Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Note 8 – Commitments and Contingencies Litigation The Company is involved in certain legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of our business. Except for income tax contingencies, we record accruals for contingencies to the extent that our management concludes that the occurrence is probable and that the related amounts of loss can be reasonably estimated. Legal expenses associated with the contingency are expensed as incurred. There is no current or pending litigation of any significance with the exception of the matters identified below that have arisen under, and are being handled in, the normal course of business: Ohri Matter On July 22, 2024, the Company filed an AAA Arbitration Demand against Manu Ohri, its former Chief Financial Officer. In the Demand, the Company asserts claims against Mr. Ohri for breach of his fiduciary duties and breach of contract and seeks a declaratory judgment providing that the Company may characterize Mr. Ohri’s termination as “for cause” under his Employment Agreement, and that the Company may revoke the Separation Agreement entered into between the Company and Mr. Ohri prior to the Company learning of Mr. Ohri’s breaches. In addition to the declaratory judgment, the Company seeks damages arising from Mr. Ohri’s violations, and attorneys’ fees and any forum and arbitration fees. Mr. Ohri’s response to the Company’s Demand is due August 20, 2024. At this early stage in the proceedings the Company is not able to determine the probability of the outcome of this matter or a range of reasonably expected losses, if any. Berk Matter On November 14, 2023, former interim Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Gregory Berk filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts alleging that the Company discriminated and retaliated against Dr. Berk for engaging in protected whistleblowing activity in violation of the Sarbanes Oxley Act (“SOX”). The Parties are proceeding with litigating Dr. Berk’s SOX claim. The Company is vigorously defending this matter and believes it to be without merit. At this early stage in the proceedings the Company is not able to determine the probability of the outcome of this matter or a range of reasonably expected losses, if any. TWF Global Matter On May 24, 2023, TWF Global, LLC (“TWF”) filed a Complaint in the California Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles naming the Company as defendant. The Complaint alleges that TWF is the holder of two Convertible Promissory Notes (“Notes”) and that the Company did not deliver shares of common stock due on conversion in February 2021. TWF was seeking per diem liquidated damages based on the terms of alleged Notes. On July 14, 2023, the Company filed a motion to dismiss for improper forum because the terms of the Notes, as alleged, require disputes to be filed in New York state and federal courts. TWF voluntarily dismissed its Complaint before the California Superior Court of Los Angeles without prejudice. The Company subsequently filed a Summons and Complaint for Interpleader against TWF and Z-One LLC before the Supreme Court of the State of New York County of New York, asking the Supreme Court to determine if the Company’s shares of common stock are properly registered to TWF or Z-One LLC, as both of these entities have made conflicting demands for registration of the shares of common stock. On February 5, 2024, the Company filed a motion for entry of default against TWF, seeking an order directing the Company to register the shares of common stock in the name of Z-One and that the Company be released from all associated liability and claims. The Court denied the motion without prejudice and will reconsider the motion without further briefing upon the filing of a party affidavit. Z-One has filed a concurrent motion to dismiss of the action, representing that Z-One and TWF have settled their dispute over the entitlement to the Company’s shares of common stock. The Company believes that any claims related to the Notes are without merit and will continue to defend vigorously against these claims. Handelman Matter On May 13, 2022, the Company made an arbitration demand upon Michael Handelman, its former Chief Financial Officer, asserting that he breached his fiduciary duty by misappropriating Company funds and shares of common stock, among other things. The Company seeks among other relief, monetary damages estimated at $470,000; the return of 13,902 shares of our common stock received without authorization; and an award of the Company’s attorneys’ fees and any forum and arbitration fees. In May 2024, the Arbitrator issued the final award in favor of the Company which awarded the Company its legal fees in the amount of $473,000 plus costs in the amount of $19,000 and the return of the disputed 13,902 shares of common stock, which were returned to the Company in June 2024. Significant Agreements Cytovance Biologics, Inc., a Related Party In October 2020, the Company entered into a Master Services Agreement with Cytovance Biologics, Inc. (“Cytovance”), to perform biologic development and manufacturing services, and to produce and test compounds used in the Company’s potential product candidates. The Company subsequently executed numerous Statements of Work (“SOWs”) for the research and development of products for use in clinical trials. On August 24, 2022, the Company entered into a Settlement and Investment Agreement with Cytovance that amended existing SOWs and allowed for future invoices to be settled in in a combination of cash and issuance of the Company’s common stock. The Agreement also set Cytovance’s beneficial ownership limitation at 4.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. On April 25, 2024, the Company entered into an Amendment to the Settlement and Investment Agreement with Cytovance that increased Cytovance’s beneficial ownership limitation to 9.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. During the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company issued 127,597 and 44,793 shares of common stock to Cytovance to settle accounts payable valued at approximately $810,000 and $1,120,000, respectively. On June 30, 2024, Cytovance became a related party as their beneficial ownership exceeded 5% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. As of June 30, 2024 the Company’s commitments in relation to unbilled and unaccrued SOWs and any related Change Orders from Cytovance for services that have not yet been rendered as of June 30, 2024, amounted to approximately $1.5 million. University of Minnesota 2021 Scientific Research Agreement Effective June 16, 2021, the Company entered into a scientific research agreement with the Regents of the University of Minnesota, expiring on June 30, 2023. Payments totaling approximately $2.1 million are due over the life of the agreement. The purpose of the agreement is for the Regents of the University of Minnesota to continue work with the Company with three major goals in mind: (1) support the Company’s TriKE® product development and GMP manufacturing efforts; (2) TriKE® pharmacokinetics optimization in humans; and (3) investigation of the patient’s native NK cell population based on insights obtained from the analysis of the human data generated during our GTB-3550 clinical trial. The major deliverables proposed are: (1) creation of IND enabling data for TriKE® constructs in support of our product development and GMP manufacturing efforts; (2) TriKE® platform drug delivery changes to allow transition to alternative drug delivery means and extended PK in humans; and (3) gain an increased understanding of changes in the patient’s native NK cell population as a result of TriKE® therapy. Most studies will use TriKE® DNA/amino acid sequences created by the Company under existing licensing terms. The Company recorded an expense classified as research and development of approximately $0 and $192,000, pursuant to the 2021 Scientific Research Agreement, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of June 30, 2024 the Company’s commitments in relation to unbilled and unaccrued amounts from the University of Minnesota pursuant to the 2021 Scientific Research Agreement for services that have not yet been rendered as of June 30, 2024, amounted to $0. 2023 Sponsored Research Agreement On May 20, 2024, the Company entered into a sponsored research agreement with the Regents of the University of Minnesota (the “2016 Exclusive Patent License Agreement”), effective July 1, 2023, and expiring on July 1, 2025. Payments totaling approximately $1.7 million are due over the life of the agreement. The purpose of the agreement is for the Regents of the University of Minnesota to continue work with the Company with three major goals in mind: (1) support the Company’s TriKE® product development and commercial GMP manufacturing efforts; (2) TriKE® pharmacokinetics optimization in humans and investigation of effects of altering the route of administration; and (3) research and development of TriKE® platform. The major deliverables proposed are: (1) creation of IND enabling data for TriKE® constructs in support of the Company’s product development and commercial GMP manufacturing efforts outside of the University of Minnesota; (2) TriKE® platform drug delivery changes to allow transition from intravenous (IV) continuous infusion to alternative drug delivery administration (IV bolus, intraperitoneal [IP], subcutaneous [SQ]) and extended PK in humans and gain an increased understanding of changes in the patient’s native NK cell population as a result of alteration of TriKE® administration; and (3) research and development of TriKE® platform combination with other FDA approved (or soon to be approved) therapeutics and alterations to TriKE® platform through formation of immune complexes. Most studies will use TriKE® DNA/amino acid sequences created by the Company under existing licensing terms. The Company recorded an expense classified as research and development of approximately $863,000 and $0, pursuant to the 2023 Sponsored Research Agreement, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of June 30, 2024 the Company’s commitments in relation to unbilled and unaccrued amounts from the University of Minnesota pursuant to the 2023 Sponsored Research Agreement for services that have not yet been rendered as of June 30, 2024, amounted to approximately $862,000. 2016 Exclusive Patent License Agreement Effective July 18, 2016, the Company entered into an exclusive patent license agreement with the Regents of the University of Minnesota (the “2016 Exclusive Patent License Agreement”), to further develop and commercialize cancer therapies using TriKE® technology developed by researchers at the University of Minnesota to target NK cells to cancer. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company receives exclusive rights to conduct research and to develop, make, use, sell, and import TriKE® technology worldwide for the treatment of any disease, state, or condition in humans. The Company is responsible for obtaining all permits, licenses, authorizations, registrations, and regulatory approvals required or granted by any governmental authority anywhere in the world that is responsible for the regulation of products such as the TriKE® technology, including without limitation the FDA and the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products in the European Union. The agreement requires an upfront payment of $200,000, and license maintenance fees of $200,000 for years 2017 through 2020, and $100,000 per year beginning in year 2021 and each year thereafter. The agreement also includes 4% royalty fees on the net sales of licensed products, not to exceed 6% under subsequent license agreements or amendments to this agreement, and minimum royalty payments due upon the commencement of commercial sales of licensed product is $250,000 beginning in 2022, $2 million beginning in 2025, and $5 million beginning in 2027 throughout the remainder of the term. The agreement also includes numerous performance milestone payments including clinical development milestone payments totaling $3.1 million, and one-time sales milestone payments of $1 million upon reaching $250 million in cumulative gross sales, and $5 million upon reaching $500 million in cumulative gross sales of licensed products. Effective May 13, 2024, the Company entered into an amended and restated exclusive patent license agreement with the Regents of the University of Minnesota. The amendment requires an upfront payment of $145,000 and amends the license maintenance fees to $50,000 in 2025, and $100,000 per year beginning in year 2026 and each year thereafter. The amendment also includes 1% to 5% royalty fees on the net sales of licensed products, not to exceed 6% under subsequent license agreements or amendments, and minimum royalty payments due upon the commencement of commercial sales of licensed product is $250,000 in year one, $2 million in years two through five, and $5 million in year six throughout the remainder of the term. The amendment also includes numerous performance milestone payments including clinical development milestone payments totaling $3.1 million, and one-time sales milestone, and one-time sales milestone payments of $1 million upon reaching $250 million in cumulative gross sales, and $5 million upon reaching $500 million in cumulative gross sales of licensed products. The Company recorded an expense classified as research and development of $0, pursuant to the 2016 Exclusive Patent License Agreement, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. 2021 Exclusive License Agreement Effective March 26, 2021, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement with the Regents of the University of Minnesota (the “2021 Exclusive Patent License Agreement”), specific to the B7H3 targeted TriKE®. The agreement requires an upfront payment of $20,000, and license maintenance fees of $5,000 per year beginning in year 2022 and each year thereafter. The agreement also includes 2.5% to 5% royalty fees on the net sales of licensed products, and minimum royalty payments due upon the commencement of commercial sales of licensed product is $250,000 in year one though four, and $2 million beginning in year five and throughout the remainder of the term. The agreement also includes numerous performance milestone payments including clinical development milestone payments totaling $3.1 million, and one-time sales milestone payments of $1 million upon reaching $250 million in cumulative gross sales, and $5 million upon reaching $500 million in cumulative gross sales of licensed products. There is no double payment intended; if one of the milestone payments has been paid under the 2016 restated exclusive patent license agreement no further payment is due for the corresponding milestone. The Company recorded an expense classified as research and development of approximately $145,000 and $0, pursuant to the 2021 Exclusive License Agreement, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Commitments and Contingencies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2024

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Note 8 – Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation

The Company is involved in certain legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of our business. Except for income tax contingencies, we record accruals for contingencies to the extent that our management concludes that the occurrence is probable and that the related amounts of loss can be reasonably estimated. Legal expenses associated with the contingency are expensed as incurred. There is no current or pending litigation of any significance with the exception of the matters identified below that have arisen under, and are being handled in, the normal course of business:

Ohri Matter

On July 22, 2024, the Company filed an AAA Arbitration Demand against Manu Ohri, its former Chief Financial Officer. In the Demand, the Company asserts claims against Mr. Ohri for breach of his fiduciary duties and breach of contract and seeks a declaratory judgment providing that the Company may characterize Mr. Ohri’s termination as “for cause” under his Employment Agreement, and that the Company may revoke the Separation Agreement entered into between the Company and Mr. Ohri prior to the Company learning of Mr. Ohri’s breaches. In addition to the declaratory judgment, the Company seeks damages arising from Mr. Ohri’s violations, and attorneys’ fees and any forum and arbitration fees. Mr. Ohri’s response to the Company’s Demand is due August 20, 2024. At this early stage in the proceedings the Company is not able to determine the probability of the outcome of this matter or a range of reasonably expected losses, if any.

Berk Matter

On November 14, 2023, former interim Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Gregory Berk filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts alleging that the Company discriminated and retaliated against Dr. Berk for engaging in protected whistleblowing activity in violation of the Sarbanes Oxley Act (“SOX”). The Parties are proceeding with litigating Dr. Berk’s SOX claim. The Company is vigorously defending this matter and believes it to be without merit. At this early stage in the proceedings the Company is not able to determine the probability of the outcome of this matter or a range of reasonably expected losses, if any.

TWF Global Matter

On May 24, 2023, TWF Global, LLC (“TWF”) filed a Complaint in the California Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles naming the Company as defendant. The Complaint alleges that TWF is the holder of two Convertible Promissory Notes (“Notes”) and that the Company did not deliver shares of common stock due on conversion in February 2021. TWF was seeking per diem liquidated damages based on the terms of alleged Notes. On July 14, 2023, the Company filed a motion to dismiss for improper forum because the terms of the Notes, as alleged, require disputes to be filed in New York state and federal courts. TWF voluntarily dismissed its Complaint before the California Superior Court of Los Angeles without prejudice. The Company subsequently filed a Summons and Complaint for Interpleader against TWF and Z-One LLC before the Supreme Court of the State of New York County of New York, asking the Supreme Court to determine if the Company’s shares of common stock are properly registered to TWF or Z-One LLC, as both of these entities have made conflicting demands for registration of the shares of common stock. On February 5, 2024, the Company filed a motion for entry of default against TWF, seeking an order directing the Company to register the shares of common stock in the name of Z-One and that the Company be released from all associated liability and claims. The Court denied the motion without prejudice and will reconsider the motion without further briefing upon the filing of a party affidavit. Z-One has filed a concurrent motion to dismiss of the action, representing that Z-One and TWF have settled their dispute over the entitlement to the Company’s shares of common stock. The Company believes that any claims related to the Notes are without merit and will continue to defend vigorously against these claims.

Handelman Matter

On May 13, 2022, the Company made an arbitration demand upon Michael Handelman, its former Chief Financial Officer, asserting that he breached his fiduciary duty by misappropriating Company funds and shares of common stock, among other things. The Company seeks among other relief, monetary damages estimated at $470,000; the return of 13,902 shares of our common stock received without authorization; and an award of the Company’s attorneys’ fees and any forum and arbitration fees. In May 2024, the Arbitrator issued the final award in favor of the Company which awarded the Company its legal fees in the amount of $473,000 plus costs in the amount of $19,000 and the return of the disputed 13,902 shares of common stock, which were returned to the Company in June 2024.

Significant Agreements

Cytovance Biologics, Inc., a Related Party

In October 2020, the Company entered into a Master Services Agreement with Cytovance Biologics, Inc. (“Cytovance”), to perform biologic development and manufacturing services, and to produce and test compounds used in the Company’s potential product candidates. The Company subsequently executed numerous Statements of Work (“SOWs”) for the research and development of products for use in clinical trials.

On August 24, 2022, the Company entered into a Settlement and Investment Agreement with Cytovance that amended existing SOWs and allowed for future invoices to be settled in in a combination of cash and issuance of the Company’s common stock. The Agreement also set Cytovance’s beneficial ownership limitation at 4.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock.

On April 25, 2024, the Company entered into an Amendment to the Settlement and Investment Agreement with Cytovance that increased Cytovance’s beneficial ownership limitation to 9.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock.

During the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company issued 127,597 and 44,793 shares of common stock to Cytovance to settle accounts payable valued at approximately $810,000 and $1,120,000, respectively.

On June 30, 2024, Cytovance became a related party as their beneficial ownership exceeded 5% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock.

As of June 30, 2024 the Company’s commitments in relation to unbilled and unaccrued SOWs and any related Change Orders from Cytovance for services that have not yet been rendered as of June 30, 2024, amounted to approximately $1.5 million.

University of Minnesota

2021 Scientific Research Agreement

Effective June 16, 2021, the Company entered into a scientific research agreement with the Regents of the University of Minnesota, expiring on June 30, 2023. Payments totaling approximately $2.1 million are due over the life of the agreement. The purpose of the agreement is for the Regents of the University of Minnesota to continue work with the Company with three major goals in mind: (1) support the Company’s TriKE® product development and GMP manufacturing efforts; (2) TriKE® pharmacokinetics optimization in humans; and (3) investigation of the patient’s native NK cell population based on insights obtained from the analysis of the human data generated during our GTB-3550 clinical trial. The major deliverables proposed are: (1) creation of IND enabling data for TriKE® constructs in support of our product development and GMP manufacturing efforts; (2) TriKE® platform drug delivery changes to allow transition to alternative drug delivery means and extended PK in humans; and (3) gain an increased understanding of changes in the patient’s native NK cell population as a result of TriKE® therapy. Most studies will use TriKE® DNA/amino acid sequences created by the Company under existing licensing terms.

The Company recorded an expense classified as research and development of approximately $0 and $192,000, pursuant to the 2021 Scientific Research Agreement, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

As of June 30, 2024 the Company’s commitments in relation to unbilled and unaccrued amounts from the University of Minnesota pursuant to the 2021 Scientific Research Agreement for services that have not yet been rendered as of June 30, 2024, amounted to $0.

2023 Sponsored Research Agreement

On May 20, 2024, the Company entered into a sponsored research agreement with the Regents of the University of Minnesota (the “2016 Exclusive Patent License Agreement”), effective July 1, 2023, and expiring on July 1, 2025. Payments totaling approximately $1.7 million are due over the life of the agreement. The purpose of the agreement is for the Regents of the University of Minnesota to continue work with the Company with three major goals in mind: (1) support the Company’s TriKE® product development and commercial GMP manufacturing efforts; (2) TriKE® pharmacokinetics optimization in humans and investigation of effects of altering the route of administration; and (3) research and development of TriKE® platform. The major deliverables proposed are: (1) creation of IND enabling data for TriKE® constructs in support of the Company’s product development and commercial GMP manufacturing efforts outside of the University of Minnesota; (2) TriKE® platform drug delivery changes to allow transition from intravenous (IV) continuous infusion to alternative drug delivery administration (IV bolus, intraperitoneal [IP], subcutaneous [SQ]) and extended PK in humans and gain an increased understanding of changes in the patient’s native NK cell population as a result of alteration of TriKE® administration; and (3) research and development of TriKE® platform combination with other FDA approved (or soon to be approved) therapeutics and alterations to TriKE® platform through formation of immune complexes. Most studies will use TriKE® DNA/amino acid sequences created by the Company under existing licensing terms.

The Company recorded an expense classified as research and development of approximately $863,000 and $0, pursuant to the 2023 Sponsored Research Agreement, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

As of June 30, 2024 the Company’s commitments in relation to unbilled and unaccrued amounts from the University of Minnesota pursuant to the 2023 Sponsored Research Agreement for services that have not yet been rendered as of June 30, 2024, amounted to approximately $862,000.

2016 Exclusive Patent License Agreement

Effective July 18, 2016, the Company entered into an exclusive patent license agreement with the Regents of the University of Minnesota (the “2016 Exclusive Patent License Agreement”), to further develop and commercialize cancer therapies using TriKE® technology developed by researchers at the University of Minnesota to target NK cells to cancer. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company receives exclusive rights to conduct research and to develop, make, use, sell, and import TriKE® technology worldwide for the treatment of any disease, state, or condition in humans. The Company is responsible for obtaining all permits, licenses, authorizations, registrations, and regulatory approvals required or granted by any governmental authority anywhere in the world that is responsible for the regulation of products such as the TriKE® technology, including without limitation the FDA and the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products in the European Union. The agreement requires an upfront payment of $200,000, and license maintenance fees of $200,000 for years 2017 through 2020, and $100,000 per year beginning in year 2021 and each year thereafter. The agreement also includes 4% royalty fees on the net sales of licensed products, not to exceed 6% under subsequent license agreements or amendments to this agreement, and minimum royalty payments due upon the commencement of commercial sales of licensed product is $250,000 beginning in 2022, $2 million beginning in 2025, and $5 million beginning in 2027 throughout the remainder of the term. The agreement also includes numerous performance milestone payments including clinical development milestone payments totaling $3.1 million, and one-time sales milestone payments of $1 million upon reaching $250 million in cumulative gross sales, and $5 million upon reaching $500 million in cumulative gross sales of licensed products.

Effective May 13, 2024, the Company entered into an amended and restated exclusive patent license agreement with the Regents of the University of Minnesota. The amendment requires an upfront payment of $145,000 and amends the license maintenance fees to $50,000 in 2025, and $100,000 per year beginning in year 2026 and each year thereafter. The amendment also includes 1% to 5% royalty fees on the net sales of licensed products, not to exceed 6% under subsequent license agreements or amendments, and minimum royalty payments due upon the commencement of commercial sales of licensed product is $250,000 in year one, $2 million in years two through five, and $5 million in year six throughout the remainder of the term. The amendment also includes numerous performance milestone payments including clinical development milestone payments totaling $3.1 million, and one-time sales milestone, and one-time sales milestone payments of $1 million upon reaching $250 million in cumulative gross sales, and $5 million upon reaching $500 million in cumulative gross sales of licensed products.

The Company recorded an expense classified as research and development of $0, pursuant to the 2016 Exclusive Patent License Agreement, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.

2021 Exclusive License Agreement

Effective March 26, 2021, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement with the Regents of the University of Minnesota (the “2021 Exclusive Patent License Agreement”), specific to the B7H3 targeted TriKE®. The agreement requires an upfront payment of $20,000, and license maintenance fees of $5,000 per year beginning in year 2022 and each year thereafter. The agreement also includes 2.5% to 5% royalty fees on the net sales of licensed products, and minimum royalty payments due upon the commencement of commercial sales of licensed product is $250,000 in year one though four, and $2 million beginning in year five and throughout the remainder of the term. The agreement also includes numerous performance milestone payments including clinical development milestone payments totaling $3.1 million, and one-time sales milestone payments of $1 million upon reaching $250 million in cumulative gross sales, and $5 million upon reaching $500 million in cumulative gross sales of licensed products. There is no double payment intended; if one of the milestone payments has been paid under the 2016 restated exclusive patent license agreement no further payment is due for the corresponding milestone.

The Company recorded an expense classified as research and development of approximately $145,000 and $0, pursuant to the 2021 Exclusive License Agreement, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.