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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

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

ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended: September 30, 2024

or

 

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: 001-41575

 

Lipella Pharmaceuticals Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   20-2388040
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

7800 Susquehanna St., Suite 505
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
 
(412) 894-1853
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of exchange on which
registered
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share   LIPO   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. 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 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, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer Smaller reporting company
    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

 

As of November 13, 2024, there were 1,208,919 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), of the registrant outstanding.

 

 

 

 

Lipella Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Form 10-Q

September 30, 2024

 

Table of Contents

 

    Page
Part I FINANCIAL INFORMATION 1
     
Item 1 Financial Statements. 1
     
  Condensed Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2024 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2023 1
     
  Condensed Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the Three and Nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 2
     
  Condensed Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) (Unaudited) for the Three and Nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023  3
     
  Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the Nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 4
     
  Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) 5
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. 14
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. 24
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures. 24
     
Part II. OTHER INFORMATION 26
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings. 26
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors. 26
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds. 26
     
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities. 26
     
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures. 26
     
Item 5. Other Information. 27
     
Item 6. Exhibits. 27
     
  Signatures 28

 

References in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to the “Company,” “Lipella,” “we,” “us,” or “our” mean Lipella Pharmaceuticals Inc. unless otherwise expressly stated or the context indicates otherwise.

 

i

 

  

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements.

 

Lipella Pharmaceuticals Inc.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

             
   

September 30, 2024

(unaudited)

   

December 31, 2023

 
Assets            
Current Assets                
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,353,734     $ 3,293,738  
Grants receivable     31,079       32,286  
Prepaid expenses     695,151       103,256  
Total Current Assets     2,079,965       3,429,280  
Property and Equipment                
Furniture, fixtures and equipment     140,294       140,294  
Furniture, fixtures and equipment (accumulated depreciation)     (129,708 )     (127,544 )
Furniture and fixtures, net     10,585       12,750  
Other Assets                
Operating lease right of use asset     69,555       135,144  
Total Assets     2,160,105       3,577,174  
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                
Current liabilities                
Accounts payable     459,453       138,016  
Accrued expenses     89,773       77,280  
Operating lease liability     70,830       89,223  
Payroll liability     81,130       80,836  
Total Current Liabilities     701,186       385,355  
Operating lease liability, net of current portion           47,371  
Total Liabilities     701,186       432,726  
Stockholders’ equity:                
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; -0- shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively   $     $  
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized, 1,091,205 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and 756,745 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023     109       75  
Additional paid-in capital     15,357,244       13,468,216  
Accumulated deficit     (13,898,435 )     (10,323,843 )
Total stockholders’ equity     1,458,918       3,144,448  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 2,160,105     $ 3,577,174  

 

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

 

1

 

 

Lipella Pharmaceuticals Inc.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

                         
   For the Three Months Ended   For the Nine Months Ended 
   September 30, 2024   September 30, 2023   September 30, 2024   September 30, 2023 
Grant revenues  $80,380   $104,051   $362,691   $328,775 
Total revenues   80,380    104,051    362,691    328,775 
                     
Cost and expenses                    
Research and development   1,046,693    833,260    2,550,851    2,584,636 
General and administrative   493,102    627,518    1,441,090    1,760,498 
Total costs and expenses   1,539,795    1,460,778    3,991,941    4,345,134 
Loss from operations   (1,459,415)   (1,356,727)   (3,629,250)   (4,016,359)
                     
Other income (expense)                    
Interest income, net   14,778    33,157    54,658    97,126 
Interest expense related party               (10,848)
Total other income(expense)   14,778    33,157    54,658    86,278 
Loss before income taxes   (1,444,637)   (1,323,570)   (3,574,592)   (3,930,081)
Provision for income taxes                
Net Loss  $(1,444,637)  $(1,323,570)  $(3,574,592)  $(3,930,081)
                     
Loss per share of Common Stock                    
Basic   $(1.29)  $(1.84)  $(3.60)  $(5.47)
Dilutive   $(1.29)  $(1.84)  $(3.60)  $(5.47)
                     
Weighted average of shares of Common Stock outstanding:                    
Basic    1,119,129    719,216    994,252    718,405 
Dilutive    1,119,129    719,216    994,252    718,405 

 

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

 

2

 

 

Lipella Pharmaceuticals Inc.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

 

                                         
   

 

 

Common Stock

   

Additional

paid-in

capital

    Accumulated
Deficit
    Total   
    Shares     Amount                
Balances, December 31, 2022     717,993     $ 72     $ 10,380,403     $ (5,704,878 )   $ 4,675,596  
Net loss                       (1,067,825 )     (1,067,825 )
Stock-based compensation                 208,639             208,639  
Balances, March 31, 2023     717,993       72       10,589,042       (6,772,703 )     3,816,410  
Net loss                       (1,538,686 )     (1,538,686 )
Stock-based compensation                 847,618             847,618  
Balances, June 30, 2023     717,993       72       11,436,660       (8,311,389 )     3,125,342  
Net loss                       (1,323,570 )     (1,323,570 )
Stock-based compensation                 298,759             298,759  
Shares issued for services     7,500       1       121,199             121,200  
Balances, September 30, 2023     725,493       73       11,856,618       (9,634,959 )     2,221,731  
                                         
Balances, December 31, 2023     756,745       75       13,468,216       (10,323,843 )     3,144,448  
Net loss                       (1,191,809 )     (1,191,809 )
Stock-based compensation                 208,639             208,639  
Pre-funded warrants exercised for shares of Common Stock     62,500       6       (6 )            
Issuance of Common Stock     36,227       4       199,996             200,000  
Shares issued for services     24,510       3       199,997             200,000  
Balances, March 31, 2024     879,981       88       14,076,842       (11,515,652 )     2,561,278  
Net loss                         (938,146 )     (938,146 )
Stock-based compensation                   80,666             80,666  
Pre-funded warrants exercised for shares of Common Stock     70,724       7       (7 )            
Balances, June 30, 2024     950,705     $ 95     $ 14,157,501     $ (12,453,798 )   $ 1,703,798  
Net loss                       (1,444,637 )     (1,444,637 )
Issuance of Common Stock and pre-funded warrants, net of issuance costs of $468,588     49,875       5       820,327             820,332  
Stock-based compensation                 379,425             379,425  
Pre-funded warrants exercised for shares of Common Stock     90,625       9       (9            
Balances, September 30, 2024     1,091,205      $ 109     $ 15,357,244     $ (13,898,435 )   $ 1,458,918  

 

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

 

3

 

 

Lipella Pharmaceuticals Inc.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

               
    For the Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,  
    2024     2023  
Cash flow from operating activities:                
Net loss   $ (3,574,592 )   $ (3,930,081 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization     2,165       962  
Shares issued for services     200,000       121,200  
Non-cash stock option expense     668,730       1,355,016  
Interest expense related party net (non-cash)            
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
Operating right of use asset     (173 )     (2,348 )
Grants receivable     1,207       60,515  
Prepaid expense     (591,895 )     355,811  
Accounts payable     321,437       (81,305 )
Accrued expenses     12,493       (316,730 )
Payroll liability     297       14,498  
Net cash used in operating activities     (2,960,334 )     (2,422,462 )
                 
Cash flow from investing activities                
Purchase of Property, plant and equipment           (14,434 )
Net cash used in investing activities           (14,434 )
                 
Cash flow from financing activities:                
Proceeds from issuance of Common Stock and pre-funded warrants, net of issuance costs     1,020,332        
Repayment of notes payable           (275,000 )
Net cash provided by financing activities     1,020,332       (275,000 )
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents     (1,940,003 )     (2,711,896 )
Cash, and cash equivalents at beginning of period     3,293,738       5,121,743  
Cash, and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 1,353,734     $ 2,409,847  
                 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:                
Interest paid   $ (11,908 )   $ (11,358 )
Income taxes paid            
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:                
Issuance of Common Stock for forgiveness of related party note            
Issuance of Common Stock options for consulting services            

 

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

 

4

 

 

Lipella Pharmaceuticals Inc.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Note 1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

 

Nature of Business

 

Lipella Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing new drugs by reformulating the active agents in existing generic drugs and optimizing these reformulations for new applications. Our operations consist of research, preclinical development and clinical development activities, and our most advanced program is in Phase 2 clinical development. Since our inception in 2005, we have historically financed our operations through a combination of federal grant revenue, licensing revenue, manufacturing revenue, as well as equity and debt financing.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The Company’s unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to the authoritative GAAP as found in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. The interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that may occur for the full fiscal year. Certain information and footnote disclosure normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to instructions, rules, and regulations prescribed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The unaudited condensed interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 that was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 27, 2024 (our “Annual Report”).

 

On November 7, 2024, we effected an 8-for-1 reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of all outstanding shares of our common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Common Stock”). Net loss per share and all share data for have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split for all periods presented, in accordance with ASC 260-10-55-22, Restatement of EPS Data. See Note 15 for more information.  

 

5

 

 

Note 2. Going Concern

 

The accompanying condensed financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, which contemplate continuation of the Company as a going concern. The Company has not established a source of revenues sufficient to cover its operating costs and will require significant additional capital to continue its research and development programs, including progressing clinical product candidates to commercialization and preparing for commercial-scale manufacturing and sales.

 

The Company’s net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 was $3,574,592 and $4,618,965, respectively. Since inception, the Company has incurred historical losses and has an accumulated deficit of $13,898,436 at September 30, 2024 and $10,323,843 at December 31, 2023, respectively. At September 30, 2024, the Company had available cash and cash equivalents of $1,353,734 and net working capital of $1,378,779. The Company anticipates operating losses to continue for the foreseeable future due to, among other things, costs related to: research, development of product candidates, conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials, and administrative organization. These funds, and our funds available under existing government contracts, may not be sufficient to enable us to meet our obligations as they come due at least for the next twelve months from the issuance date of these financial statements.

 

If we are unable to obtain additional capital (which is not assured at this time), our long-term business plan may not be accomplished, and we may be forced to curtail or cease operations. These factors individually and collectively raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from this uncertainty.

 

Note 3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 3, “Accounting Policies,” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 27, 2024. There have been no material changes to the significant accounting policies during the three-month period ended September 30, 2024, except for items mentioned below.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of these financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2024, no new accounting pronouncement was issued or became effective, that had or is expected to have, a material impact on our Financial Statements.

 

6

 

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

The Company’s grant revenues and grant receivables are from the National Institute of Health (the “NIH”). The NIH is an agency of the United States Department of Health & Human Services, and the Company believes amounts are fully collectible from this agency. Contract revenues were $362,691 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and $80,380 for the three months ended September 30, 2024.

 

Earnings Per Share

 

Basic net loss per share of Common Stock is computed by dividing the net loss for the period by the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share of Common Stock is computed giving effect to all dilutive Common Stock equivalents, consisting of stock options and warrants. Diluted net loss per share of Common Stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 is the same as basic net loss per share, as the Common Stock equivalents were anti-dilutive due to the net loss.

 

At September 30, 2024 and 2023 the Common Stock equivalent shares were, as follows:

                 
    September 30,  
    2024     2023  
Shares of Common Stock issuable under equity incentive plans outstanding     361,625       309,750  
Shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants     331,927       17,999  
Shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series A Preferred Stock            
Common Stock equivalent shares excluded from diluted net loss per share     693,552       327,749  

 

 

 

Note 4. Fair Value Measurements and Marketable Debt Securities

 

In accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”), the Company measures its assets and liabilities at fair value. We apply the three-level valuation hierarchy as described in ASC 820, which is based upon the transparency of input as of the measurement date. The three levels of inputs as defined are:

 

Level 1 - Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

 

Level 2 - Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instruments.

 

Level 3 - Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

 

At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of: cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued liabilities. For cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, the carrying amounts of these financial instruments as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were considered representative of their fair values due to their short term to maturity.

 

7

 

 

The Company held no marketable securities at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. For cash equivalents at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair value input levels are summarized below:

 

September 30, 2024   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Cash Equivalents (maturity less than 90 days)                                
Commercial Paper   $     $     $     $  
U.S. Government                        
Money market funds     1,242,327                   1,248,327  
Total Cash equivalents     1,248,327                   1,248,327  
                                 
Marketable Securities                        
Total Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities   $ 1,248,327     $     $     $ 1,248,327  

 

December 31, 2023   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Cash Equivalents (maturity less than 90 days)                                
Commercial Paper   $     $     $     $  
U.S. Government                        
Money market funds     3,052,648                   3,052,648  
Total Cash equivalents     3,052,648                   3,052,648  
                                 
Marketable Securities                        
Total Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities   $ 3,052,648     $     $     $ 3,052,648  

 

 

Note 5. Prepaid Expenses

 

At September 30, 2024, prepaid expenses were $695,151, and consisted primarily of prepaid insurance of $94,599, prepaid costs of issuance of $100,559, an advance deposit with our clinical trial management partner of $400,410, and $99,583 in other prepaid expenses related primarily to professional services. At December 31, 2023, prepaid expenses consisted of $88,554 of prepaid insurance, and $14,702 of prepaid expenses.

 

Note 6. Accrued Expenses

 

At September 30, 2024, accrued expenses were $89,773, consisting of unbilled legal and professional expenses. At December 31, 2023, accrued expenses totaled $77,280 and consisted of $19,575 in clinical expenses, $52,050 in franchise tax expenses, and $5,655 in unbilled professional services expenses.

 

Note 7. Notes Payable – Related Party

 

There were no notes payable outstanding at September 30, 2024 or December 31, 2023.

 

8

 

 

Note 8. Letter of Credit

 

The Company has a letter of credit with a bank for an aggregate available amount of $50,000 due upon demand. The letter of credit is collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s assets and personally guaranteed by Dr. Jonathan Kaufman, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The outstanding advances under the line of credit bear interest at the lending bank’s prime rate plus 3.10%. The outstanding balance was $0 at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

 

Note 9. Stock Options

 

The Company has two stock incentive plans (each, a “Stock Option Plan” and collectively, the “Stock Option Plans”), each of which provides for the grant of both incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options. Under the terms of the Stock Option Plans, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock for which incentive and/or non-qualified stock options may be issued is 434,750 shares, after retroactively applying the effects of the Reverse Stock Split. This number comprises 134,750 stock options already issued and outstanding (non-expired) from the 2008 stock option plan, and 300,000 shares of Common Stock underlying option awards that may be issuable under the 2020 stock option plan. Incentive stock options are granted with an exercise price determined by the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”). The terms of the vesting of such options, including termination, are as set forth in the Stock Option Plans and their respective award agreements. Such stock options generally expire 10 years from the date of the grant. Subject to certain exceptions for grants made to employees who are large stockholders, stock options granted under the Stock Option Plans have an exercise price not less than the fair market value of the underlying Common Stock on the date of such grant. If an employee leaves the Company prior to fully vesting their option awards and the remaining unvested portion is considered forfeited, the earlier recognition of the unvested shares is reversed during the period of forfeiture. As of September 30, 2024, there were $80,667 in unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted, to be recognized over the remaining vesting period of less than one year.

 

The Company recognized $379,726 and $298,759 of compensation costs related to stock option vesting for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company recognized $668,730 of compensation costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and $1,355,016 of compensation costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

 

The following is an analysis of options to purchase shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

 

    Shares     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price Per
Share ($)
    Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(in Years)
    Aggregate
intrinsic
value ($)
 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2022     256,750     $ 22.72       5.51     $ 605,687  
Granted     53,000     $ 17.52       9.96     $  
Expired                              
Cancelled     (3,125 )   $ 17.52                  
Exercised                              
Outstanding as of December 31, 2023     306,625     $ 21.84       5.19     $  
Granted     55,000     $ 6.16       9.96     $  
Expired                              
Cancelled                              
Exercised                              
Outstanding as of March 31, 2024     361,625     $ 19.44       5.70     $  
Granted                              
Expired                              
Cancelled                              
Exercised                              
Outstanding as of June 30, 2024     361,625     $ 19.44       5.45     $  
Granted                              
Expired                              
Cancelled                              
Exercised                              
Outstanding as of September 30, 2024     361,625     $ 19.44       5.20     $  
Vested as of September 30, 2024     343,292                          
Exercisable as of September 30, 2024     343,292                          
Exercisable as of December 31, 2023     284,042                          

 

9

 

 

A summary of status of the Company’s non-vested stock options (exercisable for shares of Common Stock on a one-to-one basis) as of, and changes during, the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 is presented below:

 

    Number of
Stock Options
    Weighted-
Average Fair
Value Grant
Date
 
Nonvested at December 31, 2022     54,333     $ 22.56  
Granted     53,000       17.52  
Vested     (84,750 )     18.88  
Expired            
Nonvested at September 30, 2023     22,583     $ 22.48  
                 
Nonvested at December 31, 2023     22,583     $ 22.48  
Granted     55,000       4.40  
Vested     (59,250 )     6.32  
Expired            
Nonvested at September 30, 2024     18,333     $ 4.40  

 

In the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, the Company granted options as described below.  

 

Stock Option Grants - On March 15, 2024, the Company granted 55,000 stock options at a $6.16 strike price, vesting as follows: one third of such grant vests on April 1, 2024, one third of such grant vests on July 1, 2024, and one third of such grant vests on October 1, 2024.

 

 On June 16, 2023, the Company issued 53,000 stock options at a $17.52 strike price, vesting immediately upon issuance.

 

The weighted-average fair value of stock options on the date of grant and the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model are as follows:

 

Nine months ended September 30,   2024     2023  
Weighted-average fair value of options granted   $ 4.40     $ 12.00  
Expected volatility     86.17 %     83.47 %
Expected life (in years)     5.17       5.04  
Risk-free interest rate (range)     4.33 %     3.99 %
Expected dividend yield   $     $  

 

Note 10. Preferred Stock

 

The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation authorizes as aggregate of 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), of the Company, issuable from time to time in one or more series. There was no Preferred Stock outstanding during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 or the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

10

 

 

In the year ended December 31, 2022, all outstanding shares of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), were converted to Common Stock on a 1:1 basis. There were no shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding at December 31, 2023 or September 30, 2024. The Series A Preferred Stock was cancelled and eliminated by the Company on April 11, 2024.

 

Note 11. Common Stock

 

The Company’s second amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), authorizes the issuance of 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock. After considering the effects of the Reverse Split, there were 1,091,205 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and 756,745 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023.

 

On August 1, 2024, we issued 49,875 shares of our Common Stock to an institutional investor at an offering price of $0.62 per share, along with 209,625 pre-funded warrants to purchase the same number of shares of Common Stock. See Note 12 for details of the pre-funded warrants.  

 

On August 16, 2024, 12,500 shares of Common Stock were issued for the exercise of the same number of pre-funded warrants. On September 17, 2024, 28,125 shares of Common Stock were issued for the exercise of the same number of pre-funded warrants. On September 24, 2024, 25,000 shares of Common Stock were issued for the exercise of the same number of pre-funded warrants. On September 26, 2024, an additional 25,000 shares of Common Stock were issued for the exercise of the same number of pre-funded warrants.

 

Notice of Failure to Satisfy Nasdaq Minimum Bid Price Requirement

 

As disclosed in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 19, 2024, on April 17, 2024, the Company received a written notification (the “April Nasdaq Letter”) from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications staff (the “Staff”) of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) notifying the Company that, based upon the closing bid price of the Common Stock for the last 30 consecutive business days, the Company was not in compliance with the requirement to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share of its Common Stock, as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”). The April Nasdaq Letter had no immediate effect on the listing of the Common Stock, which continues to trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market. 

 

Nasdaq provided the Company with 180 calendar days, or until October 14, 2024, to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement.

 

As disclosed in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 23, 2024, the Company received a letter from the Staff on August 21, 2024 stating that it was not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1), which requires companies listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market to maintain a minimum of $2,500,000 in stockholders’ equity for continued listing (the “Stockholders’ Equity Requirement”). The Company reported stockholders’ equity of $1,703,798 in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and, as a result, it was not in compliance with the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement.

 

As disclosed in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 18, 2024, the Staff notified the Company on October 16, 2024 that it would delist the Common Stock from the Nasdaq Capital Market, and in response, the Company timely requested an appeal of such notice to a Nasdaq hearing panel (the “Panel”). The Nasdaq hearing date has been set for December 12, 2024. While the appeal process is pending, the suspension of trading of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market will continue to be stayed until the hearing process concludes and the Panel issues a decision. See also Note 15, Subsequent Events, for more information regarding the Reverse Stock Split.

 

Note 12. Warrants

 

On August 1, 2024, the Company conducted the August 2024 Offering. In connection therewith, the Company issued pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 208,375 shares of Common Stock at a price of $4,952, with an exercise price of $0.008 per share. The pre-funded warrants were immediately exercisable, subject to 4.99% and 9.99% beneficial ownership limitations (as applicable) and were exercisable at any time until exercised in full. The securities issued in the August 2024 Offering were issued pursuant to a prospectus supplement, dated July 31, 2024, to the registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-276815), declared effective by the SEC on February 8, 2024. In connection with the August 2024 Offering and pursuant to an engagement letter with H.C. Wainwright & Co. LLC (the “Placement Agent”), who served as the placement agent for the August 2024 Offering, the Company agreed to issue to the Placement Agent, as partial compensation for its services as Placement Agent, warrants to purchase up to 19,368 shares of Common Stock, which were exercisable immediately, subject to 4.99% and 9.99% beneficial ownership limitations (as applicable), expire on July 31, 2029, and have an exercise price of $6.20 per share. The gross proceeds to the Company from the August 2024 Offering were approximately $1,280,920, before deducting placement agent fees and expenses and offering expenses payable by the Company. As of September 30, 2024, 90,625 of the pre-funded warrants from the August 2024 Offering had been exercised and converted to shares of Common Stock and 117,750 pre-funded warrants remained. The Company had no warrant liabilities at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

 

11

 

 

Note 13. Commitment and Contingencies

 

Operating Leases

 

Operating leases are recorded as right of use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. ROU assets represent our right to use the leased assets for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its estimated incremental borrowing rate at the commencement date to determine the present value of lease payments. The operating lease ROU assets also include any lease payments made and exclude lease incentives.

 

The Company entered into a lease agreement beginning July 1, 2020, for the Company’s principal headquarters on the fifth floor of 7800 Susquehanna Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which includes office space and sterile manufacturing operations (the “Lease”). The Lease has a five-year term and includes an option for renewal, which is not reasonably certain and is excluded from the right of use calculation. On July 26, 2023, the Company entered a second lease for additional space on the fourth floor of the same building (the “Fourth Floor Lease”), commencing August 1, 2023 and co-terminating with the existing Lease on September 30, 2025. Subsequently effective January 1, 2024, the Company terminated the Fourth Floor Lease early at no penalty upon mutual agreement with the landlord and replaced it with a lease of additional space that had become available immediately adjacent to our existing offices (the “Suite 504 Lease”, and together with the “Lease”, “the Leases”). The Suite 504 Lease term co-terminates with the Lease. Future minimum rent payments under the Leases as of September 30, 2024 are as follows:

 

Year ending      
2024 (three months remaining at September 30, 2024)   $ 24,259  
2025   $ 48,519  
Total minimum lease payments   $ 72,778  
Less: amount representing interest   $ (2,636 )
Present value of minimum lease payments   $ 70,142  

 

The Leases are accounted for as a ROU asset and liability. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $69,555 of an operating lease ROU asset, and $70,830 of current lease liabilities, respectively, recorded on the balance sheets. There was no long term lease liability at September 30, 2024, as the existing leases end less than 12 months from the balance sheet date. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had an ROU asset of $135,144 and current and non-current operating lease liabilities of $89,223 and $47,371, respectively.

 

The lease expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 was $23,834 and $20,648, respectively. The lease expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 was $71,680 and $54,011, respectively. Cash paid for the amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $24,259 and $21,331, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $71,854 and $54,135, respectively. The payments are included in the operating activities in the accompanying statement of cash flows. The discount rates used for our right-of-use leases range from 6.25% to 7.25%.

 

Contract Commitments

 

The Company enters into contracts in the normal course of business with contract research organizations (“CROs”), contract manufacturing organizations, universities, and other third parties for preclinical research studies, clinical trials and testing and manufacturing services. These contracts generally do not contain minimum purchase commitments and are cancellable by us upon prior written notice although, purchase orders for clinical materials are generally non-cancellable. Payments due upon cancellation consist only of payments for services provided or expenses incurred, including non-cancellable obligations of our service providers, up to the date of cancellation or upon the completion of a manufacturing run.

 

12

 

 

Note 14. Income Taxes

 

The provision for income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $0, resulting in an effective income tax rate of 0% for each period. The Company’s effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was primarily due to the full valuation allowance against the Company’s net deferred tax assets.

 

The Company regularly evaluates the realizability of its deferred tax assets and establishes a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be utilized. Because of our cumulative losses, substantially all of the deferred tax assets have been fully offset by a valuation allowance as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. We have not paid income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2023. The income tax provision attributable to loss before income tax benefit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% as a result of the following:

 

 

         
Statutory federal income tax rate     21.00 %
State taxes, net of federal benefit     7.11 %
Change in valuation allowance     -28.11 %
Effective tax rate     0.00 %

 

The Company’s 2019 through 2023 tax years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for federal tax purposes and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for state tax purposes.

 

Note 15. Subsequent Events

 

Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date on which the unaudited condensed financial statements were issued, and no material events were identified, except as disclosed below.

 

On October 15, 2024, 117,750 pre-funded warrants were exercised and exchanged for the same number of shares of Common Stock.

 

On November 7, 2024, the Company, acting pursuant to authority received at an annual meeting of its stockholders on September 10, 2024, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of amendment (the “Charter Amendment”) to the Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split on November 7, 2024. As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, every eight (8) shares of Common Stock were exchanged for one (1) share of Common Stock. The Common Stock began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on a split-adjusted basis at the start of trading on November 8, 2024. The Reverse Stock Split did not affect the total number of shares of capital stock, including the Common Stock, that the Company is authorized to issue, which remain as set forth pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation. The Reverse Stock Split also has a proportionate effect on all other options and warrants of the Company outstanding as of the effective date of the Reverse Stock Split.

 

Net loss per share and all share data as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split in accordance with ASC 260-10-55-12, Restatement of EPS Data.

 

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

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 should be read together with our unaudited condensed financial statements and related notes included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024 (this “Form 10-Q”), as well as the audited financial statements, the related notes thereto and management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, that was filed with the SEC on February 27, 2024 (our “Annual Report”), and all risk factors disclosed herein and therein. Such discussion contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as well as information relating to our business that reflect our management’s current views, expectations and assumptions concerning our business, strategies, products, future results and events and financial performance, which are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause our, or our industry’s, actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity or achievements or that our underlying assumptions will prove to be correct. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any update or revisions to any such forward-looking statement to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or to conform such forward-looking statements to actual results. Statements made in this Form 10-Q, other than statements of historical fact, addressing operating performance, events, or developments which our management expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, and also statements related to expected or anticipated growth, revenues, profitability, new products, adequacy of funds from operations, statements expressing general optimism about future operating results, and other non-historical information, are forward-looking statements. In particular, the words “may,” “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “potential,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” believes,” “estimates,” “continue,” “likely to,” and variations of such words and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but such words are not the exclusive means of identifying such forward-looking statements, and their absence does not necessarily mean that such statement is not forward-looking.  

 

Overview   

 

We are a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing new drugs by reformulating the active agents in existing generic drugs and optimizing these reformulations for new applications. We believe that this strategy combines many of the cost efficiencies and risk abatements derived from using existing generic drugs with potential patent protections for our proprietary formulations; this strategy allows us to expedite, protect, and monetize our product candidates. Additionally, we maintain a therapeutic focus on diseases with significant, unaddressed morbidity and mortality where no approved drug therapy currently exists. We believe that this focus can potentially help reduce the cost, time and risk associated with obtaining marketing approval.

 

LP-10 is the development name of our reformulation of tacrolimus (an approved generic active agent) specifically optimized for topical deposition to the internal surface of the urinary bladder lumen using a proprietary drug delivery platform that we have developed and that we refer to as our metastable liposome drug delivery platform (our “Platform”). We are developing LP-10 and our Platform to be, to our knowledge, the first drug candidate and drug delivery technology that could be successful in treating cancer survivors who acquire hemorrhagic cystitis. We have received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) “orphan drug” designation covering LP-10 and plan to apply for additional regulatory designations in the event we achieve qualifying results in clinical trials for LP-10. Market data exclusivity may be available in the U.S. and other jurisdictions in which regulatory approval is obtained for the Company’s product, regardless of patent status.

 

The safety and efficacy of LP-10 was evaluated in a 13-subject, open-label, multi-center, dose-escalation, phase 2a clinical trial in patients experiencing complications associated with a rare but highly morbid disease called “radiation-induced hemorrhagic cystitis” or “radiation cystitis.” This phase 2a clinical trial commenced on February 15, 2021, and we reported the trial’s summary results in the first quarter of 2023. We met with the FDA in the fourth quarter of 2023 regarding the LP-10 clinical trial results, and on April 3, 2024, the FDA granted a Type C meeting request to discuss our proposed Phase-2b clinical trial design for the evaluation of LP-10. We have submitted to the FDA a full Phase 2b multi-center prospective double-blind placebo controlled trial that is ready to initiate.

 

There is currently no FDA approved drug therapy available for radiation cystitis patients, who are all cancer survivors who received pelvic radiation therapy to treat solid pelvic tumors, including prostate and ovarian cancers, and who are now dealing with therapy-associated complications, including urinary bleeding (a radiation cystitis symptom). LP-10’s active ingredient, tacrolimus, which has a well-known pharmacology and toxicology, addresses a reduction (or cessation) of uncontrolled urinary bleeding.

 

14

 

 

In the fourth quarter of 2023, we received IND approval from the FDA for LP-310, our product for the treatment of oral lichen planus (“OLP”). We have begun the clinical trial process for LP-310, and initiated the first clinical site in the second quarter of 2024. Three patients have completed the trial, and we expect topline results before the end of 2024. OLP is a chronic, T-cell-mediated, autoimmune oral mucosal disease, and LP-310 contains tacrolimus which inhibits T-lymphocyte activation. To date, upon review of relevant FDA public data resources on approved drugs and biologics, we are not aware of any other liposomal products developed to treat such disease.

 

In the first quarter of 2024, we received IND approval from the FDA for LP-410, our phase-1/2a product, for the treatment of oral graft-versus-host disease (“GVHD”). LP-410 is an oral rinse, similar to LP-310, but will have a different containment system. Hematopoietic cell transplantation (“HCT”) is used to treat a wide range of malignancies, hematologic and immune deficiency states, and autoimmune diseases. GVHD is a clinical syndrome where donor-derived immunocompetent T-cells react against patient tissues directly or through exaggerated inflammatory responses following HCT. Lipella has developed LP-410 for the topical delivery directly to the mouth surface. LP-410 targets the underlying mechanisms of oral GVHD, potentially providing a safe and effective treatment option for affected individuals. Lipella received “orphan drug” designation approval on November 11, 2023 for tacrolimus for the treatment of oral GVHD.

 

Since our inception in 2005, we have focused primarily on business planning and progressing our lead product candidates, including progressing LP-10 through clinical development, raising capital, organizing and staffing the Company. On December 22, 2022, we completed our initial public offering (the “IPO”) and issued an aggregate of 152,174 shares of Common Stock at a price of $46 per share, as retroactively adjusted to reflect the Reverse Split. The aggregate net proceeds from the IPO were approximately $5.0 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of approximately $630,000 and offering expenses of approximately $1.16 million.

 

Recent Developments    

 

 Nasdaq Notifications

 

As previously disclosed, on April 17, 2024, and August 21, 2024, the Company received letters from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications staff (the “Staff”) of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) stating that it was not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”) and Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1) (the “Stockholders’ Equity Requirement”), respectively. On October 16, 2024, the Company received a letter (the “October Letter”) from the Staff stating that although the Company submitted a plan to regain compliance with the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement on October 4, 2024, the Common Stock would be delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market unless such determination is appealed to a Nasdaq Hearings Panel (the “Panel”) by October 23, 2024. On October 17, 2024, the Company requested a hearing before the Panel to appeal such determination and the hearing has been set for December 12, 2024. While the appeal process is pending, the suspension of trading of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market continues to be stayed until the hearing process concludes and the Panel issues a decision.

 

Reverse Stock Split

 

On November 7, 2024, the Company executed a 1-for-8 reverse stock-split of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”), whereby every 8 shares of Common Stock was consolidated into 1 share of Common Stock following the Reverse Stock Split. See “Note 15 – Subsequent Events” of the notes to the Company’s unaudited condensed financial statements in this Form 10-Q as well as the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the SEC on November 7, 2024 for more information regarding the Reverse Stock Split.

 

Results of Operations 

 

Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

 

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):

 

   For the Three Months
Ended
     
   September 30,   Increase 
   2024   2023   (Decrease) 
 (in thousands)            
Revenue  $80   $104   $(24)
Operating expenses:               
Research and development (“R&D”)   1,047    833    213 
General and administrative   493    628    (135)
Total operating expenses   1,540    1,461    79 
Loss from operations   (1,460)   (1,357)   (103)
Other income   15    33    (18)
Net loss  $(1,445)  $(1,324)  $(121)

  

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Grants and Other Revenue

 

We have not yet commercialized any products and we do not expect to generate revenue from sales of any product candidates for several years. For the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we recognized revenue from a grant awarded by the National Institutes of Health (“NIH”) in September of 2022 (the “2022 NIH Grant”), which was an award of an aggregate of $673,000. NIH approved an additional year of funding under the 2022 NIH Grant in June 2023, increasing the total funding provided under the 2022 NIH Grant to $1,353,000.

 

We recognize revenue from grants when the related costs are incurred and the right to payment is realized. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, we earned $80,000 in connection with the 2022 NIH Grant, recognized as revenue, compared with $104,000 of revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in annual grant revenue of $24,000 was driven by lower subcontractor costs on the grant work.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Our operating expenses consist of (i) R&D expenses and (ii) general and administrative expenses.

 

Research and Development Expenses

 

R&D costs primarily consist of direct costs associated with consultants and materials, biologic storage, third party CRO costs and contract development and manufacturing expenses, salaries and other personnel-related expenses. R&D costs are expensed as incurred. More specifically, these costs include:

 

  costs of funding research performed by third parties that conduct research and development and nonclinical and clinical activities on our behalf;
  costs of manufacturing drug supply and drug product;
  costs of conducting nonclinical studies and clinical trials of our product candidates;
  consulting and professional fees related to research and development activities, including equity-based compensation to non-employees;
  costs related to compliance with clinical regulatory requirements; and
  employee-related expenses, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation expense for our research and development personnel.

 

Costs for certain activities are recognized based on an evaluation of the progress to completion of specific tasks using data, such as information provided to us by our vendors, and analyzing the progress of our nonclinical and clinical studies or other services performed. Significant judgment and estimates are made in determining the accrued expense balances at the end of any reporting period. Advance payments that we make for goods or services to be received in the future for use in R&D activities are recorded as prepaid expenses. Such amounts are recognized as an expense as the goods are delivered or the related services are performed, or until it is no longer expected that the goods will be delivered or the services rendered.

 

We expect that our R&D expenses will increase substantially in connection with our clinical development activities for our LP-10 and LP-310 programs. At this time, we cannot accurately estimate or know the nature, timing and costs of the efforts that will be necessary to complete the clinical development of, or obtain regulatory approval for, any of our current or future product candidates. This is due to the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with product development and commercialization, including the specific factors set forth in the section of our Annual Report titled “Risk Factors.” If any events described in the applicable risk factors included in the section of our Annual Report titled “Risk Factors” occur, then the costs and timing associated with the development of any of our product candidates could significantly change. We may never succeed in obtaining regulatory approval for, of commercialization of, LP-10, LP-310, or any of our other product candidates.

 

R&D expenses increased by approximately $213,000, to $1,047,000, for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $833,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in R&D expenses was attributable to an increase in stock option expense of $40,000, related to partial vesting of the March 2024 option grants, as well as an increase in outside services of $131,000 for clinical study trials. In the three months ended September 30, 2024, personnel costs increased by $16,000, and indirect costs related to operational overhead and employee benefits increased $12,000, and supplies for lab and clinical trial work increased by approximately $14,000, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. 

 

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General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of management and business consultants and other related costs, including stock-based compensation. General and administrative expenses also include board of directors’ expenses and professional fees for legal, patent, consulting, accounting, auditing, tax services and insurance costs.

 

There were $493,000 of general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $628,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2023, a decrease of $135,000. Outside services, including legal and investor relations services, decreased by approximately $56,000, and Board compensation decreased by $125,000 as compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2023. This was offset by an increase in stock option expense of $41,000 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, related to the partial vesting of the March 2024 option grants.

 

Net Other Income (Expense)

 

Net other income for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $15,000, as compared to $33,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The change reflected an approximately $18,000 decrease in interest income on the Company’s short term investment portfolio, driven by lower investment balances. 

 

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

 

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):

 

    Nine Months Ended        
    September 30,     Increase  
    2024     2023     (Decrease)  
 (in thousands)                  
Revenue   $ 363     $ 329     $ 34  
Operating expenses:                        
 R&D     2,551       2,585       (34
 General and administrative     1,441       1,760       (319
 Total operating expenses     3,992       4,345        (353
Loss from operations     (3,629      (4,016      387  
Other income (expense)     55       86       (31
Net loss   $  (3,574   $  (3,930   $ 356  

 

Grants and Other Revenue

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we earned $363,000 in connection with a grant from the NIH, recognized as revenue. We received $329,000 in revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in annual grant revenue from 2023 to 2024 of $34,000 is related to both the amount of time spent on the grant project, as well as increased salaries and overhead costs associated.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Research and Development Expenses

 

The following table summarizes our R&D expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):

 

    Nine Months Ended        
    September 30,     Increase  
 (in thousands)    2024     2023     (Decrease)  
                   
Direct R&D expenses for the LP-10 product candidate program:                        
 Employee-related costs   $ 60,000     $ 133,000     $ (73,000 )
 Employee stock option expense     56,000       220,000       (164,000 )
 Outsourced R&D     95,000       140,000       (45,000 )
 Facility-related costs     37,000       67,000       (30,000 )
Platform development, early-stage research and unallocated expenses:                        
 Employee-related costs     619,000       448,000       171,000  
 Employee stock option expense     529,000       796,000       (267,000 )
 Outsourced R&D     802,000       534,000       268,000  
 Facility-related costs     353,000       247,000       105,000  
Total research and development expenses   $ 2,551,000     $ 2,585,000     $ (34,000 )

 

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R&D expenses decreased by approximately $34,000, with expenses of $2,551,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, versus $2,585,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in R&D expenses was primarily attributable to a decrease in stock option expense versus the prior year by $431,000. This was offset by increases in 2024 of indirect overhead costs of $144,000, including employee benefits, overhead and facility related costs, office and lab expenses and supplies. There was also an increase in outside services of $233,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023, related to planning and launching our current clinical trial.

 

General and Administrative Expenses 

 

General and administrative expenses were approximately $1,441,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $1,760,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. General and administrative expenses decreased by approximately $319,000, including a decrease in stock option expense of $256,000, with higher costs in the prior year related to our June 2023 option grants to employees and directors. Simultaneously, board compensation decreased by $125,000, and there was an increase in outside services of $270,000, which includes investor relations and other shareholder services, offset by a decrease in legal fees of $205,000.

 

Net Other Income (Expense)

 

Net other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was approximately $55,000, as compared to $86,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This balance primarily included (i) cash interest income, (ii) unrealized loss on investments, and (iii) non-cash interest expense on related party notes in 2023. A higher cash investment balance in 2023 resulted in a decrease of $42,000 in interest on short term investments in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This was offset by a decrease in interest expense on related party notes of $11,000, due to a reduction in the balance of debt outstanding. See Note 7 of the notes to our unaudited condensed financial statements in this Form 10-Q as well as Note 7 of the notes to our financial statements in our Annual Report for details of such related party notes and accrued interest at the respective periods.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Sources of Liquidity

 

We have not yet commercialized any products, and we do not expect to generate revenue from sales of any product candidates for several years, if at all. Cash and cash equivalents totaled $1,353,734 as of September 30, 2024. We consider all highly liquid investments that mature in 90 days or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

 

We have incurred operating losses and experienced negative operating cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the year ended December 31, 2023, and we anticipate that we will continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future. Our net loss totaled $3,574,592 and $3,930,081 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 respectively, and $4,618,965 for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

Historically, we have financed our operations through a combination of grant revenue and equity financing, however our goals for the foreseeable future will likely require significant equity financing. Our ability to achieve significant profitability depends on our ability to successfully complete the development of, and obtain the regulatory approvals necessary to commercialize, LP-10 and/or our other product candidates, which may not occur for several years, if ever. The net losses we incur may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter.

 

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Cash Flows

 

The following table provides information regarding our cash flows for each of the periods presented (in thousands):

 

    For the Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,  
 Dollars in thousands   2024     2023  
             
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities   $  (2,960 )   $  (2,423 )
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities     --       (14 )
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities     1,020       (275 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   $ (1,940 )   $ (2,712 )

 

Net Cash (Used) Provided in Operating Activities

 

Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was approximately $2,960,000. This comprised a net loss for the period of approximately $3,574,000, and increased prepaid expenses (primarily insurance policies, outside services, and clinical trial operations services) of $592,000, offset by increased operating liabilities of $333,000. There were also non-cash adjustments reducing the net loss by $669,000 in stock option expense and $200,000 in shares of Common Stock issued for services.

 

Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was approximately $2,423,000. This comprised a net loss for the period of approximately $3,930,000, and decreased operating liabilities of $383,000, offset by decreases in the following assets: grants receivable of $60,000 and prepaid expenses (primarily insurance policies and consulting services) of $356,000. There were also and noncash adjustments to net loss of $1,355,000 in stock option expense.

 

Net Cash (Used) Provided by Investing Activities

 

There was no cash used in investing activities for the nine month period ended September 30, 2024. In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, cash of $14,000 was invested in the purchase of laboratory equipment.

 

Net Cash (Used) Provided by Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was approximately $1,020,000, received for the issuance of Common Stock. Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $275,000 in cash, of which $25,000 was used to fully repay a line of credit and $250,000 was used to fully repay a related party note.

 

Funding Requirements

 

We expect our expenses to increase substantially in connection with our ongoing R&D activities, particularly as we continue R&D, advance clinical trials of LP-10 and advance the preclinical development of our other programs, including LP-310. In addition, we expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company. As a result, we expect to incur substantial operating losses and negative operating cash flows for the foreseeable future.

 

Based on our current operating plan, we believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund our operations and capital expenses into 2025. However, we have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could exhaust our capital resources sooner than we expect.

 

Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with research, development and commercialization of LP-10, LP-310 and our other and future product candidates, we are unable to estimate the exact amount of our working capital requirements. Our future funding requirements will depend on, and could increase significantly as a result of, many factors, including, but not limited to, those referenced above in “— Results of Operations — Operating Expenses — Research and Development Expenses”.

 

Going Concern

 

The unaudited condensed financial statements of the Company have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the discharge of liabilities in the normal course of business. We have generated losses from operations since inception. The Company expects operating losses to continue in the foreseeable future because of additional costs and expenses related to research and development activities, plans to expand its product portfolio, and increasing its market share. The Company’s ability to transition attaining profitable operations is dependent upon achieving a level of revenues adequate to support its cost structure. The timing and amount of our actual expenditures will be based on many factors, including cash flows from operations and the anticipated growth of our business.

 

Management of the Company may raise additional funds through the issuance of equity securities or debt. There can be no assurance that such financing will be available at terms acceptable to the Company, if at all. Failure to generate sufficient cash flows from operations and raise additional capital could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to achieve its intended business objectives. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We did not have during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, or the year ended December 31, 2023, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under applicable SEC rules.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

We did not have during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 or the year ended December 31, 2023, and we do not currently have, any material contractual obligations, such as license agreements or similar arrangements, other than as described below and in the financial notes to our unaudited condensed financial statements included in this Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report.

 

Employment Agreements

 

We are party to employment agreements with each of Drs. Kaufman and Chancellor and Mr. Johnston, executive officers of the Company, the material terms of each of which are described in the section entitled “Executive Compensation – Executive Employment Agreements” of our Annual Report, which descriptions are supplemented by the disclosure of the August 2023 amendments to our agreements with Drs. Kaufman and Chancellor contained in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 8, 2023, and as described in our Annual Report.

 

Lease Agreement

 

We are party to a lease agreement, dated June 1, 2019, with Bridgeway Development Corporation (“Bridgeway”), as amended, for the lease of 2,690 square feet of office and lab and manufacturing space in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania commencing on July 1, 2020 (the “Lease”). The Lease term expires on September 30, 2025 and we have the right to exercise a one-time option to extend the Lease term for an additional five-year term. The annual base rent under the Lease is approximately $66,000. On July 26, 2023, the Company entered into a second lease for additional space on the fourth floor of the same building (the “Fourth Floor Lease,” and together with the Lease, the “Leases”), commencing August 1, 2023 and co-terminating with the Lease on June 30, 2025. Annual rent under the Fourth Floor Lease was approximately $28,000. As space became available in the immediate proximity to our existing offices at the beginning of 2024, we terminated the Fourth Floor Lease upon mutual agreement with the landlord and replaced it with a lease for Suite 504 (“the Suite 504 Lease”). The Suite 504 Lease is effective January 1, 2024 and the term co-terminates with the Lease. The annual base rent for the current year for the Suite 504 Lease is approximately $29,000. See Note 13 of the notes to our unaudited condensed financial statements included in this Form 10-Q for more details.

 

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Service Agreements

 

We enter into service agreements in the normal course of business with CROs and for clinical trials, preclinical research studies and testing, manufacturing, and other services and products for operating purposes. These contracts do not contain any minimum purchase commitments. Certain agreements provide for termination rights subject to termination fees or wind down costs. Under such agreements, we are contractually obligated to make certain payments to vendors, mainly to reimburse them for their unrecoverable outlays incurred prior to cancellation. The exact amounts of such obligations are dependent on the timing of termination, and the exact terms of the relevant agreement and cannot be reasonably estimated. The expense we incurred pursuant to these agreements for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was approximately $694,000, which was an increase of approximately $93,000 over the $601,000 expense incurred for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The spending was primarily attributable to expenses relating to our ongoing research and development work, and costs related to our clinical trials for LP-310 in 2024. in During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, spending was primarily related to oral toxicology testing for LP-310, along with FDA and grant writing support expenses. 

  

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates

 

This management’s discussion and analysis is based on our unaudited condensed financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reported periods. We base our estimates on historical experience, known trends and events, and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our judgments and estimates in light of changes in circumstances, facts and experience. The effects of material revisions in estimates, if any, will be reflected in the financial statements prospectively from the date of change in estimates.

 

While our accounting policies are described in more detail in the notes to our financial statements included in our Annual Report, we believe the following accounting policies used in the preparation of our financial statements require the most significant judgments and estimates. See Note 3 of the notes to our financial statements in our Annual Report for a description of our other significant accounting policies.

 

Accrued Expenses

 

As part of the process of preparing our financial statements, we are required to estimate our accrued third-party R&D expenses as of each balance sheet date. This process involves reviewing open contracts and purchase orders, communicating with our personnel to identify services that have been performed on our behalf, and estimating the level of service performed and the associated cost incurred for the service when we have not yet been invoiced or otherwise notified of the actual cost. The majority of our service providers invoice us monthly in arrears for services performed or when contractual milestones are met. We make estimates of our accrued expenses as of each balance sheet date based on facts and circumstances known to us at that time. We periodically confirm the accuracy of our estimates with the service providers and make adjustments if necessary. The significant estimates in our accrued R&D expenses include the costs incurred for services performed by our vendors in connection with R&D activities for which we have not yet been invoiced.

 

We base our expenses related to R&D activities on our estimates of the services received and efforts expended pursuant to quotes and contracts with vendors that conduct R&D activities on our behalf. The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation, vary from contract to contract and may result in uneven payment flows. There may be instances in which payments made to our vendors will exceed the level of services provided and result in a prepayment of the R&D expense. In accruing service fees, we estimate the time period over which services will be performed and the level of effort to be expended in each period. If the actual timing of the performance of services or the level of effort varies from our estimate, we adjust the accrual or prepaid balance accordingly. Non-refundable advance payments for goods and services that will be used in future R&D activities are expensed when the activity has been performed or when the goods have been received rather than when the payment is made.

 

Although we do not expect our estimates to be materially different from amounts incurred, if our estimates of the status and timing of services performed differ from the actual status and timing of services performed, it could result in us reporting amounts that are too high or too low in any particular period. To date, there have been no material differences between our estimates of such expenses and the amounts incurred.

 

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Stock-Based Compensation

 

We measure stock-based compensation based on the grant date fair value of the stock-based awards and recognize stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the awards, which is generally the vesting period of the respective award. For non-employee awards, compensation expense is recognized as the services are provided, which is generally ratably over the vesting period. We account for forfeitures as they occur. On January 1, 2018, we adopted, using the modified retroactive approach, the guidance of Accounting Standard Update 2018-07, Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718) — Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2018-07”), and account for awards to non-employees using the grant date fair value without subsequent periodic remeasurement. The adoption of ASU 2018-07 did not have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

We classify stock-based compensation expense in our statements of operations in the same manner in which the award recipient’s salary and related costs are classified or in which the award recipient’s service payments are classified. In future periods, we expect stock-based compensation expense to increase, due in part to our existing unrecognized stock-based compensation expense and as we grant additional stock-based awards to continue to attract and retain our employees.

 

We determine the fair value of restricted Common Stock awards granted based on the fair value of our Common Stock. We have historically determined the fair value of the underlying Common Stock based on input from management and the board of directors and the Company’s enterprise value determined utilizing various methods, including the “back-solve” method. The total enterprise value, determined from the back-solve method, is historically then allocated to the various outstanding equity instruments, including the underlying Common Stock, utilizing the option pricing method (“OPM”) or a hybrid of the probability-weighted expected return method (“PWERM”) and the OPM.

 

The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which requires inputs based on certain subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility, the expected term of the option, the risk-free interest rate for a period that approximates the expected term of the option, and our expected dividend yield. As the public market for our Common Stock has been limited and prior to the IPO there was no such public market, we have historically determined the volatility for awards granted based on an analysis of reported data for a group of guideline companies that issued options with substantially similar terms. The expected volatility has been determined using a weighted-average of the historical volatility measures of this group of guideline companies along with our own. We expect to continue estimating expected volatility based on the group of guideline companies until we have adequate historical data regarding the volatility of our own traded stock price. The expected term of our stock options granted to employees and non-employees has been determined utilizing the “simplified” method for awards that qualify as “plain-vanilla” options. The risk-free interest rate is determined by reference to the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant of the award for time periods approximately equal to the expected term of the award. We have not paid, and do not anticipate paying, dividends on our Common Stock; therefore, the expected dividend yield is assumed to be zero.

 

As there was no public market for our Common Stock prior to the IPO, the estimated fair value of our Common Stock prior to our IPO had been approved by our board of directors, with input from management, as of the date of each award grant, considering our most recently available independent third-party valuations of our Common Stock and any additional objective and subjective factors that we believed were relevant and which may have changed from the date of the most recent valuation through the date of each award grant. We estimated the value of our equity using the market approach and a precedent transaction method which “back-solves” the equity value that yielded a specific value for our Series A Stock. We allocated the equity value to our Common Stock and shares of our Series A Stock using either an OPM or a hybrid method, which is a hybrid between the OPM and the PWERM. The hybrid method we utilized estimated the probability-weighted value across multiple scenarios but used the OPM to estimate the allocation of value within at least one of the scenarios. In addition to the OPM, the hybrid method considered the IPO scenario in which the shares of our Series A Preferred Stock converted to Common Stock. The future value of the Common Stock in the IPO scenario was discounted back to the valuation date at an appropriate risk adjusted discount rate. In the hybrid method, the present value indicated for each scenario was probability weighted to arrive at an indication of value for our Common Stock.

 

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In addition to considering the results of the valuations, management considered various objective and subjective factors to determine the fair value of our Common Stock as of each grant date, which may be a date later than the most recent third-party valuation date, including:

 

  the prices of our Series A Preferred Stock sold to or exchanged between outside investors in arm’s length transactions, if any, and the rights, preferences and privileges of our Series A Preferred Stock as compared to those of our Common Stock, including the liquidation preferences of our Series A Preferred Stock;
  the progress of our R&D efforts, including the status of preclinical studies;
  the lack of liquidity of our equity as a private company;
  our stage of development and business strategy and the material risks related to our business and industry;
  the achievement of enterprise milestones;
  the valuation of publicly traded companies in the life sciences and biotechnology sectors, as well as recently completed mergers and acquisitions of peer companies;
  any external market conditions affecting the biotechnology industry, and trends within the biotechnology industry;
  the likelihood of achieving a liquidity event for the holders of our Series A Preferred Stock and Common Stock, such as an IPO, or a sale of the Company, given prevailing market conditions; and
  the analysis of IPOs and the market performance of similar companies in the biopharmaceutical industry.

 

There are significant judgments and estimates inherent in these valuations. These judgments and estimates included assumptions regarding our future operating performance, the stage of development of our programs, the timing of a potential offering, or other liquidity event, and the determination of the appropriate valuation methodology at each valuation date. The assumptions underlying these valuations represented management’s best estimates, which involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if factors or expected outcomes change and we use significantly different assumptions or estimates, our stock-based compensation expense could be materially different. Subsequent to the completion of the IPO, the fair value of our Common Stock has been determined based on the market price of our Common Stock on Nasdaq.

 

With respect to stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the following table sets forth by grant date the (i) number of shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such stock options, (ii) per share exercise price of such options and (iii) estimated fair value per share of our Common Stock on each such date. We did not grant any shares of restricted Common Stock during this period.

 

Grant
date
  Number of shares of Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of
stock options granted
    Exercise price per
share of Common
Stock
    Estimated fair value per
share of Common Stock
at grant date
 
03/15/24     55,000     $ 6.16     $ 4.40  
06/16/23     53,000     $ 17.52     $ 12.00  

 

The per share values at each such grant date, which we applied to determine the per share estimated fair value of the respective awards for accounting purposes, were based upon the calculations described above used to determine the fair value of our Common Stock as of each grant date.

 

Emerging Growth Company Status

 

In April 2012, the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) was enacted. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” may take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. Therefore, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected to avail ourselves of this extended transition period and, as a result, we will not be required to adopt new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for other public companies.

 

23

 

 

In addition, as an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of specified reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include, among other things:

 

  reduced disclosure about the compensation paid to our executive officers;
     
  not being required to submit to our stockholders’ advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements;
     
  an exemption from the auditor attestation requirement in the pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; and
     
  an exemption from compliance with any new requirements adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board requiring mandatory audit firm rotation.

 

We may take advantage of these exemptions until such time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We would cease to be an emerging growth company upon the earliest of

 

  the last day of the fiscal year on which we have $1.235 billion or more in annual revenue;
     
  the date on which we become a “large accelerated filer” (i.e., as of our fiscal year end, the total market value of our common equity securities held by non-affiliates is $700 million or more as of September 30);
     
  the date on which we issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period; or
     
  the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the completion of the IPO.

 

We may choose to take advantage of some but not all of these exemptions.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

We have reviewed all recently issued accounting pronouncements and have determined that, other than as disclosed in Note 3 to our unaudited condensed financial statements included in this Report, such standards will not have a material impact on our financial statements or do not otherwise apply to our operations.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

 

As a smaller reporting company, as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K, we are not required to provide the information required by this Item.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act as of the end of the period covered by this report. Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that its disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2024.

 

24

 

 

Changes in Internal Controls

 

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2024, that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Limitations of the Effectiveness of Controls

 

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent 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 system 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 all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. These inherent limitations include, but are not limited to, the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple errors. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls is also based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

 

25

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

From time to time, we may become subject to legal proceedings, claims or litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. We are not presently a party to any legal proceedings that in the opinion of our management, if determined adversely to us, would individually or taken together have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition or cash flows.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

Our business, financial condition and operating results are subject to a number of risk factors, both those that are known to us and identified below and others that may arise from time to time. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones that we face and additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial may also impair our business operations. These risk factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those suggested by forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024 (this “Report”) and elsewhere, and may adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results. If any of these risk factors should occur, moreover, the trading price of our Common Stock could decline, and investors in our Common Stock could lose all or part of their investment. These risk factors, along with other information contained in this Report, should be carefully considered in evaluating our prospects.

 

We have been notified by Nasdaq of our failure to comply with certain continued listing requirements and, if we are unable to regain compliance with all applicable continued listing requirements and standards of Nasdaq, our Common Stock could be delisted from Nasdaq.

 

Our Common Stock is currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market. In order to maintain that listing, we must satisfy minimum financial and other continued listing requirements and standards, including those regarding director independence and independent committee requirements, minimum stockholders’ equity, minimum share price, and certain corporate governance requirements.

 

As disclosed in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 19, 2024, on April 17, 2024, we received a written notification from the Staff notifying us that we were not in compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement because the closing bid price of our Common Stock was below $1.00 per share for the previous thirty (30) consecutive business days.

 

As disclosed in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 23, 2024, we received a letter from the Staff on August 21, 2024 stating that we were not in compliance with the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement. We reported stockholders’ equity of $1,703,798 in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and, as a result, we were not in compliance with the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement.

 

As disclosed in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 18, 2024, the Staff notified us on October 16, 2024 that it would delist the Common Stock from the Nasdaq Capital Market, and in response, we timely requested an appeal of such notice to the Panel. The Nasdaq hearing date has been set for December 12, 2024. While the appeal process is pending, the suspension of trading of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market will continue to be stayed until the hearing process concludes and the Panel issues a decision. The Company is diligently working to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement and the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement.

 

There can be no assurances that we will be able to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement or the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement or if we do later regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement or the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement, that we will be able to continue to comply with all applicable Nasdaq listing requirements now or in the future. If we are unable to maintain compliance with these Nasdaq requirements, our Common Stock will be delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

In the event that our Common Stock is delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market, as a result of our failure to comply with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement or the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement, or due to our failure to continue to comply with any other requirement for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and is not eligible for listing on another exchange, trading in the shares of our Common Stock could be conducted in the over-the-counter market or on an electronic bulletin board established for unlisted securities such as the Pink Market or another over-the-counter market operated by the OTC Markets Group Inc. In such event, it could become more difficult to dispose of, or obtain accurate price quotations for, our Common Stock, and it would likely be more difficult to obtain coverage by securities analysts and the news media, which could cause the price of our Common Stock to decline further. Also, it may be difficult for us to raise additional capital if we are not listed on a national exchange.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

None. 

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

Not applicable.

 

26

 

 

Item 5. Other Information.

 

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit    
Number   Description
     
31.1*   Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*   Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS   Inline XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH   Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL   Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF   Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB   Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE   Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

 

In accordance with SEC Release 33-8238, Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 are being furnished and not filed.

 

* Filed herewith.

 

27

 

 

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.

 

  Lipella Pharmaceuticals Inc.
     
Date: November 14, 2024  By: /s/ Jonathan Kaufman
    Jonathan Kaufman
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Executive Officer)
     
Date: November 14, 2024  By: /s/ Douglas Johnston
    Douglas Johnston
    Chief Financial Officer
    (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

28

  

 

Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION

OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Jonathan Kaufman, as the principal executive officer of the registrant, certify that:

 

1.           I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, of Lipella Pharmaceuticals Inc.;

 

2.           Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.           Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.           The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a.       Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b.       Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c.        Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d.        Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.           The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a.        All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b.        Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: November 14, 2024   By: /s/ Jonathan Kaufman
    Jonathan Kaufman
    Chief Executive Officer
    (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION

OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Douglas Johnston, as the principal financial officer of the registrant, certify that:

 

1.            I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, of Lipella Pharmaceuticals Inc.;

 

2.            Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.            Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.            The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a.       Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b.       Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c.        Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d.        Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.            The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a.        All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b.        Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: November 14, 2024   By: /s/ Douglas Johnston
    Douglas Johnston
    Chief Financial Officer
    (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

  

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION

OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Lipella Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Jonathan Kaufman, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

  (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

  (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Date: November 14, 2024 By: /s/ Jonathan Kaufman
    Jonathan Kaufman
    Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)

   

 

  

  

Exhibit 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION

OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Lipella Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Douglas Johnston, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

  (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

  (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Date: November 14, 2024  By: /s/ Douglas Johnston
    Douglas Johnston
    Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

v3.24.3
Cover - shares
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Nov. 13, 2024
Cover [Abstract]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Quarterly Report true  
Document Transition Report false  
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2024  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2024  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity File Number 001-41575  
Entity Registrant Name Lipella Pharmaceuticals Inc.  
Entity Central Index Key 0001347242  
Entity Tax Identification Number 20-2388040  
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE  
Entity Address, Address Line One 7800 Susquehanna St.  
Entity Address, Address Line Two Suite 505  
Entity Address, City or Town Pittsburgh  
Entity Address, State or Province PA  
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 15208  
City Area Code (412)  
Local Phone Number 894-1853  
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share  
Trading Symbol LIPO  
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes  
Entity Filer Category Non-accelerated Filer  
Entity Small Business true  
Entity Emerging Growth Company true  
Elected Not To Use the Extended Transition Period false  
Entity Shell Company false  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   1,208,919
v3.24.3
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) - USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Current Assets    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,353,734 $ 3,293,738
Grants receivable 31,079 32,286
Prepaid expenses 695,151 103,256
Total Current Assets 2,079,965 3,429,280
Property and Equipment    
Furniture, fixtures and equipment 140,294 140,294
Furniture, fixtures and equipment (accumulated depreciation) (129,708) (127,544)
Furniture and fixtures, net 10,585 12,750
Other Assets    
Operating lease right of use asset 69,555 135,144
Total Assets 2,160,105 3,577,174
Current liabilities    
Accounts payable 459,453 138,016
Accrued expenses 89,773 77,280
Operating lease liability 70,830 89,223
Payroll liability 81,130 80,836
Total Current Liabilities 701,186 385,355
Operating lease liability, net of current portion 47,371
Total Liabilities 701,186 432,726
Stockholders’ equity:    
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; -0- shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized, 1,091,205 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and 756,745 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 109 75
Additional paid-in capital 15,357,244 13,468,216
Accumulated deficit (13,898,435) (10,323,843)
Total stockholders’ equity 1,458,918 3,144,448
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 2,160,105 $ 3,577,174
v3.24.3
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (Parenthetical) - $ / shares
Sep. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]    
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.0001 $ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares authorized 20,000,000 20,000,000
Preferred stock,shares issued 0 0
Preferred stock,shares outstanding 0 0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.0001 $ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized 200,000,000 200,000,000
Common stock, shares, issued 1,091,205 756,745
Common stock, shares, outstanding 1,091,205 756,745
v3.24.3
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Total revenues $ 80,380 $ 104,051 $ 362,691 $ 328,775
Cost and expenses        
Research and development 1,046,693 833,260 2,550,851 2,584,636
General and administrative 493,102 627,518 1,441,090 1,760,498
Total costs and expenses 1,539,795 1,460,778 3,991,941 4,345,134
Loss from operations (1,459,415) (1,356,727) (3,629,250) (4,016,359)
Other income (expense)        
Interest income, net 14,778 33,157 54,658 97,126
Interest expense related party (10,848)
Total other income(expense) 14,778 33,157 54,658 86,278
Loss before income taxes (1,444,637) (1,323,570) (3,574,592) (3,930,081)
Provision for income taxes
Net Loss $ (1,444,637) $ (1,323,570) $ (3,574,592) $ (3,930,081)
Loss per share of Common Stock        
Basic $ (1.29) $ (1.84) $ (3.60) $ (5.47)
Dilutive $ (1.29) $ (1.84) $ (3.60) $ (5.47)
Weighted average of shares of Common Stock outstanding:        
Basic 1,119,129 719,216 994,252 718,405
Dilutive 1,119,129 719,216 994,252 718,405
Grantrevenues [Member]        
Total revenues $ 80,380 $ 104,051 $ 362,691 $ 328,775
v3.24.3
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) - USD ($)
Common Stock [Member]
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Retained Earnings [Member]
Total
Beginning balance, value at Dec. 31, 2022 $ 72 $ 10,380,403 $ (5,704,878) $ 4,675,596
Balance at beginning (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2022 717,993      
Net loss (1,067,825) (1,067,825)
Stock-based compensation 208,639 208,639
Ending balance, value at Mar. 31, 2023 $ 72 10,589,042 (6,772,703) 3,816,410
Balance at ending (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2023 717,993      
Beginning balance, value at Dec. 31, 2022 $ 72 10,380,403 (5,704,878) 4,675,596
Balance at beginning (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2022 717,993      
Net loss       (3,930,081)
Ending balance, value at Sep. 30, 2023 $ 73 11,856,618 (9,634,959) 2,221,731
Balance at ending (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2023 725,493      
Beginning balance, value at Mar. 31, 2023 $ 72 10,589,042 (6,772,703) 3,816,410
Balance at beginning (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2023 717,993      
Net loss (1,538,686) (1,538,686)
Stock-based compensation 847,618 847,618
Ending balance, value at Jun. 30, 2023 $ 72 11,436,660 (8,311,389) 3,125,342
Balance at ending (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2023 717,993      
Net loss (1,323,570) (1,323,570)
Stock-based compensation 298,759 298,759
Shares issued for services $ 1 121,199 121,200
Shares issued for services (in shares) 7,500      
Ending balance, value at Sep. 30, 2023 $ 73 11,856,618 (9,634,959) 2,221,731
Balance at ending (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2023 725,493      
Beginning balance, value at Dec. 31, 2023 $ 75 13,468,216 (10,323,843) 3,144,448
Balance at beginning (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2023 756,745      
Net loss (1,191,809) (1,191,809)
Stock-based compensation 208,639 208,639
Shares issued for services $ 3 199,997 200,000
Shares issued for services (in shares) 24,510      
Pre-funded warrants exercised for shares of Common Stock $ 6 (6)
Pre-funded warrants exercised for shares of Common Stock (in shares) 62,500      
Issuance of Common Stock $ 4 199,996 200,000
Issuance of Common Stock (in shares) 36,227      
Ending balance, value at Mar. 31, 2024 $ 88 14,076,842 (11,515,652) 2,561,278
Balance at ending (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2024 879,981      
Beginning balance, value at Dec. 31, 2023 $ 75 13,468,216 (10,323,843) 3,144,448
Balance at beginning (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2023 756,745      
Net loss       (3,574,592)
Ending balance, value at Sep. 30, 2024 $ 109 15,357,244 (13,898,435) 1,458,918
Balance at ending (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2024 1,091,205      
Beginning balance, value at Mar. 31, 2024 $ 88 14,076,842 (11,515,652) 2,561,278
Balance at beginning (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2024 879,981      
Net loss   (938,146) (938,146)
Stock-based compensation   80,666 80,666
Pre-funded warrants exercised for shares of Common Stock $ 7 (7)
Pre-funded warrants exercised for shares of Common Stock (in shares) 70,724      
Ending balance, value at Jun. 30, 2024 $ 95 14,157,501 (12,453,798) 1,703,798
Balance at ending (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2024 950,705      
Net loss (1,444,637) (1,444,637)
Stock-based compensation 379,425 379,425
Pre-funded warrants exercised for shares of Common Stock $ 9 (9)
Pre-funded warrants exercised for shares of Common Stock (in shares) 90,625      
Issuance of Common Stock and pre-funded warrants, net of issuance costs of $468,588 $ 5 820,327 820,332
Issuance of Common Stock and warrants, net of issuance costs of $468,588 (in shares) 49,875      
Ending balance, value at Sep. 30, 2024 $ 109 $ 15,357,244 $ (13,898,435) $ 1,458,918
Balance at ending (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2024 1,091,205      
v3.24.3
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)
3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
USD ($)
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]  
Net of issurance costs $ 468,588
v3.24.3
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Cash flow from operating activities:    
Net loss $ (3,574,592) $ (3,930,081)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:    
Depreciation and amortization 2,165 962
Shares issued for services 200,000 121,200
Non-cash stock option expense 668,730 1,355,016
Interest expense related party net (non-cash)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:    
Operating right of use asset (173) (2,348)
Grants receivable 1,207 60,515
Prepaid expense (591,895) 355,811
Accounts payable 321,437 (81,305)
Accrued expenses 12,493 (316,730)
Payroll liability 297 14,498
Net cash used in operating activities (2,960,334) (2,422,462)
Cash flow from investing activities    
Purchase of Property, plant and equipment (14,434)
Net cash used in investing activities (14,434)
Cash flow from financing activities:    
Proceeds from issuance of Common Stock and pre-funded warrants, net of issuance costs 1,020,332
Repayment of notes payable (275,000)
Net cash provided by financing activities 1,020,332 (275,000)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents (1,940,003) (2,711,896)
Cash, and cash equivalents at beginning of period 3,293,738 5,121,743
Cash, and cash equivalents at end of period 1,353,734 2,409,847
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:    
Interest paid (11,908) (11,358)
Income taxes paid
Issuance of Common Stock for forgiveness of related party note
Issuance of Common Stock options for consulting services
v3.24.3
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Note 1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

 

Nature of Business

 

Lipella Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing new drugs by reformulating the active agents in existing generic drugs and optimizing these reformulations for new applications. Our operations consist of research, preclinical development and clinical development activities, and our most advanced program is in Phase 2 clinical development. Since our inception in 2005, we have historically financed our operations through a combination of federal grant revenue, licensing revenue, manufacturing revenue, as well as equity and debt financing.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The Company’s unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to the authoritative GAAP as found in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. The interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that may occur for the full fiscal year. Certain information and footnote disclosure normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to instructions, rules, and regulations prescribed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The unaudited condensed interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 that was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 27, 2024 (our “Annual Report”).

 

On November 7, 2024, we effected an 8-for-1 reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of all outstanding shares of our common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Common Stock”). Net loss per share and all share data for have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split for all periods presented, in accordance with ASC 260-10-55-22, Restatement of EPS Data. See Note 15 for more information.  

v3.24.3
Going Concern
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Going Concern

Note 2. Going Concern

 

The accompanying condensed financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, which contemplate continuation of the Company as a going concern. The Company has not established a source of revenues sufficient to cover its operating costs and will require significant additional capital to continue its research and development programs, including progressing clinical product candidates to commercialization and preparing for commercial-scale manufacturing and sales.

 

The Company’s net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 was $3,574,592 and $4,618,965, respectively. Since inception, the Company has incurred historical losses and has an accumulated deficit of $13,898,436 at September 30, 2024 and $10,323,843 at December 31, 2023, respectively. At September 30, 2024, the Company had available cash and cash equivalents of $1,353,734 and net working capital of $1,378,779. The Company anticipates operating losses to continue for the foreseeable future due to, among other things, costs related to: research, development of product candidates, conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials, and administrative organization. These funds, and our funds available under existing government contracts, may not be sufficient to enable us to meet our obligations as they come due at least for the next twelve months from the issuance date of these financial statements.

 

If we are unable to obtain additional capital (which is not assured at this time), our long-term business plan may not be accomplished, and we may be forced to curtail or cease operations. These factors individually and collectively raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from this uncertainty.

v3.24.3
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 3, “Accounting Policies,” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 27, 2024. There have been no material changes to the significant accounting policies during the three-month period ended September 30, 2024, except for items mentioned below.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of these financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2024, no new accounting pronouncement was issued or became effective, that had or is expected to have, a material impact on our Financial Statements.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

The Company’s grant revenues and grant receivables are from the National Institute of Health (the “NIH”). The NIH is an agency of the United States Department of Health & Human Services, and the Company believes amounts are fully collectible from this agency. Contract revenues were $362,691 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and $80,380 for the three months ended September 30, 2024.

 

Earnings Per Share

 

Basic net loss per share of Common Stock is computed by dividing the net loss for the period by the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share of Common Stock is computed giving effect to all dilutive Common Stock equivalents, consisting of stock options and warrants. Diluted net loss per share of Common Stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 is the same as basic net loss per share, as the Common Stock equivalents were anti-dilutive due to the net loss.

 

At September 30, 2024 and 2023 the Common Stock equivalent shares were, as follows:

                 
    September 30,  
    2024     2023  
Shares of Common Stock issuable under equity incentive plans outstanding     361,625       309,750  
Shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants     331,927       17,999  
Shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series A Preferred Stock            
Common Stock equivalent shares excluded from diluted net loss per share     693,552       327,749  

 

 

v3.24.3
Fair Value Measurements and Marketable Debt Securities
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements and Marketable Debt Securities

Note 4. Fair Value Measurements and Marketable Debt Securities

 

In accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”), the Company measures its assets and liabilities at fair value. We apply the three-level valuation hierarchy as described in ASC 820, which is based upon the transparency of input as of the measurement date. The three levels of inputs as defined are:

 

Level 1 - Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

 

Level 2 - Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instruments.

 

Level 3 - Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

 

At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of: cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued liabilities. For cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, the carrying amounts of these financial instruments as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were considered representative of their fair values due to their short term to maturity.

 

The Company held no marketable securities at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. For cash equivalents at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair value input levels are summarized below:

 

September 30, 2024   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Cash Equivalents (maturity less than 90 days)                                
Commercial Paper   $     $     $     $  
U.S. Government                        
Money market funds     1,242,327                   1,248,327  
Total Cash equivalents     1,248,327                   1,248,327  
                                 
Marketable Securities                        
Total Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities   $ 1,248,327     $     $     $ 1,248,327  

 

December 31, 2023   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Cash Equivalents (maturity less than 90 days)                                
Commercial Paper   $     $     $     $  
U.S. Government                        
Money market funds     3,052,648                   3,052,648  
Total Cash equivalents     3,052,648                   3,052,648  
                                 
Marketable Securities                        
Total Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities   $ 3,052,648     $     $     $ 3,052,648  

 

v3.24.3
Prepaid Expenses
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Prepaid Expenses

Note 5. Prepaid Expenses

 

At September 30, 2024, prepaid expenses were $695,151, and consisted primarily of prepaid insurance of $94,599, prepaid costs of issuance of $100,559, an advance deposit with our clinical trial management partner of $400,410, and $99,583 in other prepaid expenses related primarily to professional services. At December 31, 2023, prepaid expenses consisted of $88,554 of prepaid insurance, and $14,702 of prepaid expenses.

v3.24.3
Accrued Expenses
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]  
Accrued Expenses

Note 6. Accrued Expenses

 

At September 30, 2024, accrued expenses were $89,773, consisting of unbilled legal and professional expenses. At December 31, 2023, accrued expenses totaled $77,280 and consisted of $19,575 in clinical expenses, $52,050 in franchise tax expenses, and $5,655 in unbilled professional services expenses.

v3.24.3
Notes Payable – Related Party
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Notes Payable – Related Party

Note 7. Notes Payable – Related Party

 

There were no notes payable outstanding at September 30, 2024 or December 31, 2023.

v3.24.3
Letter of Credit
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Letter Of Credit  
Letter of Credit

Note 8. Letter of Credit

 

The Company has a letter of credit with a bank for an aggregate available amount of $50,000 due upon demand. The letter of credit is collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s assets and personally guaranteed by Dr. Jonathan Kaufman, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The outstanding advances under the line of credit bear interest at the lending bank’s prime rate plus 3.10%. The outstanding balance was $0 at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

v3.24.3
Stock Options
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Stock Options

Note 9. Stock Options

 

The Company has two stock incentive plans (each, a “Stock Option Plan” and collectively, the “Stock Option Plans”), each of which provides for the grant of both incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options. Under the terms of the Stock Option Plans, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock for which incentive and/or non-qualified stock options may be issued is 434,750 shares, after retroactively applying the effects of the Reverse Stock Split. This number comprises 134,750 stock options already issued and outstanding (non-expired) from the 2008 stock option plan, and 300,000 shares of Common Stock underlying option awards that may be issuable under the 2020 stock option plan. Incentive stock options are granted with an exercise price determined by the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”). The terms of the vesting of such options, including termination, are as set forth in the Stock Option Plans and their respective award agreements. Such stock options generally expire 10 years from the date of the grant. Subject to certain exceptions for grants made to employees who are large stockholders, stock options granted under the Stock Option Plans have an exercise price not less than the fair market value of the underlying Common Stock on the date of such grant. If an employee leaves the Company prior to fully vesting their option awards and the remaining unvested portion is considered forfeited, the earlier recognition of the unvested shares is reversed during the period of forfeiture. As of September 30, 2024, there were $80,667 in unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted, to be recognized over the remaining vesting period of less than one year.

 

The Company recognized $379,726 and $298,759 of compensation costs related to stock option vesting for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company recognized $668,730 of compensation costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and $1,355,016 of compensation costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

 

The following is an analysis of options to purchase shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

 

    Shares     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price Per
Share ($)
    Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(in Years)
    Aggregate
intrinsic
value ($)
 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2022     256,750     $ 22.72       5.51     $ 605,687  
Granted     53,000     $ 17.52       9.96     $  
Expired                              
Cancelled     (3,125 )   $ 17.52                  
Exercised                              
Outstanding as of December 31, 2023     306,625     $ 21.84       5.19     $  
Granted     55,000     $ 6.16       9.96     $  
Expired                              
Cancelled                              
Exercised                              
Outstanding as of March 31, 2024     361,625     $ 19.44       5.70     $  
Granted                              
Expired                              
Cancelled                              
Exercised                              
Outstanding as of June 30, 2024     361,625     $ 19.44       5.45     $  
Granted                              
Expired                              
Cancelled                              
Exercised                              
Outstanding as of September 30, 2024     361,625     $ 19.44       5.20     $  
Vested as of September 30, 2024     343,292                          
Exercisable as of September 30, 2024     343,292                          
Exercisable as of December 31, 2023     284,042                          

 

A summary of status of the Company’s non-vested stock options (exercisable for shares of Common Stock on a one-to-one basis) as of, and changes during, the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 is presented below:

 

    Number of
Stock Options
    Weighted-
Average Fair
Value Grant
Date
 
Nonvested at December 31, 2022     54,333     $ 22.56  
Granted     53,000       17.52  
Vested     (84,750 )     18.88  
Expired            
Nonvested at September 30, 2023     22,583     $ 22.48  
                 
Nonvested at December 31, 2023     22,583     $ 22.48  
Granted     55,000       4.40  
Vested     (59,250 )     6.32  
Expired            
Nonvested at September 30, 2024     18,333     $ 4.40  

 

In the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, the Company granted options as described below.  

 

Stock Option Grants - On March 15, 2024, the Company granted 55,000 stock options at a $6.16 strike price, vesting as follows: one third of such grant vests on April 1, 2024, one third of such grant vests on July 1, 2024, and one third of such grant vests on October 1, 2024.

 

 On June 16, 2023, the Company issued 53,000 stock options at a $17.52 strike price, vesting immediately upon issuance.

 

The weighted-average fair value of stock options on the date of grant and the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model are as follows:

 

Nine months ended September 30,   2024     2023  
Weighted-average fair value of options granted   $ 4.40     $ 12.00  
Expected volatility     86.17 %     83.47 %
Expected life (in years)     5.17       5.04  
Risk-free interest rate (range)     4.33 %     3.99 %
Expected dividend yield   $     $  

v3.24.3
Preferred Stock
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Equity [Abstract]  
Preferred Stock

Note 10. Preferred Stock

 

The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation authorizes as aggregate of 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), of the Company, issuable from time to time in one or more series. There was no Preferred Stock outstanding during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 or the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

In the year ended December 31, 2022, all outstanding shares of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), were converted to Common Stock on a 1:1 basis. There were no shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding at December 31, 2023 or September 30, 2024. The Series A Preferred Stock was cancelled and eliminated by the Company on April 11, 2024.

v3.24.3
Common Stock
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Equity [Abstract]  
Common Stock

Note 11. Common Stock

 

The Company’s second amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), authorizes the issuance of 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock. After considering the effects of the Reverse Split, there were 1,091,205 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and 756,745 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023.

 

On August 1, 2024, we issued 49,875 shares of our Common Stock to an institutional investor at an offering price of $0.62 per share, along with 209,625 pre-funded warrants to purchase the same number of shares of Common Stock. See Note 12 for details of the pre-funded warrants.  

 

On August 16, 2024, 12,500 shares of Common Stock were issued for the exercise of the same number of pre-funded warrants. On September 17, 2024, 28,125 shares of Common Stock were issued for the exercise of the same number of pre-funded warrants. On September 24, 2024, 25,000 shares of Common Stock were issued for the exercise of the same number of pre-funded warrants. On September 26, 2024, an additional 25,000 shares of Common Stock were issued for the exercise of the same number of pre-funded warrants.

 

Notice of Failure to Satisfy Nasdaq Minimum Bid Price Requirement

 

As disclosed in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 19, 2024, on April 17, 2024, the Company received a written notification (the “April Nasdaq Letter”) from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications staff (the “Staff”) of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) notifying the Company that, based upon the closing bid price of the Common Stock for the last 30 consecutive business days, the Company was not in compliance with the requirement to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share of its Common Stock, as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”). The April Nasdaq Letter had no immediate effect on the listing of the Common Stock, which continues to trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market. 

 

Nasdaq provided the Company with 180 calendar days, or until October 14, 2024, to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement.

 

As disclosed in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 23, 2024, the Company received a letter from the Staff on August 21, 2024 stating that it was not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1), which requires companies listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market to maintain a minimum of $2,500,000 in stockholders’ equity for continued listing (the “Stockholders’ Equity Requirement”). The Company reported stockholders’ equity of $1,703,798 in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and, as a result, it was not in compliance with the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement.

 

As disclosed in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 18, 2024, the Staff notified the Company on October 16, 2024 that it would delist the Common Stock from the Nasdaq Capital Market, and in response, the Company timely requested an appeal of such notice to a Nasdaq hearing panel (the “Panel”). The Nasdaq hearing date has been set for December 12, 2024. While the appeal process is pending, the suspension of trading of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market will continue to be stayed until the hearing process concludes and the Panel issues a decision. See also Note 15, Subsequent Events, for more information regarding the Reverse Stock Split.

v3.24.3
Warrants
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Warrants  
Warrants

Note 12. Warrants

 

On August 1, 2024, the Company conducted the August 2024 Offering. In connection therewith, the Company issued pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 208,375 shares of Common Stock at a price of $4,952, with an exercise price of $0.008 per share. The pre-funded warrants were immediately exercisable, subject to 4.99% and 9.99% beneficial ownership limitations (as applicable) and were exercisable at any time until exercised in full. The securities issued in the August 2024 Offering were issued pursuant to a prospectus supplement, dated July 31, 2024, to the registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-276815), declared effective by the SEC on February 8, 2024. In connection with the August 2024 Offering and pursuant to an engagement letter with H.C. Wainwright & Co. LLC (the “Placement Agent”), who served as the placement agent for the August 2024 Offering, the Company agreed to issue to the Placement Agent, as partial compensation for its services as Placement Agent, warrants to purchase up to 19,368 shares of Common Stock, which were exercisable immediately, subject to 4.99% and 9.99% beneficial ownership limitations (as applicable), expire on July 31, 2029, and have an exercise price of $6.20 per share. The gross proceeds to the Company from the August 2024 Offering were approximately $1,280,920, before deducting placement agent fees and expenses and offering expenses payable by the Company. As of September 30, 2024, 90,625 of the pre-funded warrants from the August 2024 Offering had been exercised and converted to shares of Common Stock and 117,750 pre-funded warrants remained. The Company had no warrant liabilities at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

v3.24.3
Commitment and Contingencies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitment and Contingencies

Note 13. Commitment and Contingencies

 

Operating Leases

 

Operating leases are recorded as right of use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. ROU assets represent our right to use the leased assets for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its estimated incremental borrowing rate at the commencement date to determine the present value of lease payments. The operating lease ROU assets also include any lease payments made and exclude lease incentives.

 

The Company entered into a lease agreement beginning July 1, 2020, for the Company’s principal headquarters on the fifth floor of 7800 Susquehanna Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which includes office space and sterile manufacturing operations (the “Lease”). The Lease has a five-year term and includes an option for renewal, which is not reasonably certain and is excluded from the right of use calculation. On July 26, 2023, the Company entered a second lease for additional space on the fourth floor of the same building (the “Fourth Floor Lease”), commencing August 1, 2023 and co-terminating with the existing Lease on September 30, 2025. Subsequently effective January 1, 2024, the Company terminated the Fourth Floor Lease early at no penalty upon mutual agreement with the landlord and replaced it with a lease of additional space that had become available immediately adjacent to our existing offices (the “Suite 504 Lease”, and together with the “Lease”, “the Leases”). The Suite 504 Lease term co-terminates with the Lease. Future minimum rent payments under the Leases as of September 30, 2024 are as follows:

 

Year ending      
2024 (three months remaining at September 30, 2024)   $ 24,259  
2025   $ 48,519  
Total minimum lease payments   $ 72,778  
Less: amount representing interest   $ (2,636 )
Present value of minimum lease payments   $ 70,142  

 

The Leases are accounted for as a ROU asset and liability. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $69,555 of an operating lease ROU asset, and $70,830 of current lease liabilities, respectively, recorded on the balance sheets. There was no long term lease liability at September 30, 2024, as the existing leases end less than 12 months from the balance sheet date. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had an ROU asset of $135,144 and current and non-current operating lease liabilities of $89,223 and $47,371, respectively.

 

The lease expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 was $23,834 and $20,648, respectively. The lease expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 was $71,680 and $54,011, respectively. Cash paid for the amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $24,259 and $21,331, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $71,854 and $54,135, respectively. The payments are included in the operating activities in the accompanying statement of cash flows. The discount rates used for our right-of-use leases range from 6.25% to 7.25%.

 

Contract Commitments

 

The Company enters into contracts in the normal course of business with contract research organizations (“CROs”), contract manufacturing organizations, universities, and other third parties for preclinical research studies, clinical trials and testing and manufacturing services. These contracts generally do not contain minimum purchase commitments and are cancellable by us upon prior written notice although, purchase orders for clinical materials are generally non-cancellable. Payments due upon cancellation consist only of payments for services provided or expenses incurred, including non-cancellable obligations of our service providers, up to the date of cancellation or upon the completion of a manufacturing run.

v3.24.3
Income Taxes
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes

Note 14. Income Taxes

 

The provision for income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $0, resulting in an effective income tax rate of 0% for each period. The Company’s effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was primarily due to the full valuation allowance against the Company’s net deferred tax assets.

 

The Company regularly evaluates the realizability of its deferred tax assets and establishes a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be utilized. Because of our cumulative losses, substantially all of the deferred tax assets have been fully offset by a valuation allowance as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. We have not paid income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2023. The income tax provision attributable to loss before income tax benefit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% as a result of the following:

 

 

         
Statutory federal income tax rate     21.00 %
State taxes, net of federal benefit     7.11 %
Change in valuation allowance     -28.11 %
Effective tax rate     0.00 %

 

The Company’s 2019 through 2023 tax years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for federal tax purposes and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for state tax purposes.

v3.24.3
Subsequent Events
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Subsequent Events [Abstract]  
Subsequent Events

Note 15. Subsequent Events

 

Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date on which the unaudited condensed financial statements were issued, and no material events were identified, except as disclosed below.

 

On October 15, 2024, 117,750 pre-funded warrants were exercised and exchanged for the same number of shares of Common Stock.

 

On November 7, 2024, the Company, acting pursuant to authority received at an annual meeting of its stockholders on September 10, 2024, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of amendment (the “Charter Amendment”) to the Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split on November 7, 2024. As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, every eight (8) shares of Common Stock were exchanged for one (1) share of Common Stock. The Common Stock began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on a split-adjusted basis at the start of trading on November 8, 2024. The Reverse Stock Split did not affect the total number of shares of capital stock, including the Common Stock, that the Company is authorized to issue, which remain as set forth pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation. The Reverse Stock Split also has a proportionate effect on all other options and warrants of the Company outstanding as of the effective date of the Reverse Stock Split.

 

Net loss per share and all share data as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split in accordance with ASC 260-10-55-12, Restatement of EPS Data.

v3.24.3
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of these financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2024, no new accounting pronouncement was issued or became effective, that had or is expected to have, a material impact on our Financial Statements.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

The Company’s grant revenues and grant receivables are from the National Institute of Health (the “NIH”). The NIH is an agency of the United States Department of Health & Human Services, and the Company believes amounts are fully collectible from this agency. Contract revenues were $362,691 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and $80,380 for the three months ended September 30, 2024.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

 

Basic net loss per share of Common Stock is computed by dividing the net loss for the period by the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share of Common Stock is computed giving effect to all dilutive Common Stock equivalents, consisting of stock options and warrants. Diluted net loss per share of Common Stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 is the same as basic net loss per share, as the Common Stock equivalents were anti-dilutive due to the net loss.

 

At September 30, 2024 and 2023 the Common Stock equivalent shares were, as follows:

                 
    September 30,  
    2024     2023  
Shares of Common Stock issuable under equity incentive plans outstanding     361,625       309,750  
Shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants     331,927       17,999  
Shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series A Preferred Stock            
Common Stock equivalent shares excluded from diluted net loss per share     693,552       327,749  

 

v3.24.3
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
At September 30, 2024 and 2023 the Common Stock equivalent shares were, as follows

At September 30, 2024 and 2023 the Common Stock equivalent shares were, as follows:

                 
    September 30,  
    2024     2023  
Shares of Common Stock issuable under equity incentive plans outstanding     361,625       309,750  
Shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants     331,927       17,999  
Shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series A Preferred Stock            
Common Stock equivalent shares excluded from diluted net loss per share     693,552       327,749  
v3.24.3
Fair Value Measurements and Marketable Debt Securities (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
For cash equivalents at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair value input levels are summarized below:

The Company held no marketable securities at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. For cash equivalents at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair value input levels are summarized below:

 

September 30, 2024   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Cash Equivalents (maturity less than 90 days)                                
Commercial Paper   $     $     $     $  
U.S. Government                        
Money market funds     1,242,327                   1,248,327  
Total Cash equivalents     1,248,327                   1,248,327  
                                 
Marketable Securities                        
Total Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities   $ 1,248,327     $     $     $ 1,248,327  

 

December 31, 2023   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Cash Equivalents (maturity less than 90 days)                                
Commercial Paper   $     $     $     $  
U.S. Government                        
Money market funds     3,052,648                   3,052,648  
Total Cash equivalents     3,052,648                   3,052,648  
                                 
Marketable Securities                        
Total Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities   $ 3,052,648     $     $     $ 3,052,648  
v3.24.3
Stock Options (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
The following is an analysis of options to purchase shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023

The following is an analysis of options to purchase shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

 

    Shares     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price Per
Share ($)
    Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(in Years)
    Aggregate
intrinsic
value ($)
 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2022     256,750     $ 22.72       5.51     $ 605,687  
Granted     53,000     $ 17.52       9.96     $  
Expired                              
Cancelled     (3,125 )   $ 17.52                  
Exercised                              
Outstanding as of December 31, 2023     306,625     $ 21.84       5.19     $  
Granted     55,000     $ 6.16       9.96     $  
Expired                              
Cancelled                              
Exercised                              
Outstanding as of March 31, 2024     361,625     $ 19.44       5.70     $  
Granted                              
Expired                              
Cancelled                              
Exercised                              
Outstanding as of June 30, 2024     361,625     $ 19.44       5.45     $  
Granted                              
Expired                              
Cancelled                              
Exercised                              
Outstanding as of September 30, 2024     361,625     $ 19.44       5.20     $  
Vested as of September 30, 2024     343,292                          
Exercisable as of September 30, 2024     343,292                          
Exercisable as of December 31, 2023     284,042                          
A summary of status of the Company’s non-vested stock options (exercisable for shares of Common Stock on a one-to-one basis) as of, and changes during, the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 is presented below:

A summary of status of the Company’s non-vested stock options (exercisable for shares of Common Stock on a one-to-one basis) as of, and changes during, the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 is presented below:

 

    Number of
Stock Options
    Weighted-
Average Fair
Value Grant
Date
 
Nonvested at December 31, 2022     54,333     $ 22.56  
Granted     53,000       17.52  
Vested     (84,750 )     18.88  
Expired            
Nonvested at September 30, 2023     22,583     $ 22.48  
                 
Nonvested at December 31, 2023     22,583     $ 22.48  
Granted     55,000       4.40  
Vested     (59,250 )     6.32  
Expired            
Nonvested at September 30, 2024     18,333     $ 4.40  
The weighted-average fair value of stock options on the date of grant and the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model are as follows:

The weighted-average fair value of stock options on the date of grant and the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model are as follows:

 

Nine months ended September 30,   2024     2023  
Weighted-average fair value of options granted   $ 4.40     $ 12.00  
Expected volatility     86.17 %     83.47 %
Expected life (in years)     5.17       5.04  
Risk-free interest rate (range)     4.33 %     3.99 %
Expected dividend yield   $     $  
v3.24.3
Commitment and Contingencies (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Future minimum rent payments under the Leases as of September 30, 2024 are as follows

The Company entered into a lease agreement beginning July 1, 2020, for the Company’s principal headquarters on the fifth floor of 7800 Susquehanna Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which includes office space and sterile manufacturing operations (the “Lease”). The Lease has a five-year term and includes an option for renewal, which is not reasonably certain and is excluded from the right of use calculation. On July 26, 2023, the Company entered a second lease for additional space on the fourth floor of the same building (the “Fourth Floor Lease”), commencing August 1, 2023 and co-terminating with the existing Lease on September 30, 2025. Subsequently effective January 1, 2024, the Company terminated the Fourth Floor Lease early at no penalty upon mutual agreement with the landlord and replaced it with a lease of additional space that had become available immediately adjacent to our existing offices (the “Suite 504 Lease”, and together with the “Lease”, “the Leases”). The Suite 504 Lease term co-terminates with the Lease. Future minimum rent payments under the Leases as of September 30, 2024 are as follows:

 

Year ending      
2024 (three months remaining at September 30, 2024)   $ 24,259  
2025   $ 48,519  
Total minimum lease payments   $ 72,778  
Less: amount representing interest   $ (2,636 )
Present value of minimum lease payments   $ 70,142  
v3.24.3
Income Taxes (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of income tax provision attributable to loss before income tax benefit

 

         
Statutory federal income tax rate     21.00 %
State taxes, net of federal benefit     7.11 %
Change in valuation allowance     -28.11 %
Effective tax rate     0.00 %
v3.24.3
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Details Narrative) - $ / shares
Nov. 07, 2024
Sep. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]      
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share $ 0.0001 $ 0.0001 $ 0.0001
v3.24.3
Going Concern (Details Narrative) - USD ($)
9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]    
Net loss $ 3,574,592 $ 4,618,965
Accumulated deficit (13,898,435) (10,323,843)
Accumulated deficit 13,898,435 10,323,843
Cash and cash equivalents 1,353,734 $ 3,293,738
Working capital $ 1,378,779  
v3.24.3
At September 30, 2024 and 2023 the Common Stock equivalent shares were, as follows (Details) - shares
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]    
Shares of Common Stock issuable under equity incentive plans outstanding 361,625 309,750
Shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants 331,927 17,999
Shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series A Preferred Stock
Common Stock equivalent shares excluded from diluted net loss per share 693,552 327,749
v3.24.3
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Narrative) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]        
Revenues $ 80,380 $ 104,051 $ 362,691 $ 328,775
v3.24.3
For cash equivalents at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair value input levels are summarized below: (Details) - USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash equivalents $ 1,248,327 $ 3,052,648
Marketable securities
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities 1,248,327 3,052,648
Commercial Paper [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash equivalents
US Government Corporations and Agencies Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash equivalents
Money Market Funds [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash equivalents 1,248,327 3,052,648
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash equivalents 1,248,327 3,052,648
Marketable securities
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities 1,248,327 3,052,648
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash equivalents
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | US Government Corporations and Agencies Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash equivalents
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash equivalents 1,242,327 3,052,648
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash equivalents
Marketable securities
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash equivalents
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | US Government Corporations and Agencies Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash equivalents
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash equivalents
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash equivalents
Marketable securities
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash equivalents
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | US Government Corporations and Agencies Securities [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash equivalents
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Cash equivalents
v3.24.3
Prepaid Expenses (Details Narrative) - USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]    
Prepaid expenses $ 695,151 $ 103,256
Prepaid insurance 94,599 $ 88,554
Prepaid costs of issuance 100,559  
Clinical trial advance deposit 400,410  
Other prepaid expenses $ 99,583  
v3.24.3
Accrued Expenses (Details Narrative) - USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]    
Accrued expenses $ 89,773 $ 77,280
Accrued clinical expenses   19,575
Franchise tax expense   52,050
Professional services expenses   $ 5,655
v3.24.3
Notes Payable – Related Party (Details Narrative) - USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]    
Notes payable $ 0 $ 0
v3.24.3
Letter of Credit (Details Narrative) - Letter of Credit [Member] - USD ($)
9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]    
Aggregate available borrowing $ 50,000  
Prime rate 3.10%  
Outstanding balance $ 0 $ 0
v3.24.3
The following is an analysis of options to purchase shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (Details) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2024
Mar. 31, 2024
Sep. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]          
Outstanding at beginning 361,625 361,625 306,625 306,625 256,750
Outstanding at beginning $ 19.44 $ 19.44 $ 21.84 $ 21.84 $ 22.72
Outstanding at ending (in years) 5 years 5 months 12 days 5 years 8 months 12 days 5 years 2 months 8 days   5 years 6 months 3 days
Outstanding at beginning $ 605,687
Granted 55,000   53,000
Granted     $ 6.16   $ 17.52
Granted     9 years 11 months 15 days   9 years 11 months 15 days
Expired  
Cancelled   (3,125)
Cancelled         $ 17.52
Exercised  
Outstanding at ending 361,625 361,625 361,625 361,625 306,625
Outstanding at ending $ 19.44 $ 19.44 $ 19.44 $ 19.44 $ 21.84
Outstanding at ending
Options vested 343,292     343,292  
Options exercisable 343,292     343,292 284,042
v3.24.3
A summary of status of the Company’s non-vested stock options (exercisable for shares of Common Stock on a one-to-one basis) as of, and changes during, the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 is presented below: (Details) - $ / shares
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]    
Nonvested at beginning 22,583 54,333
Nonvested at beginning $ 22.48 $ 22.56
Granted 55,000 53,000
Granted $ 4.40 $ 17.52
Vested (59,250) (84,750)
Vested $ 6.32 $ 18.88
Expired
Expired
Nonvested at ending 18,333 22,583
Nonvested at ending $ 4.40 $ 22.48
v3.24.3
The weighted-average fair value of stock options on the date of grant and the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 using the Black-Scholes option-pricin (Details) - USD ($)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]    
Weighted-average exercise price of options granted $ 4.40 $ 12.00
Expected volatility 86.17% 83.47%
Expected life (in years) 5 years 2 months 1 day 5 years 15 days
Risk-free interest rate (range) 4.33% 3.99%
Expected dividend yield
v3.24.3
Stock Options (Details Narrative) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 15, 2024
Jun. 16, 2023
Sep. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2024
Mar. 31, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Dec. 31, 2023
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]                  
Options granted     1,091,205       1,091,205   756,745
Common stock, shares, outstanding     1,091,205       1,091,205   756,745
Expected term (in years)             5 years 2 months 1 day 5 years 15 days  
Weighted average remaining contractual life     5 years 5 months 12 days 5 years 8 months 12 days 5 years 2 months 8 days       5 years 6 months 3 days
Options granted strike price         $ 6.16       $ 17.52
Options granted     55,000       53,000
Stock Option Plans [Member]                  
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]                  
Options granted 55,000                
Expected term (in years)             10 years    
Unrecognized compensation     $ 80,667       $ 80,667    
Weighted average remaining contractual life             1 year    
compensation cost     $ 379,726     $ 298,759 $ 668,730 $ 1,355,016  
Options granted strike price $ 6.16 $ 17.52              
Options granted   53,000              
Common Class A [Member] | Stock Option Plans [Member]                  
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]                  
Options granted     434,750       434,750    
Common stock, shares, outstanding     134,750       134,750    
Common Class A [Member] | Stock Option Plans2020 [Member]                  
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]                  
Options granted     300,000       300,000    
v3.24.3
Preferred Stock (Details Narrative) - $ / shares
Sep. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Preferred stock, shares authorized 20,000,000 20,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.0001 $ 0.0001
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]    
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.0001  
v3.24.3
Common Stock (Details Narrative) - $ / shares
Sep. 26, 2024
Sep. 24, 2024
Sep. 17, 2024
Aug. 16, 2024
Aug. 01, 2024
Sep. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]              
Common stock, shares authorized           200,000,000 200,000,000
Common stock, shares, outstanding           1,091,205 756,745
Common Stock [Member]              
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]              
Common stock, shares, outstanding           1,091,205 756,745
Shares of common stock for the execution 25,000 25,000 28,125 12,500 49,875    
Common Stock [Member] | IPO [Member]              
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]              
Shares issued price, per share         $ 0.62    
v3.24.3
Warrants (Details Narrative) - USD ($)
9 Months Ended
Aug. 01, 2024
Sep. 30, 2024
Warrants    
Warrants to purchase 208,375  
Common Stock at a price $ 4,952  
Exercise price $ 0.008  
Warrant other descripion   The pre-funded warrants were immediately exercisable, subject to 4.99% and 9.99% beneficial ownership limitations (as applicable) and were exercisable at any time until exercised in full. The securities issued in the August 2024 Offering were issued pursuant to a prospectus supplement, dated July 31, 2024, to the registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-276815), declared effective by the SEC on February 8, 2024. In connection with the August 2024 Offering and pursuant to an engagement letter with H.C. Wainwright & Co. LLC (the “Placement Agent”), who served as the placement agent for the August 2024 Offering, the Company agreed to issue to the Placement Agent, as partial compensation for its services as Placement Agent, warrants to purchase up to 19,368 shares of Common Stock, which were exercisable immediately, subject to 4.99% and 9.99% beneficial ownership limitations (as applicable), expire on July 31, 2029, and have an exercise price of $6.20 per share. The gross proceeds to the Company from the August 2024 Offering were approximately $1,280,920, before deducting placement agent fees and expenses and offering expenses payable by the Company. As of September 30, 2024, 90,625 of the pre-funded warrants from the August 2024 Offering had been exercised and converted to shares of Common Stock and 117,750 pre-funded warrants remained.
v3.24.3
Future minimum rent payments under the Leases as of September 30, 2024 are as follows (Details)
Sep. 30, 2024
USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
2024 $ 24,259
2025 48,519
Total minimum lease payments 72,778
Operating Lease Payable Interest (2,636)
Present value of minimum lease payments $ 70,142
v3.24.3
Commitment and Contingencies (Details Narrative)
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2023
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2024
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2023
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]          
Operating lease ROU assets $ 69,555   $ 69,555   $ 135,144
Operating lease liability current 70,830   70,830   89,223
Operating lease liability noncurrent     47,371
Lease expense 23,834 $ 20,648 71,680 $ 54,011  
Operating lease liability $ 24,259 $ 21,331 $ 71,854 $ 54,135  
Minimum [Member]          
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]          
Leases range, percent 0.0625   0.0625    
Maximum [Member]          
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]          
Leases range, percent 0.0725   0.0725    
Use Rights [Member]          
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]          
Operating lease ROU assets $ 69,555   $ 69,555   $ 135,144
v3.24.3
Schedule of income tax provision attributable to loss before income tax benefit (Details)
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2024
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]    
Statutory federal income tax rate 21.00% 21.00%
State taxes, net of federal benefit   7.11%
Change in valuation allowance   (28.11%)
Effective tax rate   0.00%
v3.24.3
Income Taxes (Details Narrative)
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]        
Effective income tax rate 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Statutory federal income tax rate 21.00%   21.00%  
v3.24.3
Subsequent Events (Details Narrative)
Oct. 15, 2024
shares
Subsequent Events [Abstract]  
Pre funded warrants exercised and exchanged for shares of common stock 117,750

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