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Description of Business and Going Concern Considerations
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Description of Business and Going Concern Considerations

1. Description of Business and Going Concern Considerations

 

Following the Business Combination, the Company is a biopharmaceutical company that is focused on discovering and developing therapeutic products in oncology, fibrosis, and infectious diseases.

 

Business Combination Agreement

 

On February 14, 2023, Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp. (“AHAC”) completed the acquisition of Ocean Biomedical Holdings, Inc. (“Legacy Ocean”) pursuant to the definitive agreement dated August 31, 2022, and as amended on December 5, 2022 (the “Business Combination Agreement”), by and among, AHAC, AHAC Merger Sub Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AHAC, Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, LLC, Legacy Ocean, and Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria (the “Closing”). Upon Closing, AHAC Merger Sub Inc. merged with and into Legacy Ocean, with Legacy Ocean surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of AHAC. AHAC changed its name from “Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp.” to “Ocean Biomedical, Inc.” and is referred to herein as “the Company.” Unless context otherwise requires, the reference to “AHAC” refers to the Company prior to Closing.

 

Under the Business Combination Agreement, the Company acquired all outstanding capital stock of Legacy Ocean for approximately $240.0 million, in aggregate consideration before transaction and other fees, which Legacy Ocean stockholders received in the form of shares of common stock of the Company (the consummation of the business combination and other transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, collectively, the “Business Combination”).

 

The Business Combination was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). Under this method of accounting, AHAC, which is the legal acquirer, is treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes and Legacy Ocean is treated as the accounting acquirer. The net assets of AHAC are stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. All historical financial information presented in the condensed consolidated financial statements represents Legacy Ocean and its wholly owned subsidiaries as Legacy Ocean is the predecessor to the Company. The wholly owned subsidiaries include: (i) Ocean ChitofibroRx Inc., (ii) Ocean ChitoRx Inc., (iii) Ocean Sihoma Inc., and (iv) Ocean Promise, Inc. The Business Combination is accounted for as the equivalent of a capital transaction in which the Company has issued stock for the net assets of AHAC.

 

The Company’s common stock and warrants commenced trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the symbols “OCEA” and “OCEAW,” respectively, on February 15, 2023. Refer to Note 3, Business Combination and Backstop Agreement, for additional details.

 

The Company is subject to risks common to companies in the biopharmaceutical industry, including, but not limited to, risks related to the successful development and commercialization of product candidates, fluctuations in operating results and financial risks, the ability to successfully raise additional funds when needed, protection of proprietary rights and patent risks, patent litigation, compliance with government regulations, dependence on key personnel and prospective collaborative partners, and competition from competing products in the marketplace.

 

Going Concern Considerations

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.

 

The Company had no cash inflows from operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had minimal cash, restricted cash of $0.2 million, and a working capital deficiency of $32.6 million. The Company’s current operating plan indicates it will incur losses from operations and generate negative cash flows from operating activities, given anticipated expenditures related to research and development activities and its lack of revenue generating ability at this point in the Company’s lifecycle. These events and conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date these financial statements are issued.

 

The Company will need to raise additional funds in order to advance its research and development programs, operate its business, and meet its current and future obligations as they come due. Based on the Company’s current operational plans and assumptions, which may not be realized, the Company expects to use the net proceeds from the Backstop Agreement (as defined in Note 3, Business Combination and Backstop Agreement) and future debt and equity financings, including possibly under the Common Stock Purchase Agreement (as defined in Note 3, Business Combination and Backstop Agreement) and the SPA entered into in May 2023 (as defined in Note 7, Senior Secured Convertible Notes) as well as further deferrals of certain of its accrued expenses and contingency payments due upon the closing of future financings to fund operations. However, the Company’s ability to utilize certain of its in-place financing arrangements, such as the Backstop Agreement, or execute on new sources of liquidity are dependent on various factors outside of the Company’s control, including market conditions and the performance of the Company’s common stock.

 

There is no assurance that the Company will be successful in obtaining additional financing on terms acceptable to the Company, if at all, and the Company may not be able to enter into collaborations or other arrangements. If the Company is unable to obtain funding, the Company could be forced to delay, reduce, or eliminate its research and development programs, which could adversely affect its business prospects and its ability to continue operations.

 

The accompanying 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 that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Impacts of Market Conditions on Our Business

 

Disruption of global financial markets and a recession or market correction, including the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the related sanctions imposed against Russia, the effects of Hamas’ attack of Israel and the ensuing war, and other global macroeconomic factors such as inflation and rising interest rates, could reduce the Company’s ability to access capital, which could in the future negatively affect the Company’s liquidity and could materially affect the Company’s business and the value of its common stock.