UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
(Mark One)
| QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For
the quarterly period ended
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:
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act
| Title of each class | Trading symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
Indicate
by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate
by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule
405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant
was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check One):
| Large accelerated filer ☐ | 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 May 10, 2024, the Registrant had shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding.
IMUNON, INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| i |
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This report includes “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”). All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including, without limitation, any projections of earnings, revenue or other financial items, any statements of the plans and objectives of management for future operations (including, but not limited to, pre-clinical development, clinical trials, manufacturing and commercialization), uncertainties and assumptions regarding any continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, operations, clinical trials, supply chain, strategy, goals and anticipated timelines, any statements concerning proposed drug candidates, potential therapeutic benefits, or other new products or services, any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, any changes in the course of research and development activities and in clinical trials, any possible changes in cost and timing of development and testing, capital structure, financial condition, working capital needs and other financial items, and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified using terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “potential” or “continue,” or the negative thereof or other comparable terminology. Although we believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our knowledge of our industry, business, and operations, we cannot guarantee that actual results will not differ materially from our expectations.
Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the inherent uncertainty in the drug development process, our ability to raise additional capital to fund our planned future operations, our ability to obtain or maintain U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and foreign regulatory approvals for our drug candidates, our ability to enroll patients in our clinical trials, risks relating to third parties conduct of our clinical trials, risks relating to government, private health insurers and other third-party payers coverage or reimbursement, risks relating to commercial potential of a drug candidate in development, changes in technologies for the treatment of cancer, impact of development of competitive drug candidates by others, risks relating to intellectual property, volatility in the market price of our common stock, potential inability to maintain compliance with The Nasdaq Marketplace Rules and the impact of adverse capital and credit market conditions. These and other risks and assumptions are described in Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and in other documents that we file or furnish with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not intend to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law or applicable regulations. We operate in a highly competitive, highly regulated, and rapidly changing environment and our business is in a state of evolution. Therefore, it is likely that new risks will emerge, and that the nature and elements of existing risks will change, over time. It is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors or changes therein, or to assess either the impact of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any individual risk factor, combination of factors, or new or altered factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
Except where the context otherwise requires, in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the “Company,” “Imunon,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Imunon, Inc., a Delaware corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries.
Trademarks
The Company’s brand and product names contained in this document are trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of Imunon, Inc. or its subsidiary in the United States (“U.S.”) and certain other countries. This document also contains references to trademarks and service marks of other companies that are the property of their respective owners.
| ii |
PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
IMUNON, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||
| Investment in debt securities - available for sale, at fair value | ||||||||
| Advances and deposits on clinical programs and other current assets | ||||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||||
| Property and equipment (at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization) | ||||||||
| Other assets: | ||||||||
| Deferred income tax asset | ||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets, net | ||||||||
| Deposits and other assets | ||||||||
| Total other assets | ||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 1 |
IMUNON, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(Continued)
March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable – trade | $ | $ | ||||||
| Other accrued liabilities | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability - current portion | ||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability - non-current portion | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock - $ par value ( shares authorized, and shares issued or outstanding at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023) | ||||||||
| Common stock - $ par value ( shares authorized; and shares issued at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively; and and shares outstanding at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) | ||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | ||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity before treasury stock | ||||||||
| Treasury stock, at cost ( shares at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | $ | ||||||
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 2 |
IMUNON, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||
| Research and development | $ | $ | ||||||
| General and administrative | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | ||||||||
| Loss from operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Other income (expense): | ||||||||
| Investment income, net | ||||||||
| Interest expense on loan facility | ( | ) | ||||||
| Total other income (expense), net | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Weighted average shares outstanding | ||||||||
| Basic and diluted | ||||||||
| Net loss per common share | ||||||||
| Basic and diluted | $ | ) | $ | ) | ||||
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 3 |
IMUNON, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | ||||||||
| Changes in: | ||||||||
| Unrealized gains on available for sale securities, net | ||||||||
| Net loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total comprehensive loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 4 |
IMUNON, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation | ||||||||
| Amortization of right-of-use assets | ||||||||
| Realized losses, net, on investment securities | ||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | ( | ) | ||||||
| Realization of deferred income tax asset | ||||||||
| Amortization of deferred finance charges and debt discount associated with notes payable | ||||||||
| Net changes in: | ||||||||
| Accrued interest on investment securities | ||||||||
| Advances, deposits, and other current assets | ( | ) | ||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
| Purchases of investment securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from sale and maturity of investment securities | ||||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by investing activities | ||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of common stock equity, net of issuance costs | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | ||||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalent at end of period | $ | $ | ||||||
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 5 |
IMUNON, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
(Unaudited)
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | ||||||||
| Cash paid for: | ||||||||
| Interest paid | $ | $ | ||||||
| Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities | ||||||||
| Recognition of Operating Lease Right of Use Asset and Liability | $ | $ | ||||||
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 6 |
IMUNON, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024
| Common Stock Outstanding | Additional Paid-in | Treasury Stock | Accumulated Other Comprehensive | Accumulated | Total Stockholders’ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | Shares | Amount | Income | Deficit | Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock upon exercise of restricted options | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net, on investments securities | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | - | ( | ) | - | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2024 (unaudited) | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 7 |
IMUNON, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2023
| Common Stock Outstanding | Additional Paid-in | Treasury Stock | Accumulated Other Comprehensive | Accumulated | Total Stockholders’ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | Shares | Amount | Income | Deficit | Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2023 |
$ | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sale of equity through equity financing facilities, net of costs | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock for restricted options | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net, on investments securities | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2023 |
$ | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 8 |
IMUNON, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
MARCH 31, 2024
Note 1. Business Description
Imunon is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on advancing a portfolio of innovative treatments that harness the body’s natural mechanisms with the aim to generate safe, effective and durable responses across a broad array of human diseases, constituting a differentiating approach from conventional therapies. IMUNON is developing its non-viral DNA technology across its modalities. The first modality, TheraPlas®, is developed for the coding of proteins and cytokines in the treatment of solid tumors where an immunological approach is deemed promising. The second modality, PlaCCine®, is developed for the coding of viral antigens that can elicit a strong immunological response. This technology may represent a promising platform for the development of vaccines in infectious diseases.
The Company’s lead clinical program, IMNN-001, is a DNA-based immunotherapy for the localized treatment of advanced ovarian cancer currently in Phase II development. IMNN-001 works by instructing the body to produce durable levels, within certain safety parameters, of powerful cancer-fighting molecules, such as interleukin-12 and interferon gamma, at the tumor site. Additionally, the Company is entering a first-in-human study of its COVID-19 booster vaccine (IMNN-101). We will continue to leverage these modalities and to advance the technological frontier of plasmid DNA to better serve patients with difficult-to-treat conditions.
Note 2. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, which include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. During the quarter ended March 31, 2024, there have been no changes to the Company’s accounting policies. Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals considered necessary for a fair presentation, have been included in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Operating results for the three-months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period(s) or for any full year. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2024.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make judgments, estimates, and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Company’s financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Events and conditions arising subsequent to the most recent balance sheet date have been evaluated for their possible impact on the financial statements and accompanying notes.
Going Concern Uncertainty.
Since
inception, the Company has incurred substantial operating losses, principally from expenses associated with the Company’s research
and development programs, clinical trials conducted in connection with the Company’s drug candidates, and applications and submissions
to the FDA. The Company has not generated significant revenue and has incurred significant net losses in each year since inception. For
the quarter ended March 31, 2024, the Company had a net loss of $
| 9 |
The Company’s ability to raise additional capital may be adversely impacted by potential worsening global economic conditions and the recent disruptions to, and volatility in, financial markets in the U.S., the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the unrest in the Middle East. The Company continues to monitor its operating activities in light of these events, and it is possible that these events could result in a variety of risks to the business. The specific impact, if any, is not readily determinable as of the date of these consolidated financial statements.
The Company has based its estimates on assumptions that may prove to be wrong. The Company may need to obtain additional funds sooner or in greater amounts than it currently anticipates. Potential sources of financing include strategic relationships, public or private sales of the Company’s shares or debt, the sale of the Company’s New Jersey net operating losses and other sources. If the Company raises funds by selling additional shares of common stock or other securities convertible into common stock, the ownership interest of existing stockholders may be diluted.
The actual amount of funds the Company will need to operate is subject to many factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control. These factors include the progress of research activities; the number and scope of research programs; the progress of preclinical and clinical development activities; the progress of the development efforts of parties with whom the Company has entered into research and development agreements; the costs associated with additional clinical trials of drug candidates; the ability to achieve milestones under licensing arrangements; the costs involved in prosecuting and enforcing patent claims and other intellectual property rights; and the costs and timing of regulatory approvals.
A fundamental component of the ability to continue as a going concern is the Company’s ability to raise capital as required, as to which no assurances can be provided. To address the additional funding requirements of the Company, management has undertaken the following initiatives:
| ● | it has assessed its current expenditures and will be reducing the current spending requirements where necessary; |
| ● | it will pursue additional capital funding in the public and private markets through equity sales and/or debt facilities; |
| ● | it will pursue possible partnerships and collaborations; and |
| ● | it will pursue potential out licensing for its drug candidates. |
The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern may depend on the Company’s ability to raise additional capital, attain further operating efficiencies, reduce expenditures, and, ultimately, to generate revenue. There are no assurances that these future funding and operating efforts will be successful. If management is unsuccessful in these efforts, the Company’s current capital is not expected to be sufficient to fund the Company’s operations for the next twelve months.
Note 3. New Accounting Pronouncements
From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) and are adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the Company believes that the impact of recently issued accounting pronouncements will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows, or do not apply to its operations.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires disclosure of disaggregated income taxes paid, prescribes standard categories for the components of the effective tax rate reconciliation, and modifies other income tax-related disclosures. ASU No. 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and allows for adoption on a prospective basis, with a retrospective option. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the ASU on the income tax disclosures within the consolidated financial statements.
| 10 |
Basic loss per common share is calculated based upon the net loss available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share is calculated after adjusting the denominator of the basic earnings per share computation for the effects of all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. The dilutive effects of preferred stock, options and warrants and their equivalents are computed using the treasury stock method.
The total number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants, stock option grants and equity awards were and shares for the periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, diluted loss per common share was the same as basic loss per common share as the other warrants, and equity awards that were convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock were excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per common share as their effect would have been anti-dilutive. The Company did not pay any dividends during the first three months of 2024 or 2023.
Note 5. Investment in Debt Securities-Available for Sale
Investments
in debt securities available for sale with a fair value of $
The Company reviews its debt securities classified as short-term investments on a regular basis for impairment. For debt securities in unrealized loss positions, the Company determines whether any portion of the decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis is due to credit-related factors if it neither intends to sell nor anticipates that it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell prior to recovery of the amortized cost basis. The Company considers factors such as the extent to which the market value has been less than the cost, any noted failure of the issuer to make scheduled payments, changes to the rating of the security and other relevant credit-related factors in determining whether or not a credit loss exists. During the first three months of 2024 and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Company did not recognize an allowance for credit-related losses on any of our investments.
A summary of the cost, fair value and maturities of the Company’s short-term investments is as follows:
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Cost | Fair Value | Cost | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
| Short-term investments | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Cost | Fair Value | Cost | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
| Short-term investment maturities | ||||||||||||||||
| Within 3 months | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Between 3-12 months | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| 11 |
The following table shows the Company’s investment in debt securities available for sale gross unrealized gains (losses) and fair value by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The Company has reviewed individual securities to determine whether a decline in fair value below the amortizable cost basis is other than temporary.
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Available for sale securities (all unrealized holding gains are less than 12 months at date of measurement) | Fair Value | Unrealized Holding Gains |
Fair Value | Unrealized Holding Gains |
||||||||||||
| Investments in debt securities with unrealized gains | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Investment (loss) income, which includes net realized losses on sales of available for sale securities and investment income interest and dividends, is summarized as follows:
For the Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Interest and dividends accrued and paid | $ | $ | ||||||
| Realized losses on Investment in debt securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Investment income, net | $ | $ | ||||||
Note 6. Fair Value Measurements
FASB Accounting Standards Codification Section 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures establishes a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value are as follows:
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) or identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date;
Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data; and
Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a reporting entity’s own assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
Cash and cash equivalents, other current assets, accounts payable and other accrued liabilities are reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at their approximate estimated fair values primarily due to their short-term nature. The fair values of securities available for sale are determined by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities and classified its investments as Level 1 items in both 2024 and 2023. There were no transfers of assets or liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 and no transfers in or out of Level 3 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 or during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are summarized below:
| Total Fair Value | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | |||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Recurring items as of March 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. treasury obligations, available for sale | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Recurring items as of December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. treasury obligations, available for sale | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| 12 |
Note 7. Other Accrued Liabilities
Other accrued liabilities at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 include the following:
| March
31, 2024 |
December
31, 2023 |
|||||||
| Amounts due to contract research organizations and other contractual agreements | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accrued payroll and related benefits | ||||||||
| Accrued professional fees | ||||||||
| Other | ||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||
Note 8. Notes Payable
The SVB Loan Facility
On
June 18, 2021, the Company entered into a $
The
SVB Loan Facility was in the form of money market secured indebtedness bearing interest at a calculated WSJ Prime-based variable rate.
A final payment equal to
In
connection with the SVB Loan Facility, the Company incurred financing fees and expenses totaling $
On April 21, 2023, the Company repaid the outstanding principal balance, an early termination fee and the end-of-term charges in full satisfaction of the SVB Loan Facility.
During
the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a loss of $
Note 9. Stockholders’ Equity
At the Market Offering Agreement
On
May 25, 2022, the Company entered into an At the Market Offering Agreement (the “ATM Agreement”) with H.C. Wainwright &
Co., LLC (“Wainwright”) as sales agent, pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time, through Wainwright,
shares of the Company’s common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $
| 13 |
The Company has long-term compensation plans that permit the granting of equity-based awards in the form of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, other stock awards, and performance awards.
At the 2018 Annual Stockholders Meeting of the Company held on May 15, 2018, stockholders approved the Imunon, Inc. 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”). The 2018 Plan, as adopted, permits the granting of shares of Imunon common stock as equity awards in the form of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, other stock awards, performance awards, or in any combination of the foregoing. At the 2019 Annual Stockholders Meeting of the Company held on May 14, 2019, stockholders approved an amendment to the 2018 Plan whereby the Company increased the number of common stock shares available by to a total of under the 2018 Plan, as amended. At the 2020 Annual Stockholders Meeting of the Company held on June 15, 2020, stockholders approved an amendment to the 2018 Plan, as previously amended, whereby the Company increased the number of shares of common stock available by to a total of under the 2018 Plan, as amended. At the 2021 Annual Stockholders Meeting of the Company held on June 10, 2021, stockholders approved an amendment to the 2018 Plan, as previously amended, whereby the Company increased the number of shares of common stock available by to a total of under the 2018 Plan, as amended. At the 2023 Annual Stockholders Meeting of the Company held on June 14, 2023, stockholders approved an amendment to the 2018 Plan, as previously amended, whereby the Company increased the number of shares of common stock available by to a total of under the 2018 Plan, as amended.
The
Company has issued stock awards to employees and directors in the form of stock options and restricted stock.
Option and restricted stock awards vest upon terms determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and are subject to accelerated vesting in the event of a change of control or certain terminations of employment. The Company issues new shares to satisfy its obligations from the exercise of options or the grant of restricted stock awards.
As of December 31, 2023, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved the grant of (i) inducement stock options (the “Inducement Option Grants”) to purchase a total of shares of Imunon common stock and (ii) inducement restricted stock awards (the “Inducement Stock Grants”) totaling shares of Imunon common stock. Each Inducement Option Grant has a weighted exercise price of $ per share. Each Inducement Option Grant vests over three years, with one-third vesting on the one-year anniversary of the employee’s first day of employment with the Company and one-third vesting on the second and third anniversaries thereafter, subject to the new employee’s continued service relationship with the Company on each such date. Each Inducement Option Grant has a ten-year term and is subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable stock option agreement. Each of Inducement Stock Grant vested on the one-year anniversary of the employee’s first day of employment with the Company is subject to the new employee’s continued service relationship with the Company through such date and is subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable restricted stock agreement.
As of March 31, 2024, there were a total of shares of Imunon common stock reserved for issuance under the 2018 Plan, which were comprised of shares of Imunon common stock subject to equity awards previously granted under the 2018 Plan and the Company’s 2007 Stock Incentive Plan and shares of Imunon common stock available for future issuance under the 2018 Plan. As of March 31, 2024, there were a total of shares of Imunon common stock subject to outstanding inducement awards.
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Total compensation cost related to stock options and restricted stock awards was approximately $ reversal of expense for period ended March 31, 2024 and $ million during the period ended March 31, 2023. Of these amounts, approximately $ for the period ended March 31, 2024 and $ million for the period ended March 31, 2023 were charged to research and development expenses and $ reversal of expense for the period ended March 31, 2024 and $ million for the period ended March 31, 2023 were charged to general and administrative expenses.
A summary of stock option awards and restricted stock grants, inclusive of awards granted under the 2018 Stock Plan and Inducement Option Grants for the three-months ended March 31, 2024 is presented below:
| Stock Options | Restricted Stock Awards | Weighted Average | ||||||||||||||||||
Options Outstanding | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Non-vested Restricted Stock Outstanding | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | Contractual Terms of Equity Awards (in years) | ||||||||||||||||
| Equity awards outstanding at January 1, 2024 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Equity awards granted | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Equity Awards vested and issued | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity awards terminated | ( | ) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Equity awards outstanding at March 31, 2024 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding equity awards at March 31, 2023 | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Equity awards exercisable at March 31, 2024 | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Aggregate intrinsic value of equity awards exercisable at March 31, 2024 | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
As of March 31, 2024, there was $ million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based compensation arrangements. That cost is expected to be recognized over a period of to . The weighted average grant date fair values of the stock options granted were $ and $ during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Risk-free interest rate | % | % | ||||||
| Expected volatility | % | to | % | |||||
| Expected life (in years) | to | to | ||||||
| Expected dividend yield | % | % | ||||||
Expected volatilities utilized in the model are based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock price. The risk-free interest rate is derived from values assigned to U.S. Treasury bonds with terms that approximate the expected option lives in effect at the time of grant.
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Note 11. Warrants
Following is a summary of all warrant activity for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024:
| Warrants | Number
of Issued |
Weighted Average Exercise Price |
||||||
| Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2023 | $ | |||||||
| Warrants outstanding at March 31, 2024 | $ | |||||||
| Aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding warrants at March 31, 2024 | $ | |||||||
| Weighted average remaining contractual terms at March 31, 2024 | years | |||||||
Note 12. Leases
Lawrenceville, New Jersey Lease
In
August 2023, the Company renewed its Lawrenceville office lease for a
Huntsville, Alabama Lease
In
January 2023, the Company renewed its Huntsville facility lease for a
The following is a table of the lease payments and maturity of the Company’s operating lease liabilities as of March 31, 2024:
| 2024 | $ | |||
| 2025 | ||||
| 2026 | ||||
| 2027 | ||||
| 2028 and thereafter | ||||
| Subtotal future lease payments | ||||
| Less imputed interest | ( |
) | ||
| Total lease liabilities | $ | |||
| Weighted average remaining life | ||||
| Weighted average discount rate | % |
For
the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, operating lease expense was $
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Note 13. Commitments and Contingencies
In February 2021, a derivative shareholder lawsuit was filed against the Company, as the nominal defendant, and certain of its directors and officers as defendants in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, captioned Fidler v. Michael H. Tardugno, et al., Case No. 3:21-cv-02662. The plaintiff alleged breach of fiduciary duty and other claims arising out of alleged statements made by certain of the Company’s directors and/or officers regarding ThermoDox®. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to these claims and intends to vigorously contest this suit. At this stage of the case, neither the likelihood that a loss, if any, will be realized, nor an estimate of possible loss or range of loss, if any, can be determined.
Note 14. Related Party Transaction
On
November 16, 2022 the Company entered into a convertible note purchase agreement with Transomic Technologies, Inc. (“Transomic”)
whereby the Company purchased $
Note 15. Subsequent Events
The Company has evaluated its subsequent events from March 31, 2024, through the date these consolidated financial statements were issued.
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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 This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed above under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” and in Item 1A. Risk factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Overview
Imunon is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on advancing a portfolio of innovative treatments that harness the body’s natural mechanisms with the aim to generate safe, effective and durable responses across a broad array of human diseases, constituting a differentiating approach from conventional therapies. IMUNON is developing its non-viral DNA technology across its modalities. The first modality, TheraPlas®, is developed for the coding of proteins and cytokines in the treatment of solid tumors where an immunological approach is deemed promising. The second modality, PlaCCine®, is developed for the coding of viral antigens that can elicit a strong immunological response. This technology may represent a promising platform for the development of vaccines in infectious diseases.
The Company’s lead clinical program, IMNN-001, is a DNA-based immunotherapy for the localized treatment of advanced ovarian cancer currently in Phase II development. IMNN-001 works by instructing the body to produce durable levels, within certain safety parameters, of powerful cancer-fighting molecules, such as interleukin-12 and interferon gamma, at the tumor site. Additionally, the Company is entering a first-in-human study of its COVID-19 booster vaccine (IMNN-101). We will continue to leverage these modalities and to advance the technological frontier of plasmid DNA to better serve patients with difficult-to-treat conditions.
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Technology Platform
Imunon’s technology platform is optimized for the delivery of DNA and mRNA therapeutics via synthetic non-viral carriers and is capable of providing cell transfection for double-stranded DNA plasmids and large therapeutic RNA segments such as mRNA. There are two components to the system, a backbone with plasmid DNA or mRNA payload encoding therapeutic proteins, or pathogen antigens or tumor associated antigens or cancer neoantigens and a delivery system. The delivery system is designed to protect the DNA/mRNA from degradation and promote trafficking into cells and through intracellular compartments. We designed the delivery system by chemically modifying the low molecular weight polymer to improve its gene transfer activity without increasing toxicity. We believe that our non-viral DNA technology may be a viable alternative to current approaches to gene delivery due to several distinguishing characteristics, including enhanced molecular versatility that allows for complex modifications to potentially improve activity and safety.
The biocompatibility of these polymers reduces the risk of adverse immune response, thus allowing for repeated administration. Compared to naked DNA or cationic lipids, our delivery systems are generally more efficient, cost effective and have a more favorable safety profile. We believe that these advantages place Imunon in a position to capitalize on this technology platform.
THERAPLAS MODALITY: IMNN-001 DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Ovarian Cancer Overview
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal of gynecological malignancies among women with an overall five-year survival rate of 45%. This poor outcome is due in part to the lack of effective prevention and early detection strategies. There were approximately 20,000 new cases of ovarian cancer in the U.S. in 2021 with an estimated 13,000 deaths. Mortality rates for ovarian cancer declined very little in the last 40 years due to the unavailability of detection tests and improved treatments. Most women with ovarian cancer are not diagnosed until Stages III or IV, when the disease has spread outside the pelvis to the abdomen and areas beyond, causing swelling and pain. The five-year survival rates for Stages III and IV are 39% and 17%, respectively. First-line chemotherapy regimens are typically platinum-based combination therapies. Although this first line of treatment has an approximate 80% response rate, 55% to 75% of women will develop recurrent ovarian cancer within two years and ultimately will not respond to platinum therapy. Patients whose cancer recurs or progresses after initially responding to surgery and first-line chemotherapy have been divided into one of the two groups based on the time from completion of platinum therapy to disease recurrence or progression. This time period is referred to as platinum-free interval. The platinum-sensitive group has a platinum-free interval of longer than six months. This group generally responds to additional treatment with platinum-based therapies. The platinum-resistant group has a platinum-free interval of shorter than six months and is resistant to additional platinum-based treatments. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, topotecan, and bevacizumab are the only approved second-line therapies for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. The overall response rate for these therapies is 10% to 20% with median overall survival (“OS”) of 11 to 12 months. Additionally, 10% to 15% of ovarian cancer cases nationwide are a result of germline or somatic BRCA mutations. With cognizance of tumor genetics, practice has shifted to include targeted agents in ovarian cancer treatment.
Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (“PARP”) enzymes are responsible for detecting and repairing single-stranded and double-stranded DNA breaks during cell replication. BRCA1/2 mutations hinder the homologous recombination repair pathway, and tumor cells utilize PARP enzymes to repair DNA. For this reason, these tumors are particularly sensitive to the mechanism of PARP inhibitors. PARP inhibitors have expanded treatment options in ovarian cancer, but few treatment options are left for women who are not eligible to receive PARP inhibitors.
Immunotherapy is an attractive, novel approach for the treatment of ovarian cancer particularly since ovarian cancers are considered immunogenic tumors. Interleukin-12 (“IL-12”) is one of the most active cytokines for the induction of potent anti-cancer immunity acting through the induction of T-lymphocyte and natural killer cell proliferation. The precedence for a therapeutic role of IL-12 in ovarian cancer is based on epidemiologic and preclinical data.
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IMNN-001 Immunotherapy
IMNN-001 is a DNA-based immunotherapeutic drug candidate for the localized treatment of ovarian cancer by intraperitoneally administering an IL-12 plasmid formulated with our proprietary TheraPlas delivery system. In this DNA-based approach, the immunotherapy is combined with a standard chemotherapy drug, which can potentially achieve better clinical outcomes than with chemotherapy alone. We believe that increases in IL-12 concentrations at tumor sites for several days after a single administration could create a potent immune environment against tumor activity and that a direct killing of the tumor with concomitant use of cytotoxic chemotherapy could result in a more robust and durable antitumor response than chemotherapy alone. We believe the rationale for local therapy with IMNN-001 is based on the following:
| ● | Loco-regional production of the potent cytokine IL-12 avoids toxicities and poor pharmacokinetics associated with systemic delivery of recombinant IL-12; | |
| ● | Persistent local delivery of IL-12 lasts up to one week and dosing can be repeated; and | |
| ● | Local therapy is ideal for long-term maintenance therapy. |
OVATION 1 Study. In February 2015, we announced that the FDA accepted the Phase I dose-escalation clinical trial of IMNN-001 in combination with the standard of care in neoadjuvant ovarian cancer (the “OVATION 1 Study”). The OVATION 1 Study was designed to:
| ● | identify a tolerable and therapeutically active dose of IMNN-001 within certain safety parameters by recruiting and maximizing an immune response; | |
| ● | enroll three to six patients per dose level and evaluate safety and efficacy; and | |
| ● | attempt to define an optimal dose for a follow-on Phase I/II study. |
In addition, the OVATION 1 Study established a unique opportunity to assess how cytokine-based compounds such as IMNN-001 directly affect ovarian cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment in newly diagnosed ovarian cancer patients. The study was designed to characterize the nature of the immune response triggered by IMNN-001 at various levels of the patients’ immune system, including:
| ● | Infiltration of cancer fighting T-cell lymphocytes into primary tumor and tumor microenvironment including peritoneal cavity, which is the primary site of metastasis of ovarian cancer; | |
| ● | Changes in local and systemic levels of immuno-stimulatory and immune-suppressive cytokines associated with tumor suppression and growth, respectively; and | |
| ● | Expression profile of a comprehensive panel of immune related genes in pre-treatment and IMNN-001-treated tumor tissue. |
During 2016 and 2017, we announced data from the first 14 patients in the OVATION 1 Study. On October 3, 2017, we announced final translational research and clinical data from the OVATION 1 Study.
Key translational research findings from all evaluable patients were consistent with the earlier reports from partial analysis of the data and are summarized below:
| ● | The intraperitoneal treatment of IMNN-001 in conjunction with standard-of-care neoadjuvant chemotherapy (“NACT”) resulted in dose-dependent increases in IL-12 and Interferon-gamma (IFNγ) levels that were predominantly in the peritoneal fluid compartment with little to no changes observed in the patients’ systemic circulation. These and other post-treatment changes including decreases in VEGF levels in peritoneal fluid were consistent with an IL-12 based immune mechanism; | |
| ● | Consistent with the previous partial reports, the effects observed in the IHC analysis were pronounced decreases in the density of immunosuppressive T-cell signals (Foxp3, PD-1, PDL-1, IDO-1) and increases in CD8+ cells in the tumor microenvironment; |
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| ● | The ratio of CD8+ cells to immunosuppressive cells was increased in approximately 75% of patients, suggesting an overall shift in the tumor microenvironment from immunosuppressive to pro-immune stimulatory following treatment with IMNN-001. An increase in CD8+ to immunosuppressive T-cell populations was a leading indicator and believed to be a good predictor of improved OS; and | |
| ● | Analysis of peritoneal fluid by cell sorting, not reported before, showed a treatment-related decrease in the percentage of immunosuppressive T-cell (Foxp3+), which was consistent with the reduction of Foxp3+ T-cells in the primary tumor tissue, and a shift in tumor naïve CD8+ cell population to more efficient tumor killing memory effector CD8+ cells. |
The Company also reported encouraging clinical data from the first 14 patients who completed treatment in the OVATION 1 Study. IMNN-001 plus standard chemotherapy produced no dose-limiting toxicities and positive dose dependent efficacy signals which correlate well with positive surgical outcomes as summarized below:
| ● | Of the 14 patients treated in the entire study, two patients demonstrated a complete response, 10 patients demonstrated a partial response, and two patients demonstrated stable disease, as measured by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (“RECIST”) criteria. This translated to a 100% disease control rate and an 86% objective response rate (“ORR”). Of the five patients treated in the highest dose cohort, there was a 100% ORR with one complete response and four partial responses; | |
| ● | 14 patients had successful resections of their tumors, with nine patients (64%) having a complete tumor resection (“R0”), which indicates a microscopically margin-negative resection in which no gross or microscopic tumor remains in the tumor bed. Seven out of eight (88%) patients in the highest two dose cohorts experienced a R0 surgical resection. All five patients treated at the highest dose cohort experienced a R0 surgical resection; and |
| ● | All patients experienced a clinically significant decrease in their CA-125 protein levels as of their most recent study visit. CA-125 was used to monitor certain cancers during and after treatment. CA-125 was present in greater concentrations in ovarian cancer cells than in other cells. |
On March 26, 2020, the Company announced with Medidata, a Dassault Systèmes company, that examining matched patient data provided by Medidata in a synthetic control arm (“SCA”) with results from the Company’s completed Phase Ib dose-escalating OVATION 1 Study showed positive results in progression-free survival (“PFS”). The hazard ratio (“HR”) was 0.53 in the intent-to-treat (“ITT”) group, showing strong signals of efficacy. In its March 2019 discussion with the Company, the FDA noted that preliminary findings from the Phase Ib OVATION 1 Study were exciting but lacked a control group to evaluate IMNN-001’s independent impact on impressive tumor response, surgical results and PFS. The FDA encouraged the Company to continue its IMNN-001 development program and consult with FDA with new findings that may have a bearing on designations such as Fast Track and Breakthrough Therapy.
SCAs have the potential to revolutionize clinical trials in certain oncology indications and some other diseases where randomized control is not ethical or practical. SCAs are formed by carefully selecting control patients from historical clinical trials to match the demographic and disease characteristics of the patients treated with the new investigational product. SCAs have been shown to mimic the results of traditional randomized controls so that the treatment effects of an investigational product can be visible by comparison to the SCA. SCAs can help advance the scientific validity of single arm trials, and in certain indications, reduce time and cost, and expose fewer patients to placebos or existing standard-of-care treatments that might not be effective for them.
On July 29, 2021, the Company announced final PFS results from the OVATION 1 Study published in the Journal of Clinical Cancer Research. Median PFS in patients treated per protocol (n=14) was 21 months and was 18.4 months for the ITT population (n=18) for all dose cohorts, including three patients who dropped out of the study after 13 days or less, and two patients who did not receive full NACT and IMNN-001 cycles. Under the current standard of care, in women with Stage III/IV ovarian cancer undergoing NACT, their disease progresses within about 12 months on average. The results from the OVATION 1 Study supported continued evaluation of IMNN-001 based on promising tumor response, as reported in the PFS data, and the ability for surgeons to completely remove visible tumors at interval debulking surgery. IMNN-001 was well tolerated, and no dose-limiting toxicities were detected in the OVATION 1 Study. Intraperitoneal administration of IMNN-001 was feasible with broad patient acceptance.
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OVATION 2 Study. The Company held an Advisory Board Meeting on September 27, 2017 with the clinical investigators and scientific experts including those from Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical School, and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center to review and finalize clinical, translational research and safety data from the OVATION 1 Study to determine the next steps forward for our IMNN-001 immunotherapy program. On November 13, 2017, the Company filed its Phase I/II clinical trial protocol with the FDA for IMNN-001 for the localized treatment of ovarian cancer. The protocol was designed with a single dose escalation phase to 100 mg/m² to identify a tolerable dose of IMNN-001 within certain safety parameters while maximizing an immune response. The Phase I portion of the study would be followed by a continuation at the selected dose in approximately 110 patients randomized Phase II study.
In the OVATION 2 Study, patients in the IMNN-001 treatment arm would receive IMNN-001 plus chemotherapy pre- and post-interval debulking surgery (“IDS”). The OVATION 2 Study was designed to include up to 110 patients with Stage III/IV ovarian cancer, with 12 to 15 patients in the Phase I portion and up to 95 patients in Phase II. The study was powered to show a 33% improvement in the primary endpoint, PFS, when comparing IMNN-001 with neoadjuvant + adjuvant chemotherapy versus neoadjuvant + adjuvant chemotherapy alone. The PFS primary analysis would be conducted after at least 80 events had been observed or after all patients had been followed for at least 16 months, whichever was later.
In March 2020, the Company announced encouraging initial clinical data from the first 15 patients enrolled in the Phase I portion of the OVATION 2 Study for patients newly diagnosed with Stage III and IV ovarian cancer. The OVATION 2 Study was designed to combine IMNN-001, the Company’s IL-12 gene-mediated immunotherapy, with standard-of-care NACT. Following NACT, patients would undergo IDS, followed by three additional cycles of chemotherapy.
IMNN-001 plus standard-of-care NACT produced positive dose-dependent efficacy results, with no dose-limiting toxicities, which correlates well with successful surgical outcomes as summarized below:
| ● | Of the 15 patients treated in the Phase I portion of the OVATION 2 Study, nine patients were treated with IMNN-001 at a dose of 100 mg/m² plus NACT and six patients were treated with NACT only. All 15 patients had successful resections of their tumors, with eight out of nine patients (88%) in the IMNN-001 treatment arm having an R0 resection. Only three out of six patients (50%) in the NACT only treatment arm had a R0 resection. | |
| ● | When combining these results with the surgical resection rates observed in the Company’s OVATION 1 Study, a population of patients with inclusion criteria identical to the OVATION 2 Study, the data reflected the strong dose-dependent efficacy of adding IMNN-001 to the current standard of care NACT: |
| % of Patients R0 Resections | ||||||||
| 0, 36, 47 mg/m² of IMNN-001 plus NACT | N =12 | 42 | % | |||||
| 61, 79, 100 mg/m² of IMNN-001 plus NACT | N = 17 | 82 | % | |||||
| ● | The ORR as measured by RECIST criteria for the 0, 36, 47 mg/m² dose IMNN-001 patients were comparable, as expected, to the higher (61, 79, 100 mg/m²) dose IMNN-001 patients, with both groups demonstrating an approximate 80% ORR. |
On March 23, 2020, the Company announced that the European Medicines Agency (the “EMA”) Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (“COMP”) had recommended that IMNN-001 be designated as an orphan medicinal product for the treatment of ovarian cancer. IMNN-001 previously received orphan designation from the FDA.
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In February 2021, the Company announced that it has received Fast Track designation from the FDA for IMNN-001 and also provided an update on the OVATION 2 Study. The Company reported that approximately one-third, or 34 patients, of the anticipated 110 patients had been enrolled into the OVATION 2 Study, of which 20 were in the treatment arm and 14 were in the control. Of the 34 patients enrolled in the trial, 27 patients have had their IDS with the following results:
| ● | 80% of patients treated with IMNN-001 had a R0 resection. | |
| ● | 58% of patients in the control arm had an R0 resection. | |
| ● | These interim data represented a 38% improvement in R0 resection rates for IMNN-001 patients compared with control arm patients and was consistent with the reported improvement in resection scores noted in the encouraging Phase I OVATION 1 Study, the manuscript of which was submitted for peer review publication. |
In June 2022, the Company announced that following a pre-planned interim safety review of 87 as treated patients (46 patients in the experimental arm and 41 patients in the control arm) randomized in the OVATION 2 Study, the Data Safety Monitoring Board (“DSMB”) unanimously recommended that the OVATION 2 Study continue treating patients with the dose of 100 mg/m2. The DSMB also determined that safety was satisfactory, with an acceptable risk/benefit, and that patients tolerated IMNN-001 during a course of treatment that would last up to six months. No dose-limiting toxicities were reported at this point in the OVATION 2 Study. Interim clinical data from patients who had undergone IDS showed that the IMNN-001 treatment arm was continuing to show improvement in R0 surgical resection rates and CRS 3 chemotherapy response scores over the control arm. The chemotherapy response score is a three-tier standardized scoring system for histological tumor regression into complete/near complete (CRS 3), partial (CRS 2) and no/minimal (CRS 1) response based on omental examination.
In September 2022, the Company announced that its Phase I/II OVATION 2 Study with IMNN-001 in advanced ovarian cancer has completed enrollment with 113 patients.
In September 2023, the Company announced interim PFS and OS data with IMNN-001 in its Phase I/II OVATION 2 Study. Interim clinical data from the ITT population showed efficacy trends in PFS, demonstrating a delay in disease progression in the treatment arm of approximately 33% compared with the control arm, with the hazard ratio nearing the required value. Preliminary OS data follows a similar trend, showing an approximate 9-month improvement in the treatment arm over the control arm.
Subgroup analyses showed patients treated with a PARP inhibitor (“PARPi”) as maintenance therapy had longer PFS and OS if they were also treated with IMNN-001 compared with patients treated with NACT only. This was not a pre-specified subgroup as PARP inhibitors were approved after the OVATION 2 Study was initiated.
| ● | The median PFS in the PARPi + NACT group and the PARPi + NACT + IMNN-001 group was 15.7 months and 23.7 months, respectively. | |
| ● | The median OS in the PARPi + NACT group was 45.6 months and has not yet been reached in the PARPi + NACT + IMNN-001 group. |
While the data are still preliminary, the Company believes that patients treated with a combination of NACT + PARPi + IMNN-001 appear to have the greatest benefit and should be the focus of on-going follow-up.
Imunon also continues to see benefits in other secondary endpoints including an approximately 20% higher R0 tumor resection score and a doubling of the CRS 3 chemotherapy response score to approximately 30% in the treatment arm versus 14% in the control arm. Chemotherapy response score is considered a good prognostic indicator in ovarian cancer. The DSMB determined that safety analyses continue to show good tolerability of IMNN-001 in this setting. Topline results from the OVATION 2 Study are expected in mid-2024.
IMNN-001 in Combination with bevacizumab. In February 2023, the Company and Break Through Cancer, a public foundation dedicated to supporting translational research in the most difficult-to-treat cancers that partners with top cancer research centers, announced the commencement of patient enrollment in a collaboration to evaluate IMNN-001 in combination with bevacizumab in patients with advanced ovarian cancer in the frontline, neoadjuvant clinical setting.
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This Phase I/II study, titled “Targeting Ovarian Cancer Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) Using Immune and DNA Repair Directed Therapies,” is expected to enroll 50 patients with Stage III/IV advanced ovarian cancer and is being led by principal investigator Amir Jazaeri, M.D., Vice Chair for Clinical Research and Director of the Gynecologic Cancer Immunotherapy Program in the Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine at MD Anderson. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center will also be participating in the trial. In addition, The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) will provide artificial intelligence services including biomarker and genomic analysis.
Patients are being randomized 1:1 in a two-arm trial. In October 2023, the first patient began treatment at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in the Phase I/II Clinical Trial Evaluating IMNN-001 in Combination with Bevacizumab in Advanced Ovarian Cancer. The trial’s primary endpoint is detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) by second look laparoscopy (SLL), and the secondary endpoint is PFS. Initial SLL data are expected within one year following the completion of enrollment and final PFS data are expected approximately three years following the completion of enrollment. This trial will also include a wealth of translational endpoints aimed at understanding the clonal evolution and immunogenomic features of the MRD phase of ovarian cancer that is currently undetectable by imaging or tumor markers.
As of March 31, 2024, four patients have been enrolled in the Phase I portion of this study at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has been added as a clinical site for this study in the first quarter of 2024.
PLACCINE DNA VACCINE MODALITY: IMNN-101
In January 2021, the Company announced the filing of a provisional U.S. patent application for a novel DNA-based, investigational vaccine for preventing or treating infections from a broad range of infectious agents including the coronavirus disease using its PLACCINE DNA vaccine modality (“PLACCINE”). The provisional patent covers a family of novel composition of multi-cistronic vectors and polymeric nanoparticles that comprise the PLACCINE DNA vaccine platform technology for preventing or treating infectious agents that have the potential for global pandemics, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its variations, using the Company’s TheraPlas platform technology.
Imunon’s PLACCINE DNA vaccine modality is characterized by a single mono-cistronic or multi-cistronic DNA plasmid vector expressing single or multiple pathogen antigens delivered with a synthetic delivery system. We believe it is adaptable to creating vaccines for a multitude of pathogens, including emerging pathogens leading to pandemics as well as infectious diseases that have yet to be effectively addressed with current vaccine technologies. This flexible vaccine platform is well supported by an established supply chain to produce any plasmid vector and its assembly into a respective vaccine formulation.
The need for new vaccine technologies is urgent. Since 1980, more than 80 pathogenic viruses have been discovered, yet fewer than 4% have a commercially available prophylactic vaccine. We have engaged with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (“BARDA”), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to consider certain pathogens BARDA has identified as the most urgent and the most important.
PLACCINE is an extension of the Company’s synthetic, non-viral TheraPlas delivery technology currently in a Phase II trial for the treatment of late-stage ovarian cancer with IMNN-001. Imunon’s proprietary multifunctional DNA vaccine technology concept is built on the flexible PLACCINE technology platform that is amenable to rapidly responding to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as possible future mutations of SARS-CoV-2, other future pandemics, emerging bioterrorism threats, and novel infectious diseases. Imunon’s extensive experience with TheraPlas suggests that the PLACCINE-based nanoparticles are stable at storage temperatures of 4°C to 25°C, making vaccines developed on this platform easily suitable for broad world-wide distribution.
Imunon’s vaccine approach is designed to optimize the quality of the immune response dictating the efficiency of pathogen clearance and patient recovery. Imunon has taken a multivalent approach in an effort to generate an even more robust immune response that not only results in a strong neutralizing antibody response, but also a more robust and durable T-cell response. Delivered with Imunon’s synthetic polymeric system, the proprietary DNA plasmid is protected from degradation and its cellular uptake is facilitated.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Overview
Emerging data from the recent literature indicate that the quality of the immune response as opposed to its absolute magnitude is what dictates SARSCoV-2 viral clearance and recovery and that an ineffective or non-neutralizing enhanced antibody response might actually exacerbate disease. The first-generation COVID-19 vaccines were developed for rapid production and deployment and were not optimized for generating cellular responses that result in effective viral clearance. Though early data have indicated some of these vaccines to be over 95% effective, these first-generation vaccines were primarily designed to generate a strong antibody response, and while they have been shown to provide prophylactic protection against disease, the durability of this protection is currently unclear. Most of these vaccines have been specifically developed to target the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein (antigen), though it is known that restricting a vaccine to a sole viral antigen creates selection pressure that can serve to facilitate the emergence of viral resistance. Indeed, even prior to full vaccine rollout, it has been observed that the S protein is a locus for rapid evolutionary and functional change as evidenced by the D614G, Y453F, 501Y.V2, and VUI-202012/01 mutations/deletions. This propensity for mutation of the S protein leads to future risk of efficacy reduction over time as these mutations accumulate.
Our Next Generation Vaccine Initiative
Imunon’s vaccine candidate comprises a single plasmid vector containing the DNA sequence encoding multiple SARS-CoV-2 antigens. Delivery will be evaluated intramuscularly, intradermally, or subcutaneously with a non-viral synthetic DNA delivery carrier that facilitates vector delivery into the cells of the injected tissue and has potential immune adjuvant properties. Unique designs and formulations of Imunon vaccine candidates may offer several potential key advantages. The synthetic polymeric DNA carrier is an important component of the vaccine composition as it has the potential to facilitate the vaccine immunogenicity by improving vector delivery and, due to potential adjuvant properties, attract professional immune cells to the site of vaccine delivery.
Future vaccine technology will need to address viral mutations and the challenges of efficient manufacturing, distribution, and storage. We believe an adaptation of our TheraPlas technology, PLACCINE, has the potential to meet these challenges. Our approach is described in our provisional patent filing and is summarized as a DNA vaccine technology platform characterized by a single plasmid DNA with multiple coding regions. The plasmid vector is designed to express multiple pathogen antigens. It is delivered via a synthetic delivery system and has the potential to be easily modified to create vaccines against a multitude of infectious diseases, addressing:
| ● | Viral Mutations: PLACCINE may offer broad-spectrum and mutational resistance (variants) by targeting multiple antigens on a single plasmid vector. | |
| ● | Durable Efficacy: PLACCINE delivers a DNA plasmid-based antigen that could result in durable antigen exposure and a robust vaccine response to viral antigens. | |
| ● | Storage & Distribution: PLACCINE allows for stability that is compatible with manageable vaccine storage and distribution. | |
| ● | Simple Dosing & Administration: PLACCINE is a synthetic delivery system that should require a simple injection that does not require viruses or special equipment to deliver its payload. |
On September 2, 2021, the Company announced results from preclinical in vivo studies showing production of antibodies and cytotoxic T-cell response specific to the spike antigen of SARS-CoV-2 when immunizing BALB/c mice with the Company’s next-generation PLACCINE DNA vaccine platform. Moreover, the antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen prevented the infection of cultured cells in a viral neutralization assay. The production of antibodies predicts the ability of PLACCINE to protect against SARS-CoV-2 exposure, and the elicitation of cytotoxic T-cell response shows the vaccine’s potential to eradicate cells infected with SARS-CoV-2. These findings demonstrated the potential immunogenicity of Imunon’s PLACCINE DNA vaccine, which is intended to provide broad-spectrum protection and resistance against variants by incorporating multiple viral antigens, to improve vaccine stability at storage temperatures of 4°C and above, and to facilitate cheaper and easier manufacturing.
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On January 31, 2022, the Company announced the initiation of a nonhuman primate (“NHP”) challenge study with Imunon’s DNA-based approach for a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. The NHP pilot study followed the generation of encouraging mouse data and will evaluate the Company’s lead vaccine formulations for safety, immunogenicity and protection against SARS-CoV-2. In completed preclinical studies, Imunon demonstrated a favorable safety profile and efficient immune responses including IgG response, neutralizing antibodies and T-cell responses that parallel the activity of commercial vaccines following intramuscular (IM) administration of novel vaccine compositions expressing a single viral antigen. In addition, vector development has shown promise of neutralizing activity against a range of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Imunon’s DNA-based vaccines have been based on a simple intramuscular injection that does not require viral encapsulation or special equipment for administration.
In April 2022, the Company presented its PLACCINE platform technology at the 2022 World Vaccine Congress. In an oral presentation during a Session on Cancer and Immunotherapy, Dr. Khursheed Anwer, the Company’s Chief Science Officer, highlighted the Company’s technology platform in his presentation entitled: “Novel DNA Approaches for Cancer Immunotherapies and Multivalent Infectious Disease Vaccines.” PLACCINE has demonstrated the potential to be a powerful platform that provides for rapid design capability for targeting two or more different variants of a single virus in one vaccine. There is a clear public health need for vaccines today that address more than one strain of viruses, like COVID-19, which have fast evolving variant capability to offer the widest possible protection. Murine model data has thus far been encouraging and suggests that the Company’s approach provides not only flexibility, but also the potential for efficacy comparable to benchmark COVID-19 commercial vaccines with durability to protect for more than six months.
In September 2022, the Company provided an update on the progress made in the development of a DNA-based vaccine using its PLACCINE platform technology. The Company reported evidence of IgG, neutralizing antibody, and T-cell responses to its SARS-CoV-2 PLACCINE vaccines in normal mice. In this murine model, the Company’s multivalent PLACCINE vaccine targeted against two different variants showed to be immunogenic as determined by the levels of IgG, neutralizing antibodies, and T-cell responses. Additionally, our multivalent vaccine was equally effective against two different variants of the COVID-19 virus while the commercial mRNA vaccine appeared to have lost some activity against the newer variant.
Final data from its now completed proof-of-concept mouse challenge study confirmed that a PLACCINE DNA-based vaccine can produce robust levels of IgG, neutralizing antibodies, and T-cell responses. The data demonstrated the ability of the Company’s PLACCINE vaccine to protect a SARS-CoV-2 mouse model in a live viral challenge. In the study, mice were vaccinated with a PLACCINE vaccine expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen from the D614G variant or the Delta variant, or a combination vaccine expressing both the D614G and Delta spike variants. The vaccination was administered by intramuscular injection on Day 0 and Day 14, followed by challenge with live SARS-CoV-2 virus on Day 42. All three vaccines, including the single and dual antigen vaccines, were found to have a favorable safety profile and elicited IgG responses and inhibited the viral load by 90-95%. The dual antigen vaccine was equally effective against both variants of the SARS CoV-2 virus.
In October 2022, the Company reported partial results from an ongoing non-human primate study designed to examine the immunogenicity of its proprietary PLACCINE vaccine which supported PLACCINE as a viable alternative to mRNA vaccines. The study examined a single plasmid DNA vector containing the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant spike antigen formulated with a synthetic DNA delivery system and administered by intramuscular injection. In the study, Cynomolgus monkeys were vaccinated with the PLACCINE vaccine or a commercial mRNA vaccine on Day 1, 28 and 84. Analysis of blood samples for IgG and neutralizing antibodies showed evidence of immunogenicity both in PLACCINE and mRNA vaccinated subjects. Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage for viral load by quantitative PCR showed viral clearance by >90% of the non-vaccinated controls. Viral clearance from nasal swab followed a similar pattern in a majority of vaccinated animals and a similar clearance profile was observed when viral load was analyzed by the tissue culture infectious dose method.
In March 2023, the Company announced final results from the NHP study involving three vaccine-treated non-human primates. The final data were consistent with the earlier data and showed excellent immunological response and viral clearance. More specifically, in this NHP study, we examined PLACCINE activity against a more advanced SARS-CoV-2 variants and at a DNA dose that was not previously tested in NHP and demonstrated robust IgG responses, neutralizing antibody responses and complete clearance of virus following the challenge as seen in the previous study.
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In a recent mouse study, a single dose of PLACCINE vaccine without a booster dose produced longer duration of IgG responses and higher T-cell activation than an mRNA vaccine. A 12-month PLACCINE stability study demonstrated continued drug stability at 4° C (standard refrigerated temperature).
In March 2023, these compelling data were presented at the Vaccine Technology Summit 2023 in Boston. They showed robust immunogenicity and protection in SARS-CoV-2 models, durable cellular or humoral responses detectable for more than 12 months, comparable protection activity to a commercial mRNA vaccine in a booster-dose comparison and superior immune quality versus the mRNA vaccine in a single-dose comparison.
In March 2023, the Company filed with the FDA a pre-IND package in advance of beginning human testing of a SARS-CoV-2 seasonal booster vaccine. In July 2023, the FDA confirmed in a written response our plug and play strategy agreeing that a platform approach to pre-clinical toxicology testing with reference to updated SARS-CoV-2 genes that align with current variant of concern may be used without additional need for toxicology studies. This demonstrated the flexibility and versatility of our platform, which allows for the rapid production and development of any vaccine by simply changing the antigen coding cassette.
On April 18, 2024, the Company announced that it received clearance from the FDA to begin a Phase I clinical trial with a seasonal COVID-19 booster vaccine. The Company filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for IMNN-101 in late February, and pending resolution of limited comments from the FDA, expects to commence patient enrollment in the second quarter of 2024. The primary objectives of the Phase I study are to evaluate safety, tolerability, neutralizing antibody response, and the vaccine’s durability (duration of immunogenicity) in healthy adults. Secondary objectives of the study include evaluating the ability of the IMNN-101 vaccine to elicit binding antibodies and cellular responses and their associated durability. As currently planned, the Phase I study will enroll 24 subjects evaluating three escalating doses of IMNN-101 at two U.S. clinical trial sites. For this study, IMMN-101 has been designed to protect against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB1.5 variant, in accordance with the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee’s June 2023 announcement of the framework for updated COVID-19 doses. Based on these results, we will advance discussions with potential partners to continue development of the platform.
Business Plan and Going Concern Risk
We have not generated and do not expect to generate any revenue from product sales in the next several years, if at all. An element of our business strategy has been to pursue, as resources permit, the research and development of a range of drug candidates for a variety of indications. We may also evaluate licensing products from third parties to expand our current product pipeline. This is intended to allow us to diversify the risks associated with our research and development expenditures. To the extent we are unable to maintain a broad range of drug candidates, our dependence on the success of one or a few drug candidates would increase and would have a more significant impact on our financial prospects, financial condition, and market value. We may also consider and evaluate strategic alternatives, including investment in, or acquisition of, complementary businesses, technologies, or products. Drug research and development is an inherently uncertain process and there is a high risk of failure at every stage prior to approval. The timing and the outcome of clinical results are extremely difficult to predict. The success or failure of any preclinical development and clinical trial can have a disproportionately positive or negative impact on our results of operations, financial condition, prospects, and market value.
Our current business strategy includes the possibility of entering into collaborative arrangements with third parties to complete the development and commercialization of our drug candidates. In the event that third parties are contracted to manage the clinical trial process for one or more of our drug candidates, the estimated completion dates of such clinical trials would largely be under the control of that third party rather than us. We cannot forecast with any degree of certainty which proprietary products or indications, if any, will be subject to future collaborative arrangements, in whole or in part, and how such arrangements would affect our development plan or capital requirements. We may also apply for subsidies, grants or government or agency-sponsored studies that could reduce our development costs. However, we cannot forecast with any degree of certainty whether we will be selected to receive any subsidy, grant or governmental funding.
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Since inception, the Company has incurred substantial operating losses, principally from expenses associated with the Company’s research and development programs, clinical trials conducted in connection with the Company’s drug candidates, and applications and submissions to the FDA. The Company has not generated significant revenue and has incurred significant net losses in each year since our inception. As of March 31, 2024, the Company has incurred approximately $393 million of cumulative net losses and had $9.8 million in cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and interest receivable to fund its operations. We have substantial future capital requirements to continue our research and development activities and advance our drug candidates through various development stages. The Company believes these expenditures are essential for the commercialization of its drug candidates and technologies. The Company’s primary sources of cash have been proceeds from the issuance and sale of its common stock via its “ATM” program pursuant to an At the Market Offering Agreement (the “ATM Agreement”) with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (“Wainwright”) as sales agent and other potential funding transactions. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to do so in the future on a timely basis on terms acceptable to the Company, or at all. The Company has not yet commercialized any of its product candidates. Even if the Company commercializes one or more of its product candidates, it may not become profitable in the near term. The Company’s ability to achieve profitability depends on several factors, including its ability to obtain regulatory approval for its product candidates, successfully complete any post-approval regulatory obligations and successfully commercialize its product candidates alone or in partnership.
Given our development plans, we anticipate cash resources will be sufficient to fund our operations into the fourth quarter of 2024. The Company has no committed sources of additional capital. As a result of the risks and uncertainties discussed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, among others, we are unable to estimate the duration and completion costs of our research and development projects or when, if ever, and to what extent we will receive cash inflows from the commercialization and sale of a product. Our inability to complete any of our research and development activities, preclinical studies or clinical trials in a timely manner or our failure to enter into collaborative agreements when appropriate could significantly increase our capital requirements and could adversely impact our liquidity. While our estimated future capital requirements are uncertain and could increase or decrease as a result of many factors, including the extent to which we choose to advance our research, development activities, preclinical studies and clinical trials, or if we are in a position to pursue manufacturing or commercialization activities, we will need significant additional capital to develop our drug candidates through development and clinical trials, obtain regulatory approvals and manufacture and commercialized approved products, if any. We do not know whether we will be able to access additional capital when needed or on terms favorable to us or our stockholders. Our inability to raise additional capital, or to do so on terms reasonably acceptable to us, would jeopardize the future success of our business.
Based on the above, management has determined there is substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern. The report of our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2023 includes an explanatory paragraph which expresses substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
Management’s plan includes raising funds from outside investors via its ATM program and other potential funding sources as mentioned. However, as mentioned above, there is no assurance such funding will be available to the Company or that it will be obtained on terms favorable to the Company or will provide the Company with sufficient funds to meet its objectives. The Company’s financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of assets, carrying amounts or the amount and classification of liabilities that may be required should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
The Company’s ability to raise additional capital may be adversely impacted by potential worsening global economic conditions and the recent disruptions to, and volatility in, financial markets in the U.S., the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the unrest in the Middle East. These disruptions may also disrupt the clinical trials process and enrollment of patients. This may delay commercialization efforts. The Company continues to monitor its operating activities in light of these events.
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Financing Overview
Equity, Debt and Other Forms of Financing
During 2024 and 2023 through the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we issued a total of 1.9 million shares of common stock as discussed below for approximately $2.8 million in net proceeds.
On May 25, 2022, the Company entered into the ATM Agreement with Wainwright, pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time, through Wainwright, shares of the Company’s common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $7,500,000. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering, if any, for general corporate purposes, including research and development activities, capital expenditures and working capital. In the first quarter of 2023, the Company sold 1,660,608 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $2,474,362. The Company did not sell any shares of common stock under the ATM program in 2024.
Significant Accounting Policies
Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on March 28, 2024. See Note 3 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
As a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, our business, and our ability to execute our strategy to achieve our corporate goals are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. Material risks and uncertainties relating to our business and our industry are described in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” under “Part II: Other Information” included herein.
FINANCIAL REVIEW FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024 AND 2023
Results of Operations
For the three months ended March 31, 2024 our net loss was $4.9 million compared to a net loss of $5.6 million for the same three-month period of 2023.
With $9.8 million in cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and interest receivable at March 31, 2024, such conditions raise substantial doubts about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Based on the above, management has determined there is substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue a going concern.
Management’s plan includes raising funds from the issuance and sale of its common stock via its ATM program and other funding transactions. However, as mentioned above, there is no assurance such funding will be available to the Company or that it will be obtained on terms favorable to the Company or will provide the Company with sufficient funds to meet its objectives. The Company’s financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of assets, carrying amounts or the amount and classification of liabilities that may be required should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
| For the three months ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | Change Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Operating Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Clinical Research | ||||||||||||||||
| OVATION | 287 | 284 | 3 | 1.1 | % | |||||||||||
| Vaccine | 571 | - | 571 | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||
| Other Clinical and regulatory | 477 | 328 | 149 | 45.4 | % | |||||||||||
| Subtotal | 1,335 | 612 | 723 | 118.1 | % | |||||||||||
| Non-Clinical R&D and CMC | ||||||||||||||||
| OVATION | 405 | 339 | 66 | 19.5 | % | |||||||||||
| PlaCCine Vaccine | 1,215 | 1,017 | 198 | 19.5 | % | |||||||||||
| Manufacturing (CMC) | 339 | 651 | (312 | ) | (47.9 | )% | ||||||||||
| Subtotal | 1,959 | 2,007 | (48 | ) | (2.4 | )% | ||||||||||
| Research and development expenses | 3,294 | 2,619 | 675 | 25.8 | % | |||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 1,717 | 3,065 | (1,348 | ) | (44.0 | )% | ||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 5,011 | 5,684 | (673 | ) | (11.8 | )% | ||||||||||
| Loss from operations | $ | (5,011 | ) | $ | (5,684 | ) | $ | (673 | ) | (11.8 | )% | |||||
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Research and Development Expenses
Research and development (“R&D”) expenses were $3.3 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $2.6 million in same period of 2023. Costs associated with the OVATION 2 Study were $0.3 million in the first quarter of 2024 and 2023. Costs associated with the PlaCCine vaccine trial were $0.6 million in the first quarter of 2024. Other clinical and regulatory costs were $0.5 million the first quarter of 2024 compared to $0.3 million in the same period of 2023. R&D costs associated with the development of IMNN-001 to support the OVATION 2 Study were $0.4 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $0.3 million in same period of 2023. The development of the PLACCINE DNA vaccine technology platform increased to $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $1.0 million in the same period of 2023. CMC costs decreased to $0.3 million in the first quarter of 2023 compared to $0.7 million in the same period of 2023.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses were $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $3.1 million in the same period of 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower non-cash stock compensation expenses of $0.3 million, legal expenses of $0.5 million, employee-related expenses of $0.2 million and consulting fees of $0.2 million.
Other non-operating income was $81,921 in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $93,085 in the same period of 2023. The Company incurred interest expense of $0.2 million on its loan facility with Silicon Valley Bank in the first quarter of 2023. This loan facility was repaid in full in the second quarter of 2023. Investment income from the Company’s short-term investments decreased by $0.2 million for the first quarter of 2024 compared with the same period in 2023 due to a decrease in investment securities.
FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Since inception we have incurred significant losses and negative cash flows from operations. We have financed our operations primarily through the net proceeds from the sales of equity, credit facilities, the sale of the Company’s net operating losses, and amounts received under various product licensing agreements. The process of developing IMNN-001 and other drug candidates and technologies requires significant research and development work and clinical trial studies, as well as significant manufacturing and process development efforts. We expect these activities, together with our general and administrative expenses to result in significant operating losses for the foreseeable future. Our expenses have significantly and regularly exceeded our revenue, and we had an accumulated deficit of $393 million at March 31, 2024.
At March 31, 2024, we had total current assets of $12.1 million and current liabilities of $4.8 million, resulting in net working capital of $7.3 million. At March 31, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, interest receivable on short-term investments of $9.8 million. At December 31, 2023, we had total current assets of $18.2 million and current liabilities of $7.4 million, resulting in net working capital of $10.8 million. We have substantial future capital requirements to continue our research and development activities and advance our drug candidates through various development stages. The Company believes these expenditures are essential for the commercialization of its technologies.
Net cash used in operating activities for the first three months of 2024 was $5.9 million. Net cash provided by investing activities was $2.5 million during the first three months of 2024. At March 31, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and interest receivable on short term investments of $9.8 million.
We expect to seek additional capital through further public or private equity offerings, debt financing, additional strategic alliance and licensing arrangements, collaborative arrangements, potential sales of our net operating losses, or some combination of these financing alternatives. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity securities, the percentage ownership of our stockholders could be significantly diluted, and the newly issued equity securities may have rights, preferences, or privileges senior to those of the holders of our common stock. If we raise funds through the issuance of debt securities, those securities may have rights, preferences, and privileges senior to those of our common stock. If we seek strategic alliances, licenses, or other alternative arrangements, such as arrangements with collaborative partners or others, we may need to relinquish rights to certain of our existing or future technologies, product candidates, or products we would otherwise seek to develop or commercialize on our own, or to license the rights to our technologies, product candidates, or products on terms that are not favorable to us. The overall status of the economic climate could also result in the terms of any equity offering, debt financing, or alliance, license, or other arrangement being even less favorable to us and our stockholders than if the overall economic climate were stronger. We also will continue to look for government sponsored research collaborations and grants to help offset future anticipated losses from operations and, to a lesser extent, interest income.
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If adequate funds are not available through either the capital markets, strategic alliances, collaborators, or sales of our net operating losses, we may be required to delay or, reduce the scope of, or terminate our research, development, clinical programs, manufacturing, or commercialization efforts, or effect additional changes to our facilities or personnel, or obtain funds through other arrangements that may require us to relinquish some of our assets or rights to certain of our existing or future technologies, product candidates, or products on terms not favorable to us.
Such conditions raise substantial doubts about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plan includes raising funds from the issuance and sale of its common stock via its ATM program and other funding transactions. However, as mentioned above, there is no assurance such funding will be available to the Company or that it will be obtained on terms favorable to the Company or will provide the Company with sufficient funds to meet its objectives. The Company’s financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of assets, carrying amounts or the amount and classification of liabilities that may be required should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations
None.
Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information required under this item.
Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
We have carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as that term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based on that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of March 31, 2024, which is the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level in alerting them in a timely manner to material information required to be included in our periodic reports with the SEC.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting 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. 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, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes. 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 also is 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. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
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PART II: OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
In February 2021, a derivative shareholder lawsuit was filed against the Company, as the nominal defendant, and certain of its directors and officers as defendants in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, captioned Fidler v. Michael H. Tardugno, et al., Case No. 3:21-cv-02662. The plaintiff alleged breach of fiduciary duty and other claims arising out of alleged statements made by certain of the Company’s directors and/or officers regarding ThermoDox®. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to these claims and intends to vigorously contest this suit. At this stage of the case, neither the likelihood that a loss, if any, will be realized, nor an estimate of possible loss or range of loss, if any, can be determined.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes to our risk factors from those disclosed under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The risks and uncertainties described in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
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.
Item 5. Other Information.
During
the quarter ended March 31, 2024, no directors or executive officers
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Item 6. Exhibits.
| 10.1++ | Form of Incentive Stock Option Grant Agreement under the 2018 Stock Incentive Plan. | |
| 10.2++ | Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under the 2018 Stock Incentive Plan. | |
| 3.1 | Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, effective on March 15, 2024, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, filed on March 18, 2024 (SEC File No. 001-15911). | |
| 31.1+ | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 31.2+ | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 32.1* | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 101** | The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss, (iv) the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (v) the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Change in Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit), and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. | |
| + | Filed herewith. | |
| ++ | Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. | |
| * | Exhibit 32.1 is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall such exhibit be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act, except as otherwise stated in such filing. | |
| ** | XBRL information is filed herewith. | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
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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.
| May 13, 2024 | IMUNON, INC. | |
| Registrant | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael H. Tardugno | |
| Michael H. Tardugno | ||
| Chairman of the Board | ||
| By: | /s/ Jeffrey W. Church | |
| Jeffrey W. Church | ||
| Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||
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