10-Q 1 tv520697_10q.htm FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019

 

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:   001-38045

 

 

 

Neurotrope, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada 46-3522381
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

 

1185 Avenue of the Americas, 3rd Floor

New York, New York 10036

(973) 242-0005

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

  

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x  No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x  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 x Smaller reporting company x
    Emerging growth company ¨

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

 

NTRP

 

The Nasdaq Stock Market

 

As of May 7, 2019, there were 12,922,370 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, issued and outstanding.

 

 

 

   

 

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

 

Certain statements in this report contain or may contain forward-looking statements. These statements, identified by words such as “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “should,” “expect” and similar expressions, include our expectations and objectives regarding our future financial position, operating results and business strategy. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements were based on various factors and were derived utilizing numerous assumptions and other factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, our inability to obtain adequate financing, the significant length of time associated with drug development and related insufficient cash flows and resulting illiquidity, our patent portfolio, our inability to expand our business, significant government regulation of pharmaceuticals and the healthcare industry, lack of product diversification, availability of our raw materials, existing or increased competition, stock volatility and illiquidity, and the our failure to implement our business plans or strategies. Most of these factors are difficult to predict accurately and are generally beyond our control. You should consider the areas of risk described in connection with any forward-looking statements that may be made herein. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. Readers should carefully review this report in its entirety, including but not limited to our financial statements and the notes thereto and the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). We advise you to carefully review the reports and documents we file from time to time with the SEC, particularly our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and our current reports on Form 8-K. Except for our ongoing obligations to disclose material information under the Federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly release any revisions to any forward-looking statements, to report events or to report the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

When used in this report, the terms, “we,” the “Company,” “our,” and “us” refer to Neurotrope, Inc., a Nevada corporation (formerly BlueFlash Communications, Inc., a Florida corporation) and its consolidated subsidiary Neurotrope BioScience, Inc. (“Neurotrope BioScience”).

 

   

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
No.
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
     
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 3
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 3
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 4
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 5
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 6
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 7
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. 16
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. 22
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures. 22
     
Part II – OTHER INFORMATION  
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings. 23
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors. 23
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds. 23
     
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities. 23
     
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures. 23
     
Item 5. Other Information. 23
     
Item 6. Exhibits. 23
     
  Signatures. 24

 

 2 

 

 

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements.

 

Neurotrope, Inc and Subsidiary

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

(Unaudited)

 

ASSETS            
    March 31,     December 31,  
    2019     2018  
CURRENT ASSETS                
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 24,032,383     $ 28,854,218  
Prepaid expenses     426,585       603,324  
                 
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS     24,458,968       29,457,542  
                 
Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation     25,159       20,842  
                 
TOTAL ASSETS   $ 24,484,127     $ 29,478,384  
                 
 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                
                 
CURRENT LIABILITIES                
Accounts payable   $ 997,476     $ 2,898,583  
Accrued expenses     60,736       58,492  
                 
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES     1,058,212       2,957,075  
                 
Commitments and contingencies                
                 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                
Common stock - 150,000,000 shares authorized, $.0001 par value;                
12,922,370 shares issued and outstanding     1,292       1,292  
Additional paid-in capital     101,795,874       100,202,110  
Accumulated deficit     (78,371,251 )     (73,682,093 )
                 
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY     23,425,915       26,521,309  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   $ 24,484,127     $ 29,478,384  

  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 3 

 

 

Neurotrope, Inc. and Subsidiary

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended 
   March 31,   March 31, 
   2019   2018 
         
 OPERATING EXPENSES:          
 Research and development - related party  $-   $112,893 
 Research and development   1,861,293    89,250 
 General and administrative - related party   12,500    12,500 
 General and administrative   1,328,500    1,122,321 
 Stock-based compensation - related party   78,289    113,133 
 Stock-based compensation   1,515,475    562,563 
           
 TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES   4,796,057    2,012,660 
           
 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):          
 Interest income   106,899    23,998 
           
 Net loss before income taxes   4,689,158    1,988,662 
           
 Provision for income taxes   -    - 
           
 Net loss  $4,689,158   $1,988,662 
           
 PER SHARE DATA:          
           
 Basic and diluted loss per common share  $0.36   $0.25 
           
 Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding   12,922,400    7,902,500 

  

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 4 

 

 

Neurotrope, Inc. and Subsidiary

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

 

(Unaudited) 

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 
       Additional         
   Common Stock   Paid-In   Accumulated     
   Shares   Amount   Capital   Deficit   Total 
                     
 Balance January 1, 2018   7,895,859   $790   $77,544,976   $(62,659,807)  $14,885,959 
                          
 Exercise of common stock warrants   11,668    1    3,733    -    3,734 
                          
 Stock based compensation   -    -    675,696    -    675,696 
                          
 Net loss   -    -    -    (1,988,662)   (1,988,662)
                          
 Balance March 31, 2018   7,907,527   $791   $78,224,405   $(64,648,469)  $13,576,727 

  

   Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 
                     
       Additional         
   Common Stock   Paid-In   Accumulated     
   Shares   Amount   Capital   Deficit   Total 
                     
 Balance January 1, 2019   12,922,370   $1,292   $100,202,110   $(73,682,093)  $26,521,309 
                          
 Stock based compensation   -    -    1,593,764    -    1,593,764 
                          
 Net loss   -    -    -    (4,689,158)   (4,689,158)
                          
 Balance March 31, 2019   12,922,370   $1,292   $101,795,874   $(78,371,251)  $23,425,915 

 

 See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 5 

 

 

Neurotrope, Inc. and Subsidiary

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

(Unaudited)

  

   Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 2019   March 31, 2018 
CASH FLOW USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES          
Net loss  $(4,689,158)  $(1,988,662)
 Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net          
    cash used by operating activities          
Stock based compensation   1,593,764    675,696 
Depreciation expense   897    698 
 Change in assets and liabilities          
Decrease in prepaid expenses   176,739    78,735 
(Decrease) in accounts payable   (1,901,107)   (25,000)
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses   2,244    (293,160)
(Decrease) in accrued expenses - related party   -    (66,058)
Total adjustments   (127,463)   370,911 
           
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities   (4,816,621)   (1,617,751)
           
CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES          
Purchase of property and equipment   (5,214)   - 
           
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities   (5,214)   - 
           
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES          
Net proceeds from exercise of common stock warrants   -    3,734 
           
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities   -    3,734 
           
NET DECREASE IN CASH   (4,821,835)   (1,614,017)
           
CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD   28,854,218    16,113,150 
           
CASH AT END OF PERIOD  $24,032,383   $14,499,133 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 6 

 

 

NEUROTROPE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Note 1 – Organization, Nature of Business, and Liquidity:

 

Business

 

Neurotrope BioScience was incorporated in Delaware on October 31, 2012. Neurotrope BioScience was formed to advance new therapeutic and diagnostic technologies in the field of neurodegenerative disease, primarily Alzheimer’s disease (“AD”). Neurotrope BioScience is collaborating with Cognitive Research Enterprises, Inc. (formerly known as the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, or BRNI) (“CRE”), a related party, in this process. The exclusive rights to certain technology were licensed by CRE to the Company on February 28, 2013 (see Note 4).

 

Liquidity

 

The Company raised approximately $20.5 million in net cash proceeds in December 2018. As of May 7, 2019, the Company had approximately $23.5 million in cash and cash equivalents. The Company expects that its existing capital resources will be sufficient to support its projected operating requirements over at least the next approximately 24 to 36 months, including the continuing development of bryostatin, our novel drug targeting the activation of PKC epsilon, through our ongoing follow-on clinical study (estimated revised total cost of $7.3 million - see Note 3), conduct other non-clinical studies, plus the plan to conduct additional studies in AD and potentially other diseases that might benefit from using bryostatin. The balance of the funds will be used for general corporate and working capital purposes.

 

We expect to require additional capital in order to initiate and pursue additional development projects in addition to our current confirmatory AD clinical trial. Additional funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. If we are unable to access additional funds when needed, we may not be able to pursue development of such other product candidates. If so, we could be required to delay, scale back or eliminate some or all of our existing or additional contemplated development programs and operations. Any additional equity financing, if available, may not be available on favorable terms, would most likely be significantly dilutive to our current stockholders and debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants. If we are able to access funds through collaborative or licensing arrangements, we may be required to relinquish rights to some of our technologies or product candidates that we would otherwise seek to develop or commercialize on our own, on terms that are not favorable to us. Our ability to access capital when needed is not assured and, if not achieved on a timely basis, will materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that the Company will have for any subsequent period. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 7 

 

 

Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:

 

Use of Estimates:

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make significant estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Concentration of Credit Risk:

 

The Company considers all highly liquid temporary cash investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. At March 31, 2019, the Company’s cash balances that exceed the current insured amounts under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) were approximately $7.7 million. In addition, approximately $16.3 million included in cash and cash equivalents were invested in a money market fund, which is not insured under the FDIC. Cash and cash equivalents are held in banks or in custodial accounts with banks. Cash equivalents are defined as all liquid investments and money market funds with maturity from date of purchase of 90 days orless that are readily convertible into cash.

 

 Property and Equipment:

 

Lease Accounting. The new accounting standard for leases, Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 842, Leases, was adopted for the fiscal year beginning on January 1, 2019. Per the new standard, all leases with a lease term greater than 12 months, regardless of lease type classification, are recorded as an obligation on the balance sheet with a corresponding right-of-use asset. The Company does not have any leases greater than 12 months in duration. As a result, there is no material impact to the financial statements.

 

Property and equipment is capitalized and depreciated on a straight line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset, which is deemed to be between three and ten years.

 

Research and Development Costs:

 

All research and development costs, including costs to maintain or expand the Company’s patent portfolio licensed from CRE that do not meet the criteria for capitalization are expensed when incurred. FASB ASC Topic 730 requires companies involved in research and development activities to capitalize non-refundable advance payments for such services pursuant to contractual arrangements because the right to receive those services represents an economic benefit. Such capitalized advances will be expensed when the services occur and the economic benefit is realized. There were no capitalized research and development services at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

 

Loss Per Share:

 

Basic loss per common share amounts are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted loss per share amounts are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, plus the incremental shares that would have been outstanding upon the assumed exercise of all potentially dilutive stock options and warrants subject to anti-dilution limitations. All such potentially dilutive instruments were anti-dilutive as of March 31, 2019 and 2018, which were approximately 12.4 million shares and 6.4 million shares, respectively.

  

Income Taxes:

 

The Company had federal and state net operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes of approximately $54.6 million for the period from October 31, 2012 (inception) through March 31, 2019. The net operating loss carryforwards resulted in a deferred tax asset of approximately $13.4 million at March 31, 2019. Income tax effects of share-based payments are recognized in the financial statements for those awards that will normally result in tax deductions under existing tax law.

 

 8 

 

 

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability approach which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and amounts reportable for income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

 

The Company applies the provisions of FASB ASC 740-10, Accounting for Uncertain Tax Positions, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The standard also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, and accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transitions.

 

The Company has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the accompanying financial statements. The tax period that is subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions is generally three years from the date of filing.

 

Under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, changes in the Company's ownership may limit the amount of its net operating loss carryforwards that could be utilized annually to offset future taxable income, if any. This limitation would generally apply in the event of a cumulative change in ownership of the Company of more than 50% within a three-year period. The Company has not performed a study to assess whether an ownership change for purposes of Section 382 has occurred, or whether there have been multiple ownership changes since the Company's inception, due to the significant costs and complexities associated with such study.

 

Risks and Uncertainties:

 

The Company operates in an industry that is subject to rapid technological change, intense competition and significant government regulation. The Company’s operations are subject to significant risk and uncertainties including financial, operational, technological, regulatory and other risk. Such factors include, but are not necessarily limited to, the results of clinical testing and trial activities, the ability to obtain regulatory approval, the ability to obtain favorable licensing, manufacturing or other agreements for its product candidates and the ability to raise capital to achieve strategic objectives.

 

Stock Compensation:

 

The Company accounts for stock-based awards to employees in accordance with applicable accounting principles, which requires compensation expense related to share-based transactions, including employee stock options, to be measured and recognized in the financial statements based on a determination of the fair value of the stock options. The grant date fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton (“Black-Scholes”) pricing model. Employee stock option expense is recognized over the employee’s requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity grant). The Company’s option pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the volatility and expected term. Any changes in these highly subjective assumptions significantly impact stock-based compensation expense.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In July 2017, the FASB issued new guidance, ASU-2017-11, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480), which changes the classification analysis of certain equity-linked financial instruments (or embedded features) with down round features and re-characterizes the indefinite deferral of certain provisions within the guidance for distinguishing liabilities from equity.  The guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019.  Early adoption is permitted.  The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

 9 

 

 

In August 2018, the SEC issued a final rule Release No. 33-10532, “Disclosure Update and implification,” to amend certain disclosure requirements now seen as redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated or superseded in wake of recent accounting pronouncements. The amended rules became effective November 5, 2018. We analyzed the release in preparation of this Form 10-Q, which resulted in the additional disclosure of changes to stockholders’ equity during interim periods, as presented within this Form 10-Q within the condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity. We note that many of the amended requirements under this Release are not applicable to the Company, as we do not make dividend payments to stockholders, currently report our activities under a single business segment, and already provided all other significant disclosure requirements.

 

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU-2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808). In November 2018, the FASB issued new guidance to clarify the interaction between the authoritative guidance for collaborative arrangements and revenue from contracts with customers. The new guidance clarifies that, when the collaborative arrangement participant is a customer in the context of a unit-of-account, revenue from contracts with customers guidance should be applied, adds unit-of-account guidance to collaborative arrangements guidance, and requires, that in a transaction with a collaborative arrangement participant who is not a customer, presenting the transaction together with revenue recognized under contracts with customers is precluded. The guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will assess the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements once the Company begins to generate revenue.

 

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted During the Period:

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to how an entity should account for lease assets and lease liabilities.  The guidance specifies that an entity who is a lessee under lease agreements should recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for those leases classified as operating leases under previous FASB guidance.  Accounting for leases by lessors is largely unchanged under the new guidance.  The guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2019.  Early adoption is permitted.  In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach.  The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact to its financial statements based upon the de minimis amount of short-term lease commitments.

 

Note 3 – Collaborative Agreements:

 

Stanford License Agreements

 

On May 12, 2014, the Company entered into a license agreement (the “Stanford Agreement”) with The Board of Trustees of The Leland Stanford Junior University (“Stanford”), pursuant to which Stanford has granted to the Company a revenue-bearing, world-wide right and exclusive license, with the right to grant sublicenses (on certain conditions), under certain patent rights and related technology for the use of bryostatin structural derivatives, known as “bryologs,” for use in the treatment of central nervous system disorders, lysosomal storage diseases, stroke, cardio protection and traumatic brain injury, for the life of the licensed patents. We are required by the Stanford Agreement to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop, manufacture and sell products (“Licensed Products”) in the Licensed Field of Use (as defined in the Stanford Agreement) during the term of the licensing agreement which expires upon the termination of the last valid claim of any licensed patent under this agreement. In addition, we must meet specific diligence milestones, and upon meeting such milestones, make specific milestone payments to Stanford. We will also pay Stanford royalties of 3% on net sales, if any, of Licensed Products (as defined in the Stanford Agreement) and milestone payments of up to $3.7 million dependent upon stage of product development To-date, no royalties nor milestone payments have been made.

 

 10 

 

 

On January 19, 2017, the Company entered into an additional, second license agreement with Stanford, pursuant to which Stanford has granted to the Company a revenue-bearing, world-wide right and exclusive license, with the right to grant sublicenses (on certain conditions), under certain patent rights and related technology for the use of “Bryostatin Compounds and Methods of Preparing the Same,” or synthesized bryostatin, for use in the treatment of neurological diseases, cognitive dysfunction and psychiatric disorders, for the life of the licensed patents. The Company paid Stanford $70,000 upon executing the license and is obligated to pay an additional $10,000 annually as a license maintenance fee. In addition, based upon certain milestones which include product development and commercialization, the Company will be obligated to pay up to an additional $2.1 million and between 1.5% and 4.5% royalty payments on certain revenues generated by the Company relating to the licensed technology. The Company has made all required annual maintenance payments.

 

Mt. Sinai License Agreement

 

On July 14, 2014, Neurotrope BioScience entered into an Exclusive License Agreement (the “Mount Sinai Agreement”) with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (“Mount Sinai”). Pursuant to the Mount Sinai Agreement, Mount Sinai granted Neurotrope BioScience (a) a revenue-bearing, world-wide right and exclusive license, with the right to grant sublicenses (on certain conditions), under Mount Sinai’s interest in certain joint patents held by the Company and Mount Sinai (the “Joint Patents”) as well as in certain results and data (the “Data Package”) and (b) a non-exclusive license, with the right to grant sublicenses on certain conditions, to certain technical information, both relating to the diagnostic, prophylactic or therapeutic use for treating diseases or disorders in humans relying on activation of Protein Kinase C Epsilon (“PKCε”), which includes Niemann-Pick Disease (the “Mount Sinai Field of Use”). The Mount Sinai Agreement allows Neurotrope BioScience to research, discover, develop, make, have made, use, have used, import, lease, sell, have sold and offer certain products, processes or methods that are covered by valid claims of Mount Sinai’s interest in the Joint Patents or an Orphan Drug Designation Application covering the Data Package (“Mount Sinai Licensed Products”) in the Mount Sinai Field of Use (as such terms are defined in the Mount Sinai Agreement).

 

Clinical Trial Services Agreements

 

On May 4, 2018, Neurotrope BioScience executed a new Services Agreement (the “New Services Agreement”) with Worldwide Clinical Trials (“WCT”). The New Services Agreement relates to services for Neurotrope BioScience’s Phase 2 confirmatory clinical study assessing the safety, tolerability and efficacy of bryostatin in the treatment of moderately severe to severe AD (the “Study”). Pursuant to the terms of the Services Agreement, WCT is providing services to target enrollment of approximately one hundred (100) Study subjects. The total estimated budget for the services, including pass-through costs, drug supply and other statistical analyses, is approximately $7.3 million. Of the total estimated Study costs, as of March 31, 2019, the Company has incurred approximately $5.3 million in expenses of which WCT has represented a total of approximately $5.0 million and approximately $300,000 of expenses have been incurred to other trial-related vendors and consultants. In addition, the Company paid $1.2 million to WCT as prepaid deposits of which the Company has utilized approximately $1 million, leaving a balance included in prepaid expenses of approximately $200,000.

 

Note 4 – Related Party Transactions and Licensing / Research Agreements:

 

James Gottlieb, a director of the Company, serves as a director of CRE, and Shana Phares, also a director of the Company, serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of CRE. CRE is a stockholder of a corporation, Neuroscience Research Ventures, Inc. (“NRV, Inc.”), which owned approximately 2.2% of the Company's outstanding common stock as of March 31, 2019.

 

 11 

 

 

Effective October 31, 2012, Neurotrope BioScience executed a Technology License and Services Agreement (the “TLSA”) with CRE, a related party, and NRV II, LLC (“NRV II”), another affiliate of CRE, which was amended by Amendment No. 1 to the TLSA as of August 21, 2013. As of February 4, 2015, the parties entered into an Amended and Restated Technology License and Services Agreement (the “CRE License Agreement”). The CRE License Agreement provides research services and has granted Neurotrope BioScience the exclusive and nontransferable world-wide, royalty-bearing right, with a right to sublicense (in accordance with the terms and conditions described below), under CRE’s and NRV II’s respective right, title and interest in and to certain patents and technology owned by CRE or licensed to NRV II by CRE as of or subsequent to October 31, 2012, to develop, use, manufacture, market, offer for sale, sell, distribute, import and export certain products or services for therapeutic applications for AD and other cognitive dysfunctions in humans or animals (the “Field of Use”). Additionally, the TLSA specifies that all patents that issue from a certain patent application shall constitute licensed patents and all trade secrets, know-how and other confidential information claimed by such patents constitute licensed technology under the CRE License. The CRE License Agreement terminates on the later of the date (a) the last of the licensed patent expires, is abandoned, or is declared unenforceable or invalid or (b) the last of the intellectual property enters the public domain. After the initial Series A Stock financing, the CRE License Agreement required Neurotrope BioScience to enter into scope of work agreements with CRE as the preferred service provider for any research and development services or other related scientific assistance and support services.

   

In addition, the CRE License Agreement requires the Company to pay CRE a “Fixed Research Fee” of $1 million per year for five years, commencing on the date that the Company completes a Series B Preferred Stock financing resulting in proceeds of at least $25,000,000 (the “Series B Financing”). This Fixed Research Fee is not yet due. The CRE License Agreement also requires the payment of royalties ranging between 2% and 5% of the Company’s revenues generated from the licensed patents and other intellectual property, dependent upon the percentage ownership that NRV, Inc. holds in the Company. Under the CRE License Agreement, the Company was required to prepay royalty fees at a rate of 5% of all investor funds raised in the Series A or Series B Stock financings or any subsequent rounds of financing prior to a public offering, less commissions.

 

On November 12, 2015, Neurotrope BioScience, CRE, and NRV II entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the TLSA pursuant to which CRE granted rights in certain technology to Neurotrope BioScience. Under the Amendment, the “Advances on Future Royalties” section of the TLSA was amended and restated to (i) eliminate the requirement that Neurotrope BioScience pay CRE prepaid royalties equal to five percent (5%) of financing proceeds received by Neurotrope BioScience in any financing prior to a public offering, and (ii) provide that Neurotrope BioScience will deliver to CRE, following each closing pursuant to a certain securities purchase agreement, an amount equal to 2.5% of the Post-PA Fees Proceeds received at such closing. In addition, the Amendment provides that on or prior to December 31, 2016, Neurotrope Bioscience shall deliver to CRE an amount equal to 2.5% of the aggregate Post-PA Fee Proceeds received at the closings. Each payment would constitute an advance royalty payment to CRE and will be offset (with no interest) against the amount of future royalty obligations payable until such time that the amount of such future royalty obligations equals in full the amount of the advance royalty payments made. “Post-PA Fee Proceeds” means the gross proceeds received, less all amounts paid to the placement agent(s), in relation to such gross proceeds. No other expenses of Neurotrope Bioscience shall be subtracted from the gross proceeds to determine the “Post-PA Fee Proceeds.” As of March 31, 2019, the Company has paid its entire obligation of $1,166,666 resulting from this Amendment.

 

In addition, on November 10, 2018, Neurotrope BioScience and CRE entered into a second amendment (the “Second Amendment”) to the TLSA to which CRE granted certain patent prosecution and maintenance rights to Neurotrope BioScience. Under the Second Amendment, Neurotrope BioScience will have the sole and exclusive right and the obligation, to apply for, file, prosecute and maintain patents and applications for the intellectual property licensed to Neurotrope BioScience, and pay all fees, costs and expenses related to the licensed intellectual property. Neurotrope BioScience paid CRE $10,000 in consideration of this Second Amendment.

 

Note 5 – Common Stock:

 

December 2018 Offering

 

On December 17, 2018, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with certain investors (the “Purchasers”). Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to sell to the Purchasers in a registered direct offering an aggregate of 5,012,677 shares of its common stock and Series G warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 5,012,677 shares of common stock at a combined purchase price of $4.495 per share and accompanying warrant. The warrants were not deemed to be derivative securities. As a result, the value of the warrants were accounted for as offsetting entries in the stockholders’ equity section of the balance sheet. The warrants will be exercisable at a price of $4.37 per share beginning six months following the date of issuance and will expire five years from the exercise date. The net proceeds to the Company from the offering were approximately $20.5 million, after deducting placement agent fees, financial advisory fees and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company of approximately $2.1 million.

 

 12 

 

 

Pursuant to a placement agent agreement, dated December 17, 2018 (the “Placement Agent Agreement”), the Company paid (i) a cash fee of $442,000 (8.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised from Purchasers first contacted by the placement agent in connection with the offering) and (ii) warrants to purchase 24,583 shares of common stock (represents the number of shares of common stock equal to 2.0% of the aggregate number of shares sold to Purchasers first contacted by the placement agent in connection with the offering). The Company also agreed to reimburse the placement agent an additional $25,000 for its legal expenses.

 

The placement agent warrants have substantially the same terms as the warrants issued to the investors in the offering, except that the placement agent warrants have an exercise price equal to $6.25 and a term of five years from the effective date of the offering.

 

Pursuant to separate advisory consulting agreements (as amended, the “Consulting Agreements”), the Company engaged advisory financial consultants in connection with the offering. The Company agreed to pay total consulting fees of approximately $1.6 million, plus reimbursement of up to $50,000 of their legal expenses. In addition, the financial consultants received a total of warrants to purchase 75,657 shares of common stock. Such warrants issued to the advisory financial consultants have the same terms and are in the same form as the placement agent warrants described above. 

 

Note 6 – Stock Options:

 

Option Grants

 

The following is a summary of stock option activity under the stock option plans for the three months ended March 31, 2019:

 

           Weighted-     
           Average     
       Weighted-   Remaining   Aggregate 
       Average   Contractual   Intrinsic 
   Number of   Exercise   Term   Value 
   Shares   Price   (Years)   (in millions) 
Options outstanding at January 1, 2019   1,520,246   $18.07    8.2      
Options granted   675,000   $3.95           
Less options forfeited   -   $-           
Less options expired/cancelled   -   $-           
Less options exercised   -   $-           
Options outstanding at March 31, 2019   2,195,246   $13.72    8.5   $1.1408 
Options exercisable at March 31, 2019   1,329,986   $17.06    8.1   $0.463 

 

 13 

 

 

In January 2019, the Company granted stock options to purchase an aggregate of 595,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to eight members of the Company’s Board of Directors, three Company officers and two Company employees. The stock options have an exercise price of $3.93 per share and an expiration date that is ten years from the date of issuance. All of the options vest 50% at time of issuance and 50% quarterly over the subsequent two year period after the issuance date. Options to purchase an aggregate of 29,923 shares cannot be exercised until, and are subject to, stockholder approval of an increase in shares under the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan. If stockholder approval is not obtained, such options shall be cancelled. Pursuant to the Company’s non-employee director compensation plan, in March 2019, the Company granted stock options to purchase an aggregate of 80,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to eight members of the Company’s Board of Directors. The stock options have an exercise price of $4.06 per share and an expiration date that is ten years from the date of issuance. All of these options vest upon the first anniversary of the issuance date. Such options cannot be exercised until, and are subject to, stockholder approval of an increase in shares under the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan. If stockholder approval is not obtained, such options shall be cancelled. No compensation expense has been taken on the 109,923 options subject to stockholder approval.

 

As of March 31, 2019, there was approximately $4.2 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested stock options. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years.

 

The Company used the Black-Scholes valuation model to calculate the fair value of stock options. The fair value of stock options issued for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was estimated at the grant date using the following weighted average assumptions: Dividend yield 0%; Expected term 10 years; Volatility 92.2%; and Risk-free interest rate 2.72%. The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted for the three months ended March 31, 2019 is $3.45 per share.

 

The total stock option-based compensation recorded as operating expense was $1,593,764 and $675,696 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

 Note 7 – Common Stock Warrants:

 

 

The following is a summary of common stock warrant activity for the three months ended March 31, 2019:

 

   Number
of shares
 
Warrants outstanding January 1, 2019   10,214,357 
Warrants issued   - 
Warrants exercised   - 
Warrants outstanding March 31, 2019   10,214,357 

 

As of March 31, 2019, the Company’s warrants by exercise price were as follows: 147,606 warrants exercisable at $0.32, 5,012,677 warrants exercisable at $4.37, 100,240 warrants exercisable at $6.25, 382,887 warrants exercisable at $6.40, 3,751,033 warrants exercisable at $12.80 and 819,914 warrants exercisable at $32.00.

 

Note 8 – Commitments and Contingencies

 

On March 29, 2019, the Company entered into an employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with Michael Ciraolo, J.D., Ph.D., pursuant to which Dr. Ciraolo agreed to serve as General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, commencing April 1, 2019 (the “Effective Date”). Dr. Ciraolo will receive an initial annual base salary of $335,000 with a target annual bonus equal to 30% of his base salary as then in effect. Dr. Ciraolo also has received an initial inducement equity grant of options to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock, 25% of which will vest immediately and the remaining 75% of which will vest in equal monthly installments over a two year period.

 

If the Company terminates Dr. Ciraolo’s employment without cause (as defined in the Employment Agreement) or if Dr. Ciraolo terminates his employment with the Company for good reason (as defined in the Employment Agreement), Dr. Ciraolo is entitled to receive 1/12 of his base salary as then in effect for the Severance Period, which is defined in the Employment Agreement as (i) if no Change of Control (as defined in the Employment Agreement) has occurred, (A) three months if the termination date is prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date, (B) six months if the termination date is after the first anniversary of the Effective Date but before the second anniversary, or (C) nine months if the termination date is after the second anniversary of the Effective Date, and (ii) if a Change of Control has occurred as of the termination date, twelve months.

 

 14 

 

 

The Company is a party to various contractual commitments pursuant to its normal course of business including previously disclosed commitments with WCT and strategic agreements with certain academic institutions for product development opportunities in various therapeutic categories. The Company maintains two offices for which it pays approximately $80,000 per year. The Company’s leases are all short term in nature.

 

Note 9 – Subsequent Events

 

On April 15, 2019, the Company granted its new General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer options to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock. The stock options have an exercise price of $5.67 per share and an expiration date that is ten years from the date of issuance, 25% of which will vest immediately and the remaining 75% of which will vest in equal monthly installments over a two year period (See Note 7 - “Commitments and Contingencies”.)

 

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

 

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this report. In addition to historical information, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed below. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those identified below, and those discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this report and our annual report on Form 10-K for the year end December 31, 2018.

 

The following discussion highlights our results of operations and the principal factors that have affected our financial condition as well as our liquidity and capital resources for the periods described, and provides information that management believes is relevant for an assessment and understanding of the statements of financial condition and results of operations presented herein. The following discussion and analysis are based on the unaudited financial statements contained in this report, which we have prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles. You should read the discussion and analysis together with such financial statements and the related notes thereto.

 

Overview

 

We are a biopharmaceutical company with product candidates in pre-clinical and clinical development. We are principally focused on developing a product platform based upon a drug candidate called bryostatin for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (“AD”), which is in the clinical testing stage. We are also evaluating bryostatin for other neurodegenerative or cognitive diseases and dysfunctions, such as Fragile X syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, and Niemann-Pick Type C disease, which have undergone pre-clinical testing. In addition, we are also in the early stages of testing bryostatin activity which may lead to applications in Leukemia and Lymphoma. Neurotrope has been a party to a technology license and services agreement with the original Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute (“BRNI”) (which has been known as Cognitive Research Enterprises, Inc. (“CRE”) since October 2016), and its affiliate NRV II, LLC, which we collectively refer to herein as “CRE,” pursuant to which we now have an exclusive non-transferable license to certain patents and technologies required to develop our proposed products. Neurotrope BioScience was formed for the primary purpose of commercializing the technologies initially developed by BRNI for therapeutic applications for AD or other cognitive dysfunctions. These technologies have been under development by BRNI since 1999 and, until March 2013, had been financed through funding from a variety of non-investor sources (which include not-for-profit foundations, the National Institutes of Health, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and individual philanthropists). From March 2013 forward, development of the licensed technology has been funded principally through the Company in collaboration with CRE. We have entered into licensing agreements with Stanford University for the exclusive use of synthetic bryostatin and for the use of bryostatin-like compounds, called Bryologs, for certain therapeutic indications.

 

Pursuant to the CRE License and as amended, Neurotrope BioScience maintains its exclusive, non-transferable (except pursuant to the CRE License’s assignment provision), world-wide, royalty-bearing right, with a right to sublicense , title and interest in and to certain patents and technology owned by CRE or its affiliates to develop, use, manufacture, market, offer for sale, sell, distribute, import and export certain products or services for therapeutic applications for AD and other cognitive dysfunctions in humans or animals (the “Field of Use”). Additionally, the CRE License specifies that all patents that issue from a certain patent application shall constitute licensed patents and all trade secrets, know-how and other confidential information claimed by such patents constitute licensed technology under the CRE License.

 

On August 23, 2013, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Neurotrope Acquisition, Inc., a corporation formed in the State of Nevada on August 15, 2013 merged with and into Neurotrope BioScience. Neurotrope BioScience was the surviving corporation in the Reverse Merger and became Neurotrope, Inc.’s wholly-owned subsidiary. As the result of the Reverse Merger, the Company’s business changed from engaging in the business of providing software solutions to deliver geo-location targeted coupon advertising to mobile internet devices, to the biotechnology business, including the development of a drug candidate called bryostatin for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (“AD”).

 

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Results of Phase 2 Clinical Trial

 

On May 1, 2017, we reported certain relevant top-line results from our Phase 2 exploratory clinical trial based on a preliminary analysis of a limited portion of the complete data set generated. A comprehensive analysis of these data from the Phase 2 exploratory trial evaluating Bryostatin-1 as a treatment of cognitive deficits in moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease were recently published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 67, no. 2, pp. 555-570, 2019.  A total of 147 patients were enrolled into the study; 135 patients in the mITT population (as defined below) and 113 in the Completer population (as defined below). This study was the first repeat dose study of bryostatin-1 in patients with late stage AD (defined as a Mini Mental State Exam 2 (“MMSE-2”) of 4-15), in which two dose levels of bryostatin-1 were compared with placebo to assess safety and preliminary efficacy (p < 0.1, one-tailed) after 12 weeks of treatment. The pre-specified primary endpoint, the Severe Impairment Battery (the “SIB”) (used to evaluate cognition in severe dementia), compared each dose of bryostatin-1 with placebo at Week 13 in two sets of patients: (1) the modified intent-to-treat (the “mITT”) population, consisting of all patients who received study drug and had at least one efficacy/safety evaluation, and (2) the Completer population, consisting of those patients within the mITT population who completed the 13-week dosing protocol and cognitive assessments.

 

These announced top-line results indicated that the 20 µg dose, administered after two weekly 20 µg doses during the first two weeks and every other week thereafter, met the pre-specified primary endpoint in the Completer population, but not in the mITT population. Among the patients who completed the protocol (n = 113), the patients on the 20 µg dose at 13 weeks showed a mean increase on the SIB of 1.5 vs. a decrease in the placebo group of -1.1 (net improvement of 2.6, p < 0.07), whereas, in the mITT population, the 20 µg group had a mean increase on the SIB of 1.2 vs. a decrease in the placebo group of -0.8 (net improvement of 2.0, p < 0.134). At the pre-specified 5 week secondary endpoint, the Completer patients in the 20 µg group showed a net improvement of 4.0 SIB (p < .016), and the mITT population showed a net improvement of 3.0 (p < .056). Unlike the 20 µg dose, there was no therapeutic signal observed with the 40 µg dose.

 

The Alzheimer Disease Cooperative Study Activities of Daily Living Inventory Severe Impairment version (the “ADCS-ADL-SIV”) was another pre-specified secondary endpoint. The p values for the comparisons between 20 µg and placebo for the ADCS-ADL endpoint at 13 weeks were 0.082 for the Completers and 0.104 for the mITT population.

 

Together, these initial results after preliminary analysis of this exploratory trial, provided signals that bryostatin-1, at the 20 µg dose, caused sustained improvement in important functions that are impaired in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease, i.e., cognition and the ability to care for oneself. Since many of the patients in this study were already taking donepezil and/or memantine, the efficacy of bryostatin-1 was evaluated in the Top Line results over and above the standard of care therapeutics.

 

The safety profile of bryostatin-1 20 µg was minimally different from the placebo group except for a higher incidence of diarrhea and infusion reactions (11% versus 2% for diarrhea and 17% versus 6% for infusion reactions). Fewer adverse events were reported in patients in the 20 µg group, compared to the 40 µg group. Patients dosed with 20 µg had a dropout rate less than or identical to placebo, while patients dosed at 40 µg experienced poorer safety and tolerability, and had a higher dropout rate. Treatment emergent adverse events (“TEAEs”) were mostly mild or moderate in severity. TEAEs, including serious adverse events, were more common in the 40 µg group, as compared to the 20 µg and placebo groups. The mean age of patients in the study was 72 years and similar across all three treatment groups.

 

Following presentation of the top line results in July 2017 at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in London, a much more extensive analysis of a complete set of the Phase 2 trial data was conducted.

 

On January 5, 2018, we announced that a pre-specified exploratory analysis of the comprehensive data set from our recent Phase 2 trial in patients with advanced AD found evidence of sustained improvement in cognition in patients receiving the 20 μg bryostatin regimen. As specified in the Statistical Analysis Plan (“SAP”), analysis of patients who did not receive memantine, an approved AD treatment, as baseline therapy showed greater SIB improvement. These findings suggested that this investigational drug could potentially treat Alzheimer’s disease itself and help reduce and/or reverse the progression of AD, in addition to alleviating its symptoms.

 

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Comprehensive follow-on analyses found that patients in the 20 μg treatment arm showed a sustained improvement in cognition over baseline compared to the placebo group at an exploratory endpoint week 15 (30 days after last dose at week 11). These data were observed in the study population as a whole as well as in the Completers study group.

 

This follow-on analysis of the data evaluated SIB scores of patients at 15 weeks, 30 days after all dosing had been completed – a pre-specified exploratory endpoint. For the 20 μg group, patients in the mITT population (n=34) showed an overall improvement compared to controls (n=33) of 3.59 (p=0.0503) and in the Completers population (n=34) showed an overall improvement compared to controls (n=33) of 4.09 (p=0.0293). In summary, patients on the 20 μg dose showed a persistent SIB improvement 30 days after all dosing had been completed. These p-values and those below are one-tailed.

 

Additional analyses compared 20 µg dose patients who were on baseline therapy of Aricept vs. patients off Aricept. No significant differences were observed. Another analysis compared the 20 µg dose patients who were on or off baseline therapy of memantine. The secondary analysis comparing SIB scores in non-memantine versus memantine patients found the following:

 

  · At week 15, non-memantine patients in the mITT Group treated with 20 μg (n=14) showed an SIB improvement of 5.88, while the placebo patients (n=11) showed a decline in their SIB scores of -0.05 for an overall treatment Δ of 5.93 from baseline (p=0.0576).

 

  · At week 15, non-memantine patients in the Completers Group treated with 20 μg (n=14) showed an SIB improvement of 6.24, while the placebo patients (n=11) showed a decline in their SIB scores of -0.12 for an overall treatment Δ of 6.36 from baseline (p=0.0488).

 

  · Patients taking memantine as background therapy in the 20 μg (n=20) and control (n=22) groups showed no improvement in SIB scores.

 

Memantine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, is marketed under the brand names Namenda®, Namenda® XR, and Namzaric® (a combination of memantine and donepezil) for the treatment of dementia in patients with moderate-to-severe AD. It has been shown to delay cognitive decline and help reduce disease symptoms.

 

Further follow-on analyses used trend analyses (testing the dependence of treatment effect on repeated doses).

 

In the trend analyses, we found that the SIB values did not increase over time for the placebo patients resulting in slopes that were non-significantly different from zero (e.g.‘zero-slopes’). In contrast, the SIB slopes for the 20 μg bryostatin patients who did not receive baseline memantine were found to be statistically significant (p<.001), giving a slope (95% CI) = 0.38 (0.18, 0.57) SIB points per week in the random intercept model, and a slope (95% CI) = 0.38 (0.18, 0.59) points per week in the random intercept and slope model. These results provided evidence that SIB improvement (drug benefit) increased as the number of successive bryostatin doses increased for the 20 μg patient cohort.

 

Ongoing Confirmatory Phase 2 Clinical Trial

 

On May 4, 2018, we announced a confirmatory, 100 patient, double-blinded clinical trial for the safe, effective 20 μg dose protocol for advanced AD patients not taking memantine as background therapy to evaluate improvements in SIB scores with an increased number of patients. We engaged Worldwide Clinical Trials, Inc. (WCT), in conjunction with consultants and investigators at leading academic institutions, to collaborate on the design and conduct of the trial, which began in April 2018. During July 2018, the first patient was enrolled in this study. Pursuant to a new Services Agreement (the “New Services Agreement”) with Worldwide Clinical Trials (“WCT”) dated as of May 4, 2018, WCT is providing services relating to the trial. The total estimated budget for the services, including pass-through costs, drug supply and other statistical analyses, is approximately $7.3 million. Of the total estimated study costs, as of March 31, 2019, we have incurred approximately $5.3 million in expenses of which WCT has represented a total of approximately $5.0 million and approximately $300,000 of expenses have been incurred to other trial-related vendors and consultants. In addition, we paid $1.2 million to WCT as prepaid deposits of which we have utilized approximately $1 million, leaving a balance included in prepaid expenses of approximately $200,000.

 

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As of April 30, 2019, we have signed up 29 clinical sites and have completed patient screening totaling 215 patients. Of the total screened patients, 111 have been randomized, 44 are continuing to be dosed and 56 have completed dosing with 11 having dropped out sometime after randomization. We believe we will have trial data completed in the second half of 2019.

 

Other Development Projects

 

To the extent resources permit, we intend to pursue development of selected technology platforms with indications related to the treatment of various disorders, including neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, based on our currently licensed technology and/or technologies available from third party licensors or collaborators.

 

For example, we have entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (“CRADA”) with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for the research and clinical development of Bryostatin-1. Under the CRADA, Neurotrope will collaborate with the NCI’s Center for Cancer Research, Pediatric Oncology Branch (POB) to develop a Phase I clinical trial testing the safety and toxicity of Bryostatin-1 in children and young adults with CD22 + leukemia and B-cell lymphoma. In the growing era of highly effective immunotherapies targeting cell-surface antigens (e.g., CAR-T cell therapy), and the recognition that antigen modulation plays a critical role in evasion of response to immunotherapy, the ability for Bryostatin-1 to upregulate CD22 may serve a synergistic role in enhancing the response to a host of CD22 targeted therapies. Under the CRADA, Bryostatin-1 is expected to be tested in the clinic to evaluate its ability to modulate CD22 in patients with relapsed/refractory CD22+ disease, while evaluating safety, toxicity and overall response.

 

Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018

 

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

   Three Months ended
March 31,
   Dollar     
   2019   2018   Change   % Change 
Revenue  $-   $-   $-    0%
Operating Expenses:                    
Research and development expenses – Related Party  $-   $112,893   $(112,893)   NA 
Research and development expenses – Other  $1,861,293   $89,250   $1,772,043    1,985.5%
General and administrative expenses – Related party  $12,500   $12,500   $-    -%
General and administrative expenses – Other  $1,328,500   $1,122,321   $206,179    18.4%
Stock based compensation expenses – Related Party  $78,289   $113,133   $(34,844)   (30.8)%
Stock based compensation expenses - Other  $1,515,475   $562,563   $952,912    169.4%
Other income, net  $106,899   $23,998   $82,901    345.4%
Net loss  $4,689,158   $1,988,662   $2,700,496    135.8%

 

Revenues

 

We did not generate any revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Overview

 

Total operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were $4,796,057 as compared to $2,012,660 for the three months ended March 31, 2018, an increase of approximately 138%. The increase in total operating expenses is due primarily to an increase in our research and development principally from our ongoing confirmatory Phase 2 clinical trial, general and administrative and stock-based, non-cash, compensation expenses.

 

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Research and Development Expenses

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, we incurred $0 of research and development expenses with a related party as compared to $112,893 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The total amounts incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2018 consisted of patent expenses and lab testing of drug materials. We have discontinued utilizing our licensing partner CRE for patent expense and lab testing assistance.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, we incurred $1,861,293 in research and development expenses with non-related parties as compared to $89,250 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. These expenses were incurred pursuant to developing the potential AD therapeutic product, specifically expenses relating to the confirmatory Phase 2 clinical trial for AD and products relating to orphan drug indications. Of these expenses, for the three months ended March 31, 2019, $1,628,962 was incurred principally relating to our current confirmatory clinical trial and related storage of drug product, $220,901 for clinical consulting services, $7,430 of amortization of prepaid licensing fees relating to the Stanford and Mount Sinai license agreements and $4,000 for development of alternative drug supply with Stanford University as compared to, for the three months ended March 31, 2018, $31,335 related to conducting our AD Phase 2 clinical trial, which was substantially completed in 2017, and related storage of drug product, $37,893 for clinical consulting services, $11,607 of licensing payment amortization relating to the Stanford and Mount Sinai license agreements, and $8,415 or development of alternative drug supply with Stanford University. We expect our research and development expenses to increase, as our resources permit, in order to advance our potential products specifically relating to conducting our Phase 2 confirmatory clinical trial.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

We incurred related party general and administrative expenses totaling $12,500 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. The amounts for both years are attributable to director fees paid to certain members of the Board of Directors that are affiliates of CRE.

 

We incurred $1,328,500 and $1,122,321 of other general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, an increase of approximately 18%. Of the amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to the comparable 2018 period: $610,320 was incurred primarily for wages, bonuses, vacation pay, severance, taxes and insurance, versus $386,663 for the 2018 comparable period. The increase for the three months ending March 31, 2019 is principally based upon contractual bonus payments made to certain officers of $210,000, $76,088 was incurred for ongoing legal expenses associated with ongoing obligations, regulatory compliance and litigation versus $152,351 for the 2018 comparable period as we incurred additional expenses relating to regulatory matters and class action defense cost during the 2018 period; $162,684 was incurred for outside operations consulting services, versus $213,233 for the 2018 comparable period; $57,585 was incurred for travel expenses, versus $47,947 for the 2018 comparable period; $189,042 was incurred for investor relations services which included adding outside service providers to replace our internal investor relations staff person, versus $114,032 for the 2018 comparable period; $62,307 was incurred for professional fees associated with auditing, financial, accounting and tax advisory services, versus $62,327 for the 2018 comparable period; $107,500 was incurred for insurance, versus $107,079 for the 2018 comparable period; and $62,974 was incurred for utilities, supplies, license fees, filing costs, rent, advertising and other versus $38,689 for the 2018 comparable period.

 

Stock Based Compensation Expenses

 

We incurred related party non-cash expenses totaling $78,289 and $113,133 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The decrease is primarily attributable to fully expensing certain options in 2018.

 

We incurred $1,515,475 and $562,563 of non-related party non-cash expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The increase for the comparable period is primarily attributable to newly issued stock options during the first three months of 2019 which included awards with accelerated vesting terms.

 

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Other Income, net

 

We earned $106,899 of interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to $23,998 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 on funds deposited in interest bearing money market accounts which were received from our December 2018 capital raise.

 

Net loss and loss per share

 

We incurred losses of $4,689,158 and $1,988,662 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The increased loss was primarily attributable to our increase in expenses associated with our current confirmatory Phase 2 clinical trial, the increase in our general and administrative expenses and stock-based compensation expense, offset by discontinuing our related party research and development activities. Earnings (losses) per common share were ($0.36) and ($0.25) for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The increase in loss per share is primarily attributable to the increase in our net loss partially offset by an increase in weighted average common shares outstanding and the decrease in net loss.

 

The computation of diluted loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2019 excludes 10,214,357 warrants and options to purchase 2,195,246 shares of our common stock as they are anti-dilutive due to our net loss. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the computation excludes 5,103,606 warrants and options to purchase 1,343,335 shares of our common stock, as they are anti-dilutive due to our net loss.

 

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash and Working Capital

 

Since inception, we have incurred negative cash flows from operations. As of March 31, 2019, we had an accumulated deficit of $78,371,251 and had working capital of $23,400,756 as compared to working capital of $26,500,467 as of December 31, 2018. The $3,099,711 decrease in working capital was primarily attributable to our net loss, excluding non-cash compensation expense, of $3,095,394 plus capital expenditures of $5,214.

 

Sources and Uses of Liquidity

 

Since inception, we have satisfied our operating cash requirements from the private placement of equity securities sold principally to outside investors. We expect to continue to incur expenses, resulting in losses and negative cash flows from operations, over at least the next several years as we continue to develop AD and other therapeutic products. We anticipate that this development will include continuing our current confirmatory clinical trial as well as new clinical trials and additional research and development expenditures.

  

   Three Months ended
March 31,
 
   2019   2018 
Cash used in operating activities  $(4,816,621)  $(1,617,751)
Cash used in investing activities   (5,214)   - 
Cash provided by financing activities   -    3,734 

 

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities

 

Cash used in operating activities was $4,816,621 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to $1,617,751 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The $3,198,870 increase primarily resulted from the increased net loss of approximately $2.7 million and decrease in accounts payable of approximately $1.9 million, offset by the increase in non-cash stock-based compensation expense of approximately $900,000 and utilization of prepaid expenses and other of approximately $500,000, for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

 

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Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $5,214 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The cash used in investing activities was for capital expenditures.

 

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $3,734 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Net cash provided for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was the result of funds raised through exercise of warrants to purchase common stock from investors in our historical private placements.

 

As of May 7, 2019, we had approximately $23.5 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities. We expect that our existing capital resources will be sufficient to support our projected operating requirements over the next 24 to 36 months, including the continuing development of bryostatin, our novel drug targeting the activation of PKC epsilon. Funds are anticipated to be used to complete the current Phase 2 confirmatory study treating moderate to severe Alzheimer's patients, and conduct other non-clinical and research activities for our existing and other potential therapeutic products. The balance of the funds will be used for general corporate and working capital purposes. 

 

We expect to require additional capital in order to initiate, pursue and complete all planned Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials, including the current confirmatory Phase 2 clinical trial and development of bryostatin for other potential product applications. Additional funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. If we are unable to access additional funds when needed, we may not be able to initiate, pursue and complete all planned clinical trials or continue the development of our product candidates or we could be required to delay, scale back or eliminate some or all of our development programs and operations. Any additional equity financing, if available, may not be available on favorable terms, would most likely be significantly dilutive to our current stockholders and debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants. If we are able to access funds through collaborative or licensing arrangements, we may be required to relinquish rights to some of our technologies or product candidates that we would otherwise seek to develop or commercialize on our own, on terms that are not favorable to us. Our ability to access capital when needed is not assured and, if not achieved on a timely basis, will materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

 

Not applicable to a smaller reporting company.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are not effective due to the material weakness resulting from a limited segregation of duties among our employees with respect to our control activities. This deficiency is the result of our limited number of employees. This deficiency may affect management’s ability to determine if errors or inappropriate actions have taken place. Management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible changes in our disclosure controls and procedures.

 

Management has implemented certain measures including additional cash controls, dual-signature procedures, and other review and approval processes by the Company’s management team. The Company intends to hire additional personnel to allow for improved financial reporting controls and segregation of duties when the Company’s operations and revenues have grown to the point of warranting such controls.

 

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

 

There was no change in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report, which has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

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PART II

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

None. 

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

There have been no material changes to our risk factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2018. For a further discussion of our Risk Factors, refer to the “Risk Factors” discussion contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

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

 

There have been no other unregistered sales of equity securities during the three months ended March 31, 2019.

 

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities.

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit    
Number   Description
     
31.1*   Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
31.2*   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.1*   Certification of the President and Chief 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 the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
101*   The following financial information from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2019, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations; (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets; (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (iv) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.

 

* Filed herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  Neurotrope, Inc.
     
Date: May 9, 2019 By: /s/ Charles S. Ryan, JD, Ph.D.
    Charles S. Ryan, JD, Ph.D.
    Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)
     
Date: May 9, 2019 By: /s/ Robert Weinstein
    Robert Weinstein
    Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President, 
Secretary and Treasurer (principal financial officer)

 

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Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit    
Number   Description
     
31.1*   Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
31.2*   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.1*   Certification of the President and Chief 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 the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
101*   The following financial information from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2019, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations; (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets; (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (iv) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.

 

* Filed herewith.

 

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