concern

We have no sources of revenue, other than grant and related party services income, to provide incoming cash flows to sustain our future operations. As outlined above, our ability to pursue our planned business activities is dependent upon our successful efforts to raise additional capital.

These factors raise substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern. Our condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which implies that we will continue to realize our assets and discharge our liabilities in the normal course of business. Our financial statements do not include any adjustments to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern.

Critical Accounting Policies

The condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which require the use of estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of expenses in the periods presented. We believe that the accounting estimates employed are appropriate and resulting balances are reasonable; however, due to inherent uncertainties in making estimates, actual results could differ from the original estimates, requiring adjustments to these balances in future periods. The critical accounting estimates that affect the condensed consolidated financial statements and the judgments and assumptions used are consistent with those described under Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

​

23

Table of Contents

​

procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Accounting Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act.

It should be noted that any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions designed to obtain reasonable (and not absolute) assurance as to its effectiveness, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals.

Management does not expect that our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control systems are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, no evaluation of internal control over financial reporting can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been or will be detected.

(b)Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

​