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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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 from to

 

Commission File Number: 001-39563

 

GEOVAX LABS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 87-0455038
(State or other jurisdiction (IRS Employer Identification No.)
of incorporation or organization)  
   
1900 Lake Park Drive, Suite 380  
Smyrna, Georgia 30080
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

         

(678) 384-7220

(Registrants telephone number, including area code)

 

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

Title of each Class

Trading Symbol

Name of each Exchange on which Registered

Common Stock $0.001 par value

GOVX

The Nasdaq Capital Market

Warrants to Purchase Common Stock

GOVXW

The Nasdaq Capital Market

 

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 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, 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 Emerging growth company
  Smaller reporting 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 9, 2023, 26,443,649 shares of the Registrant’s common stock, $.001 par value, were issued and outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page

PART I  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 
     

Item 1

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements:

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2023 (unaudited) and December 31, 2022

1

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three-month and six-month periods ended  June 30, 2023 and 2022 (unaudited) 2

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 (unaudited) 3

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six-month periods ended  June 30, 2023 and 2022 (unaudited)

4

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

5
     

Item 2

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

8

     

Item 3

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

13

     

Item 4

Controls and Procedures

13

     

PART II  OTHER INFORMATION

 
     

Item 1

Legal Proceedings

14

     

Item 1A

Risk Factors

14

     

Item 2

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

14

     

Item 3

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

14

     

Item 4

Mine Safety Disclosures

14

     

Item 5

Other Information

14

     

Item 6

Exhibits

15

     

SIGNATURES

 

16

 

 

 

Part I -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1         Financial Statements

 

 

GEOVAX LABS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

   

June 30

   

December 31,

 
   

2023

   

2022

 
   

(unaudited)

         
ASSETS                
Current assets:                

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 17,788,911     $ 27,612,732  

Prepaid expenses

    2,038,283       1,325,998  

Total current assets

    19,827,194       28,938,730  

Property and equipment, net

    224,080       234,912  

Other assets

    1,197,788       2,174,286  
                 

Total assets

  $ 21,249,062     $ 31,347,928  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
Current liabilities:                

Accounts payable

  $ 871,131     $ 1,747,682  

Accrued expenses

    3,214,381       3,000,212  

Total current liabilities

    4,085,512       4,747,894  
                 
Commitments (Note 4)                
                 
Stockholders’ equity:                

Common stock, $.001 par value:

               

Authorized shares – 600,000,000

               

Issued and outstanding shares – 26,443,649 and 26,334,953 at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively

    26,444       26,335  

Additional paid-in capital

    105,499,665       104,970,722  

Accumulated deficit

    (88,362,559 )     (78,397,023 )

Total stockholders’ equity

    17,163,550       26,600,034  
                 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 21,249,062     $ 31,347,928  

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

1

 

 

GEOVAX LABS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

   

Three Months Ended June 30,

   

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
   

2023

   

2022

   

2023

   

2022

 

Grant revenue

  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 81,526  
                                 

Operating expenses:

                               

Research and development

    4,719,728       1,307,177       7,538,917       2,637,721  

General and administrative

    1,459,093       935,311       2,910,518       2,114,335  

Total operating expenses

    6,178,821       2,242,488       10,449,435       4,752,056  
                                 

Loss from operations

    (6,178,821 )     (2,242,488 )     (10,449,435 )     (4,670,530 )
                                 

Other income:

                               

Interest income

    251,201       789       483,899       1,316  
                                 

Net loss

  $ (5,927,620 )   $ (2,241,699 )   $ (9,965,536 )   $ (4,669,214 )
                                 

Basic and diluted:

                               

Net loss per common share

  $ (0.22 )   $ (0.18 )   $ (0.38 )   $ (0.47 )

Weighted average shares outstanding

    26,443,649       12,721,696       26,391,403       9,931,088  

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2

 

 

GEOVAX LABS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY

(Unaudited)

 

   

Three-Month and Six-Month Periods Ended June 30, 2023

 
                                   

Total

 
   

Common Stock

   

Additional

   

Accumulated

   

Stockholders’

 
   

Shares

   

Amount

   

Paid-in Capital

   

Deficit

   

Equity

 

Balance at December 31, 2022

    26,334,953     $ 26,335     $ 104,970,722     $ (78,397,023 )   $ 26,600,034  

Issuance of common stock for services

    108,696       109       74,891       -       75,000  

Stock option expense

    -       -       228,039       -       228,039  

Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023

    -       -       -       (4,037,916 )     (4,037,916 )

Balance at March 31, 2023

    26,443,649       26,444       105,273,652       (82,434,939 )   $ 22,865,157  

Stock option expense

    -       -       226,013       -       226,013  

Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2023

    -       -       -       (5,927,620 )     (5,927,620 )

Balance at June 30, 2023

    26,443,649     $ 26,444     $ 105,499,665     $ (88,362,559 )   $ 17,163,550  

 

 

   

Three-Month and Six-Month Periods Ended June 30, 2022

 
                                   

Total

 
   

Common Stock

   

Additional

   

Accumulated

   

Stockholders’

 
   

Shares

   

Amount

   

Paid-in Capital

   

Deficit

   

Equity

 

Balance at December 31, 2021

    6,381,541     $ 6,382     $ 68,731,220     $ (64,375,898 )   $ 4,361,704  

Sale of common stock and warrants for cash

    707,484       707       9,228,541       -       9,229,248  

Issuance of common stock upon warrant exercise

    2,360,000       2,360       (2,336 )     -       24  

Stock option expense

    -       -       190,191       -       190,191  

Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2022

    -       -       -       (2,427,515 )     (2,427,515 )

Balance at March 31, 2022

    9,449,025       9,449       78,147,616       (66,803,413 )     11,353,652  

Sale of common stock and warrants for cash

    1,050,000       1,050       18,496,896       -       18,497,946  

Issuance of common stock upon warrant exercise

    5,671,214       5,671       (5,104 )     -       567  

Issuance of common stock for services

    68,500       69       71,931       -       72,000  

Stock option expense

    -       -       190,191       -       190,191  

Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2022

    -       -       -       (2,241,699 )     (2,241,699 )

Balance at June 30, 2022

    16,238,739     $ 16,239     $ 96,901,530     $ (69,045,112 )   $ 27,872,657  

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3

 

 

GEOVAX LABS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

   

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
   

2023

   

2022

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

               

Net loss

  $ (9,965,536 )   $ (4,669,214 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

               

Depreciation expense

    34,637       24,538  

Stock-based compensation expense

    515,552       412,329  

Changes in assets and liabilities:

               

Grant funds receivable

    -       49,006  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    (698,785 )     (939,487 )

Other assets

    976,498       (976,498 )

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    (662,382 )     (2,067,492 )

Total adjustments

    165,520       (3,497,604 )

Net cash used in operating activities

    (9,800,016 )     (8,166,818 )
                 

Cash flows from investing activities:

               

Purchase of equipment

    (23,805 )     (82,383 )

Net cash used in investing activities

    (23,805 )     (82,383 )
                 

Cash flows from financing activities:

               

Net proceeds from sale of common stock and warrants

    -       27,727,194  

Net proceeds from warrant exercise

    -       591  

Net cash provided by financing activities

    -       27,727,785  
                 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    (9,823,821 )     19,478,584  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    27,612,732       11,423,870  
                 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 17,788,911     $ 30,902,454  

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4

 

GEOVAX LABS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

June 30, 2023

(unaudited)

 

 
1. 

Nature of Business

 

GeoVax Labs, Inc., headquartered in the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area, is a clinical-stage biotechnology company incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. GeoVax Labs, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, GeoVax, Inc., a Georgia corporation, are collectively referred to herein as “GeoVax” or the “Company”.

 

The Company is focused on developing immunotherapies and vaccines against cancers and infectious diseases using novel vector vaccine platforms. GeoVax’s product pipeline includes ongoing human clinical trials for a next-generation COVID-19 vaccine and a gene-directed therapy for advanced head and neck cancer. Additional preclinical research and development programs include preventive vaccines against Mpox (monkeypox), hemorrhagic fever viruses (Ebola Zaire, Ebola Sudan, Marburg, and Lassa Fever) Zika virus, and malaria, as well as immunotherapies for solid tumors.

 

 

2.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

We disclosed in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 those accounting policies that we consider significant in determining our results of operations and financial position. During the six months ended June 30, 2023, there have been no material changes to, or in the application of, the accounting policies previously identified and described in the Form 10-K.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying financial statements include the accounts of GeoVax Labs, Inc. and GeoVax, Inc. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The financial statements are unaudited, but include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring entries, which we believe to be necessary for a fair presentation of interim periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. We expect our operating results to fluctuate for the foreseeable future; therefore, period-to-period comparisons should not be relied upon as predictive of the results in future periods.

 

We believe that our existing cash resources will be sufficient to continue our planned operations into the first quarter of 2024. We are devoting substantially all of our present efforts to research and development of our vaccine and immunotherapy candidates and expect to require additional funding to continue our research and development activities. We plan to pursue additional cash resources through public or private equity or debt financings, government grants, arrangements with strategic partners, or from other sources. There can be no assurance that additional funding will be available on favorable terms or at all. These factors collectively raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the date these financial statements are issued. Management believes that we will be successful in securing the additional capital required to continue the Company’s planned operations, but that our plans do not fully alleviate the substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to operate as a going concern.

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The 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 the uncertainties described above.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2023, there have been no new accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements which we expect to have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

5

 

 

 

3.

Balance Sheet Components

 

Prepaid Expenses – Prepaid expenses consist of the following:

 

   

June 30,

2023

   

December 31,

2022

 

Prepaid clinical trial costs (current portion)

  $ 1,941,588     $ 1,171,077  

Prepaid insurance premiums

    36,150       107,876  

Prepaid rent

    13,045       13,045  

Other prepaid expenses

    47,500       34,000  

Total prepaid expenses

  $ 2,038,283     $ 1,325,998  

 

Property and Equipment – Property and equipment consist of the following:

 

   

June 30,

2023

   

December 31,

2022

 

Equipment and furnishings

  $ 749,617     $ 725,812  

Leasehold improvements

    115,605       115,605  

Total property and equipment

    865,222       841,417  

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

    (641,142 )     (606,505 )

Total property and equipment, net

  $ 224,080     $ 234,912  

 

Other Assets – Other assets consist of the following:

 

   

June 30,

2023

   

December 31,

2022

 

Prepaid clinical trial costs (noncurrent portion)

  $ 1,106,778     $ 2,083,276  

Prepaid technology license fees

    80,000       80,000  

Deposits

    11,010       11,010  

Total other assets

  $ 1,197,788     $ 2,174,286  

 

Accrued Expenses – Accrued expenses consist of the following:

 

   

June 30,

2023

   

December 31,

2022

 

Accrued technology license fees

  $ 2,000,000     $ 2,000,000  

Payroll-related liabilities

    123,922       550,810  

Other accrued expenses

    1,090,459       449,402  

Total accrued expenses

  $ 3,214,381     $ 3,000,212  

 

 

4.

Commitments

 

Operating Lease

 

We lease approximately 8,400 square feet of office and laboratory space pursuant to an operating lease which expires on December 31, 2025. Rent expense for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2023 was $45,414 and $90,828, respectively, as compared to $44,089 and $88,178, respectively, for the same periods of 2022. Future minimum lease payments total $90,828 in 2023, $187,056 in 2024, and $192,708 in 2025 although the lease may be terminated at any time by either party with one hundred eighty days written notice.

 

License Agreements

 

We have entered into license agreements for various technologies and patent rights associated with our product development activities. These agreements may contain provisions for upfront payments, milestone fees due upon the achievement of selected development and regulatory events, minimum annual royalties or other fees, and royalties based on future net sales. Due to the uncertainty of the achievement and timing of the contingent events requiring payment under these agreements, the amounts to be paid by us in the future are not determinable.

 

Other Commitments

 

In the normal course of business, we enter into various contracts and purchase commitments including those with contract research organizations (“CROs”) for clinical trial services, contract manufacturing organizations (“CMOs”) for production of materials for use in our clinical trials, and other independent contractors or academic institutions for preclinical research activities and other services and products. Most contracts are generally cancellable, with notice, at the Company’s option. Payments due upon cancellation may consist of payments for services provided or expenses incurred to date, or cancellation penalties depending on the time of cancellation.

 

6

 

 

5.

Stockholders Equity

 

Common Stock Transactions

 

During March 2023, we issued 108,696 shares of our common stock pursuant to a professional relations and consulting agreement.

 

Stock Options

 

We have a stock-based incentive plan (the “2020 Plan”) pursuant to which our Board of Directors may grant stock options and other stock-based awards to our employees, directors and consultants. A total of 2,075,500 shares of our common stock are reserved for future issuance pursuant to the 2020 Plan. During the six months ended June 30, 2023, 36,667 stock options were cancelled and there were no new grants of stock options or other transactions related to the 2020 Plan. As of June 30, 2023, there are 2,022,133 stock options outstanding, with a weighted-average exercise price of $1.90 per share and a weighted-average remaining contractual term of 8.7 years.

 

Stock Purchase Warrants

 

We have issued stock purchase warrants in connection with past financing and licensing transactions. During the six months ended June 30, 2023, there were no transactions related to our stock purchase warrants. As of June 30, 2023, there are 13,384,115 stock purchase warrants outstanding with a weighted-average exercise price of $2.77 per share and a weighted-average remaining term of 4.0 years.

 

 

6.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

 

Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the award and is allocated to research and development expense or general and administrative expense based upon the classification of the individual to whom the award is granted. Stock-based compensation expense related to stock option grants was $226,013 and $454,052 during the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2023, respectively, as compared to $190,191 and $380,382, respectively, during the same periods of 2022. As of June 30, 2023, there is $962,090 of unrecognized compensation expense that we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years.

 

We have also issued shares of our restricted common stock to consultants and recognize the related expense over the terms of the related agreements. During the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2023 we recorded stock-based compensation expense of $43,500 and $61,500, respectively, associated with common stock issued for consulting services, as compared to $16,987 and $31,947, respectively, for the same periods of 2022. As of June 30, 2023, there is $37,500 recorded as a prepaid expense for these arrangements, which will be recognized as expense over the term of the related agreement.

 

 

7.

Net Loss Per Share

 

Basic and diluted loss per common share are computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. The Company’s potentially dilutive securities, which include stock options and stock purchase warrants, have been excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share as the effect would be antidilutive. The securities that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future and that have been excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share totaled 15,406,248 and 18,967,629 shares at June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

 

8.

Income Taxes

 

No provision for income taxes was recorded in either of the six-month periods ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. The Company remains in a cumulative loss position with a full valuation allowance recorded against its net deferred income tax assets as of June 30, 2023.

 

7

 

 

 

Item 2

Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition And Results of Operations

 

The following Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is intended to help the reader understand our results of operations and financial condition. This MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto and other disclosures included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this Report), and our audited financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 23, 2023.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Information included in this Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical facts, but rather reflect our current expectations concerning future events and results. We generally use the words believes, expects, intends, plans, anticipates, likely, will and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. All statements in this Report, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans, intentions, expectations and objectives could be forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, including those concerning our expectations, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to, those factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. We operate in a highly competitive, highly regulated and rapidly changing environment and our business is constantly evolving. Therefore, it is likely that new risks will emerge, and that the nature and elements of existing risks will change, over time. It is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors or changes therein, or to assess either the impact of all such risk factors on our business. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements when evaluating the information presented in this Report.

 

Overview

 

GeoVax is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing immunotherapies and vaccines against cancers and infectious diseases using novel vector vaccine platforms. GeoVax’s product pipeline includes ongoing human clinical trials for a next-generation COVID-19 vaccine and a gene-directed therapy against advanced head and neck cancer. Additional preclinical research and development programs include preventive vaccines against Mpox (monkeypox), hemorrhagic fever viruses (Ebola Zaire, Ebola Sudan, Marburg, and Lassa), Zika virus, and malaria, as well as immunotherapies for solid tumors.

 

Our programs are in various stages of development, the most significant of which are summarized below:

GEO-CM04S1 is currently undergoing a Phase 2 clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04977024), evaluating its safety and efficacy as a preventive COVID-19 vaccine in high-risk immunocompromised patients (e.g. patients who have previously received either an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant, an autologous hematopoietic cell transplant or chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy). A preliminary analysis of data from this study indicates CM04S1 is highly immunogenic in these patients, inducing both antibody responses, including neutralizing antibodies, and T cell responses. These data support the progression of the Phase 2 clinical study, which includes a direct comparison to currently approved mRNA vaccines.

GEO-CM04S1 is also undergoing the Phase 2 portion of a Phase 1/2 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04639466), evaluating its use as a universal COVID-19 booster vaccine to current FDA-approved two-shot mRNA vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna.

During July 2023, a new investigator-initiated Phase 2 clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05672355) of GEO-CM04S1 began, evaluating its use as a COVID-19 booster vaccine in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Gedeptin® is currently undergoing a Phase 1/2 clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03754933) for treatment of patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This trial is being funded in part by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) pursuant to its Orphan Products Clinical Trials Grants Program. The trial is designed to inform the design of a larger patient trial that also may involve patients with other anatomically accessible oral and pharyngeal cancers, including cancers of the lip, tongue, gum, floor of mouth, salivary gland and other oral cavities. During July 2023, interim data were presented, indicating that administration of Gedeptin is safe and feasible, supporting the Company’s plans for progression to a multi-center trial.

Our additional research programs for vaccines and immunotherapies at various stages of preclinical development.

 

8

 

Our corporate strategy is to advance, protect and exploit our differentiated vaccine/immunotherapy technologies leading to the successful development of preventive and therapeutic vaccines and immunotherapies against infectious diseases and various cancers. Our goal is to advance products through to human clinical testing, and to seek partnership or licensing arrangements for achieving regulatory approval and commercialization. We also leverage third party resources through collaborations and partnerships for preclinical and clinical testing with multiple government, academic and corporate entities.

 

Financial Overview

 

Revenue

 

We have not generated any revenue from product sales to date. Our product candidates will require significant additional research and development efforts, including extensive preclinical and clinical testing. All product candidates that we advance to clinical testing will require regulatory approval prior to commercial use and will require significant costs for commercialization. Our grant revenue relates to grants and contracts from agencies of the U.S. government in support of our vaccine development activities. We record revenue associated with these grants as the related costs and expenses are incurred.

 

Research and development expenses

 

Since our inception, we have focused and we continue to focus significant resources on our research and development activities, including developing our vector platform and analytical testing methods, conducting preclinical studies, developing manufacturing processes, and conducting clinical trials. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and consist primarily of the following:

personnel costs in our research, development and regulatory functions;

expenses incurred with contract research organizations (“CROs”) that conduct clinical trials on our behalf;

expenses incurred with contract manufacturing organizations (“CMOs”) that manufacture product used in our clinical trials;

expenses incurred in procuring materials and for analytical testing services required to produce vaccine candidates;

expenses incurred internally and externally to improve the efficiency and yield of our vaccine manufacturing process;

laboratory supplies, vendor expenses and other third-party contract expenses related to preclinical research activities;

technology license fees;

consultant expenses for services supporting our clinical, regulatory and manufacturing activities; and

facilities, depreciation and other general overhead expenses.

 

We expect our research and development expenditures to increase during the remainder of 2023 and beyond as we advance our existing and future product candidates into and through clinical trials and pursue regulatory approval, especially with regard to the ongoing Gedeptin and GEO-CM04S1 clinical programs. We do not provide forward-looking estimates of costs and time to complete our research programs due to the many uncertainties associated with biotechnology research and development. Due to these uncertainties, our future expenditures are likely to be highly volatile in future periods depending on the outcomes of the trials and studies. As we obtain data from preclinical studies and clinical trials, we may elect to discontinue or delay certain development programs to focus our resources on more promising product candidates. Completion of preclinical studies and human clinical trials may take several years or more, but the length of time can vary substantially depending upon several factors. The duration and the cost of future clinical trials may vary significantly over the life of the project because of differences arising during development of the human clinical trial protocols, including the length of time required to enroll suitable patient subjects, the number of patients that ultimately participate in the clinical trial, the duration of patient follow-up, and the number of clinical sites included in the clinical trials.

 

General and administrative expenses

 

Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel costs in our executive, finance and investor relations, business development and administrative functions. Other general and administrative expenses include consulting fees, professional service fees for accounting and legal services, lease expenses related to our offices, insurance premiums, intellectual property costs incurred in connection with filing and prosecuting patent applications, depreciation and other costs. We expect our general and administrative expenses to continue to increase in the future as we support expanded research and development activities, prepare for potential commercialization of our current and future product candidates, and other general corporate activities.

 

9

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and adjusts the estimates as necessary. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

For a description of critical accounting policies that require significant judgments and estimates during the preparation of our financial statements, refer to the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies from those disclosed in our 2022 Annual Report.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Information regarding recent accounting pronouncements is contained in Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, included in this Quarterly Report.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that are likely or reasonably likely to have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations, other than the operating lease for our office and laboratory space.

 

Recent Developments

 

On December 9, 2022, the Company received a deficiency letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) notifying the Company that, for the preceding 30 consecutive business days, the closing bid price for the Company’s common stock was below the minimum $1.00 per share requirement for continued inclusion on The Nasdaq Capital Market pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Bid Price Requirement”). In accordance with Nasdaq rules, the Company was provided an initial period of 180 calendar days, or until June 7, 2023, to regain compliance with the Bid Price Requirement.

 

The Company requested a 180-day extension to regain compliance with the Bid Price Requirement and, on June 8, 2023, the Company received written notification from Nasdaq granting the Company’s request. The Company now has until December 4, 2023 to meet the Bid Price Requirement (the “Compliance Date”).

 

The grant of the extension by Nasdaq has no effect on the listing of the Company’s shares, which will continue to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “GOVX.” If at any time prior to the Compliance Date, the bid price of the Company's common stock closes at, or above, $1.00 per share for a minimum of ten (10) consecutive business days Nasdaq will provide the Company with written confirmation of compliance and the matter will be closed.

 

If the Company does not meet the Bid Price Requirement prior to the Compliance Date, Nasdaq will notify the Company that the Company’s common stock will be subject to delisting. At that time, the Company may appeal the delisting determination to the Nasdaq Hearings Panel. There can be no assurance that if the Company does appeal a delisting determination, that such appeal will be successful.

 

10

 

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2023 and 2022:

 

   

Three Months Ended June 30,

         
   

2023

   

2022

   

Change

 

Grant revenue

  $ -     $ -     $ -  

Operating expenses:

                       

Research and development

    4,719,728       1,307,177       3,412,551  

General and administrative

    1,459,093       935,311       523,782  

Total operating expenses

    6,178,821       2,242,488       3,936,333  

Loss from operations

    (6,178,821 )     (2,242,488 )     (3,936,333 )

Interest income

    251,201       789       250,412  

Net loss

  $ (5,927,620 )   $ (2,241,699 )   $ (3,685,921 )

 

   

Six Months Ended June 30,

         
   

2023

   

2022

   

Change

 

Grant revenue

  $ -     $ 81,526     $ (81,526 )

Operating expenses:

                       

Research and development

    7,538,917       2,637,721       4,901,196  

General and administrative

    2,910,518       2,114,335       796,183  

Total operating expenses

    10,449,435       4,752,056       5,697,379  

Loss from operations

    (10,449,435 )     (4,670,530 )     (5,778,905 )

Interest income

    483,899       1,316       482,583  

Net loss

  $ (9,965,536 )   $ (4,669,214 )   $ (5,296,322 )

 

Grant Revenue

 

There were no grant revenues during either of the three-month periods ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. Grant revenue decreased by $81,526 (100%) for the six-month period ended June 30, 2023 compared to the six-month period ended June 30, 2022, reflective of the wind-down of the Company’s grant from the U.S. Department of Defense for our Lassa Fever vaccine program. As of June 30, 2023, all approved grant funds have been utilized.

 

Research and Development Expenses

 

For the three-month and six-month periods ending June 30, 2023, research and development expenses increased by $3,412,551 (261%) and $4,901,196 (186%), respectively, versus the comparable 2022 periods. The overall increase during the 2023 periods relates primarily to higher personnel costs, costs of conducting clinical trials for GEO-CM04S1 and Gedeptin, costs of manufacturing materials for use in our clinical trials, technology license fees, costs of preclinical research activities and higher travel costs. Research and development expense for the three-month and six-month periods of 2023 included stock-based compensation expense of $76,770 and $154,643, respectively; as compared to $54,293 and $108,585, respectively, for the comparable 2022 periods.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

For the three-month and six-month periods ending June 30, 2023, general and administrative expenses increased by $523,782 (56%) and $796,183 (38%), respectively, versus the comparable 2022 periods. The overall increase during the 2023 periods relates primarily to higher personnel costs, investor relations consulting costs, patent costs and travel expenses. General and administrative expense for the three-month and six-month periods of 2023 included stock-based compensation expense of $192,743 and $360,909, respectively; as compared to $152,885 and $303,744, respectively, for the comparable periods of 2022.

 

Other Income

 

Interest income for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2023 was $251,201 and $483,899, respectively, as compared to $789 and $1,316, respectively, for comparable periods of 2022. The variances between periods are primarily attributable to cash available for investment and higher interest rates.

 

11

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The following tables summarize our liquidity and capital resources as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, and our cash flows for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2023 and 2022:

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

June 30, 2023

   

December 31, 2022

 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 17,788,911     $ 27,612,732  

Working capital

    15,741,682       24,190,836  

 

   

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

Cash Flow Data

 

2023

   

2022

 

Net cash provided by (used in):

               

Operating activities

  $ (9,800,016 )   $ (8,166,818 )

Investing activities

    (23,805 )     (82,383 )

Financing activities

    -       27,727,785  

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

  $ (9,823,821 )   $ 19,478,584  

 

Operating Activities – Net cash used in operating activities of $9,800,016 for the six months ended June 30, 2023, was primarily due to our net loss of $9,965,536, offset by non-cash items such as depreciation expense and stock-based compensation expense, and by changes in our working capital accounts. Net cash used in operating activities of $8,166,818 for the six months ended June 30, 2022, was primarily due to our net loss of $4,669,214, also offset by non-cash charges such as depreciation and stock-based compensation expense, and by changes in our working capital accounts.

 

Investing Activities – Net cash used in investing activities was $23,805 and $82,383 for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and relates primarily to purchases of laboratory equipment

 

Financing Activities – Net cash provided by financing activities was $-0- and $27,727,785 for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Net cash provided by financing activities for the 2022 period relates primarily to net proceeds from offerings of our common stock and warrants

 

Funding Requirements and Sources of Capital

 

To date, we have not generated any product revenue. We do not know when, or if, we will generate any product revenue and we do not expect to generate significant product revenue unless and until we obtain regulatory approval and commercialize one of our current or future product candidates. We anticipate that we will continue to generate losses for the foreseeable future, and we expect the losses to increase as we continue the development of, and seek regulatory approvals for, our product candidates, and begin to commercialize any approved products. We are subject to all of the risks incident to the development of new products, and may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other unknown factors that may harm our business. We anticipate that we will need substantial additional funding in connection with our continuing operations. We have funded our operations to date primarily from sales of our equity securities and from government grants and clinical trial assistance.

 

As of the date of this Quarterly Report, we expect our existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund our operations into the first quarter of 2024. This projection takes into consideration contractual commitments we have made, and expect to make, in the normal course of operating our business, which include (i) obligations to our employees, (ii) our lease obligations, (iii) payments due under license agreements for various technologies and patent rights associated with our product development activities, (iv) arrangements with contract research organizations (“CROs”), contract manufacturing organizations (“CMOs”), and other third-party vendors for clinical trials services and production of materials for use in our clinical trials, and (v) other various firm purchase commitments and contractual obligations related to production and testing of our product candidates and the general operation of our business.

 

Our forecast of the period of time through which our financial resources will be adequate to support our operations is a forward-looking statement that involves risks and uncertainties and is based on assumptions that may prove to be wrong; actual results could vary materially.

 

12

 

 

We have based our projections of operating capital requirements on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, and we may use our available capital resources sooner than we expect. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, which include but are not limited to:

 

the timing and costs of our ongoing and planned clinical trials;

 

the timing and costs of manufacturing material for use in clinical trials;

 

the number and scope of our research programs and the speed at which they are advanced;

 

the progress and success of our preclinical and clinical development activities;

 

the costs involved in prosecuting and enforcing patent claims and other intellectual property rights;

 

the costs to attract and retain skilled personnel;

 

the costs to maintain and expand our infrastructure to support our operations, our product development, and planned future commercialization efforts;

 

the terms and timing of establishing and maintaining collaborations, licenses and other similar arrangements;

 

the costs associated with any products or technologies that we may in-license or acquire; and

 

the costs and timing of regulatory approvals.

 

We will need to continue to raise additional capital to support our future operating activities, including progression of our development programs, preparation for commercialization, and other operating costs. Financing strategies we may pursue include, but are not limited to, the public or private sale of equity, debt financings or funds from other capital sources, such as government funding, collaborations, strategic alliances or licensing arrangements with third parties. There can be no assurances additional capital will be available to secure additional financing, or if available, that it will be sufficient to meet our needs on favorable terms. If we are unable to raise additional capital in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us, we may have to significantly delay, scale back or discontinue the development of one or more of our product candidates.

 

Item 3

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Not applicable to smaller reporting companies.

 

Item 4

Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

 

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act), is (1) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (2) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Our management has carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Principal Executive Officer and our Principal Financial and Accounting Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

 

There were no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended June 30, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Limitations on Controls

 

Management does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all error and fraud. Any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, is based upon certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that its objectives will be met. Further, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.

 

13

 

PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1

Legal Proceedings

 

None.

 

Item 1A

Risk Factors

 

For information regarding factors that could affect our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity, see the risk factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. See also “Forward-Looking Statements,” included in Part I - Item 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. As a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act), we are not required to provide the information called for by this Item 1A concerning any material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10‑K.

 

Item 2

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

There were no other sales of unregistered securities during the period covered by this report that have not previously been reported on Form 8-K.

 

Item 3

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4

Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5

Other Information

 

During the period covered by this report, none of our directors or executive officers adopted or terminated any “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” (as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K).

 

During the period covered by this report, there was no information required to be disclosed by us in a Current Report on Form 8-K that was not so reported, nor were there any material changes to the procedures by which our security holders may recommend nominees to our board of directors.

 

14

 

 

Item 6

Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number

Description

 

10.1

Amendment to Exclusive License Agreement, dated April 11, 2023, between GeoVax, Inc. and City of Hope (1)

10.2

At The Market Offering Agreement, by and between GeoVax Labs, Inc. and H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, dated July 18, 2023 (2)

31.1*

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

31.2*

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

32.1*

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2*

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.INS

Inline XBRL Instance Document (1)

101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (1)

101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (1)

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (1)

101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (1)

101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (1)

104

Inline XBRL for the cover page of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and included in the Exhibit 101 Inline XBRL Document Set (1)

 


*

Filed herewith

**

Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

 

(1)

Incorporated by reference from the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 4, 2023.

(2)

Incorporated by reference from the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 19, 2023.

 

15

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this quarterly report on Form 10-Q to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

    GEOVAX LABS, INC.  
    (Registrant)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:         August 9, 2023 

By:

/s/ Mark W. Reynolds

 

 

 

Mark W. Reynolds 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

(duly authorized officer and principal
financial officer)

 

 

16