CONTINGENCIES

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2025

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

CONTINGENCIES

10. CONTINGENCIES

Curtin Litigation

As previously disclosed, on January 6, 2023, a former employee of the Company, Rosalina Curtin filed a complaint against the Company and another former employee of the Company, Jose Ramirez, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego (Case No. 37-2023-00000841-CU-WT-NC) (the “Complaint”). The Complaint alleged that Ms. Curtin was subject to harassment by Mr. Ramirez, gender discrimination throughout her employment, that she reported this discrimination and harassment to the Company, and that the Company retaliated against her and wrongfully terminated her for whistleblowing and failed to prevent discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Ms. Curtin sought compensatory damages, including loss of past, present and future earnings, and benefits, as well as punitive damages, penalties, attorney’s fees and costs and interest. Pursuant to the terms of Ms. Curtin’s Employment Agreement with the Company, on December 22, 2023, the Court compelled the case to arbitration with the American Arbitration Association (Case Number 01-24-0002-3225).

On November 8, 2024, without a finding or admission of wrongdoing, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with Ms. Curtin. In exchange for mutual general releases and a dismissal of the lawsuit with prejudice, the Company paid Ms. Curtin $125,000. On January 22, 2025, the case was dismissed in its entirety.

Kim Litigation

On October 3, 2024, Mr. Sooncha Kim filed a complaint against the Company in the Southern District of New York, (Case No. 1:24-cv-7485) (the “Complaint”). The Complaint alleges that the Company breached a Convertible Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated June 6, 2024, between the Company and Mr. Kim, by, among other things, failing to deliver the registration rights agreement, excluding Mr. Kim from the S1 registration statement, delaying conversion of Mr. Kim’s notes, undertaking steps to dilute Mr. Kim’s shares, failing to honor Mr. Kim’s 50% participation right in any subsequent financing and failing to appoint a designated director, as set forth in the parties’ agreement. Mr. Kim seeks specific performance of the Convertible Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement, and monetary damages in the amount of $1,041,216, plus applicable interest. The Company filed its answer to the Complaint on December 3, 2024. On January 7, 2025, Mr. Kim filed a motion seeking a preliminary injunction against the Company (the “Motion”). The Company opposed the Motion on January 22, 2025, and on February 13, 2025, the Court denied Mr. Kim’s Motion. Discovery in the case is ongoing, and no trial date has been set.

The Company believes it has a basis to defend the claims in the Kim Litigation, however, the Company is not able to predict the outcome, and there is no assurance that the Company will be successful in its defense.

Ex-Directors Lawsuit

On March 10, 2025, former directors of the Company, Kevin J. Connor, Chris J. Jones, Nobuki Kurita, and David Robson (collectively, the “Ex-Directors”), filed a complaint against the Company in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego (Case No. 25CU012922N) (the “Complaint”). The Complaint alleges the Company failed to pay directors’ fees and expenses from the last quarter the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 through the first two quarters of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, and is claiming breach of contract, quantum meruit, unjust enrichment, promissory estoppel, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and unfair business practices. The Ex-Directors seek monetary damages in excess of $200,000, with applicable interest, costs and attorneys’ fees. The Company’s answer to the Complaint was due on April 16, 2025. On April 17, 2025, the Ex-Director’s filed a request for entry of default. To date, no default has been entered against the Company. As of the date of this quarterly report, two parties are still negotiating.