Stockholders' Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity

9.

Stockholders’ Equity

Authorized Capital

Heat has authorized 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock (par value $0.0001) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, there were no outstanding shares of Preferred Stock.

Heat had 100,000,000 shares of common stock (par value $0.0002) authorized as of December 31, 2017. On January 19, 2018, Heat announced a reverse stock split of its shares of common stock at a ratio of 1-for-10. The reverse stock took effect as of 11 p.m. ET on January 19, 2018, to trade on a post-split basis at the market open on January 22, 2018. During the company’s annual shareholder meeting held June 29, 2017, shareholders approved the company’s reverse stock split, and granted the board of directors the authority to implement and determine the exact split ratio. When the reverse stock split became effective, every 10 shares of the company’s issued and outstanding common stock were combined into one share of common stock. Effecting the reverse stock split reduced the number of issued and outstanding common stock from approximately 42 million shares to approximately 4.2 million.  Therefore, of the 100,000,000 common stock shares authorized, 4,200,310and 2,620,439 common stock shareswere issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Preferred Stock

Series A, Series B-1, and Series B-2

Automatic Conversion

Each share of Preferred Stock automatically converts to common stock upon the earlier to occur of (i) on the date of consummation of a sale of common stock in a firm commitment underwritten public offering resulting in aggregate net cash proceeds to the Company (after deducting applicable underwriting discounts and commissions) of at least $15 million net proceeds; (ii) with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock, if 2/3 of the Series A Preferred Stock holders (including one of the larger investors so long as they hold 40% of the Series A Preferred Stock) vote in favor of a conversion then the Series A will automatically convert to common stock; and (iii) with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock if 2/3 of the Series B Preferred Stock holders vote in favor of a conversion then the Series B will automatically convert to common stock. As a result of the IPO, all outstanding shares of preferred stock were automatically converted to common stock.

Optional Conversion

The preferred stock is convertible into common stock at the option of the holder at any time. The conversion ratio for each share of the Series A Preferred Stock was its Original Issue Price ($2.10 for each share of the Series A Preferred Stock) divided by its Conversion Price, as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like, which Conversion Price initially was the Original Issue Price. The conversion ratio for each share of the Series B-1 Preferred Stock and the Series B-2 Preferred Stock was its Original Issue Price ($2.67 and $5.00 for each share of the Series B-1 Preferred Stock and Series B-2 Preferred Stock, respectively) plus accrued but unpaid dividends thereon divided by its conversion price, as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like, which conversion price initially was the Original Issue Price. As a result of the 1-for-2.3 reverse stock split, the conversion ratio for the Preferred Stock was 0.4348.

In the event the Company at any time or from time to time after the Initial Series B Issuance Date shall issue additional shares of common stock without consideration or for consideration per share less than the Series A Conversion Price, Series B-1 Conversion Price, or Series B-2 Conversion Price, in effect on the date of and immediately prior to such issue, then the Series A Conversion Price, the Series B-1 Conversion Price, Series B-2 Conversion Price, shall be reduced, to a price determined by multiplying the Series A Conversion Price, the Series B-1 Conversion Price, or the Series B-2 Conversion Price in effect by a fraction, (A) the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately prior to such issuance, on a fully-diluted basis, plus the number of shares of common stock which the aggregate consideration received by the Company for the total number of Additional Shares of Common Stock so issued would purchase at the Series A Conversion Price, the Series B-1 Conversion Price, or the Series B-2 Conversion Price, as in effect immediately prior to such issuance, and (B) the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately prior to such issuance, on a fully-diluted basis, plus the number of such Additional Shares of common stock so issued. As a result of the IPO, all outstanding shares of preferred stock were automatically converted to common stock.

The preferred stock was determined to have characteristics more akin to equity than debt. Particularly, the preferred stock had no mandatory redemption provision nor was it redeemable at the option of the holder. As a result, the conversion option was determined to be clearly and closely related to the preferred stock and therefore did not need to be bifurcated and classified as a liability.

Dividends

The Series B Preferred Stock has a priority with respect to dividend distributions and distributions upon liquidation. The Series B Preferred Stock receive dividends when and as and if declared by the Board at a rate of 5% of their original issue price of such shares which is $6.14 per share for the Series B-1 Preferred Stock and $11.50 per share for the Series B-2 Preferred Stock. If the Company declares or pays a dividend upon the common stock, they must also pay to the holders of the Series A and B Preferred Stock the dividends that would have been declared with respect to common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A and B Preferred Stock; provided, however that the Company cannot declare or pay a dividend unless and until all accrued dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock have been paid.

Liquidation

In the event of a liquidation, the holders of the Series B-1 and B-2 Preferred Stock are entitled to receive before any payment to any other Preferred Stockholder or common stock holder an amount per share equal to the greater of $6.14 for the Series B-1 Preferred Stock and $11.50 for the Series B-2 Preferred Stock plus any dividends accrued and unpaid whether or not declared. After payment in full of the Series B Preferred Stockholders the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive before any payment to the common stock holder an amount per share equal to $4.83 plus any dividends declared but unpaid. After the payment in full of the amounts set forth above, the Company’s assets will be distributed ratably to all holders of common stock and Series B Preferred Stock on an as converted basis except that the Series B Preferred Stockholders shall not continue to share in such distribution after each has received 3 times its Original Issue Price.

Voting Rights

Each holder of Preferred Stock is entitled to vote on all matters stockholders are entitled to vote and to cast the number of votes as shall equal the whole number of shares of common stock into which their shares of Preferred Stock are convertible.

Financings

The Company had entered into an at-the-market Issuance Sales Agreement with FBR Capital Markets Co. pursuant to which it has sold shares of its common stock through FBR by any method permitted that is deemed an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), including sales made directly on or through the NASDAQ Capital Market, the existing trading market for the Company’s common stock, sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange or otherwise, in negotiated transactions at market prices, and/or any other method permitted by law. Sales of shares of common stock have been made pursuant to the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the base prospectus, dated October 23, 2014, filed as part of such registration statement and the prospectus supplement, dated August 15, 2016. FBR was entitled to compensation at a fixed commission rate up to 3.0% of the gross proceeds per share sold through it as sales agent under the sales agreement. Beginning in August 2016 and through December 31, 2016, the Company sold 479,138 shares of common stock under the FBR Sales Agreement resulting in net proceeds of approximately $6.8 million. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company sold an additional 234,858 shares of common stock under the Sales Agreement resulting in net proceeds of approximately $2.3 million after FBR’s commission and other expenses. On November 3, 2017, the Company terminated its At Market Issuance Sales Agreement with FBR.

On March 28, 2017, the Company sold pursuant to the terms of an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) the Company sold pursuant to the terms of an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement (“Aegis”), as representative of the several underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”), 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock and 75,000 additional shares of the common stock to cover over-allotments at an offering price of $8.00 per share, (the “March Offering”). The net proceeds to the Company from the March Offering were approximately $4.1 million, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions, and other third party offering expenses. The Underwriting Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, and agreements by the Company, customary conditions to closing, indemnification obligations of the Company and the Underwriters, including for liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), other obligations of the parties and termination provisions.

In November 2017, the Company sold pursuant to the terms of an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) the Company sold pursuant to the terms of an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement (“Aegis”), as representative of the several underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”), 581,395 shares of the Company’s common stock, and 39,255 additional shares of the common stock to cover over-allotments at an offering price of $4.30 per share, (the “Offering”). The net proceeds to the Company from the Offering were approximately $2.4 million, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions, and other third party offering expenses. The Underwriting Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, and agreements by the Company, customary conditions to closing, indemnification obligations of the Company and the Underwriters, including for liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), other obligations of the parties and termination provisions.

Restricted Stock

In January 2017, the Company granted 42,850 restricted stock units to the employees of the company in which 25%, (10,713 restricted stock units) vested immediately and the remainder will vest on each anniversary of the grant date over a three-year period contingent on continued employment with the Company. On December 30, 2016, the Company granted 7,500 restricted stock units to the Chief Executive Officer in which 25% (1,875 restricted stock units) vested immediately and the remainder will vest on each anniversary of the grant date over a three year period. Additionally, the Company issued 500 shares to one of its employees during the year ended December 31, 2016.  The Company recognized $169,517 and $24,278 in stock-based compensation expense for employees related to restricted stock awards during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Company recognized stock-based compensation related to issuance of restricted stock to nonemployees in exchange for services totaling $31,000 and $27,996 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Common Stock Warrants

In connection with our July 23, 2013 initial public offering, the Company issued warrants to the underwriters for 12,500 shares of common stock issuable at $125.00 per share upon exercise. The warrants expire five years from the issuance date.

On March 10, 2011, the Company issued warrants to purchase 3,261 shares of common stock to non-employee placement agents in consideration for a private equity placement transaction. The warrants have an exercise price of $4.80 per share and expire 10 years from the issuance date. In February 2014, 1,523 warrants were exercised in cashless transactions that resulted in the issuance of 1,432 shares of common stock and 1,738 are outstanding.

During the year ended December 31, 2017 there were no warrant exercises. During the year ended December 31, 2016, in connection with the March 23, 2016 public offering, the Company issued 910,000 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 682,500 shares of common stock (after the effect of the stock split). Each share of common stock was sold together with a warrant to purchase 0.75 of a share of common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $10.00 per share and expire five years from the issuance date. These warrants do not meet the criteria required to be classified as liability awards and therefore the Company concluded that the warrants are considered equity instruments. The fair value of the common stock warrants as of the issuance date was approximately $2,522,754. As of December 31, 2017, warrants from the March 2016 offering for 386,341 shares of common stock issuable at $10.00 per share have been exercised and 296,159 are outstanding.

The Company has a total of 310,397 warrants outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of $14.60 to purchase its common stock as of December 31, 2017. These warrants are summarized as follows:

Issuance Date	Number of Shares	Exercise Price	Expiration Date
3/10/2011	1,738	$    4.80	3/10/2021
7/23/2013	12,500	$125.00	7/23/2018
3/23/2016	296,159	$  10.00	3/23/2021

The following table summarizes the warrant activity of the Company’s common stock warrants:

	Common Stock Warrants
Outstanding, December 31, 2015		14,238
March 23, 2016 public offering		682,500
Exercised		(386,341	)
Expired		—
Outstanding, December 31, 2016		310,397
Exercised		—
Expired		—
Outstanding, December 31, 2017		310,397

Equity Compensation Plans

2009 Stock Incentive Plan

In 2009, the Company adopted the 2009 Stock Option Plan of Heat Biologics, Inc. (the “2009 Plan”), under which stock options to acquire 21,739 common shares could be granted to key employees, directors, and independent contractors. Under the 2009 Plan, both incentive and non-qualified stock options could be granted under terms and conditions established by the Board of Directors. The exercise price for incentive stock options was the fair market value of the related common stock on the date the stock option was granted. Stock options granted under the 2009 Plan generally have terms of 10 years and have various vesting schedules.  

The Company amended the 2009 Stock Option Plan and all related addendum agreements in April 2011. This second amendment increased the number of shares available for issuance from 21,739 to 65,217. The Company amended the 2009 Plan to increase the number of shares available for issuance to 86,957. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, there were 24,042 and 24,977 stock options outstanding under the 2009 Plan, respectively.

2014 Stock Incentive Plan

In June 2014, the stockholders approved the 2014 Stock Option Plan of Heat Biologics, Inc. (the “2014 Plan”), under which the Company is authorized to grant 50,000 awards in the form of both incentive and non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights and other stock based awards with terms established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors which has been appointed by the Board of Directors to administer the 2014 Plan. In 2015, the stockholders approved an amendment to the Plan to increase the number of shares by 60,000 and in 2016, the stockholders approved an amendment that allowed the Company to grant up to 300,000 awards in total.  As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, there were 232,768 and 88,699 stock options outstanding under the 2014 Plan, respectively.

2017 Stock Incentive Plan

In June 2017, the stockholders approved the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan of Heat Biologics, Inc. (the “2017 Plan”), under which the Company is authorized to grant 500,000 awards in the form of both incentive and non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights and other stock based awards with terms established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors which has been appointed by the Board of Directors to administer the 2017 Plan. As of December 31, 2017 there were 10,000 stock options outstanding under the 2017 Plan. There were no options outstanding under the 2017 Plan as of December 31, 2016.

There are 553,196 stock options remaining available for grant under the Plans. The following table summarizes the components of the Company’s stock-based compensation included in net loss:

	For the years ended
	December 31,
	2017		2016
Employee stock options	$	474,251	$	527,697
Non-employee stock options		14,362		2,664
Employee stock awards		169,517		24,276
Non-employee stock awards		31,000		27,993
	$	689,130	$	582,630

Stock Options

The fair value of each stock option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model with the following assumptions for stock options granted during the years ended:

	December 31,
	2017			2016
Dividend yield		0.0	%		0.0	%
Expected volatility		76.35-79.08	%		72.95-78.54	%
Risk-free interest rate		1.86-2.26	%		1.36-2.25	%
Expected term (years)		5.8-7.8			5.4 - 6.3

The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury interest rates at the time of the grant whose term is consistent with the expected life of the stock options. The Company used an average historical stock price volatility based on an analysis of reported data for a peer group of comparable companies that have issued stock options with substantially similar terms, as the Company had limited to no trading history for its common stock. Expected term represents the period that the Company’s stock option grants are expected to be outstanding. The Company elected to utilize the “simplified” method to estimate the expected term. Under this approach, the weighted-average expected life is presumed to be the average of the vesting term and the contractual term of the option.

Expected dividend yield was considered to be 0% in the option pricing formula since the Company had not paid any dividends and had no plans to do so in the future. As required by ASC 718, the Company reviews recent forfeitures and stock compensation expense.  Additionally, the Company conducts a sensitivity analysis.  Based on these evaluations the Company currently does not apply a forfeiture rate.

The Company recognized $488,613 and $530,361 in stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, for the Company’s stock option awards.

The following tables summarize the stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2017:

	Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding, December 31, 2016		113,672		$	39.32
Granted		190,151		$	7.88
Exercised		—		$	—
Forfeited/Expired		(37,013	)	$	20.18
Outstanding, December 31, 2017		266,810		$	19.57

The weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $5.33 and $12.84, respectively.

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2017:

Options Outstanding			Options Vested and Exercisable
Balance as of 12/31/2017	Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)	Weighted Average Exercise Price	Balance as of 12/31/2017	Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)	Weighted Average Exercise Price
266,810	7.97	$19.57	105,102	6.07	$36.28

As of December 31, 2017, the unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock options was approximately $2.2 million that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 16.7 months.

Total stock-based compensation expense including restricted stock, stock options, and common stock was $689,130 and $582,630 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.