Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies

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Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 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. On September 3, 2024, Mr. Ohri filed both a general denial of the Company’s claims against him and counterclaims for breach of his Employment Agreement and Separation Agreement. A final hearing is scheduled for June 10th through June 12th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. At this 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. The Company believes it has recorded an appropriate accrual for the matter.

 

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”). Although the Company vigorously defended this matter and believes it to be without merit, the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice on December 4, 2024 as a result of the parties’ settlement. The Company has recorded the monetary settlement for this matter in the accompanying financial statements.

 

 

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 agreed to reconsider the motion without further briefing upon the filing of a supplemental party affidavit. On May 9, 2024, Z-One filed a motion for summary judgement seeking dismissal of the action, representing that Z-One and TWF have settled their dispute over the entitlement to the Company’s shares of common stock and there is no remaining dispute before the Court. On May 21, 2024, the Company filed a supplemental affidavit in support of its motion for entry of default. On November 14, 2024, the Court held a hearing on the parties’ motions, at which the Court found that the motion for entry of default was mooted by the settlement agreement between Z-One and TWF. The Court ordered that the case be dismissed. On February 17, 2025, Z-One, LLC filed a Summons with Notice in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York. Z-One alleges that it was assigned TWF’s rights under the Notes and seeks enforcement and damages. The Company intends to demand a complaint, and seek dismissal of the case. The Company believes that the claims related to the Notes are without merit, and will continue to vigorously defend 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 sought 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. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has not recorded any amounts with regards to the monetary award of $473,000, due to the uncertainty of its collectability.

 

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 years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized research and development expenses of $2,335,000 and $4,584,000, respectively and made cash payments amounting to $3,857,000 and $2,213,000, respectively to Cytovance. In addition, the Company issued 127,597 and 57,437 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 December 31, 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 December 31, 2024, amounted to approximately $1.1 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 years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2024 there were no outstanding 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 December 31, 2024,.

 

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 “2023 Sponsored Research 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 $1,078,000 and $0, pursuant to the 2023 Sponsored Research Agreement, for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 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 December 31, 2024, amounted to approximately $647,000.

 

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 (as amended, 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 $145,000 and $0, pursuant to the 2016 Exclusive Patent License Agreement, for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

 

 

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 did not incur any expenses pursuant to the 2021 Exclusive License Agreement, for years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

 

2024 GTB-3650 Clinical Trial Agreement

 

On November 18, 2024, the Registrant entered into an Investigator Initiated Clinical Trial Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Regents of the University of Minnesota (the “University”), pursuant to which, the University shall sponsor an Investigational New Drug (“IND”) application for IND 165546 GTB-3650 (the “Research Program”) and shall serve as a sponsor investigator for a phase 1 clinical trial entitled, “GTB-3650 (CD16/IL-15/CD33) Tri-Specific Killer Engager (TriKE) for the Treatment of High Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), Refractory/Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), and Minimal Residual Disease in AML,” designed by the University (the “Study”). The Research Program is being conducted for clinical research use. The budget for the Study, including without limitations, funding and resources, provides for up to approximately $2 million over the course of three years borne by the Company. The Study data will be owned by the University, however, the Company may use the Study data subject to any applicable signed informed consent documents and authorization forms, applicable law and terms of the Agreement. The University and the Company will each have the right to publish the Study results. The Agreement may be terminated by the Company or the University at any time upon thirty days’ written notice to the other party, by the University immediately for health, welfare and safety reasons, or by either party if the other party materially breaches the Agreement, provided that the breaching party fails to cure such breach within thirty days.

The Company recorded an expense classified as research and development of approximately $190,000 and $0, pursuant to the 2024 Clinical Trial Agreement, for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2024 the Company’s commitments in relation to unbilled and unaccrued amounts from the University of Minnesota pursuant to the 2024 Clinical Trial Agreement for services that have not yet been rendered as of December 31, 2024, amounted to approximately $1.8 million.

 

Contingency

 

On November 21, 2024, the Company received a letter from Nasdaq notifying the Company that its amount of stockholders’ equity has fallen below the $2,500,000 required minimum for continued listing set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1).

 

Nasdaq’s Letter has no immediate effect on the listing of the Company’s common stock, and its common stock will continue to trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “GTBP” at this time. Pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rules, the Company provided Nasdaq with a plan to achieve and sustain compliance on December 31, 2024. If Nasdaq accepts the Company’s plan to regain compliance, Nasdaq may grant an extension of up to 180 calendar days from the date of the Letter to evidence compliance. If Nasdaq does not accept the Company’s plan to regain compliance, the Company will have the opportunity to appeal the decision to a Nasdaq Hearings Panel. The Company intends to submit to Nasdaq, within the requisite time period, a plan to regain compliance with Listing Rule 5550(b)(1). There can be no assurance that Nasdaq will accept the Company’s plan, that the Company will be able to regain compliance with Listing Rule 5550(b)(1) or that the Company will be able meet the continued listing requirements during any compliance period that may be granted by Nasdaq.

 

In the future, if we fail to maintain such minimum requirements and a final determination is made by Nasdaq that our common stock must be delisted, the liquidity of our common stock would be adversely affected and the market price of our common stock could decrease. In addition, if delisted, we would no longer be subject to Nasdaq rules, including rules requiring us to have a certain number of independent directors and to meet other corporate governance standards. Our failure to be listed on Nasdaq or another established securities market would have a material adverse effect on the value of your investment in us.