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Debt
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Debt

6. DEBT

SWK Credit Agreement

On March 4, 2022, the Company entered into the SWK Credit Agreement with the lenders party thereto and SWK, as the agent, sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner, which provides for a senior secured term loan facility in an aggregate amount of $6.5 million in a single borrowing (the “Original Term Loan”). The Original Term Loan closed on March 14, 2022, after consummation of the Convertible Note Financing (as defined and described below) as well as the satisfaction of other closing conditions as set forth in the SWK Credit Agreement. The proceeds of the Original Term Loan are being used to pay fees, costs and expenses related to the SWK Credit Agreement, the Marathon Convertible Note Purchase Agreement (as defined and described below) and the Marathon Credit Agreement (as defined and described below) and for other working capital and general corporate purposes. On August 19, 2022, the Company entered into an amendment (the “First Amendment”) to the SWK Credit Agreement, which extended the date through which the Company has the option to capitalize interest on the SWK Credit Agreement and which revised the Company’s minimum cash requirement under the Original Term Loan.

The Original Term Loan bears interest at an annual rate of the sum of (i) 3-month LIBOR (or such other rate as may be agreed by the Company and SWK following the date on which 3-month LIBOR is no longer available), subject to a 1% floor, plus (ii) a margin of 11%, with such interest payable quarterly in arrears. In the event of default, the interest rate will increase by 3% per annum over the contract rate effective at the time of default but shall not be higher than the maximum rate permitted to be charged by applicable laws. For the period ended December 31, 2022, the current interest rate applicable to the Original Term Loan is 15.8%. The Company has the option to capitalize such interest commencing on the date on which the Original Term Loan was funded and continuing until February 15, 2023. Commencing on February 15, 2023, the principal amount of the Original Term Loan will amortize at a rate of $0.7 million payable quarterly. The final maturity date of the Original Term Loan is March 4, 2024. The Company is required to pay $2.1 million of principal payments in 2023, with the remainder payable in 2024. The Company has the option to prepay the Original Term Loan in whole or in part. Upon the repayment of the Original Term Loan (whether voluntary or at scheduled maturity), the Company must pay an exit fee so that SWK receives an aggregate amount (inclusive of all principal, interest and origination and other fees paid to SWK under the SWK Credit Agreement on or prior to the prepayment date) equal to 1.5 times the outstanding principal amount of the Original Term Loan, plus any and all paid-in-kind interest amounts. The Original Term Loan contains a provision for the establishment of an alternative rate of interest if LIBOR were to no longer be available at any point while the Original Term Loan is outstanding. Under the Original Term Loan as amended, the Company’s minimum cash requirement is such that its unencumbered liquid assets must not be less than the lesser of (a) the outstanding principal amount of the Original Term Loan, or (b) $1.5 million; provided, however, that such $1.5 million amount shall automatically be increased to $3.0 million on the date that is 14 days following the date, if

any, that the Company’s Board of Directors determines that discontinuation of the development program for the Company’s product candidate known as ACER-801 (osanetant) for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms is warranted based upon a serious adverse event or a lack of efficacy at any dose studied in the results from a completed Phase 2a trial.

The Original Term Loan is secured by a first priority lien on all assets of the Company and any of its future subsidiaries pursuant to the SWK Security Agreement. The SWK Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants. The Company paid to SWK $0.1 million in origination fees on the date on which the Original Term Loan was funded. The Original Term Loan contains certain provisions which could accelerate the maturity date of the outstanding loan should the Company be out of compliance with any of the stated covenants. At December 31, 2022, the Company did not deem probable any events that would give rise to such an acceleration. The Company classified the fair value of the interest and principal amortization payments of $1.5 million due within twelve months from the date of this report as current in the balance sheet as of December 31, 2022.

In connection with the execution of the SWK Credit Agreement, the Company issued a warrant (the “First SWK Warrant”) to purchase 150,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.46 per share. In connection with the execution of the First Amendment, the Company issued to SWK an additional warrant to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.51 per share (such warrant, the "SWK Amendment Warrant" and, together with the First SWK Warrant, the "SWK Warrants"). SWK may exercise the SWK Warrants in accordance with the terms thereof for all or any part of such shares of common stock from the date on which the Original Term Loan was funded or such SWK Warrant was issued, as applicable, until and including March 4, 2029.

The Company recognized the fair value of the First SWK Warrant for $0.3 million as additional paid in capital as of the date of the closing of the transaction. Additionally, the Company recognized the fair value of the SWK Amendment Warrant in connection with the First Amendment, for $0.1 million as additional paid in capital and as non-operating cost of debt issuance, as of the date of the First Amendment.

The Company evaluated its compliance with all covenants with respect to the SWK Credit Agreement as amended and concluded that it was in compliance as of December 31, 2022.

See Note 12, Subsequent Events for further discussion of the status of the SWK Credit Agreement and related arrangements.

Marathon Convertible Notes

On March 4, 2022, the Company also entered into the Marathon Convertible Note Purchase Agreement with MAM Aardvark, LLC (“Marathon”) and Marathon Healthcare Finance Fund, L.P. (“Marathon Fund” and together with “Marathon” each a “Holder” and collectively the “Holders”) pursuant to which the Company issued and sold to the Holders the Marathon Convertible Notes in an aggregate amount of $6.0 million (the “Convertible Note Financing”). The Convertible Note Financing closed on March 14, 2022 after satisfaction of closing conditions as set forth in the Marathon Convertible Note Purchase Agreement. The proceeds of the Convertible Note Financing are being used to pay fees, costs and expenses related to the SWK Credit Agreement, the Marathon Convertible Note Purchase Agreement and the Marathon Credit Agreement and for other working capital and general corporate purposes.

The Marathon Convertible Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 6.5%, with such interest payable quarterly; provided, however, that until the first to occur of OLPRUVATM Approval and the repayment in full of the Original Term Loan, interest will not be payable in cash, but will accrue and be payable in cash upon the earlier of a) the repayment of all obligations under the Original Term Loan and termination of such Original Term Loan or b) within three business days of OLPRUVATM Approval. Subject to the restrictions set forth in an agreement among each of the Holders and SWK, as agent and lender, and any other intercreditor or subordination agreement entered into in connection with the Term Loan (defined below), each of the Holders has the right, during the 30-day periods beginning 12 months, 18 months and 24 months after the closing date of the Convertible Note Financing, to require

the Company to redeem the Convertible Secured Note held by such Holder at a redemption price of the outstanding principal amount plus any accrued but unpaid interest. In the event of default, interest on the Marathon Convertible Notes will increase to the lower of 11.5% per annum or the highest rate permitted by law. Each of the Holders also has the right to convert all or any portion of the outstanding principal amount plus any accrued but unpaid interest under the Marathon Convertible Note held by such Holder into shares of common stock at a conversion price of $2.50 per share, subject to adjustment, for an aggregate of 2.4 million shares upon conversion of the original principal amount. The nature of the adjustment to conversion price is limited to instances such as stock splits and reverse stock splits.. Each Holder has certain rights with respect to the registration by the Company for resale of the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Marathon Convertible Note held by such Holder which are forth in the Marathon Convertible Note Purchase Agreement. Any outstanding principal, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, will be payable on the earlier of the third anniversary of the date of issuance, or upon a change of control of the Company.

Pursuant to the Marathon Convertible Note Purchase Agreement, the Marathon Convertible Notes are secured by a lien on collateral representing substantially all assets of the Company, although such security interest is subordinated to the Company’s obligations under the SWK Credit Agreement and may also be subordinated to the Company’s obligations under the Marathon Credit Agreement.

The Company evaluated its compliance with all covenants with respect to the Marathon Convertible Note Purchase Agreement and concluded that it was in compliance as of December 31, 2022.

See Note 12, Subsequent Events for further discussion of the status of the Marathon Convertible Notes.

Marathon Credit Agreement

On March 4, 2022, the Company also entered into the Marathon Credit Agreement with the lenders party thereto and Marathon, as the agent, sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner, which provides for a senior secured term loan facility in an aggregate amount of up to $42.5 million in a single borrowing (the “Term Loan”). The Term Loan will be available to be borrowed only following OLPRUVATM Approval and until December 31, 2022 (i.e., if OLPRUVATM Approval does not occur on or before December 31, 2022, then the Term Loan will not be available unless the Company is able to obtain an extension for the time period beyond December 31, 2022, to the actual PDUFA target action date), and funding of the Term Loan is also subject to the satisfaction of conditions as set forth in the Marathon Credit Agreement. Although the Company’s resubmitted NDA in respect of OLPRUVATM (sodium phenylbutyrate) for oral suspension for the treatment of patients with UCDs has been accepted for substantive review by the FDA, the PDUFA target action date is January 15, 2023. The Term Loan, if it becomes available, will be used to refinance certain other indebtedness of the Company (including the Original Term Loan), to pay fees, costs and expenses related to the Marathon Credit Agreement and for other working capital and general corporate purposes. Should the Term Loan become available, the Company will pay Marathon a commitment fee equal to 1.5% of the term loan amount. The Marathon Credit Agreement also includes an accordion feature pursuant to which the Company, Marathon and the lenders under the Marathon Credit Agreement may agree to increase the Term Loan commitments by up to an additional $50.0 million dollars for a total commitment of $92.5 million; provided, however, that any such increase is within the sole discretion of each party (i.e., the Company cannot unilaterally trigger such an increase).

The Term Loan would bear interest at an annual rate of 13.5% and would be payable quarterly in arrears. The Company would have the option to capitalize up to 4% of such interest commencing on the Term Loan Funding Date and continuing until the third anniversary of the Term Loan Funding Date. Commencing on the third anniversary of the Term Loan Funding Date, the principal outstanding amount of the Term Loan would amortize at a rate of 2.78%, payable monthly. The final maturity date of the Term Loan would be the earlier of six years after the Term Loan Funding Date or December 31, 2028. The Company would have the option to prepay the Term Loan in whole or in part at any time, subject to a prepayment fee equal to (a) if the prepayment is made prior to March 4, 2025, then the greater of 5% or the amount of interest that would have accrued from the date of prepayment until March 4, 2025, (b) if the prepayment is made on or after March 4, 2025, but prior to March 4, 2026, then 3%, (c) if the prepayment is made on or after March 4, 2026, but prior to March 4, 2027, then 2%, or (d) if the prepayment is made on or after March 4, 2027, then 1%.

The Term Loan would be secured by a first priority lien on all assets of the Company and any of its future subsidiaries pursuant to a Guarantee and Collateral Agreement to be entered into on the Term Loan Funding Date between the Company and Marathon, as agent (the “Marathon Security Agreement”). The Marathon Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants. The Company paid $0.2 million in commitment fees to Marathon in connection with obtaining the commitments in respect of the Term Loan and will pay $0.6 million in additional commitment fees to Marathon following OLPRUVATM Approval or any change of control of the Company or sale or transfer of the OLPRUVATM product.

In connection with the Marathon Credit Agreement, on March 4, 2022, the Company, Marathon and the Marathon Fund also entered into the Royalty Agreement pursuant to which, in the event of the funding of the Term Loan, the Company will pay Marathon and the Marathon Fund, on a quarterly basis, 2% of certain aggregate commercial revenue from sales of OLPRUVATM during that quarter (i.e., 2% of the net sales and of the amount of certain other payments), subject to a cap on the aggregate amount of such payments of $15.0 million. Upon a change of control of the Company or the sale of the OLPRUVATM business to a third party, the Company would pay Marathon and the Marathon Fund the difference between $15.0 million and the aggregate amount of the payments previously made by the Company to Marathon and the Marathon Fund pursuant to the Royalty Agreement.

As of December 31, 2022, the Company had not requested funding of the Term Loan, and as such had not triggered the associated Royalty Agreement. On December 30, 2022, the Company and Marathon entered into an Extension Agreement which extended the Term Loan Commitment Date to January 16, 2023. See Note 12, Subsequent Events for further discussion of the status of the Marathon Convertible Notes and the Marathon Credit Agreement.

The Company engaged an exclusive financial advisor with respect to the financings contemplated by the SWK Credit Agreement, the Marathon Convertible Note Purchase Agreement and the Marathon Credit Agreement. In connection with the funding of the Original Term Loan and the Convertible Note Financing, the Company paid its financial advisor a fee of $0.5 million for its services.

The Company is eligible to elect the fair value option under ASC 815 and bypass analysis of potential embedded derivatives and further analysis of bifurcation of any such financial instruments and has elected such option. The Company recognized the First SWK Warrant at fair value as of the date of the close of the transaction and recorded it in equity. The Original Term Loan and Marathon Convertible Notes met the definition of a “recognized financial liability” which is an acceptable financial instrument eligible for the fair value option under ASC 825-10-15-4 and do not meet the definition of any of the financial instruments found within ASC 825-10-15-5 that are not eligible for the fair value option. Therefore, both the Original Term Loan and Marathon Convertible Notes are recorded at their fair value upon issuance and subsequently re-measured at each reporting period until their maturity, prepayment or conversion. Additionally, all issuance costs incurred in connection with a debt instrument that is measured at fair value pursuant to the election of the fair value option are expensed during the period the debt is acquired. The Original Term Loan was recorded at fair value of $6.2 million after allocating the fair value of the First SWK Warrant of $0.3 million.

The Company incurred $1.2 million of debt issuance costs, which were expensed as incurred due to the election of the fair value option and were included in interest expense in the accompanying statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022. Debt issuance costs were comprised of $0.5 million that related to the costs and expense paid directly to SWK and the Holders, $0.7 million of costs and expenses paid to the Company’s financial advisor, and other legal and accounting costs. The fee of $0.2 million paid in connection with obtaining the commitments in respect of the Term Loan was paid to Marathon through gross proceeds received from the Marathon Convertible Notes. The Company recorded this fee as expense during the year ended December 31, 2022. As a result of the approval of OLPRUVATM, the Company will pay $0.6 million for the Term Loan commitment fee and has recognized a liability for $0.6 million and a current asset for deferred financing costs of $0.4 million as of December 31, 2022, and has recognized expense during the period of $0.2 million for this fee.

 

See Note 12, Subsequent Events for further discussion of the status of the Term Loan and related arrangements.