10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2023

or

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

For the transition period ended from ________ to ________

Commission File Number: 001-39788

SCOPUS BIOPHARMA INC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	82-1248020
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 300

New York, New York, 10170

(Address of principal executive offices)

(212) 479-2513

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

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

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

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒   No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☒	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 August 11, 2023, there were 42,084,264 shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
		Page
Item 1.	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.	2
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.	21
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.	28
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures.	29
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings.	30
Item 1A.	Risk Factors.	30
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.	30
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities.	30
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures.	30
Item 5.	Other Information.	30
Item 6.	Exhibits.	31
Signatures		32

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

SCOPUS BIOPHARMA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	June 30,		December 31,
	2023		2022
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash	$	362,097	$	124,575
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		133,757		265,425
Total current assets		495,854		390,000
Property and equipment, net		1,700		2,265
Total assets	$	497,554	$	392,265
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	10,908,917	$	7,201,926
Other current liabilities		93,178		252,508
Total current liabilities		11,002,095		7,454,434
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 6)
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; zero shares issued and outstanding		—		—
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 39,784,264 and 21,094,264 issued and outstanding at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively		39,784		21,094
Additional paid-in capital		48,615,546		46,518,455
Stock subscriptions receivable		(5,962)		(33,950)
Accumulated deficit		(58,131,350)		(53,064,975)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		30,231		(4,954)
Total Scopus BioPharma Inc. stockholders’ deficit		(9,451,751)		(6,564,330)
Noncontrolling interest (deficit)		(1,052,790)		(497,839)
Total stockholders’ deficit		(10,504,541)		(7,062,169)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit	$	497,554	$	392,265

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

2

SCOPUS BIOPHARMA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2023		2022		2023		2022
Revenues	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Operating expenses:
General and administrative		935,860		2,670,135		2,006,594		6,961,801
Research and development		1,992,998		649,468		3,601,920		1,018,576
Total operating expenses		2,928,858		3,319,603		5,608,514		7,980,377
Net loss		(2,928,858)		(3,319,603)		(5,608,514)		(7,980,377)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest (deficit)		(312,305)		—		(542,140)		—
Net loss attributable to Scopus BioPharma Inc.		(2,616,553)		(3,319,603)		(5,066,374)		(7,980,377)
Comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment		16,756		56,754		35,185		74,620
Total comprehensive loss attributable to Scopus BioPharma Inc.	$	(2,599,797)	$	(3,262,849)	$	(5,031,189)	$	(7,905,757)
Net loss per common share attributable to Scopus BioPharma Inc.:
Basic and diluted	$	(0.07)	$	(0.16)	$	(0.14)	$	(0.38)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted		39,742,505		21,094,264		35,081,943		21,094,264

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

SCOPUS BIOPHARMA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2023 AND 2022

4

(Unaudited)

										Accumulated		Total Scopus				Total
				Additional		Stock				Other		BioPharma Inc.		Noncontrolling		Stockholders’
	Common Stock			Paid-in		Subscriptions		Accumulated		Comprehensive		Stockholders’		Interest		Equity
	Shares	Amount		Capital		Receivable		Deficit		Income (Loss)		Equity (Deficit)		(Deficit)		(Deficit)
Balances as of December 31, 2022	21,094,264	$	21,094	$	46,518,455	$	(33,950)	$	(53,064,975)	$	(4,954)	$	(6,564,330)	$	(497,839)	$	(7,062,169)
Stock-based compensation expense	—		—		78,108		—		—		—		78,108		—		78,108
Proceeds from Scopus Private Placement	18,490,000		18,490		906,010		(25,000)		—		—		899,500		—		899,500
Proceeds from Duet Private Placement, net of transaction costs of $84,072 (Note 7)	—		—		1,040,759		30,372		—		—		1,071,131		(35,228)		1,035,903
Foreign currency translation adjustment	—		—		—		—		—		18,429		18,429		—		18,429
Net loss	—		—		—		—		(2,449,822)		—		(2,449,822)		(229,834)		(2,679,656)
Balances as of March 31, 2023	39,584,264	$	39,584	$	48,543,332	$	(28,578)	$	(55,514,797)	$	13,475	$	(6,946,984)	$	(762,901)	$	(7,709,885)
Stock-based compensation expense	—		—		78,108		—		—		—		78,108		—		78,108
Proceeds from Scopus Private Placement, net of transaction costs of $20	200,000		200		9,780		25,000		—		—		34,980		—		34,980
Proceeds from Duet Private Placement, net of transaction costs of $20 (Note 7)	—		—		5,778		(2,384)		—		—		3,394		964		4,358
Increase in noncontrolling interest due to investment in Duet by Scopus	—		—		(21,452)		—		—		—		(21,452)		21,452		—
Foreign currency translation adjustment	—		—		—		—		—		16,756		16,756		—		16,756
Net loss	—		—		—		—		(2,616,553)		—		(2,616,553)		(312,305)		(2,928,858)
Balances as of June 30, 2023	39,784,264	$	39,784	$	48,615,546	$	(5,962)	$	(58,131,350)	$	30,231	$	(9,451,751)	$	(1,052,790)	$	(10,504,541)

								Accumulated		Total
				Additional				Other		Stockholders'
	Common Stock			Paid-in		Accumulated		Comprehensive		Equity
	Shares	Amount		Capital		Deficit		Loss		(Deficit)
Balances as of December 31, 2021	21,094,264	$	21,094	$	45,538,156	$	(41,455,148)	$	(86,653)	$	4,017,449
Stock-based compensation expense	—		—		95,028		—		—		95,028
Foreign currency translation adjustment	—		—		—		—		17,866		17,866
Net loss	—		—		—		(4,660,774)		—		(4,660,774)
Balances as of March 31, 2022	21,094,264	$	21,094	$	45,633,184	$	(46,115,922)	$	(68,787)	$	(530,431)
Stock-based compensation expense	—		—		95,028		—		—		95,028
Foreign currency translation adjustment	—		—		—		—		56,754		56,754
Net loss	—		—		—		(3,319,603)		—		(3,319,603)
Balances as of June 30, 2022	21,094,264	$	21,094	$	45,728,212	$	(49,435,525)	$	(12,033)	$	(3,698,252)

5

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

SCOPUS BIOPHARMA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2023		2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(5,608,514)	$	(7,980,377)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation		565		1,191
Stock-based compensation expense		156,216		190,056
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		131,668		(277,563)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		3,710,323		1,213,620
Other current liabilities		(159,330)		—
Net cash used in operating activities		(1,769,072)		(6,853,073)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		—		(1,552)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from Duet Private Placement of common stock and Warrants, net of cash transaction costs of $84,092		1,040,261		—
Proceeds from Scopus Private Placement of common stock, net of transaction costs		934,480		—
Net cash provided by financing activities		1,974,741		—
Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on cash		31,853		68,119
Net increase (decrease) in cash		237,522		(6,786,506)
Cash, beginning of period		124,575		7,942,971
Cash, end of period	$	362,097	$	1,156,465

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

7

SCOPUS BIOPHARMA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

1. Organization and Description of the Business

Nature of Operations

Scopus BioPharma Inc. (“Scopus”) and its subsidiary, Vital Spark Inc. (“VSI”), are headquartered in New York, New York. Its other subsidiaries, Duet BioTherapeutics, Inc. (“Duet”) (formerly Olimmune Inc.) and Scopus BioPharma Israel Ltd. (“SBI”), are headquartered in Los Angeles, California and Jerusalem, Israel, respectively. Scopus, VSI, Duet, and SBI are collectively referred to as the “Company.” The Company is a biopharmaceutical company developing transformational therapeutics for serious diseases with significant unmet medical need.

Going Concern

The Company is an early-stage company and has not generated revenues to date. As such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with early-stage companies. Since inception, the Company has incurred losses and negative cash flows from operating activities which have been funded from the issuance of common stock, convertible notes, warrants and additional investment options (“AIOs”). The Company does not expect to generate positive cash flows from operating activities for at least the next several years, if at all, until such time it completes the development of its drug candidates, including obtaining regulatory approvals, and anticipates incurring operating losses for the foreseeable future.

The Company incurred a net loss of $2,928,858 and $5,608,514 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively, and had an accumulated deficit of $58,131,350 as of June 30, 2023. The Company’s net cash used in operating activities was $1,769,072 for the six months ended June 30, 2023, and the working capital deficit totaled $10,506,241 as of June 30, 2023. Further, while the Company has raised significant cash proceeds from public offerings and private placements (see Notes 3 and 7), the Company still has significant obligations related to certain research and development acquisitions and agreements (see Note 5).

The Company’s ability to fund its operations is dependent upon management’s plans, which include raising capital through issuances of debt and equity securities, securing research and development grants, and controlling the Company’s expenses. A failure to raise sufficient financing and/or control expenses, among other factors, will adversely impact the Company’s ability to meet its financial obligations as they become due and payable and to achieve its intended business objectives.

The Company’s results of operations and its ability to fund its operations may be adversely affected by various factors that could cause economic uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets, many of which are beyond its control. The business could be impacted by, among other things, downturns in the financial markets or in economic conditions, inflation, increases in interest rates, and geopolitical instability, such as the military conflict in the Ukraine.

Accordingly, based on the considerations discussed above, management has concluded there is substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the condensed consolidated financial statements are issued.

The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

8

SCOPUS BIOPHARMA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 had a material adverse impact on the Company, including delays in drug development. As previously disclosed, the COVID-19 pandemic, including related constraints on mobility and travel, caused delays in enrollment in the investigator-sponsored clinical trial for our initial immuno-oncology drug candidate, for which the Company had previously received IND clearance from the FDA. Although in the United States the COVID-19 global pandemic emergency declarations expired in May 2023, there may continue to be residual effects of COVID-19, especially as it relates to potential clinical trial participants who are predominately immunocompromised. There can be no assurance that a resurgence of COVID-19 will not occur and any such resurgence is likely to have a material adverse effect on drug development, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company and its financial condition.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The Company is an “emerging growth company”, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act until such time as those standards apply to private companies. The Company has irrevocably elected to avail itself of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards, and, therefore, will not be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as public companies that are not emerging growth companies.

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In management’s opinion, the accompanying statements reflect adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for those periods indicated, and contain adequate disclosure to make the information presented not misleading. Adjustments included herein are of a normal, recurring nature unless otherwise disclosed in the footnotes. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all of the accounts of Scopus and its wholly owned subsidiaries, which include VSI and SBI, and its majority-owned subsidiary, Duet. The portion of Duet not owned by Scopus is presented as a noncontrolling interest as of and during the periods consolidated. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2022 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on April 14, 2023 (the “2022 Form 10-K”).

The accompanying balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 has been derived from the audited balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 contained in the Company’s 2022 Form 10-K. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the result of operations for a full year.

Foreign Currency

The functional currency of Scopus, VSI and Duet is the U.S. Dollar, and the functional currency of SBI is the Israeli New Shekel. All assets and liabilities of SBI are translated at the current exchange rate as of the end of the period and the related translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates in effect during the period. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses resulting from, or expected to result from, transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are recognized in “General and administrative” expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

9

SCOPUS BIOPHARMA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) includes net loss as well as other changes in stockholders’ equity that result from transactions and economic events other than those with stockholders. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, consists of foreign currency translation adjustment gains (losses) of $30,231 and ($4,954) as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant estimates in these condensed consolidated financial statements include those related to the fair value of stock-based compensation, the provision or benefit for income taxes and the corresponding valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, and probability of meeting certain milestones. In addition, management’s assessment of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern involves the estimation of the amount and timing of future cash inflows and outflows. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, judgments, and methodologies. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions believed to be reasonable. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Cash

At times, the balance of the Company’s cash deposits may exceed federally insured limits, and there is no insurance on cash deposits within Israel. The Company has not experienced and does not anticipate any losses on deposits with commercial banks and financial institutions which exceed federally insured limits.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. The property and equipment balances as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 consist of computer equipment. Depreciation on property and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of 3 years.

Depreciation expense for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 was $334 and $582, respectively. Depreciation expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 was $565 and $1,191, respectively.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses are expensed as incurred and consist principally of internal and external costs which includes contract research services, laboratory supplies, acquired in-process research and development, as well as development and manufacture of compounds and consumables for clinical trials and pre-clinical testing.

Fair Value Measurement

Certain assets and liabilities are carried at fair value in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Fair value is defined as the price which would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A three-tier fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies, are as follows:

Level 1Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets which are not active, or other inputs observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

10

SCOPUS BIOPHARMA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Level 3 Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting the Company’s own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment.

As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the carrying amounts of the Company’s cash, and accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their respective fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

There were no assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Stock Subscriptions Receivable

The stock subscriptions receivable balances as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 include cash to be received for shares of Class B common stock of Duet (“Duet Shares”), Series W Warrants of Duet (“Duet Warrants”), and/or common stock shares of Scopus issued prior to the balance sheet date, in connection with the Duet Private Placement and Scopus Private Placement (see Note 3).

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for share-based payments in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (“Topic 718”). Under Topic 718, the Company measures, and records compensation expense related to share-based payment awards (to employees and non-employees) based on the grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Forfeitures are recognized when they occur. The Company calculates the fair value of options granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the following assumptions:

Expected Volatility – Due to the lack of substantial company-specific historical and implied volatility data of its common stock, the Company has based its estimate of expected volatility on the historical volatility of a group of similar public companies. When selecting these companies on which it has based its expected stock price volatility, the Company selected companies with comparable characteristics to it, including enterprise value, risk profiles, position within the industry and with historical share price information sufficient to meet the expected term of the stock-based awards. The Company will continue to apply this process until sufficient amount of historical information regarding the volatility of its own stock price becomes available.

Expected Term – The expected term of the Company’s options represents the period that the stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding. The Company has limited historical data upon which it can estimate the expected lives of the share-based payment awards and accordingly has used the simplified method allowable under SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 14 for employee holders and the contractual term for non-employee holders.

Risk-Free Interest Rate – The risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a term that is equal to the expected term of the options at the grant date.

Dividend Yield – The Company has not declared or paid dividends to date and does not anticipate declaring dividends in the foreseeable future. As such, the dividend yield has been estimated to be zero.

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest represents the portion of net book value (deficit) in Duet that is not owned by Scopus and is reported as a component of stockholders’ equity (deficit) in Scopus’s condensed consolidated balance sheets (see Note 7). Net income (loss) is allocated to the noncontrolling interest based on the noncontrolling ownership percentage held in Duet.

11

SCOPUS BIOPHARMA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Net Loss Per Share

Basic net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders is calculated by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the relevant period. Since the Company was in a loss position for all periods presented, basic net loss per share is the same as dilutive net loss per share as the inclusion of the weighted-average number of all potential dilutive common shares, which consists of stock options, warrants and AIOs, would be anti-dilutive.

The following table presents the weighted-average, potentially dilutive shares that were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share of common stock attributable to common stockholders, because their effect was anti-dilutive:

	Three Months Ended June 30,		Six Months Ended June 30,
	2023	2022	2023	2022
Warrants	2,579,078	23,458,418	2,579,078	23,458,418
Stock options	772,500	776,321	772,500	812,600
Additional Investment Options (AIOs)	3,225,000	3,225,000	3,225,000	3,225,000
Contingent consideration in common stock	1,266,666	1,266,666	1,266,666	1,266,666
Total	7,843,244	28,726,405	7,843,244	28,762,684

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

3. Equity offerings

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, Scopus raised an aggregate of approximately $10,000 and $934,500 from the issuance of common stock in a private placement at a price of $0.05 per share (the “Scopus Private Placement”).

During the fourth quarter of 2022, Duet raised approximately $276,065 from third-party investors from the sale of Duet Shares and Duet Warrants at prices of $2.50 per share and $0.05 per warrant, respectively (the “Duet Private Placement”). The Duet Warrants are exercisable at $2.50 per share for Duet’s Class B Common Stock beginning on the date that is one year after the date that the shares of Duet’s Class B Common Stock are first traded or quoted on a public trading market (“Duet Class B Shares Initial Trading Date”) and expire five years from the Duet Class B Shares Initial Trading Date.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, in connection with the Duet Private Placement, Duet raised an additional $6,762 and $1,096,365, respectively. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, $5,962 and $33,950 were included in stock subscriptions receivable in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, respectively.

4. Accounts payable and accrued expenses

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following as of:

	June 30,		December 31,
	2023		2022
Professional fees	$	5,044,152	$	4,748,128
Research and development expenses		5,418,606		2,028,923
Management service fees and expenses (related parties)		273,530		249,236
Other accounts payable and accrued expenses		172,629		175,639
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	10,908,917	$	7,201,926

12

SCOPUS BIOPHARMA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

5. Research and Development Agreements

Duet (DUET-101 and DUET-301) License Agreements

On June 25, 2021, the Company entered into two exclusive, worldwide license agreements with COH relating to Duet’s drug candidates. The Company obtained the rights to negotiate the DUET-101 (CpG-STAT3ASO) Patent Rights License Agreement and the DUET-301 (CpG-STAT3decoy) Patent Rights License Agreement (together, the “Duet License Agreements”) with COH as part of the Duet acquisition in June 2021. The Duet License Agreements shall expire, on a country-by-country basis, on the last date on which there exists a valid claim of the patent rights covering the assets subject to the agreements in such country. Under the terms of the Duet License Agreements, the Company is obligated to pay earned royalties based on a percentage of net sales, as defined in the Duet License Agreements, including net sales generated from sub-licensees. The Company incurred license maintenance fees of $12,500 as required by the Duet License Agreements during each of the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. The Company incurred license maintenance fees of $25,000 as required by the Duet License Agreements during each of the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.

On April 19, 2022, the Company entered into an amendment to the DUET-101 Patent Rights License Agreement with COH to secure a non-exclusive royalty bearing right and license to use and make derivative works of certain technical information and know how related to DUET-101. In connection with the amendment, the Company agreed to make a one-time non-refundable license fee payment of $25,000 to COH within five days of the effective date of the amendment, included in Research and development expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022.

License fees related to the Duet License Agreements of $262,307 and $233,076 were included in accounts payable and accrued expenses at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

In addition, the Company is obligated to make payments in cash upon the achievement of certain clinical development and product approval milestones totaling $6,750,000 for each license, or $13,500,000 in the aggregate. None of the milestones in the Duet License Agreements have been reached as of June 30, 2023 and no related amounts have been recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, as there is no obligation to make any milestone payments.

CpG-STAT3siRNA (DUET-201) Agreements

In June 2020, the Company entered into an exclusive, worldwide license agreement with City of Hope (“COH”) relating to DUET-201 (the “DUET-201 Exclusive License Agreement”). The Company incurred license maintenance fees in relation to the DUET-201 Exclusive License Agreement of $7,500 during each of the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 and $15,000 for each of the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.

Under the terms of the DUET-201 Exclusive License Agreement, the Company is obligated to pay earned royalties based on a percentage of net sales, as defined in the DUET-201 Exclusive License Agreement, including net sales generated from sub-licensees. In addition, the Company is obligated to make payments in cash upon the achievement of certain clinical development and product approval milestones totaling $3,525,000 in the aggregate. None of the milestones in the DUET-201 Exclusive License Agreement have been reached as of June 30, 2023 and no related amounts have been recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, as there is no obligation to make any milestone payments. Pursuant to the terms of the SRA, the Company has committed to fund research and development at COH for two years in accordance with a predetermined funding schedule.

In addition to the DUET-201 Exclusive License Agreement, the Company also entered into a Sponsored Research Agreement (the “SRA”) relating to on-going research and development activities in collaboration with COH relating to DUET-201. In September 2022, the SRA was extended until September 2023 with no additional costs to the Company. Total expenses incurred in connection with the SRA were $0 and $48,611 for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively and $0 and $111,111 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. These expenses are included in “Research and development” expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

13

SCOPUS BIOPHARMA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Further, the Company incurred costs of $0 during each of the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, and $44,000 and $43,433 during the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, pursuant to a clinical research support agreement (the “CRSA”) relating to a Phase 1 clinical trial for DUET-201 to be conducted at COH. These expenses are included in “Research and development” expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

On April 7, 2022, the Company entered into a sponsored research agreement (the “Kortylewski SRA”) with COH for research to be conducted by Marcin Kortylewski, Ph.D., a Co-Founder and Senior Advisor of Duet and Professor in the Department of Immuno-Oncology at COH. Pursuant to the Kortylewski SRA, Dr. Kortylewski and his lab are evaluating novel chemical structures and formulations to increase the stability of siRNA-based molecules to enable systemic delivery. The research under the Kortylewski SRA is conducted over a two-year period at a cost of approximately $200,000 per year. The Company incurred $50,722 and $47,119 during the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $104,262 and $47,119 during the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, related to the Kortylewski SRA, and is included in “Research and development” expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

Agreement Related to Intellectual Property Rights

In July 2017, VSI, as “Licensee,” entered into a Patent License Agreement (the “Patent License Agreement”) with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as represented by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (“NIAAA”) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (“NIDA”) of the National Institutes of Health (“NIH”), (collectively “Licensor”). In the course of conducting biomedical and behavioral research, the Licensor developed inventions that may have commercial applicability. The Company acquired commercialization rights to certain inventions in order to develop processes, methods, or marketable products for public use and benefit.

Patent fee reimbursement under the Patent License Agreement was $0 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. Patent fee reimbursement under the Patent License Agreement was $5,017 and $10,034 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively. These costs are included in “Research and development” expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

Pursuant to the terms of the Patent License Agreement, VSI was required to make minimum annual royalty payments on January 1 of each calendar year, which shall be credited against any earned royalties due for sales made in that year, throughout the term of the Patent License Agreement. For the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, $0 and $6,250 minimum royalty payments, respectively, were recognized in each period in “Research and development” expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. For the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, $0 and $12,500 of this prepaid royalty expense was recognized in each period in “Research and development” expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

The Patent License Agreement also provides for payments from VSI to the Licensor upon the achievement of certain product development and regulatory clearance milestones, as well as royalty payments on net sales upon the commercialization of products developed utilizing the licensed patents (see below). Through June 30, 2023, the Licensor has not achieved any milestones and therefore VSI has not made any milestone payments.

VSI is obligated to pay earned royalties based on a percentage of net sales, as defined in the Patent License Agreement, of licensed product throughout the term of the Patent License Agreement. Since April 18, 2017 (inception) through June 30, 2023, there have been no sales of licensed products. In addition, VSI is also obligated to pay the Licensor additional sublicensing royalties on the fair market value of any consideration received for granting each sublicense. Through June 30, 2023, VSI has not entered into any sublicensing agreements and therefore no sublicensing consideration has been paid to Licensor.

14

SCOPUS BIOPHARMA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The Company’s rights under its license with the NIH may overlap with rights which may have been granted to another company. The Company has been in communication with the NIH seeking clarification as to each company’s rights. The Company has also had, from time to time, discussions with such other company to explore possible collaborations. The Company has been unable to enter into any such arrangements. Notwithstanding the Company’s attempts to engage the NIH to clarify these overlapping rights, the NIH has disregarded such requests. By email dated August 15, 2022, the NIH purported to terminate the Company’s rights. The Company rejected the NIH’s purported action and intends to further seek to engage with the NIH in an attempt to protect and clarify its rights.

Memorandums of Understanding

Effective July 28, 2018, SBI entered into two Memorandums of Understanding (“MOUs”) with Yissum Research Development Company (“Yissum”) of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd. (“Hebrew University”). Research under the Yissum MOUs was completed in December 2019 and March 2020, respectively, resulting in the license agreements below.

Effective March 5, 2019, the Company entered in a license agreement with Yissum with respect to the results of the research relating to the combination of cannabidiol with approved anesthetics as a potential treatment for the management of pain. Under the license agreement, the Company is obligated to pay earned royalties based on a percentage of net sales, as defined in the license agreement, including net sales generated from sub-licensees. In addition, the Company is obligated to make payments upon the achievement of certain clinical development and product approval milestones. From March 5, 2019 through June 30, 2023, there have been no sales of licensed products by the Company nor has the Company entered into any sub-licensing agreements. Further, none of the milestones in the agreement have been reached and therefore as of June 30, 2023, there is no obligation to make any milestone payments.

Effective August 8, 2019, the Company entered into a second license agreement with Yissum with respect to the research results relating to the synthesis of novel cannabinoid dual-action compounds and novel chemical derivatives of cannabigerol and tetrahydrocannabivarin. Under this license agreement, the Company is required to pay earned royalties based upon a percentage of net sales at one percentage for regulated products and a lesser percentage for non-regulated products. The Company is obligated to pay development milestone payments tied to regulated products totaling $1,225,000 in the aggregate and $100,000 for non-regulated products in the aggregate. None of the milestones in the agreement have been reached as of June 30, 2023 and no related amounts have been recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, as there is no obligation to make any milestone payments.

6. Commitments and Contingencies

Research and Development Agreements

The Company has entered into various research and development agreements which require the Company to provide certain funding and support. See Note 5 for further information regarding these agreements.

Legal Proceedings

The Company continues to be a party in several litigation matters initiated by or against certain adverse parties and certain of their affiliates and/or related parties (the “Adverse Parties”) who are stockholders of the Company and certain of whom are also former officers and/or directors of the Company. As previously disclosed, one of such Adverse Parties initiated litigation with respect to a dispute about ownership of certain shares and various other matters. Most recently, a trial date was scheduled for May 25, 2023, which was subsequently postponed. It is currently uncertain as to when any trial date may be rescheduled. One of the Adverse Parties also initiated an action in the Supreme Court of the State of New York (the “New York Court”) alleging, among other things, that he was wrongfully terminated by the Company. In March 2023, the New York Court dismissed all of the claims in such action other than the wrongful termination claim. Due to the factual nature of such claim, it remains subject to further proceedings. The status and timing of the remaining litigation matters are uncertain. The outcome relating to any such matters, and litigation generally, are highly unpredictable and the costs of litigation, including legal fees, costs and expenses, and the possible liabilities, including monetary damages, to which the Company could become subject could be significant. Any such liabilities could have a material

15

SCOPUS BIOPHARMA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

adverse effect on the Company. The Company’s existing capital resources will not be sufficient to implement its business plan, including the development of its drug candidates, especially if the Company continues to be subject to or pursuing ongoing litigation. The Company requires additional financing and there can be no assurance that any such financing will be available on satisfactory terms, or at all. Failure to obtain additional financing will have a material adverse effect on the Company.

7. Stockholders’ Equity

Preferred Stock

The Company is authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.001 per share with such designation, rights and preferences as may be determined from time-to-time by the Company’s board of directors. Authority is expressly vested in the board of directors to authorize the issuance of one or more series of preferred stock. All 20,000,000 shares remained unissued as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Common Stock

The Company is authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.001 per share. The number of authorized shares of common stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares of common stock then outstanding) by an affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the common stock.

The powers, preferences, and rights of the holders of the common stock are junior to the preferred stock and are subject to all the powers, rights, privileges, preferences, and priorities of the preferred stock. The holder of each share of common stock shall have the right to one vote per share. Each holder of common stock shall be entitled to receive dividends and distributions (whether payable in cash or otherwise) as declared by the board of directors of the Company, subject to the rights of any class of preferred stock outstanding. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company (whether voluntary or involuntary), the assets available for distribution to holders of common stock will be in equal amounts per share.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company raised an aggregate of approximately $10,000 and $934,500, from the sale of 200,000 and 18,690,000 shares of common stock, respectively at a price of $0.05 per share, in connection with the Scopus Private Placement.

Warrants

Each W Warrant is exercisable for one Series B Unit (“B Unit”). Each B Unit consists of one share of common stock and one Series Z Warrant (“Z Warrant”). Each Z Warrant is exercisable for one share of common stock. The exercise price of the W Warrant is $4.00, and the exercise price of the Z Warrant is $5.00. The W Warrants became exercisable on October 1, 2021 and the Z Warrants became exercisable on July 1, 2022. The W Warrants and Z Warrants expire on September 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027, respectively, unless previously exercised.

In October 2022, in connection with a recapitalization of Duet, Scopus entered into exchange agreements with the holders of 10,439,670 W Warrants, exercisable into an aggregate of 20,879,340 shares of Scopus common stock, pursuant to which such W Warrants were exchanged for 1,043,989 Duet Shares previously owned by Scopus (the “Warrant Exchanges”). Each W Warrant was exchanged for one-tenth of a Duet Share. Upon completion of the Warrant Exchanges, the exchanged W Warrants were cancelled.

Subsequent to the Warrant Exchanges, Scopus held an approximately 90% financial interest in Duet. As such, the Warrant Exchanges resulted in a deficit to the noncontrolling interest account of $379,522, which represents the portion of Duet’s noncontrolling stockholders’ interest in the negative book value of Duet at the date of the Warrant Exchanges.

16

SCOPUS BIOPHARMA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

As of June 30, 2023, 1,414,539 Scopus warrants were outstanding and exercisable at a weighted-average exercise price of $3.56. As of June 30, 2023, the remaining contractual term of the outstanding warrants was 3.1 years. Of the 1,414,539 Scopus warrants outstanding as of June 30, 2023, 1,164,539 are W Warrants, and 250,000 are warrants exercisable into one share of common stock each, at an exercise price of $1.50 per warrant, with an expiration date of October 3, 2025.

AIOs

As of June 30, 2023, the Company had outstanding Series A Additional Investment Options (the “Series A AIOs”) to purchase 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock and Series B Additional Investment Options (the “Series B AIOs,” together with the Series A AIOs, the “AIOs”) to purchase 1,500,000 shares of common stock, at a purchase price of $3.25 per share. The Series A AIOs were exercisable immediately upon issuance and expire five years from January 18, 2022 and an exercise price of $3.125 per share. The Series B AIOs became exercisable upon effectiveness of that certain Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No 333-261991), which was declared effective by the SEC on January 18, 2022, and expire five years from January 18, 2022 and an exercise price of $3.125 per share.

In addition, as of June 30, 2023, certain AIOs issued to a placement agent during 2021 were outstanding (the “Placement Agent AIOs”), which allow the placement agent to purchase up to 225,000 shares of common stock. The Placement Agent AIOs have an exercise price equal to $4.0625, and expire five years from January 18, 2022.

As of June 30, 2022, no AIOs or Placement Agent AIOs have been exercised or forfeited. As of June 30, 2023, an aggregate of  3,225,000 AIOs and Placement Agent AIOs were outstanding at a weighted-average exercise price of $3.19. As of June 30, 2023, the remaining contractual term of the outstanding AIOs was 3.4 years.

Contingent Common Stock

As a result of the Company’s acquisition of Bioscience Oncology in June 2021, the previous shareholders of Bioscience Oncology are eligible to receive remaining contingent consideration of up to approximately 1.3 million shares of common stock upon the achievement of a specified milestone, which will be recorded when it is determined the corresponding milestone is probable to be achieved. No such milestones were achieved through June 30, 2023.

Noncontrolling Interest

In connection with the Warrant Exchanges, Duet’s certificate of incorporation was amended and restated to authorize (i) an additional 50,000,000 shares of capital stock and (ii) the redesignation of its common stock to include shares of Class A common stock (“Class A Common Stock”) and shares of Class B common stock (“Class B Common Stock”). The Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are identical, except that the holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to ten votes per share and holders of Class B Shares are entitled to one vote per share. All of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock are owned by Scopus. In addition, each share of Class A Common Stock is convertible, at the option of Scopus in its sole discretion, at any time into one share of Class B Common Stock. Each share of Class A Common Stock becomes automatically convertible into one share of Class B Common Stock if it is held by anyone other than Scopus or a permitted transferee.

17

SCOPUS BIOPHARMA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

During the fourth quarter of 2022, Duet raised approximately $276,065 in connection with the Duet Private Placement. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, in connection with the Duet Private Placement, Duet raised an additional $6,762 and $1,096,365, respectively, from the sale of common stock shares and Duet Warrants to third-party stockholders. The related issuance costs were approximately $20 and $84,092 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, $5,962 and $33,950 related to the Duet Private Placement was included in stock subscriptions receivable in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, respectively.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, $22,416 and ($12,812), respectively, was allocated to the noncontrolling stockholders’ interest due to the change in ownership of Duet and as a result of the proceeds received in connection with the Duet Private Placement.

After giving effect to the Warrant Exchanges and the Duet Private Placement, Scopus continues to be the controlling stockholder of Duet with voting control of approximately 98%.

8. Stock Options

Effective September 24, 2018, the Company approved the Scopus BioPharma Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), and reserved 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, such amount subsequently being increased to 2,400,000 shares, for issuance under the Plan. As of June 30, 2023,  there were 1,800,000 shares authorized for issuance under the Plan, subject to the Company having sufficient authorized shares for any such issuances. The stock options shall be granted at an exercise price per share equal to at least the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the date of grant and generally vest over a three-year period.

Stock option activity is summarized as follows for the six months ended June 30, 2023:

				Weighted-
		Weighted-		average
		average		Remaining
	Options	Exercise Price		Contractual Life
Outstanding at December 31, 2022	772,500	$	5.15		4.20
Granted	—	$	—		—
Exercised	—	$	—		—
Forfeited	—	$	—		—
Outstanding at June 30, 2023	772,500	$	5.15		3.70
Vested and exercisable at June 30, 2023	726,801	$	5.13		3.78
Unvested at June 30, 2023	45,699	$	5.50		2.46

Included in the table above are 172,500 options issued to the underwriters outside of the Plan in connection with the Company’s public offerings during 2020 and 2021.

Stock-based compensation expense associated with the vesting of options was $78,108 and $95,028 for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense associated with the vesting of options was $156,216 and $190,056 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. This cost is included in “General and administrative” expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. As of June 30, 2023, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense was $142,779 and is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average contractual vesting term of approximately 0.5 years.

18

SCOPUS BIOPHARMA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

9. Related Party Transactions

The Company has a management services agreement, as amended, with Portfolio Services, an affiliated entity, to provide management services to the Company including, without limitation, financial and accounting resources, general business development, corporate development, corporate governance, marketing strategy, strategic development and planning, coordination with service providers and other services as agreed upon between the parties. The Company pays Portfolio Services a monthly management services fee plus related expense reimbursement and provision of office space and facilities. Effective April 1, 2023, pursuant to an amendment to the management services agreement, the Company is obligated to pay monthly a management services fee and monthly facilities fee of $75,000 and $3,000, respectively.

During the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company incurred expenses of $234,000 and $159,000 of management services fees related to the management services agreement, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company incurred expenses of $393,000 and $318,000 of management services fees related to the management services agreement, respectively. The costs are included in “General and administrative” expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. Amounts payable to Portfolio Services as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were $75,000 and $50,706, respectively.

Pursuant to a management services agreement with Clil Medical Ltd. (“Clil”), an affiliate of a co-founder and former director of the Company, such individual was obligated to provide executive and other management services to the Company. This management services agreement was terminated in June 2020 and, concurrently, such individual resigned as a director of the Company, but continued to serve in various other capacities for the Company and its subsidiaries. Subsequently, such individual submitted resignations to the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company and such individual do not agree on various matters, including obligations under the applicable management services agreement, both prior and subsequent to its termination. The amounts for the services provided through the termination date were fully accrued for as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. No expenses were incurred under this management services agreement during either of the three or six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the total amount due to Clil was $198,530, and is included in “Accounts payable and accrued expenses” on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

On September 26, 2021, the Board approved an indemnification agreement (the “Indemnification Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company has agreed to indemnify each of the Executive Committee Directors, the employees of HCFP, and certain affiliates and related entities (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, including reasonable attorney’s fees, suffered or incurred by the Indemnified Parties in connection with any disputes, litigation or threatened litigation (whether existing prior to or commencing after the date of the Indemnification Agreement) involving certain current or former executives and directors of the Company and arising or resulting from any Indemnified Party’s affiliation or involvement with the Company, including in connection with the provision of additional services beyond those initially contemplated under the Portfolio Services management services agreement. The Indemnification Agreement also provides that the Company will advance expenses to any Indemnified Party, including legal fees, incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with any litigation or proceeding to which such Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification under the Indemnification Agreement. The Company incurred $0 and $8,501 in legal fees and other expenses in connection with this Indemnification Agreement for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company incurred $0 and $25,807 in legal fees and other expenses in connection with this Indemnification Agreement for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

10. Income Taxes

The Company did not provide for any income taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. The Company has evaluated the positive and negative evidence bearing upon its ability to realize the deferred tax assets. Management has considered the Company’s history of cumulative net losses incurred since inception and its lack of commercialization of any products or generation of any revenue from product sales since inception and has concluded that it is not more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of the deferred tax assets. Accordingly, a full valuation allowance has been established against the deferred tax assets as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Management reevaluates the positive and negative evidence at each reporting period.

19

SCOPUS BIOPHARMA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

11. Subsequent Events

Since the commencement of their respective private placements and as of August 11, 2023, Scopus and Duet raised aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $2.4 million on a consolidated basis in concurrent financings resulting from the sale of shares of Scopus common stock, Duet Shares, and Duet Warrants to third-party investors (Note 7). Shares of Scopus common stock were sold at a price of $0.05 per share and the Duet Shares and Duet Warrants were sold on the same terms as disclosed in Note 7.

On July 21, 2023, the Company commenced a written consent solicitation of its stockholders (the “Consent Solicitation”) to approve amendments to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to: (i) increase the Company’s number of authorized shares of common stock from 50,000,000 to 500,000,000 (the “Authorized Share Increase”) and (ii) effect a reverse stock split of its common stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”) with the Board having the discretion as to whether or not and/or when the Reverse Stock Split is to be effected, with the exact ratio of such Reverse Stock Split to be set at a whole number within the range of 1-for-10 and 1-for-100 as determined by the Board in its discretion. As of August 10, 2023, each of the Authorized Share Increase and the Reverse Stock Split was approved by the Company’s stockholders.

20

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

The following discussion and analysis of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on April 14, 2023 (the “2022 Form 10-K), and certain other reports filed with the SEC as may be set forth below.

Forward Looking Statements

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q (“Quarterly Report”) and other reports filed by Scopus BioPharma Inc. (the “Company”) from time to time with the SEC (collectively, the “Filings”) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements contained in this Quarterly Report, other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our future operating results and financial position, our business strategy and plans, potential growth or growth prospects, future research and development, sales and marketing and general and administrative expenses, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “believes,” “may,” “will,” “estimates,” “potential,” “continues,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “expects,” “could,” “would,” “projects,” “plans,” “targets,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in the “Risk Factors” described in our 2022 Form 10-K. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this Quarterly Report and in other documents we file from time to time with the SEC that disclose risks and uncertainties that may affect our business. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for us to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. Unless otherwise stated in this Quarterly Report, “we”, “us”, “our”, “Company”, “Scopus” and “Scopus BioPharma” refer to Scopus BioPharma Inc. and its subsidiaries.

You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, performance, or achievements. In addition, the forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report are made as of the date of this filing, and we do not undertake, and expressly disclaim any duty, to update such statements for any reason after the date of this Quarterly Report or to conform statements to actual results or revised expectations, except as required by law.

Overview

We are a biopharmaceutical company developing transformational therapeutics for serious diseases with significant unmet medical need. We are currently focusing our development efforts on our immuno-oncology programs, which are conducted primarily through Duet BioTherapeutics Inc. (“Duet”), our majority-owned subsidiary.

21

Duet continues to develop its novel approach to immuno-oncology, with a suite of bifunctional oligonucleotides that activate antigen-presenting cells within the tumor microenvironment, while alleviating tumor immunosuppression to jump-start T cell-mediated immune responses. The unique mechanism-of-action of these synthetic oligonucleotides comes from simultaneously targeting two intracellular immune pathways – signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (“STAT3”), a master immune checkpoint inhibitor, and toll-like receptor 9 (“TLR9”). The targeted inhibition of STAT3 reawakens immune cells and allows for the full potential of TLR9-driven innate and adaptive immune responses. We refer to Duet’s three distinctive, complementary CpG-STAT3 inhibitors as the Duet Platform. The Duet Platform is comprised of the following:

●​	Antisense	CpG-STAT3ASO	(“DUET-101”)
●​	RNA silencing	CpG-STAT3siRNA	(“DUET-201”)
●​	DNA-binding inhibitor	CpG-STAT3decoy	(“DUET-301”)

Our initial efforts in immuno-oncology are related to DUET-201, as a monotherapy targeting B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (“NHL”). As previously disclosed, the design of the investigator-sponsored clinical protocol for DUET-201, including the number of study visits, together with constraints on mobility and travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulted in development delays, including relating to clinical enrollment. As a result of our acquisition of Duet (known as Olimmune Inc. prior to its acquisition), we gained access to a broader technology platform from the laboratory of the principal senior research scientist who is the architect of the oligonucleotide bifunctionality underpinning the Duet Platform, including CpG-STAT3siRNA, previously licensed by us, which is currently designated as DUET-201. DUET-201 is a small interfering RNA (“siRNA”) based technology which is delivered intratumorally. DUET-101 is being developed for systemic delivery. DUET-101 has a similar mechanism of action as DUET-201, except the STAT3 inhibitor in DUET-101 is an antisense (“ASO”) RNA molecule rather than a siRNA. The STAT3ASO molecule binds directly to the STAT3 mRNA, recruiting ribonuclease H1 (“RNase H1”) to degrade the STAT3 mRNA. The use of ASO permits other chemical modifications resulting in greater stability in human blood. This allows for systemic treatment of harder-to-reach solid tumors such as prostate or kidney cancers. Dose-range finding studies, good laboratory practice toxicology studies, and good manufacturing process manufacturing of the drug substance and product are all currently in process. Duet expects to file an investigational new drug application (“IND”) for DUET-201 in Q3 2024 in advanced solid malignancies, with a Phase 1/2 clinical trial anticipated to begin in Q4 2024 in the United States. Pursuant to a sponsored research agreement, research is being conducted to evaluate increasing the stability of novel siRNA-based molecules to enable systemic delivery, which we sometimes refer to as DUET-202. Pursuant to such agreement, research is also being conducted on double-stranded ASOs, which we sometimes refer to as DUET-102. We also have the rights for DUET-301, which uses an alternative to the destruction of mRNA to silence STAT3 activity, such as with DUET-101 and DUET-201. DUET-03 targets the actual STAT3 transcription factor protein. Our drug candidates are being evaluated both as monotherapies and as combination therapies with checkpoint inhibitors and/or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies.

On an ongoing basis, we continue to refine, update and enhance its immuno-oncology pipeline and target indications, including prioritizing solid tumor indications. We also continually evaluate the possibilities of additional studies with a view to enhancing, among other things, the effectiveness and method of delivery of our drug candidates and identifying additional protections for our intellectual property. In addition to our immuno-oncology portfolio, the Company obtained licenses for certain non-immuno-oncology drug candidates. As a result of our increased emphasis on our immuno-oncology programs and other considerations, including capital constraints, we have allowed certain of these rights to lapse and continue to evaluate our posture with regard to certain other rights. All of our development efforts continue to be considered in the light of the extreme capital markets dislocation, especially pertaining to small biotechnology companies, which has severely curtailed access to capital.

We do not have any products approved for sale and have not generated any revenue. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and increasing operating losses. We anticipate that all of our expenses will increase substantially, including as we:

● continue our research and development efforts;

● contract with third-party research organizations to management our clinical and pre-clinical trials for our drug candidates;

● outsource the manufacturing of our drug candidates for clinical testing and pre-clinical trials;

● seek to obtain regulatory approvals for our drug candidates;

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● maintain, expand, and protect our intellectual property portfolio;

● add operational, financial and management information systems and personnel to support our research and development and regulatory efforts;

● continue to be engaged in litigation and actions taken by and/or against the Adverse Parties and Adverse Stockholders; and Adverse Stockholders; and

● operate as a public company.

We do not expect to generate revenue from product sales unless and until we successfully complete development and obtain marketing approval for one or more of our drug candidates, which we expect will take a number of years and is subject to significant uncertainty. Accordingly, we will need to raise additional capital to fund our operations. Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial revenue from product sales, we expect to finance our operating activities through equity and debt offerings. We may also raise capital through government or other third-party funding and grants, collaborations and development agreements, strategic alliances, and licensing arrangements. However, we may be unable to raise additional funds or enter into such other arrangements when needed on favorable terms or at all. Moreover, our ability to raise capital continues to be impeded by limited availability of authorized common stock. Our failure to raise capital or enter into such other arrangements as and when needed would impair our ability to develop our drug candidates and would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, including possibly being required to substantially curtail or cease our operations.

We have incurred net losses in every year since our inception. From inception (April 18, 2017) until June 30, 2023, we have funded our operations through the issuance of common stock, warrants, additional investment options (“AIOs”) and convertible notes. As of June 30, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $58.1 million.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our condensed consolidated financial statements. The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We evaluate these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Our actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Please refer to the information provided under the heading “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” included in our 2022 Form 10-K. There were no material changes to such policies in the six months ended June 30, 2023.

JOBS Act

On April 5, 2012, the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, was enacted. Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued after the enactment of the JOBS Act until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected to avail ourselves of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards, and, therefore, will not be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as public companies that are not emerging growth companies. As a result of this election, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that are not emerging growth companies.

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As an “emerging growth company,” we also rely on exemptions from certain reporting requirements, including without limitation: (i) providing an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and (ii) complying with any requirement that may be adopted by the PCAOB regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements, known as the auditor discussion and analysis. We will remain an “emerging growth company” until the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenues of $1.235 billion or more; (ii) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the completion of an initial public offering; (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the previous three years; or (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the SEC.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended June 30, 2023 Versus Three Months Ended June 30, 2022

The following table summarizes our results of operation for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022:

	Three Months Ended
(in Thousands)	June 30,
	2023		2022		Change		% Change
Operating Expenses:
General and Administrative	$	936	$	2,670	$	(1,734)	(64.9)	%
Research and Development		1,993		649		1,344	207.1	%
Loss from Operations		(2,929)		(3,319)		(390)	(11.8)	%
Net Loss	$	(2,929)	$	(3,319)	$	(390)	(11.8)	%

Revenue

We did not have any revenue during the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. Our ability to generate product revenues in the future will depend almost entirely on our ability to successfully develop, obtain regulatory approval for, and then successfully commercialize a drug candidate, or enter into collaborations that provide for payments to us.

Operating Expenses

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation and benefits to our personnel, including the costs related to our management services agreements, directors, and scientific and senior advisors; professional fees and services, including accounting and legal services; and expenses related to obtaining and protecting our intellectual property. We incurred general and administrative expenses during the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 of approximately $0.9 million and $2.7 million, respectively, with a decrease of approximately $1.7 million or 64.9%. This decrease in general and administrative expenses during the three months ended June 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2022 is primarily attributable to a decrease in legal and accounting fees and other expenses incurred in connection with or as a result of the 2021 proxy contest and litigation, including legal services provided to the Board and certain directors and committees thereof. Our general and administrative expenses are likely to increase, including to the extent we are able to obtain additional financing to enable us to expand our operations.

Research and Development and Expenses

We recognize research and development expenses as they are incurred. Our research and development expenses consist of fees incurred under our agreements with licensors, including the expenses associated with securities issued in connection with such agreements, as applicable, and expenses relating to third-party research and development vendors and consultants. During the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, we incurred research and development expenses of approximately $2.0 million and $0.6 million, respectively, an increase of approximately $1.3 million or 207.1%. The increase in research and development costs during the three months ended June 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2022 is primarily attributable to the increase of approximately $1.4 million in costs associated with the preclinical studies in connection with DUET-101. The increase was offset by a decrease in expenses related to the SRA for DUET-201 of approximately $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 as

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compared to the three months ended June 30, 2022, resulting from no further funding commitments under the SRA after June 30, 2022. We anticipate that our research and development expenses, exclusive of any in-process research and development relating to our acquisitions, will increase for the foreseeable future as we continue the development of our drug candidates.

Net Loss

Our net losses were approximately $2.9 million and $3.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, a decrease of approximately $0.4 million or 11.8%. We anticipate our net losses will continue as we advance our research and drug development activities and incur additional general and administrative expenses to meet the needs of our business.

Results of Operations

Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 Versus Six Months Ended June 30, 2022

The following table summarizes our results of operation for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022:

	Six Months Ended
(in Thousands)	June 30,
	2023		2022		Change		% Change
Operating Expenses:
General and Administrative	$	2,007	$	6,962	$	(4,955)		(71.2)	%
Research and Development		3,602		1,019		2,583		253.5	%
Loss from Operations		(5,609)		(7,981)		(2,372)		(29.7)	%
Net Loss	$	(5,609)	$	(7,981)	$	(2,372)		(29.7)	%

Revenue

We did not have any revenue during the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. Our ability to generate product revenues in the future will depend almost entirely on our ability to successfully develop, obtain regulatory approval for, and then successfully commercialize a drug candidate, or enter into collaborations that provide for payments to us.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation and benefits to our personnel, including the costs related to our management services agreements, directors, and scientific and senior advisors; professional fees and services, including accounting and legal services; and expenses related to obtaining and protecting our intellectual property. We incurred general and administrative expenses during the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 of approximately $2.0 million and $7.0 million, respectively, with a decrease of approximately $5.0 million or 71.2%. This decrease in general and administrative expenses during the six months ended June 30, 2023 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2022 is primarily attributable to a decrease in legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with or as a result of the 2021 proxy contest and litigation, including legal services provided to the Board and certain directors and committees thereof. Our general and administrative expenses are likely to increase, including to the extent we are able to obtain additional financing to enable us to expand our operation.

Research and Development and Expenses

We recognize research and development expenses as they are incurred. Our research and development expenses consist of fees incurred under our agreements with licensors, including the expenses associated with securities issued in connection with such agreements, as applicable, and expenses relating to third-party research and development vendors and consultants. During the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, we incurred research and development expenses of approximately $3.6 million and $1.0 million, respectively, an increase of approximately $2.6 million or 253.5%. The increase in research and development costs during the six months ended June 30, 2023 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2022 is primarily attributable to the increase of approximately $2.7 million in costs associated with the preclinical studies in connection with DUET-101. The increase was offset by a decrease in expenses related to the SRA for DUET-202 of approximately $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2022, resulting from no further funding commitments under the SRA after June 30, 2022. We anticipate that our research

25

and development expenses, exclusive of any in-process research and development relating to our acquisitions, will increase for the foreseeable future as we continue the development of our drug candidates.

Net Loss

Our net losses were approximately $5.6 million and $8.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, a decrease of approximately $2.4 million or 29.7%. We anticipate our net losses will continue as we advance our research and drug development activities and incur additional general and administrative expenses to meet the needs of our business.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have incurred losses since our inception, and, as of June 30, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $58.1 million. We anticipate that we will continue to incur losses for at least the next several years. Since April 18, 2017 (inception) through June 30, 2023, we have funded our operations principally with approximately $31.4 million in gross proceeds from the sale of convertible notes, common stock, warrants and units comprised of common stock and warrants, the exercise of a portion of such warrants, and units comprised of common stock and AIOs.

During the six months ended June 30, 2023, we used approximately $1.7 million of cash in operations, which was attributable to our net loss of approximately $5.6 million, offset by the changes in operating assets and liabilities of approximately $3.7 million and approximately $0.1 million of non-cash expenses.

We are party to litigation in several matters as of the date hereof. Litigation is highly unpredictable and the costs of litigation, including legal fees and expenses, and the possible liabilities, including monetary damages, to which we could become subject could be significant. Any such liabilities could have a material adverse effect on us. Our existing capital resources will not be sufficient to fully implement our business plan, including the development of our drug candidates, while also continuing to be subject to or pursuing ongoing litigation.

Our cash resources are extremely limited. We had cash of approximately $0.4 million as of June 30, 2023. As of August 11, 2023, Scopus and Duet raised aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $2.4 million on a consolidated basis in concurrent financings. Notwithstanding such financings, we continue to have an immediate need for additional financing. Our ability to raise capital continues to be impeded by limited availability of authorized common stock and the current price of our common stock. Further, we are subject to certain stock market requirements relating to, among other things, the amount and nature of the capital that we can raise. There can be no assurance that financing will be available to us on a timely basis and on satisfactory terms, or at all. Failure to obtain sufficient financing on satisfactory terms in the immediate future will have a material adverse effect on us, including possibly being required to substantially curtail or cease our operations.

Our ability to fund our operations is dependent upon management’s plans, which include raising capital through issuances of debt and equity securities, securing research and development grants, and controlling our expenses. A failure to raise sufficient financing and/or control expenses, among other factors, will adversely impact our ability to meet our financial obligations as they become due and payable and to achieve our intended business objectives.

Accordingly, based on the considerations discussed above, management has concluded there is substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the consolidated financial statements are issued.

Future Funding Requirements

We have not generated any revenue. We do not know when, or if, we will generate any revenue from product sales. We do not expect to generate any revenue from product sales unless and until we obtain regulatory approval of and commercialize any of our drug candidates. At the same time, we expect our expenses to increase in connection with our ongoing development activities, particularly as we continue to research, develop, and seek regulatory approval for, our drug candidates. We expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company. In addition, subject to obtaining regulatory approval of any of our drug candidates, we expect to incur significant commercialization expenses for product sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution. We anticipate that we will need substantial additional funding in connection with our continuing operations.

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As a result, we anticipate that we will need substantial additional funding in connection with our continuing operations to fund future clinical trials and pre-clinical testing for our drug candidates, general and administrative costs and public company and other expenses, including potential indemnification obligations and legal fees (primarily related to litigation). We expect to finance our cash needs primarily through the sale of our debt and equity securities. However, our ability to raise capital continues to be impeded by the limited availability of authorized common stock and current price of our common stock. We may also raise capital through government or other third-party funding and grants, collaborations and development agreements, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with the development and commercialization of our drug candidates, we are unable to estimate the amounts of additional capital outlays and operating expenditures necessary to complete the development of our drug candidates.

Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:

● the progress, costs, results and timing of our drug candidates’ future clinical studies and future pre-clinical trials, and the clinical development of our drug candidates for other potential indications beyond their initial target indications;

● the willingness of the FDA and the EMA to accept our future drug candidate clinical trials, as well as our other completed and planned pre-clinical studies and other work, as the basis for review and approval of our drug candidates;

● the outcome, costs and timing of seeking and obtaining FDA, EMA and any other regulatory approvals;

● the number and characteristics of drug candidates that we pursue, including our drug candidates in future pre-clinical development;

● the ability of our drug candidates to progress through clinical development successfully;

● our need to expand our research and development activities;

● the costs of litigations with Adverse Parties;

● the costs associated with securing and establishing commercialization and manufacturing capabilities;

● the costs of acquiring, licensing or investing in businesses, products, drug candidates and technologies;

● our ability to maintain, expand and defend the scope of our licensed intellectual property portfolio, including the amount and timing of any payments we may be required to make, or that we may receive, in connection with the licensing, filing, prosecution, defense and enforcement of any patents or other intellectual property rights;

● our need and ability to hire additional management and scientific and medical personnel;

● the effect of competing technological and market developments;

● our need to implement additional internal systems and infrastructure, including financial and reporting systems;

● the economic factors, geopolitical risks and sanctions and other terms; and

● timing and success of any collaboration, licensing or other arrangements into which we may enter in the future.

Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial revenue from product sales, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of debt financings and equity offerings, government or other third-party funding, marketing and distribution arrangements and other collaborations, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of debt and equity securities, the ownership interests of our common stockholders will be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our common stockholders. Debt financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. If we raise additional funds through government or other third-party funding,

27

marketing and distribution arrangements or other collaborations, strategic alliances or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams, research programs or drug candidates or to grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

As previously noted, we, as an emerging growth company, have elected to take advantage of the benefits of the extended transition period provided for in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act, for complying with new or revised accounting standards, which allows us to defer adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies unless otherwise noted.

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

Effect of Inflation and Changes in Prices

Increased inflation and changes in prices may result in increased operating costs, including our consulting expenses and research and development costs, reduced liquidity, and limitations on our ability to access credit or otherwise raise debt and equity capital.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

We do not hold any derivative instruments and do not engage in any hedging activities.

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”). Based upon the evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded as of the Evaluation Date that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. Disclosure controls are controls and procedures designed to reasonably ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls include controls and procedures designed to reasonably ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The Company, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, reviewed the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, pursuant to Rule 13(a)-15(e) under the Exchange Act and concluded that there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

We continue to be a party in several litigation matters initiated by or against certain adverse parties and certain of their affiliates and/or related parties (the “Adverse Parties”) who are stockholders of the company and certain of whom are also former officers and/or directors of the company. As previously disclosed, one of such Adverse Parties initiated litigation with respect to a dispute about ownership of certain shares and various other matters. Most recently, a trial date was scheduled for May 25, 2023, which was subsequently postponed. It is currently uncertain as to when any trial date may be rescheduled. One of the Adverse Parties also initiated an action in the Supreme Court of the State of New York (the “New York Court”) alleging, among other things, that he was wrongfully terminated by the company. In March 2023, the New York Court dismissed all of the claims in such action other than the wrongful termination claim. Due to the factual nature of such claim, it remains subject to further proceedings. The status and timing of the remaining litigation matters are uncertain. The outcome relating to any such matters, and litigation generally, are highly unpredictable and the costs of litigation, including legal fees, costs and expenses, and the possible liabilities, including monetary damages, to which the company could become subject could be significant. Any such liabilities could have a material adverse effect on the company. The company’s existing capital resources will not be sufficient to implement its business plan, including the development of its drug candidates, especially if the company continues to be subject to or pursuing ongoing litigation. The company requires additional financing and there can be no assurance that any such financing will be available on satisfactory terms, or at all. Failure to obtain additional financing will have a material adverse effect on the company.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Factors that could cause or contribute to differences in our future financial and operating results include those discussed in the risk factors set forth in Item 1A of our 2022 Form 10-K. The risks described in our 2022 Form 10-K are not the only risks that we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we do not currently consider significant may also have an adverse effect on the Company. If any of the risks actually occur, our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition could suffer.

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

During the three months ended June 30, 2023, we issued an additional 200,000 shares of common stock, at an offering price of $0.05 per share, for additional gross proceeds of $10,000 in a private placement, bringing the aggregate number of shares of common stock and gross proceeds of such private placement to 18,690,000 and $934,500, respectively, as of June 30, 2023.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

None.

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Item 6. Exhibits.

		Incorporated by
Exhibit		Reference		Filed or Furnished
Number	Exhibit Description	Form	Exhibit	Filing Date	Herewith
31.1*	Certification of Principal Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002				X
31.2*	Certification of Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002				X
32.1**	Certification of Principal Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002				X
32.2**	Certification of Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002				X
101.INS*	XBRL Instance Document				X
101.SCH*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document				X
101.CAL*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document				X
101.DEF*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document				X
101.LAB*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document				X
101.PRE*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document				X
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)				X

* Filed herewith

** Furnished herewith

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SIGNATURES

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

	SCOPUS BIOPHARMA INC.
Date: August 11, 2023	By:	/s/ Joshua R. Lamstein
		Joshua R. Lamstein
		Chairman and Director
		(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: August 11, 2023	By:	/s/ Robert J. Gibson
		Robert J. Gibson
		Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Director
		(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

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EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Joshua R. Lamstein, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report of Scopus BioPharma Inc., on Form 10-Q;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods present in this report;

4. Along with the Principal Financial Officer, I am responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13-a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financing reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involved management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Dated: August 11, 2023	By:	/s/ Joshua R. Lamstein
		Joshua R. Lamstein
		Chairman
		(Principal Executive Officer)

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Robert J. Gibson, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report of Scopus BioPharma Inc., on Form 10-Q;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods present in this report;

4. Along with the Principal Executive Officer, I am responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13-a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financing reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involved management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Dated: August 11, 2023	By:	/s/ Robert J. Gibson
		Robert J. Gibson
		Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer
		(Principal Financial Officer)

EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Scopus BioPharma Inc. (the “Company”), on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 (the “Report”), as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Joshua R. Lamstein, Principal Executive Officer of the Company, certify to the best of my knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Sec. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) Such Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in such Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: August 11, 2023	By:	/s/ Joshua R. Lamstein
		Joshua R. Lamstein
		Chairman
		(Principal Executive Officer)

EX-32.2

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Scopus BioPharma Inc. (the “Company”), on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 (the “Report”), as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Robert J. Gibson, Principal Financial Officer of the Company, certify to the best of my knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Sec. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) Such Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in such Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: August 11, 2023	By:	/s/ Robert J. Gibson
		Robert J. Gibson
		Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer
		(Principal Financial Officer)

XML

Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Aug. 11, 2023
Document and Entity Information
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2023
Entity File Number	001-39788
Entity Registrant Name	Scopus BioPharma Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	82-1248020
Entity Address, Address Line One	420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 300
Entity Address, City or Town	New York
Entity Address State Or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	10170
City Area Code	212
Local Phone Number	479-2513
Title of 12(g) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	true
Entity Ex Transition Period	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		42,084,264
Entity Central Index Key	0001772028
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Current assets:
Cash	$ 362,097	$ 124,575
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	133,757	265,425
Total current assets	495,854	390,000
Property and equipment, net	1,700	2,265
Total assets	497,554	392,265
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	10,908,917	7,201,926
Other current liabilities	93,178	252,508
Total current liabilities	11,002,095	7,454,434
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; zero shares issued and outstanding
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 39,784,264 and 21,094,264 issued and outstanding at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively	39,784	21,094
Additional paid-in capital	48,615,546	46,518,455
Stock subscriptions receivable	(5,962)	(33,950)
Accumulated deficit	(58,131,350)	(53,064,975)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	30,231	(4,954)
Total Scopus BioPharma Inc. stockholders' deficit	(9,451,751)	(6,564,330)
Noncontrolling interest (deficit)	(1,052,790)	(497,839)
Total stockholders' deficit	(10,504,541)	(7,062,169)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	$ 497,554	$ 392,265

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Jun. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	39,784,264	21,094,264
Common stock, shares outstanding	39,584,264	21,094,264

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Operating expenses:
General and administrative	$ 935,860	$ 2,670,135	$ 2,006,594	$ 6,961,801
Research and development	1,992,998	649,468	3,601,920	1,018,576
Total operating expenses	2,928,858	3,319,603	5,608,514	7,980,377
Net loss	(2,928,858)	(3,319,603)	(5,608,514)	(7,980,377)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest (deficit)	(312,305)		(542,140)
Net loss attributable to Scopus BioPharma Inc.	(2,616,553)	(3,319,603)	(5,066,374)	(7,980,377)
Comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	16,756	56,754	35,185	74,620
Total comprehensive loss attributable to Scopus BioPharma Inc.	$ (2,599,797)	$ (3,262,849)	$ (5,031,189)	$ (7,905,757)
Net loss per common share attributable to Scopus BioPharma Inc.:
Net loss per common share attributable to Scopus BioPharma, Inc., Basic	$ (0.07)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.38)
Net loss per common share attributable to Scopus BioPharma, Inc., Diluted	$ (0.07)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.38)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, Basic	39,742,505	21,094,264	35,081,943	21,094,264
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, Diluted	39,742,505	21,094,264	35,081,943	21,094,264

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) - USD ($)	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Stock Subscriptions Receivable	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Total Scopus BioPharma Inc. Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)	Noncontrolling Interest (Deficit)	Total
Balance at the beginning at Dec. 31, 2021	$ 21,094
Balance at the beginning (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2021	21,094,264
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
Foreign currency translation adjustment								$ 74,620
Net loss								(7,980,377)
Balance at the end at Jun. 30, 2022	$ 21,094
Balance at the end (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2022	21,094,264
Balance at the beginning at Mar. 31, 2022	$ 21,094
Balance at the beginning (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2022	21,094,264
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
Foreign currency translation adjustment								56,754
Net loss								(3,319,603)
Balance at the end at Jun. 30, 2022	$ 21,094
Balance at the end (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2022	21,094,264
Balance at the beginning at Dec. 31, 2022	$ 21,094	$ 46,518,455	$ (33,950)	$ (53,064,975)	$ (4,954)	$ (6,564,330)	$ (497,839)	(7,062,169)
Balance at the beginning (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2022	21,094,264
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
Stock-based compensation expense		78,108				78,108		78,108
Proceeds from Duet Private Placement, net of transaction costs		1,040,759	30,372			1,071,131	(35,228)	1,035,903
Proceeds from Scopus Private Placement	$ 18,490	906,010	(25,000)			899,500		899,500
Proceeds from Scopus Private Placement (in shares)	18,490,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment					18,429	18,429		18,429
Net loss				(2,449,822)		(2,449,822)	(229,834)	(2,679,656)
Balance at the end at Mar. 31, 2023	$ 39,584	48,543,332	(28,578)	(55,514,797)	13,475	(6,946,984)	(762,901)	(7,709,885)
Balance at the end (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2023	39,584,264
Balance at the beginning at Dec. 31, 2022	$ 21,094	46,518,455	(33,950)	(53,064,975)	(4,954)	(6,564,330)	(497,839)	$ (7,062,169)
Balance at the beginning (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2022	21,094,264
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
Number of shares issued (in shares)								18,690,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment								$ 35,185
Net loss								(5,608,514)
Balance at the end at Jun. 30, 2023	$ 39,784	48,615,546	(5,962)	(58,131,350)	30,231	(9,451,751)	(1,052,790)	(10,504,541)
Balance at the end (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2023	39,784,264
Balance at the beginning at Mar. 31, 2023	$ 39,584	48,543,332	(28,578)	(55,514,797)	13,475	(6,946,984)	(762,901)	(7,709,885)
Balance at the beginning (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2023	39,584,264
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
Stock-based compensation expense		78,108				78,108		78,108
Proceeds from Duet Private Placement, net of transaction costs		5,778	(2,384)			3,394	964	4,358
Proceeds from Scopus Private Placement	$ 200	9,780	25,000			34,980		$ 34,980
Proceeds from Scopus Private Placement (in shares)	200,000
Number of shares issued (in shares)								200,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment					16,756	16,756		$ 16,756
Increase in noncontrolling interest due to investment in Duet by Scopus		(21,452)				(21,452)	21,452
Net loss				(2,616,553)		(2,616,553)	(312,305)	(2,928,858)
Balance at the end at Jun. 30, 2023	$ 39,784	$ 48,615,546	$ (5,962)	$ (58,131,350)	$ 30,231	$ (9,451,751)	$ (1,052,790)	$ (10,504,541)
Balance at the end (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2023	39,784,264

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (Parenthetical) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Transaction costs		$ 84,072
Transaction Costs Incurred On Issuance Of Scopus Private Placement	$ 20

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (2,928,858)	$ (2,679,656)	$ (3,319,603)	$ (5,608,514)	$ (7,980,377)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation	334		582	565	1,191
Stock-based compensation expense				156,216	190,056
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets				131,668	(277,563)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses				3,710,323	1,213,620
Other current liabilities				(159,330)
Net cash used in operating activities				(1,769,072)	(6,853,073)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment					(1,552)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from Duet Private Placement of common stock and Warrants, net of cash transaction costs of $84,092				1,040,261
Proceeds from Scopus Private Placement of common stock				934,480
Net cash provided by financing activities				1,974,741
Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on cash				31,853	68,119
Net increase (decrease) in cash				237,522	(6,786,506)
Cash, beginning of period		$ 124,575		124,575	7,942,971
Cash, end of period	$ 362,097		$ 1,156,465	$ 362,097	$ 1,156,465

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Cash transaction costs	$ 84,092

XML

Organization and Description of the Business

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Organization and Description of the Business

Organization and Description of the Business

1. Organization and Description of the Business

Nature of Operations

Scopus BioPharma Inc. (“Scopus”) and its subsidiary, Vital Spark Inc. (“VSI”), are headquartered in New York, New York. Its other subsidiaries, Duet BioTherapeutics, Inc. (“Duet”) (formerly Olimmune Inc.) and Scopus BioPharma Israel Ltd. (“SBI”), are headquartered in Los Angeles, California and Jerusalem, Israel, respectively. Scopus, VSI, Duet, and SBI are collectively referred to as the “Company.” The Company is a biopharmaceutical company developing transformational therapeutics for serious diseases with significant unmet medical need.

Going Concern

The Company is an early-stage company and has not generated revenues to date. As such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with early-stage companies. Since inception, the Company has incurred losses and negative cash flows from operating activities which have been funded from the issuance of common stock, convertible notes, warrants and additional investment options (“AIOs”). The Company does not expect to generate positive cash flows from operating activities for at least the next several years, if at all, until such time it completes the development of its drug candidates, including obtaining regulatory approvals, and anticipates incurring operating losses for the foreseeable future.

The Company incurred a net loss of $2,928,858 and $5,608,514 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively, and had an accumulated deficit of $58,131,350 as of June 30, 2023. The Company’s net cash used in operating activities was $1,769,072 for the six months ended June 30, 2023, and the working capital deficit totaled $10,506,241 as of June 30, 2023. Further, while the Company has raised significant cash proceeds from public offerings and private placements (see Notes 3 and 7), the Company still has significant obligations related to certain research and development acquisitions and agreements (see Note 5).

The Company’s ability to fund its operations is dependent upon management’s plans, which include raising capital through issuances of debt and equity securities, securing research and development grants, and controlling the Company’s expenses. A failure to raise sufficient financing and/or control expenses, among other factors, will adversely impact the Company’s ability to meet its financial obligations as they become due and payable and to achieve its intended business objectives.

The Company’s results of operations and its ability to fund its operations may be adversely affected by various factors that could cause economic uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets, many of which are beyond its control. The business could be impacted by, among other things, downturns in the financial markets or in economic conditions, inflation, increases in interest rates, and geopolitical instability, such as the military conflict in the Ukraine.

Accordingly, based on the considerations discussed above, management has concluded there is substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the condensed consolidated financial statements are issued.

The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 had a material adverse impact on the Company, including delays in drug development. As previously disclosed, the COVID-19 pandemic, including related constraints on mobility and travel, caused delays in enrollment in the investigator-sponsored clinical trial for our initial immuno-oncology drug candidate, for which the Company had previously received IND clearance from the FDA. Although in the United States the COVID-19 global pandemic emergency declarations expired in May 2023, there may continue to be residual effects of COVID-19, especially as it relates to potential clinical trial participants who are predominately immunocompromised. There can be no assurance that a resurgence of COVID-19 will not occur and any such resurgence is likely to have a material adverse effect on drug development, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company and its financial condition.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The Company is an “emerging growth company”, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act until such time as those standards apply to private companies. The Company has irrevocably elected to avail itself of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards, and, therefore, will not be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as public companies that are not emerging growth companies.

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In management’s opinion, the accompanying statements reflect adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for those periods indicated, and contain adequate disclosure to make the information presented not misleading. Adjustments included herein are of a normal, recurring nature unless otherwise disclosed in the footnotes. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all of the accounts of Scopus and its wholly owned subsidiaries, which include VSI and SBI, and its majority-owned subsidiary, Duet. The portion of Duet not owned by Scopus is presented as a noncontrolling interest as of and during the periods consolidated. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2022 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on April 14, 2023 (the “2022 Form 10-K”).

The accompanying balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 has been derived from the audited balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 contained in the Company’s 2022 Form 10-K. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the result of operations for a full year.

Foreign Currency

The functional currency of Scopus, VSI and Duet is the U.S. Dollar, and the functional currency of SBI is the Israeli New Shekel. All assets and liabilities of SBI are translated at the current exchange rate as of the end of the period and the related translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates in effect during the period. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses resulting from, or expected to result from, transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are recognized in “General and administrative” expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) includes net loss as well as other changes in stockholders’ equity that result from transactions and economic events other than those with stockholders. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, consists of foreign currency translation adjustment gains (losses) of $30,231 and ($4,954) as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant estimates in these condensed consolidated financial statements include those related to the fair value of stock-based compensation, the provision or benefit for income taxes and the corresponding valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, and probability of meeting certain milestones. In addition, management’s assessment of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern involves the estimation of the amount and timing of future cash inflows and outflows. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, judgments, and methodologies. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions believed to be reasonable. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Cash

At times, the balance of the Company’s cash deposits may exceed federally insured limits, and there is no insurance on cash deposits within Israel. The Company has not experienced and does not anticipate any losses on deposits with commercial banks and financial institutions which exceed federally insured limits.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. The property and equipment balances as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 consist of computer equipment. Depreciation on property and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of 3 years.

Depreciation expense for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 was $334 and $582, respectively. Depreciation expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 was $565 and $1,191, respectively.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses are expensed as incurred and consist principally of internal and external costs which includes contract research services, laboratory supplies, acquired in-process research and development, as well as development and manufacture of compounds and consumables for clinical trials and pre-clinical testing.

Fair Value Measurement

Certain assets and liabilities are carried at fair value in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Fair value is defined as the price which would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A three-tier fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies, are as follows:

Level 1Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets which are not active, or other inputs observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting the Company’s own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment.

As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the carrying amounts of the Company’s cash, and accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their respective fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

There were no assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Stock Subscriptions Receivable

The stock subscriptions receivable balances as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 include cash to be received for shares of Class B common stock of Duet (“Duet Shares”), Series W Warrants of Duet (“Duet Warrants”), and/or common stock shares of Scopus issued prior to the balance sheet date, in connection with the Duet Private Placement and Scopus Private Placement (see Note 3).

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for share-based payments in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (“Topic 718”). Under Topic 718, the Company measures, and records compensation expense related to share-based payment awards (to employees and non-employees) based on the grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Forfeitures are recognized when they occur. The Company calculates the fair value of options granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the following assumptions:

Expected Volatility – Due to the lack of substantial company-specific historical and implied volatility data of its common stock, the Company has based its estimate of expected volatility on the historical volatility of a group of similar public companies. When selecting these companies on which it has based its expected stock price volatility, the Company selected companies with comparable characteristics to it, including enterprise value, risk profiles, position within the industry and with historical share price information sufficient to meet the expected term of the stock-based awards. The Company will continue to apply this process until sufficient amount of historical information regarding the volatility of its own stock price becomes available.

Expected Term – The expected term of the Company’s options represents the period that the stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding. The Company has limited historical data upon which it can estimate the expected lives of the share-based payment awards and accordingly has used the simplified method allowable under SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 14 for employee holders and the contractual term for non-employee holders.

Risk-Free Interest Rate – The risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a term that is equal to the expected term of the options at the grant date.

Dividend Yield – The Company has not declared or paid dividends to date and does not anticipate declaring dividends in the foreseeable future. As such, the dividend yield has been estimated to be zero.

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest represents the portion of net book value (deficit) in Duet that is not owned by Scopus and is reported as a component of stockholders’ equity (deficit) in Scopus’s condensed consolidated balance sheets (see Note 7). Net income (loss) is allocated to the noncontrolling interest based on the noncontrolling ownership percentage held in Duet.

Net Loss Per Share

Basic net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders is calculated by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the relevant period. Since the Company was in a loss position for all periods presented, basic net loss per share is the same as dilutive net loss per share as the inclusion of the weighted-average number of all potential dilutive common shares, which consists of stock options, warrants and AIOs, would be anti-dilutive.

The following table presents the weighted-average, potentially dilutive shares that were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share of common stock attributable to common stockholders, because their effect was anti-dilutive:

	Three Months Ended June 30,		Six Months Ended June 30,
	2023	2022	2023	2022
Warrants	2,579,078	23,458,418	2,579,078	23,458,418
Stock options	772,500	776,321	772,500	812,600
Additional Investment Options (AIOs)	3,225,000	3,225,000	3,225,000	3,225,000
Contingent consideration in common stock	1,266,666	1,266,666	1,266,666	1,266,666
Total	7,843,244	28,726,405	7,843,244	28,762,684

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

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Equity offerings

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Equity offerings

Equity offerings

3. Equity offerings

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, Scopus raised an aggregate of approximately $10,000 and $934,500 from the issuance of common stock in a private placement at a price of $0.05 per share (the “Scopus Private Placement”).

During the fourth quarter of 2022, Duet raised approximately $276,065 from third-party investors from the sale of Duet Shares and Duet Warrants at prices of $2.50 per share and $0.05 per warrant, respectively (the “Duet Private Placement”). The Duet Warrants are exercisable at $2.50 per share for Duet’s Class B Common Stock beginning on the date that is one year after the date that the shares of Duet’s Class B Common Stock are first traded or quoted on a public trading market (“Duet Class B Shares Initial Trading Date”) and expire five years from the Duet Class B Shares Initial Trading Date.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, in connection with the Duet Private Placement, Duet raised an additional $6,762 and $1,096,365, respectively. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, $5,962 and $33,950 were included in stock subscriptions receivable in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, respectively.

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Accounts payable and accrued expenses

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

4. Accounts payable and accrued expenses

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following as of:

	June 30,		December 31,
	2023		2022
Professional fees	$	5,044,152	$	4,748,128
Research and development expenses		5,418,606		2,028,923
Management service fees and expenses (related parties)		273,530		249,236
Other accounts payable and accrued expenses		172,629		175,639
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	10,908,917	$	7,201,926

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Research and Development Agreements

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Research and Development Agreements

Research and Development Agreements

5. Research and Development Agreements

Duet (DUET-101 and DUET-301) License Agreements

On June 25, 2021, the Company entered into two exclusive, worldwide license agreements with COH relating to Duet’s drug candidates. The Company obtained the rights to negotiate the DUET-101 (CpG-STAT3ASO) Patent Rights License Agreement and the DUET-301 (CpG-STAT3decoy) Patent Rights License Agreement (together, the “Duet License Agreements”) with COH as part of the Duet acquisition in June 2021. The Duet License Agreements shall expire, on a country-by-country basis, on the last date on which there exists a valid claim of the patent rights covering the assets subject to the agreements in such country. Under the terms of the Duet License Agreements, the Company is obligated to pay earned royalties based on a percentage of net sales, as defined in the Duet License Agreements, including net sales generated from sub-licensees. The Company incurred license maintenance fees of $12,500 as required by the Duet License Agreements during each of the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. The Company incurred license maintenance fees of $25,000 as required by the Duet License Agreements during each of the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.

On April 19, 2022, the Company entered into an amendment to the DUET-101 Patent Rights License Agreement with COH to secure a non-exclusive royalty bearing right and license to use and make derivative works of certain technical information and know how related to DUET-101. In connection with the amendment, the Company agreed to make a one-time non-refundable license fee payment of $25,000 to COH within five days of the effective date of the amendment, included in Research and development expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022.

License fees related to the Duet License Agreements of $262,307 and $233,076 were included in accounts payable and accrued expenses at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

In addition, the Company is obligated to make payments in cash upon the achievement of certain clinical development and product approval milestones totaling $6,750,000 for each license, or $13,500,000 in the aggregate. None of the milestones in the Duet License Agreements have been reached as of June 30, 2023 and no related amounts have been recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, as there is no obligation to make any milestone payments.

CpG-STAT3siRNA (DUET-201) Agreements

In June 2020, the Company entered into an exclusive, worldwide license agreement with City of Hope (“COH”) relating to DUET-201 (the “DUET-201 Exclusive License Agreement”). The Company incurred license maintenance fees in relation to the DUET-201 Exclusive License Agreement of $7,500 during each of the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 and $15,000 for each of the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.

Under the terms of the DUET-201 Exclusive License Agreement, the Company is obligated to pay earned royalties based on a percentage of net sales, as defined in the DUET-201 Exclusive License Agreement, including net sales generated from sub-licensees. In addition, the Company is obligated to make payments in cash upon the achievement of certain clinical development and product approval milestones totaling $3,525,000 in the aggregate. None of the milestones in the DUET-201 Exclusive License Agreement have been reached as of June 30, 2023 and no related amounts have been recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, as there is no obligation to make any milestone payments. Pursuant to the terms of the SRA, the Company has committed to fund research and development at COH for two years in accordance with a predetermined funding schedule.

In addition to the DUET-201 Exclusive License Agreement, the Company also entered into a Sponsored Research Agreement (the “SRA”) relating to on-going research and development activities in collaboration with COH relating to DUET-201. In September 2022, the SRA was extended until September 2023 with no additional costs to the Company. Total expenses incurred in connection with the SRA were $0 and $48,611 for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively and $0 and $111,111 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. These expenses are included in “Research and development” expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

Further, the Company incurred costs of $0 during each of the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, and $44,000 and $43,433 during the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, pursuant to a clinical research support agreement (the “CRSA”) relating to a Phase 1 clinical trial for DUET-201 to be conducted at COH. These expenses are included in “Research and development” expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

On April 7, 2022, the Company entered into a sponsored research agreement (the “Kortylewski SRA”) with COH for research to be conducted by Marcin Kortylewski, Ph.D., a Co-Founder and Senior Advisor of Duet and Professor in the Department of Immuno-Oncology at COH. Pursuant to the Kortylewski SRA, Dr. Kortylewski and his lab are evaluating novel chemical structures and formulations to increase the stability of siRNA-based molecules to enable systemic delivery. The research under the Kortylewski SRA is conducted over a two-year period at a cost of approximately $200,000 per year. The Company incurred $50,722 and $47,119 during the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $104,262 and $47,119 during the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, related to the Kortylewski SRA, and is included in “Research and development” expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

Agreement Related to Intellectual Property Rights

In July 2017, VSI, as “Licensee,” entered into a Patent License Agreement (the “Patent License Agreement”) with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as represented by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (“NIAAA”) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (“NIDA”) of the National Institutes of Health (“NIH”), (collectively “Licensor”). In the course of conducting biomedical and behavioral research, the Licensor developed inventions that may have commercial applicability. The Company acquired commercialization rights to certain inventions in order to develop processes, methods, or marketable products for public use and benefit.

Patent fee reimbursement under the Patent License Agreement was $0 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. Patent fee reimbursement under the Patent License Agreement was $5,017 and $10,034 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively. These costs are included in “Research and development” expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

Pursuant to the terms of the Patent License Agreement, VSI was required to make minimum annual royalty payments on January 1 of each calendar year, which shall be credited against any earned royalties due for sales made in that year, throughout the term of the Patent License Agreement. For the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, $0 and $6,250 minimum royalty payments, respectively, were recognized in each period in “Research and development” expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. For the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, $0 and $12,500 of this prepaid royalty expense was recognized in each period in “Research and development” expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

The Patent License Agreement also provides for payments from VSI to the Licensor upon the achievement of certain product development and regulatory clearance milestones, as well as royalty payments on net sales upon the commercialization of products developed utilizing the licensed patents (see below). Through June 30, 2023, the Licensor has not achieved any milestones and therefore VSI has not made any milestone payments.

VSI is obligated to pay earned royalties based on a percentage of net sales, as defined in the Patent License Agreement, of licensed product throughout the term of the Patent License Agreement. Since April 18, 2017 (inception) through June 30, 2023, there have been no sales of licensed products. In addition, VSI is also obligated to pay the Licensor additional sublicensing royalties on the fair market value of any consideration received for granting each sublicense. Through June 30, 2023, VSI has not entered into any sublicensing agreements and therefore no sublicensing consideration has been paid to Licensor.

The Company’s rights under its license with the NIH may overlap with rights which may have been granted to another company. The Company has been in communication with the NIH seeking clarification as to each company’s rights. The Company has also had, from time to time, discussions with such other company to explore possible collaborations. The Company has been unable to enter into any such arrangements. Notwithstanding the Company’s attempts to engage the NIH to clarify these overlapping rights, the NIH has disregarded such requests. By email dated August 15, 2022, the NIH purported to terminate the Company’s rights. The Company rejected the NIH’s purported action and intends to further seek to engage with the NIH in an attempt to protect and clarify its rights.

Memorandums of Understanding

Effective July 28, 2018, SBI entered into two Memorandums of Understanding (“MOUs”) with Yissum Research Development Company (“Yissum”) of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd. (“Hebrew University”). Research under the Yissum MOUs was completed in December 2019 and March 2020, respectively, resulting in the license agreements below.

Effective March 5, 2019, the Company entered in a license agreement with Yissum with respect to the results of the research relating to the combination of cannabidiol with approved anesthetics as a potential treatment for the management of pain. Under the license agreement, the Company is obligated to pay earned royalties based on a percentage of net sales, as defined in the license agreement, including net sales generated from sub-licensees. In addition, the Company is obligated to make payments upon the achievement of certain clinical development and product approval milestones. From March 5, 2019 through June 30, 2023, there have been no sales of licensed products by the Company nor has the Company entered into any sub-licensing agreements. Further, none of the milestones in the agreement have been reached and therefore as of June 30, 2023, there is no obligation to make any milestone payments.

Effective August 8, 2019, the Company entered into a second license agreement with Yissum with respect to the research results relating to the synthesis of novel cannabinoid dual-action compounds and novel chemical derivatives of cannabigerol and tetrahydrocannabivarin. Under this license agreement, the Company is required to pay earned royalties based upon a percentage of net sales at one percentage for regulated products and a lesser percentage for non-regulated products. The Company is obligated to pay development milestone payments tied to regulated products totaling $1,225,000 in the aggregate and $100,000 for non-regulated products in the aggregate. None of the milestones in the agreement have been reached as of June 30, 2023 and no related amounts have been recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, as there is no obligation to make any milestone payments.

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Commitments and Contingencies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

6. Commitments and Contingencies

Research and Development Agreements

The Company has entered into various research and development agreements which require the Company to provide certain funding and support. See Note 5 for further information regarding these agreements.

Legal Proceedings

The Company continues to be a party in several litigation matters initiated by or against certain adverse parties and certain of their affiliates and/or related parties (the “Adverse Parties”) who are stockholders of the Company and certain of whom are also former officers and/or directors of the Company. As previously disclosed, one of such Adverse Parties initiated litigation with respect to a dispute about ownership of certain shares and various other matters. Most recently, a trial date was scheduled for May 25, 2023, which was subsequently postponed. It is currently uncertain as to when any trial date may be rescheduled. One of the Adverse Parties also initiated an action in the Supreme Court of the State of New York (the “New York Court”) alleging, among other things, that he was wrongfully terminated by the Company. In March 2023, the New York Court dismissed all of the claims in such action other than the wrongful termination claim. Due to the factual nature of such claim, it remains subject to further proceedings. The status and timing of the remaining litigation matters are uncertain. The outcome relating to any such matters, and litigation generally, are highly unpredictable and the costs of litigation, including legal fees, costs and expenses, and the possible liabilities, including monetary damages, to which the Company could become subject could be significant. Any such liabilities could have a material

adverse effect on the Company. The Company’s existing capital resources will not be sufficient to implement its business plan, including the development of its drug candidates, especially if the Company continues to be subject to or pursuing ongoing litigation. The Company requires additional financing and there can be no assurance that any such financing will be available on satisfactory terms, or at all. Failure to obtain additional financing will have a material adverse effect on the Company.

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Stockholders' Equity

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity

7. Stockholders’ Equity

Preferred Stock

The Company is authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.001 per share with such designation, rights and preferences as may be determined from time-to-time by the Company’s board of directors. Authority is expressly vested in the board of directors to authorize the issuance of one or more series of preferred stock. All 20,000,000 shares remained unissued as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Common Stock

The Company is authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.001 per share. The number of authorized shares of common stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares of common stock then outstanding) by an affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the common stock.

The powers, preferences, and rights of the holders of the common stock are junior to the preferred stock and are subject to all the powers, rights, privileges, preferences, and priorities of the preferred stock. The holder of each share of common stock shall have the right to one vote per share. Each holder of common stock shall be entitled to receive dividends and distributions (whether payable in cash or otherwise) as declared by the board of directors of the Company, subject to the rights of any class of preferred stock outstanding. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company (whether voluntary or involuntary), the assets available for distribution to holders of common stock will be in equal amounts per share.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company raised an aggregate of approximately $10,000 and $934,500, from the sale of 200,000 and 18,690,000 shares of common stock, respectively at a price of $0.05 per share, in connection with the Scopus Private Placement.

Warrants

Each W Warrant is exercisable for one Series B Unit (“B Unit”). Each B Unit consists of one share of common stock and one Series Z Warrant (“Z Warrant”). Each Z Warrant is exercisable for one share of common stock. The exercise price of the W Warrant is $4.00, and the exercise price of the Z Warrant is $5.00. The W Warrants became exercisable on October 1, 2021 and the Z Warrants became exercisable on July 1, 2022. The W Warrants and Z Warrants expire on September 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027, respectively, unless previously exercised.

In October 2022, in connection with a recapitalization of Duet, Scopus entered into exchange agreements with the holders of 10,439,670 W Warrants, exercisable into an aggregate of 20,879,340 shares of Scopus common stock, pursuant to which such W Warrants were exchanged for 1,043,989 Duet Shares previously owned by Scopus (the “Warrant Exchanges”). Each W Warrant was exchanged for one-tenth of a Duet Share. Upon completion of the Warrant Exchanges, the exchanged W Warrants were cancelled.

Subsequent to the Warrant Exchanges, Scopus held an approximately 90% financial interest in Duet. As such, the Warrant Exchanges resulted in a deficit to the noncontrolling interest account of $379,522, which represents the portion of Duet’s noncontrolling stockholders’ interest in the negative book value of Duet at the date of the Warrant Exchanges.

As of June 30, 2023, 1,414,539 Scopus warrants were outstanding and exercisable at a weighted-average exercise price of $3.56. As of June 30, 2023, the remaining contractual term of the outstanding warrants was 3.1 years. Of the 1,414,539 Scopus warrants outstanding as of June 30, 2023, 1,164,539 are W Warrants, and 250,000 are warrants exercisable into one share of common stock each, at an exercise price of $1.50 per warrant, with an expiration date of October 3, 2025.

AIOs

As of June 30, 2023, the Company had outstanding Series A Additional Investment Options (the “Series A AIOs”) to purchase 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock and Series B Additional Investment Options (the “Series B AIOs,” together with the Series A AIOs, the “AIOs”) to purchase 1,500,000 shares of common stock, at a purchase price of $3.25 per share. The Series A AIOs were exercisable immediately upon issuance and expire five years from January 18, 2022 and an exercise price of $3.125 per share. The Series B AIOs became exercisable upon effectiveness of that certain Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No 333-261991), which was declared effective by the SEC on January 18, 2022, and expire five years from January 18, 2022 and an exercise price of $3.125 per share.

In addition, as of June 30, 2023, certain AIOs issued to a placement agent during 2021 were outstanding (the “Placement Agent AIOs”), which allow the placement agent to purchase up to 225,000 shares of common stock. The Placement Agent AIOs have an exercise price equal to $4.0625, and expire five years from January 18, 2022.

As of June 30, 2022, no AIOs or Placement Agent AIOs have been exercised or forfeited. As of June 30, 2023, an aggregate of  3,225,000 AIOs and Placement Agent AIOs were outstanding at a weighted-average exercise price of $3.19. As of June 30, 2023, the remaining contractual term of the outstanding AIOs was 3.4 years.

Contingent Common Stock

As a result of the Company’s acquisition of Bioscience Oncology in June 2021, the previous shareholders of Bioscience Oncology are eligible to receive remaining contingent consideration of up to approximately 1.3 million shares of common stock upon the achievement of a specified milestone, which will be recorded when it is determined the corresponding milestone is probable to be achieved. No such milestones were achieved through June 30, 2023.

Noncontrolling Interest

In connection with the Warrant Exchanges, Duet’s certificate of incorporation was amended and restated to authorize (i) an additional 50,000,000 shares of capital stock and (ii) the redesignation of its common stock to include shares of Class A common stock (“Class A Common Stock”) and shares of Class B common stock (“Class B Common Stock”). The Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are identical, except that the holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to ten votes per share and holders of Class B Shares are entitled to one vote per share. All of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock are owned by Scopus. In addition, each share of Class A Common Stock is convertible, at the option of Scopus in its sole discretion, at any time into one share of Class B Common Stock. Each share of Class A Common Stock becomes automatically convertible into one share of Class B Common Stock if it is held by anyone other than Scopus or a permitted transferee.

During the fourth quarter of 2022, Duet raised approximately $276,065 in connection with the Duet Private Placement. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, in connection with the Duet Private Placement, Duet raised an additional $6,762 and $1,096,365, respectively, from the sale of common stock shares and Duet Warrants to third-party stockholders. The related issuance costs were approximately $20 and $84,092 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, $5,962 and $33,950 related to the Duet Private Placement was included in stock subscriptions receivable in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, respectively.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, $22,416 and ($12,812), respectively, was allocated to the noncontrolling stockholders’ interest due to the change in ownership of Duet and as a result of the proceeds received in connection with the Duet Private Placement.

After giving effect to the Warrant Exchanges and the Duet Private Placement, Scopus continues to be the controlling stockholder of Duet with voting control of approximately 98%.

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Stock Options

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Stock Options

Stock Options

8. Stock Options

Effective September 24, 2018, the Company approved the Scopus BioPharma Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), and reserved 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, such amount subsequently being increased to 2,400,000 shares, for issuance under the Plan. As of June 30, 2023,  there were 1,800,000 shares authorized for issuance under the Plan, subject to the Company having sufficient authorized shares for any such issuances. The stock options shall be granted at an exercise price per share equal to at least the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the date of grant and generally vest over a three-year period.

Stock option activity is summarized as follows for the six months ended June 30, 2023:

				Weighted-
		Weighted-		average
		average		Remaining
	Options	Exercise Price		Contractual Life
Outstanding at December 31, 2022	772,500	$	5.15		4.20
Granted	—	$	—		—
Exercised	—	$	—		—
Forfeited	—	$	—		—
Outstanding at June 30, 2023	772,500	$	5.15		3.70
Vested and exercisable at June 30, 2023	726,801	$	5.13		3.78
Unvested at June 30, 2023	45,699	$	5.50		2.46

Included in the table above are 172,500 options issued to the underwriters outside of the Plan in connection with the Company’s public offerings during 2020 and 2021.

Stock-based compensation expense associated with the vesting of options was $78,108 and $95,028 for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense associated with the vesting of options was $156,216 and $190,056 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. This cost is included in “General and administrative” expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. As of June 30, 2023, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense was $142,779 and is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average contractual vesting term of approximately 0.5 years.

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Related Party Transactions

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions

9. Related Party Transactions

The Company has a management services agreement, as amended, with Portfolio Services, an affiliated entity, to provide management services to the Company including, without limitation, financial and accounting resources, general business development, corporate development, corporate governance, marketing strategy, strategic development and planning, coordination with service providers and other services as agreed upon between the parties. The Company pays Portfolio Services a monthly management services fee plus related expense reimbursement and provision of office space and facilities. Effective April 1, 2023, pursuant to an amendment to the management services agreement, the Company is obligated to pay monthly a management services fee and monthly facilities fee of $75,000 and $3,000, respectively.

During the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company incurred expenses of $234,000 and $159,000 of management services fees related to the management services agreement, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company incurred expenses of $393,000 and $318,000 of management services fees related to the management services agreement, respectively. The costs are included in “General and administrative” expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. Amounts payable to Portfolio Services as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were $75,000 and $50,706, respectively.

Pursuant to a management services agreement with Clil Medical Ltd. (“Clil”), an affiliate of a co-founder and former director of the Company, such individual was obligated to provide executive and other management services to the Company. This management services agreement was terminated in June 2020 and, concurrently, such individual resigned as a director of the Company, but continued to serve in various other capacities for the Company and its subsidiaries. Subsequently, such individual submitted resignations to the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company and such individual do not agree on various matters, including obligations under the applicable management services agreement, both prior and subsequent to its termination. The amounts for the services provided through the termination date were fully accrued for as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. No expenses were incurred under this management services agreement during either of the three or six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the total amount due to Clil was $198,530, and is included in “Accounts payable and accrued expenses” on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

On September 26, 2021, the Board approved an indemnification agreement (the “Indemnification Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company has agreed to indemnify each of the Executive Committee Directors, the employees of HCFP, and certain affiliates and related entities (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, including reasonable attorney’s fees, suffered or incurred by the Indemnified Parties in connection with any disputes, litigation or threatened litigation (whether existing prior to or commencing after the date of the Indemnification Agreement) involving certain current or former executives and directors of the Company and arising or resulting from any Indemnified Party’s affiliation or involvement with the Company, including in connection with the provision of additional services beyond those initially contemplated under the Portfolio Services management services agreement. The Indemnification Agreement also provides that the Company will advance expenses to any Indemnified Party, including legal fees, incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with any litigation or proceeding to which such Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification under the Indemnification Agreement. The Company incurred $0 and $8,501 in legal fees and other expenses in connection with this Indemnification Agreement for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company incurred $0 and $25,807 in legal fees and other expenses in connection with this Indemnification Agreement for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

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Income Taxes

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

10. Income Taxes

The Company did not provide for any income taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. The Company has evaluated the positive and negative evidence bearing upon its ability to realize the deferred tax assets. Management has considered the Company’s history of cumulative net losses incurred since inception and its lack of commercialization of any products or generation of any revenue from product sales since inception and has concluded that it is not more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of the deferred tax assets. Accordingly, a full valuation allowance has been established against the deferred tax assets as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Management reevaluates the positive and negative evidence at each reporting period.

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Subsequent Events

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events

11. Subsequent Events

Since the commencement of their respective private placements and as of August 11, 2023, Scopus and Duet raised aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $2.4 million on a consolidated basis in concurrent financings resulting from the sale of shares of Scopus common stock, Duet Shares, and Duet Warrants to third-party investors (Note 7). Shares of Scopus common stock were sold at a price of $0.05 per share and the Duet Shares and Duet Warrants were sold on the same terms as disclosed in Note 7.

On July 21, 2023, the Company commenced a written consent solicitation of its stockholders (the “Consent Solicitation”) to approve amendments to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to: (i) increase the Company’s number of authorized shares of common stock from 50,000,000 to 500,000,000 (the “Authorized Share Increase”) and (ii) effect a reverse stock split of its common stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”) with the Board having the discretion as to whether or not and/or when the Reverse Stock Split is to be effected, with the exact ratio of such Reverse Stock Split to be set at a whole number within the range of 1-for-10 and 1-for-100 as determined by the Board in its discretion. As of August 10, 2023, each of the Authorized Share Increase and the Reverse Stock Split was approved by the Company’s stockholders.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In management’s opinion, the accompanying statements reflect adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for those periods indicated, and contain adequate disclosure to make the information presented not misleading. Adjustments included herein are of a normal, recurring nature unless otherwise disclosed in the footnotes. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all of the accounts of Scopus and its wholly owned subsidiaries, which include VSI and SBI, and its majority-owned subsidiary, Duet. The portion of Duet not owned by Scopus is presented as a noncontrolling interest as of and during the periods consolidated. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2022 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on April 14, 2023 (the “2022 Form 10-K”).

The accompanying balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 has been derived from the audited balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 contained in the Company’s 2022 Form 10-K. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the result of operations for a full year.

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency

The functional currency of Scopus, VSI and Duet is the U.S. Dollar, and the functional currency of SBI is the Israeli New Shekel. All assets and liabilities of SBI are translated at the current exchange rate as of the end of the period and the related translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates in effect during the period. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses resulting from, or expected to result from, transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are recognized in “General and administrative” expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) includes net loss as well as other changes in stockholders’ equity that result from transactions and economic events other than those with stockholders. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, consists of foreign currency translation adjustment gains (losses) of $30,231 and ($4,954) as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant estimates in these condensed consolidated financial statements include those related to the fair value of stock-based compensation, the provision or benefit for income taxes and the corresponding valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, and probability of meeting certain milestones. In addition, management’s assessment of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern involves the estimation of the amount and timing of future cash inflows and outflows. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, judgments, and methodologies. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions believed to be reasonable. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Cash

Cash

At times, the balance of the Company’s cash deposits may exceed federally insured limits, and there is no insurance on cash deposits within Israel. The Company has not experienced and does not anticipate any losses on deposits with commercial banks and financial institutions which exceed federally insured limits.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. The property and equipment balances as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 consist of computer equipment. Depreciation on property and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of 3 years.

Depreciation expense for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 was $334 and $582, respectively. Depreciation expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 was $565 and $1,191, respectively.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses are expensed as incurred and consist principally of internal and external costs which includes contract research services, laboratory supplies, acquired in-process research and development, as well as development and manufacture of compounds and consumables for clinical trials and pre-clinical testing.

Fair Value Measurement

Fair Value Measurement

Certain assets and liabilities are carried at fair value in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Fair value is defined as the price which would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A three-tier fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies, are as follows:

Level 1Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets which are not active, or other inputs observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting the Company’s own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment.

As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the carrying amounts of the Company’s cash, and accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their respective fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

There were no assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Stock Subscriptions Receivable

Stock Subscriptions Receivable

The stock subscriptions receivable balances as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 include cash to be received for shares of Class B common stock of Duet (“Duet Shares”), Series W Warrants of Duet (“Duet Warrants”), and/or common stock shares of Scopus issued prior to the balance sheet date, in connection with the Duet Private Placement and Scopus Private Placement (see Note 3).

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for share-based payments in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (“Topic 718”). Under Topic 718, the Company measures, and records compensation expense related to share-based payment awards (to employees and non-employees) based on the grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Forfeitures are recognized when they occur. The Company calculates the fair value of options granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the following assumptions:

Expected Volatility – Due to the lack of substantial company-specific historical and implied volatility data of its common stock, the Company has based its estimate of expected volatility on the historical volatility of a group of similar public companies. When selecting these companies on which it has based its expected stock price volatility, the Company selected companies with comparable characteristics to it, including enterprise value, risk profiles, position within the industry and with historical share price information sufficient to meet the expected term of the stock-based awards. The Company will continue to apply this process until sufficient amount of historical information regarding the volatility of its own stock price becomes available.

Expected Term – The expected term of the Company’s options represents the period that the stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding. The Company has limited historical data upon which it can estimate the expected lives of the share-based payment awards and accordingly has used the simplified method allowable under SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 14 for employee holders and the contractual term for non-employee holders.

Risk-Free Interest Rate – The risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a term that is equal to the expected term of the options at the grant date.

Dividend Yield – The Company has not declared or paid dividends to date and does not anticipate declaring dividends in the foreseeable future. As such, the dividend yield has been estimated to be zero.

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest represents the portion of net book value (deficit) in Duet that is not owned by Scopus and is reported as a component of stockholders’ equity (deficit) in Scopus’s condensed consolidated balance sheets (see Note 7). Net income (loss) is allocated to the noncontrolling interest based on the noncontrolling ownership percentage held in Duet.

Net Loss Per Share

Net Loss Per Share

Basic net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders is calculated by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the relevant period. Since the Company was in a loss position for all periods presented, basic net loss per share is the same as dilutive net loss per share as the inclusion of the weighted-average number of all potential dilutive common shares, which consists of stock options, warrants and AIOs, would be anti-dilutive.

The following table presents the weighted-average, potentially dilutive shares that were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share of common stock attributable to common stockholders, because their effect was anti-dilutive:

	Three Months Ended June 30,		Six Months Ended June 30,
	2023	2022	2023	2022
Warrants	2,579,078	23,458,418	2,579,078	23,458,418
Stock options	772,500	776,321	772,500	812,600
Additional Investment Options (AIOs)	3,225,000	3,225,000	3,225,000	3,225,000
Contingent consideration in common stock	1,266,666	1,266,666	1,266,666	1,266,666
Total	7,843,244	28,726,405	7,843,244	28,762,684

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Schedule of weighted-average, potentially dilutive shares that were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share of common stock attributable to common stockholders

	Three Months Ended June 30,		Six Months Ended June 30,
	2023	2022	2023	2022
Warrants	2,579,078	23,458,418	2,579,078	23,458,418
Stock options	772,500	776,321	772,500	812,600
Additional Investment Options (AIOs)	3,225,000	3,225,000	3,225,000	3,225,000
Contingent consideration in common stock	1,266,666	1,266,666	1,266,666	1,266,666
Total	7,843,244	28,726,405	7,843,244	28,762,684

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Accounts payable and accrued expenses (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

Schedule of accounts payable and accrued expenses

	June 30,		December 31,
	2023		2022
Professional fees	$	5,044,152	$	4,748,128
Research and development expenses		5,418,606		2,028,923
Management service fees and expenses (related parties)		273,530		249,236
Other accounts payable and accrued expenses		172,629		175,639
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	10,908,917	$	7,201,926

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Stock Options (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Stock Options

Schedule of stock option activity

				Weighted-
		Weighted-		average
		average		Remaining
	Options	Exercise Price		Contractual Life
Outstanding at December 31, 2022	772,500	$	5.15		4.20
Granted	—	$	—		—
Exercised	—	$	—		—
Forfeited	—	$	—		—
Outstanding at June 30, 2023	772,500	$	5.15		3.70
Vested and exercisable at June 30, 2023	726,801	$	5.13		3.78
Unvested at June 30, 2023	45,699	$	5.50		2.46

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Organization and Description of the Business - Going concern (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022
Organization and Description of the Business
Net loss	$ 2,928,858	$ 2,679,656	$ 3,319,603	$ 5,608,514	$ 7,980,377
Accumulated deficit	$ 58,131,350			58,131,350		$ 53,064,975
Net cash used in operating activities				1,769,072	$ 6,853,073
Working capital deficit				$ (10,506,241)

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022	Oct. 31, 2022
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	$ 30,231		$ 30,231		$ (4,954)
Estimated Useful Life of Computer equipment	3 years		3 years
Depreciation expense	$ 334	$ 582	$ 565	$ 1,191
Duet
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Ownership percentage in Duet	98.00%		98.00%			90.00%

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Weighted average potentially dilutive shares (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Total	7,843,244	28,726,405	7,843,244	28,762,684
Warrants
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Total	2,579,078	23,458,418	2,579,078	23,458,418
Stock options
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Total	772,500	776,321	772,500	812,600
Additional Investment Options (AIOs)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Total	3,225,000	3,225,000	3,225,000	3,225,000
Contingent consideration in common stock
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Total	1,266,666	1,266,666	1,266,666	1,266,666

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Equity offerings (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jan. 18, 2022
Equity offerings
Proceeds from issuance of warrants and shares			$ 934,480
Placement Agent
Equity offerings
Exercise price				$ 4.0625
Exercisable term		5 years
Series A Additional Investment Options
Equity offerings
Exercise price				3.125
Series B Additional Investment Options
Equity offerings
Exercise price				$ 3.125
Private placement
Equity offerings
Offering price (per share)	$ 0.05		$ 0.05
Proceeds from issuance of warrants and shares	$ 10,000		$ 934,500
Duet Private Placement
Equity offerings
Offering price (per share)		$ 2.50
Stock subscription receivable	5,962	$ 33,950	5,962
Additional proceeds from issuance of warrants and shares	6,762		1,096,365
Proceeds from issuance of warrants and shares		$ 276,065
Issuance costs related to the issuance of units and warrants	$ 20		$ 84,092
Price per warrant		$ 0.05
Exercise price		$ 2.50

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Accounts payable and accrued expenses (Details) - USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Professional fees	$ 5,044,152	$ 4,748,128
Research and development expenses	5,418,606	2,028,923
Management service fees and expenses (related parties)	273,530	249,236
Other accounts payable and accrued expenses	172,629	175,639
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 10,908,917	$ 7,201,926

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Research and Development Agreements - City of Hope License Agreement and Sponsored Research Agreement (Details)				1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 19, 2022 USD ($)	Apr. 07, 2022 USD ($)	Jun. 25, 2021 USD ($) item	Sep. 30, 2022 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2022 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2022 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Research and Development Agreements
Research and development expense relating to the phase 1 clinical trail		$ 200,000
City of Hope License Agreement
Research and Development Agreements
Development and product approval milestones					$ 3,525,000
Duet License Agreements
Research and Development Agreements
Upfront license fees						$ 12,500	$ 12,500	$ 25,000	$ 25,000
Accrued license fees						262,307		262,307		$ 233,076
Development and product approval milestones			$ 13,500,000			0		0
ASO Patent Rights license agreement
Research and Development Agreements
Number of license agreements | item			2
Non-refundable license payment	25,000
Non-refundable license payment period (in days)	5 days
Development and product approval milestones			$ 6,750,000
Decoy Patent Rights license agreement
Research and Development Agreements
Development and product approval milestones			$ 6,750,000
City of Hope | City of Hope License Agreement
Research and Development Agreements
Upfront license fees						7,500	7,500	15,000	15,000
Development and product approval milestones						0		0
Term of contract					2 years
Additional costs to the company				$ 0
Common stock issued for R&D milestone						0	48,611	0	111,111
Research and development expense relating to the phase 1 clinical trail						0	0	44,000	43,433
City of Hope | City of Hope License Agreement | Kortylewski SRA
Research and Development Agreements
Research and development expense relating to the phase 1 clinical trail						$ 50,722	$ 47,119	$ 104,262	$ 47,119

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Research and Development Agreements - Agreement Related to Intellectual Property Rights (Details) - Patent License Agreement - Licensor - VSI - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		74 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023
Research and Development Agreements
Fee incurred	$ 0	$ 5,017	$ 0	$ 10,034
Sales of licensed products					$ 0
Sublicensing consideration paid			0
Research and development
Research and Development Agreements
Minimum annual royalty payments	$ 0	$ 6,250	$ 0	$ 12,500

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Research and Development Agreements - Memorandums of Understanding (Details) - SBI - Yissum Research Development Company			52 Months Ended
	Aug. 08, 2019 USD ($)	Jul. 28, 2018 item	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($)
Memorandums of Understanding
Research and Development Agreements
Number of memorandums | item		2
Milestone payments obligation			$ 0
Development milestone payments tied to regulated products	$ 1,225,000
Development milestone payments tied to non-regulated products	$ 100,000
License agreement, one
Research and Development Agreements
Sales of licensed products			0
License agreement, two
Research and Development Agreements
Milestone payments obligation			$ 0
Percentage of net sales for regulated products	1.00%

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Stockholders' Equity - Preferred and Common Stock (Details)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($) Vote $ / shares shares	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($) Vote $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2022 $ / shares shares
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares) | shares	20,000,000	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, par value per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.001	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) | shares	50,000,000	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common Stock, par value per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.001	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, number of votes per share | Vote	1	1
Proceeds from Scopus Private Placement | $	$ 10,000	$ 934,500
Number of shares issued (in shares) | shares	200,000	18,690,000
Common stock issued, value per share | $ / shares	$ 0.05	$ 0.05

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Stockholders' Equity - Warrants (Details) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 04, 2020	Oct. 31, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023
Stockholders' Equity
Number of shares/units called by each warrant (in shares)			1
Number of warrants outstanding			1,414,539
Share of common stock each			1
Number of warrants exercisable			250,000
Weighted-average exercise price of warrants exercisable			$ 1.50
Scopus warrants outstanding			1,414,539
Exchange agreement
Stockholders' Equity
Number of warrants outstanding		10,439,670
Number of shares issued in recapitalization		20,879,340
Scopus warrants outstanding		10,439,670
Series B Unit | Common Stock
Stockholders' Equity
Number of shares in each unit (in shares)	1
Duet
Stockholders' Equity
Deficit in noncontrolling interest		$ 379,522
Duet
Stockholders' Equity
Percentage of financial interest held		90.00%	98.00%
Series W Warrants
Stockholders' Equity
Number of warrants outstanding			1,164,539
Number of warrants exercisable			1,414,539
Weighted-average exercise price of warrants exercisable			$ 3.56
Remaining weighted average contractual term of warrants			3 years 1 month 6 days
Scopus warrants outstanding			1,164,539
Series W Warrants | Exchange agreement
Stockholders' Equity
Number of shares/units called by each warrant (in shares)		1,043,989
Share of common stock each		1,043,989
Series W Warrants | Series B Unit
Stockholders' Equity
Number of shares/units called by each warrant (in shares)	1
Share of common stock each	1
Weighted-average exercise price of warrants outstanding	$ 4.00
Series W Warrants | Duet | Exchange agreement
Stockholders' Equity
Number of shares/units called by each warrant (in shares)		0.1
Share of common stock each		0.1
Series Z Warrant | Series B Unit
Stockholders' Equity
Number of shares in each unit (in shares)	1
Number of warrants in each unit (in shares)	1
Weighted-average exercise price of warrants outstanding	$ 5.00

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Stockholders' Equity - AIOs (Details) - $ / shares		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 18, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Stockholders' Equity
Scopus warrants outstanding		1,414,539
Purchase price		$ 0.05
Placement Agent
Stockholders' Equity
Class of warrant or rights year from which warrants or rights exercisable	5 years
Exercise price	$ 4.0625
Number of AIO's to purchase common stock		225,000
Series A Additional Investment Options
Stockholders' Equity
Class of warrant or rights year from which warrants or rights exercisable	5 years
Exercise price	$ 3.125
Series B Additional Investment Options
Stockholders' Equity
Class of warrant or rights year from which warrants or rights exercisable	5 years
Exercise price	$ 3.125
Number of AIO's to purchase common stock		1,500,000
Purchase price		$ 3.25
Additional Investment Options (AIOs)
Stockholders' Equity
Scopus warrants outstanding		3,225,000	0
Weighted-average exercise price of warrants outstanding		$ 3.19
Remaining contractual term of warrants		3 years 4 months 24 days
Number of AIO's to purchase common stock		1,500,000

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Stockholders' Equity - Contingent Common Stock (Details) shares in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023 shares
Stockholders' Equity
Number of contingent shares to be receivable by shareholders	1.3

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Stockholders' Equity - Noncontrolling Interest (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($) Vote shares	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) $ / shares	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($) Vote shares	Oct. 31, 2022
Stockholders' Equity
Proceeds from issuance of warrants and shares			$ 934,480
Duet Private Placement
Stockholders' Equity
Proceeds from issuance of warrants and shares		$ 276,065
Additional proceeds from issuance of warrants and shares	$ 6,762		1,096,365
Issuance costs	20		84,092
Stock subscription receivable	$ 5,962	$ 33,950	5,962
Offering price (per share) | $ / shares		$ 2.50
Duet
Stockholders' Equity
Proceeds from issuance of warrants and shares		$ 276,065
Amount allocated to non-controlling interest			$ (12,812)
Percentage of financial interest held	98.00%		98.00%	90.00%
Duet | Exchange agreement
Stockholders' Equity
Number of additional shares of capital stock authorized | shares			50,000,000
Duet | Exchange agreement | Class B Common Stock
Stockholders' Equity
Number of votes per share | Vote	1		1
Number of shares issued per unit / share | shares	1		1
Duet | Exchange agreement | Class A Common Stock
Stockholders' Equity
Number of votes per share | Vote	10		10
Number of shares issued per unit / share | shares	1		1
Duet | Duet
Stockholders' Equity
Amount allocated to non-controlling interest	$ 22,416

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Stock Options - Stock option activity (Details) - $ / shares	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Options
Outstanding at beginning balance	772,500
Outstanding at ending balance	772,500	772,500
Vested and exercisable at June 30, 2023	726,801
Unvested at June 30, 2023	45,699
Weighted-average Exercise Price
Outstanding beginning balance	$ 5.15
Outstanding at ending balance	5.15	$ 5.15
Vested and exercisable at June 30, 2023	5.13
Unvested at June 30, 2023	$ 5.50
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life
Options, weighted-average remaining contractual life	3 years 8 months 12 days	4 years 2 months 12 days
Vested and exercisable at June 30, 2023	3 years 9 months 10 days
Unvested at June 30, 2023	2 years 5 months 15 days

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Stock Options - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022	Sep. 24, 2018
Stock Options
Option issued to underwriters	772,500		772,500		772,500
Stock-based compensation associated with vesting options	$ 78,108	$ 95,028	$ 156,216	$ 190,056
Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	$ 142,779		$ 142,779
Remaining weighted-average contractual vesting term			6 months
Over-allotment option
Stock Options
Option issued to underwriters	172,500		172,500
2018 Equity Incentive Plan
Stock Options
Shares reserved for future issuance	1,800,000		1,800,000			1,000,000
Increase in shares reserved for future issuance						2,400,000
Vesting period (in years)			3 years

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Related Party Transactions - Portfolio Services (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022
Related Party Transactions
Other current liabilities	$ 93,178		$ 93,178		$ 252,508
Indemnification Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Legal and other related professional fees	0	$ 8,501	0	$ 25,807
Related party
Related Party Transactions
Other current liabilities	75,000		75,000		50,706
Due to related parties	198,530		198,530		$ 198,530
Clil Medical Ltd
Related Party Transactions
Expense from related party transaction	0	0	0	0
Portfolio Services
Related Party Transactions
Monthly management services fee	75,000
Expense from related party transaction	234,000	$ 159,000	$ 393,000	$ 318,000
Monthly facilities fee	$ 3,000

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Subsequent Events (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Aug. 11, 2023	Jul. 21, 2023	Jul. 20, 2023	Jun. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Subsequent Events
Common stock issued, value per share				$ 0.05
Common stock, shares authorized				50,000,000	50,000,000
Subsequent Events
Subsequent Events
Duet raised aggregate gross proceeds	$ 2.4
Common stock issued, value per share	$ 0.05
Common stock, shares authorized		500,000,000	50,000,000