You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this report. In addition to historical information, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed below. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those identified below, and those discussed in the section titled "Risk Factors" included elsewhere in this report and our annual report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2019 . The following discussion highlights our results of operations and the principal factors that have affected our financial condition as well as our liquidity and capital resources for the periods described, and provides information that management believes is relevant for an assessment and understanding of the statements of financial condition and results of operations presented herein. The following discussion and analysis are based on the unaudited financial statements contained in this report, which we have prepared in accordance withUnited States generally accepted accounting principles. You should read the discussion and analysis together with such financial statements and the related notes thereto. Overview
We are a biopharmaceutical company with product candidates in pre-clinical and clinical development. Neurotrope Bioscience began operations inOctober 2012 . We are principally focused on developing a product platform based upon a drug candidate called bryostatin for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease ("AD"), which is in the clinical testing stage. We are also evaluating bryostatin for other neurodegenerative or cognitive diseases and dysfunctions, such as Fragile X syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, and Niemann-Pick Type C disease, which have undergone pre-clinical testing.Neurotrope has been a party to a technology license and services agreement with the originalBlanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute ("BRNI") (which has been known asCognitive Research Enterprises, Inc. ("CRE") sinceOctober 2016 ), and its affiliateNRV II, LLC , which we collectively refer to herein as "CRE," pursuant to which we now have an exclusive non-transferable license to certain patents and technologies required to develop our proposed products. Neurotrope Bioscience was formed for the primary purpose of commercializing the technologies initially developed by BRNI for therapeutic applications for AD or other cognitive dysfunctions. These technologies have been under development by BRNI since 1999 and, untilMarch 2013 , had been financed through funding from a variety of non-investor sources (which include not-for-profit foundations, theNIH , which is part of theU.S. Department of Health and Human Services , and individual philanthropists). FromMarch 2013 forward, development of the licensed technology has been funded principally through the Company in collaboration with CRE.
Planned Merger and Spin-Off
OnMay 17, 2020 , the Company,Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , aDelaware corporation formed for the purposes of effecting transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreements (as defined below) ("Petros"), PM Merger Sub 1, LLC, aDelaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Petros ("Merger Sub 1"), PN Merger Sub 2, Inc., aDelaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Petros ("Merger Sub 2"), andMetuchen Pharmaceuticals LLC , aDelaware limited liability company ("Metuchen"), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Original Merger Agreement"), as amended by the First Amendment to the Original Merger Agreement dated as ofJuly 23, 2020 (the " First Merger Agreement Amendment") and the Second Amendment to the Original Merger Agreement dated as ofSeptember 30, 2020 (the "Second Merger Agreement Amendment" and, together with the First Merger Agreement Amendment and the Original Merger Agreement, the "Merger Agreement"), which provides for (1) the merger of Merger Sub 1 with and into Metuchen, with Metuchen surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Petros (the "Metuchen Merger") and (2) the merger of Merger Sub 2 with and into the Company, with the Company surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Petros (the "Neurotrope Merger" and together with the Metuchen Merger, the "Mergers"). The shareholder vote to approve the merger and spin-off transaction is scheduled forNovember 25, 2020 . 22
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As a result of the Metuchen Merger, each outstanding common unit or preferred unit of Metuchen will be exchanged for a number of shares of Petros common stock, par value$0.0001 per share (the "Petros Common Stock") equal to the quotient resulting from the formula of (i) 24,748,051 divided by (ii) the number of fully-diluted units of Metuchen outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Mergers, subject to adjustment. In addition, each securityholder of Metuchen prior to the Mergers will receive a right to receive such securityholder's pro rata share of an aggregate of 71,160,451 shares of Petros Common Stock potentially issuable upon the achievement of certain milestones set forth in the Merger Agreement. As a result of theNeurotrope Merger, each outstanding share ofNeurotrope common stock, par value$0.0001 per share (the "Neurotrope Common Stock") will be exchanged for one (1) share of Petros Common Stock and each outstanding share ofNeurotrope preferred stock, par value$0.0001 per share (the "Neurotrope Preferred Stock") will be exchanged for one (1) share of Petros preferred stock (the "Petros Preferred Stock"). Following the Mergers, the Petros Preferred Stock will have substantially the same conversion rights (proportionally adjusted to give effect to the Mergers), powers, rights and privileges as the Neurotrope Preferred Stock prior to the Mergers. In addition, each outstanding option to purchase Neurotrope Common Stock or outstanding warrant to purchase common stock that has not previously been exercised prior to the closing of the Mergers (the "Closing") will be converted into equivalent options and warrants to purchase shares of Petros Common Stock and will be adjusted to give effect to the exchange ratios set forth in the Merger Agreement. Upon the Closing, it is anticipated that currentNeurotrope stockholders will own approximately 49.0% of Petros and current Metuchen securityholders will own approximately 51.0% of Petros. The Board of Directors of Petros is expected to consist of five members, three of whom will be designated by Metuchen and two of whom will be designated by the Company. Upon closing, Metuchen will be the accounting acquirer in the Mergers, but not the legal acquirer. As such, the Mergers are deemed a reverse recapitalization under the guidance of ASC 805 and, upon consummation, the historical financial statements of Metuchen will become the historical financial statements of the combined company. In addition, as a condition to the consummation of the Mergers,Neurotrope is required to approve a spin-off transaction (the "Spin-Off") whereby (i) any cash in excess of$20,000,000 , subject to adjustment as provided for in the Merger Agreement, and all of the operating assets and liabilities of the Company not retained by the Company in connection with the Mergers will be contributed to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("Neurotrope SpinCo") and (ii) holders of record of Neurotrope Common Stock and certain warrants will receive a pro rata distribution of one share of Neurotrope SpinCo's common stock for each share of Neurotrope Common Stock held or underlying certain warrants, contingent upon the consummation of the Mergers. The record date for the Spin-Off, and the extent to which other stakeholders of the Company may be entitled to participate in the Spin-Off have not yet been determined. Consummation of the Mergers is subject to certain closing conditions, including, among other things, approval by the common stockholders of the Company and Metuchen and the listing of the Petros common stock on theNasdaq Stock Market after the Mergers. The Company currently anticipates that the shareholder meeting will be held onNovember 25, 2020 . The Merger Agreement contains certain termination rights for both the Company and Metuchen, and further provides that, upon termination of the Merger Agreement under specified circumstances, either party may be required to pay the other party a termination fee of$1.0 million plus third party expenses incurred by the terminating party. In connection with entry into the Second Merger Agreement Amendment, certain stockholders of the Company who in the aggregate hold approximately 34% of the outstanding shares of the common stock of the Company, entered into voting agreements (the "Voting Agreements") with Metuchen whereby such stockholders have agreed to vote any securities of the Company held by them as of the record date for the special meeting of the stockholders of the Company in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement and the approval of the transactions contemplated therein, including the Mergers and the issuance of Petros common stock in the Mergers pursuant to the Merger Agreement, subject to the terms of the voting agreements.
For more information on the Merger Agreement, see Note 1, "Organization, Nature of Business, and Liquidity".
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Results of Most Recent Confirmatory Phase 2 Clinical Trial
OnMay 4, 2018 , we announced a confirmatory, 100-patient, double-blinded clinical trial for the safe, effective 20 ?g dose protocol for advanced AD patients not taking memantine as background therapy to evaluate improvements in SIB scores with an increased number of patients. We engaged WCT, in conjunction with consultants and investigators at leading academic institutions, to collaborate on the design and conduct of the trial, which began inApril 2018 . DuringJuly 2018 , the first patient was enrolled in this study. Pursuant to a Services Agreement (the "2018 Services Agreement") with WCT dated as ofMay 4, 2018 , WCT provided services relating to the trial. The total estimated budget for the services, including pass-through costs, drug supply and other statistical analyses, was approximately$7.8 million . The trial was substantially completed as ofDecember 31, 2019 . We incurred approximately$7.7 million in total expenses of which WCT has represented a total of approximately$7.3 million and approximately$400,000 of expenses were incurred to other trial-related vendors and consultants, resulting in a total savings for this trial of approximately$500,000 .
On
An average increase in SIB total score of 1.3 points and 2.1 points was observed for the Bryostatin-1 and placebo groups, respectively, at Week 13. There were multiple secondary outcome measures in this trial, including the changes from baseline at Weeks 5, 9 and 15 in the SIB total score. No statistically significant difference was observed in the change from baseline in SIB total score between the Bryostatin -1 and placebo treatment groups. The confirmatory Phase 2 multicenter trial was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of Bryostatin-1 as a treatment for cognitive deficits in patients with moderate to severe AD - defined as a Mini Mental State Exam 2 ("MMSE-2") score of 4-15 - who are not currently taking memantine. Patients were randomized 1:1 to be treated with either Bryostatin-1 20?g or placebo, receiving 7 doses over 12 weeks. Patients on memantine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, were excluded unless they had been discontinued from memantine treatment for a 30-day washout period prior to study enrollment. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change in the SIB score between the baseline and week 13. Secondary endpoints included repeated SIB changes from baseline SIB at weeks 5, 9, 13 and 15. OnJanuary 22, 2020 , we announced the completion of an additional analysis in connection with the confirmatory Phase 2 study, which examined moderately severe to severe AD patients treated with Byrostatin-1 in the absence of memantine. To adjust for the baseline imbalance observed in the study, a post-hoc analysis was conducted using paired data for individual patients, with each patient as his/her own control. For the pre-specified moderate stratum (i.e., MMSE-2 baseline scores 10-15), the baseline value and the week 13 value were used, resulting in pairs of observations for each patient. The changes from baseline for each patient were calculated and a paired t-test was used to compare the mean change from baseline to week 13 for each patient. A total of 65 patients had both baseline and week 13 values, from which there were 32 patients in the Bryostatin-1 treatment group and 33 patients in the placebo group. There was a statistically significant improvement over baseline (4.8 points) in the mean SIB at week 13 for subjects in the Bryostatin-1 treatment group (32 subjects), paired t-test p < 0.0076, 2-tailed. In the placebo group (33 subjects), there was also a statistically significant increase from baseline in the mean SIB at week 13, for paired t-test p < 0.0144, consistent with the placebo effect seen in the overall 203 study. Although there was a signal of Bryostatin-1's benefit for the moderately severe stratum, the difference between the Bryostatin-1 and placebo treatment groups was not statistically significant (p=0.2727). As a further test of the robustness of this Moderate Stratum benefit signal, a pre-specified trend analysis (measuring increase of SIB improvement as a function of successive drug doses) was performed on the repeated SIB measures over time (Weeks 0, 5, 9, and 13). These trend analyses showed a significant positive slope of improvement for the treatment groups in the 203 study that was significantly greater than for the placebo group (p<.01). In connection with the additional analysis, we also announced the approval of a$2.7 million award from theNIH to support an additional Phase 2 clinical study focused on the moderate stratum for which we saw improvement in the 203 study. The grant provides for funds in the first year of approximately$1.0 million and funding in year two of approximately$1.7 million subject to satisfactory progress of the project. We are planning to meet with theFood and Drug Administration ("FDA") to present the totality of the clinical data for Bryostatin-1. We are continuing to determine how to proceed with respect to our current development programs for Bryostatin-1. 24
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OnJuly 23, 2020 , Neurotrope Bioscience entered into an additional services agreement (the "2020 Services Agreement") with WCT. The 2020 Services Agreement relates to services for our Phase 2 clinical study assessing the safety, tolerability and long-term efficacy of bryostatin in the treatment of moderately severe AD subjects not receiving memantine treatment. The total estimated budget for the services, including pass-through costs, is approximately$9.8 million . As previously disclosed onJanuary 22, 2020 , we have received a$2.7 million award from theNIH , which award will be used to support the 2020 Study, resulting in an estimated net budgeted cost of the 2020 Study to the Company of$7.1 million . In connection with the entry into the Letter of Intent and 2020 Services Agreement, we agreed that WCT would invoice Neurotrope Bioscience for the following advance payments: (i) services fees of approximately$943,000 ; (ii) pass-through expenses of approximately$266,000 ; and (iii) investigator/institute fees of approximately$314,000 , which in each case will be due within ten (10) days of Neurotrope Bioscience's receipt of such invoice. As ofSeptember 30, 2020 , we incurred approximately$1.1 million of expenses associated with services provided by WCT. Of those amounts, approximately$492,000 was paid utilizing prepayments on deposit with WCT, leaving a balance in prepaid expenses of approximately$1 million . In addition, we reflected an offset to these expenses of approximately$862,000 of amounts receivable from theNIH . As ofNovember 5, 2020 , theNIH , pursuant to the$2.7 million award (noted above), has reimbursed us approximately$705,000 for expenses incurred during the third quarter of 2020. See Note 1, "Organization, Nature of Business, and Liquidity" and Note 5, "Clinical Trial Services Agreements".
Other Development Projects
To the extent resources permit, we may pursue development of selected technology platforms with indications related to the treatment of various disorders, including neurodegenerative disorders such as AD, based on our currently licensed technology and/or technologies available from third party licensors or collaborators. For example, we have entered into aCooperative Research and Development Agreement ("CRADA") with theNational Cancer Institute ("NCI") onJanuary 29, 2019 for the research and clinical development of Bryostatin-1. Under the CRADA, we will collaborate with theNCI's Center for Cancer Research , Pediatric Oncology Branch ("POB") to develop a Phase 1 clinical trial testing the safety and toxicity of Bryostatin-1 in children and young adults with CD22 + leukemia and B-cell lymphoma. In the growing era of highly effective immunotherapies targeting cell-surface antigens (e.g., CAR-T cell therapy), and the recognition that antigen modulation plays a critical role in evasion of response to immunotherapy, the ability for Bryostatin-1 to upregulate CD22 may serve a synergistic role in enhancing the response to a host of CD22 targeted therapies. Under the CRADA, Bryostatin-1 is expected to be tested in the clinic to evaluate its ability to modulate CD22 in patients with relapsed/refractory CD22+ disease, while evaluating safety, toxicity and overall response. In connection with the Transfer Agreement, we agreed to assign and transfer to BryoLogyx all of our right, title and interest in and to the CRADA, subject to the receipt of NCI's consent. Nemours Agreement OnSeptember 5, 2018 , we announced a collaboration with The Nemours / Alfred I. duPontHospital for Children ("Nemours"), a premierU.S. children's hospital, to initiate a clinical trial in children with Fragile X syndrome ("Fragile X"). In addition to the primary objective of safety and tolerability, measurements will be made of working memory, language and other functional aspects such as anxiety, repetitive behavior, executive functioning, and social behavior. 25 Table of Contents Results of Operations
Comparison of the nine months ended
The following table summarizes our results of operations for the nine months
ended
Nine months ended September 30, Dollar 2020 2019 Change % Change Revenue $ - $ - $ - 0 % Operating Expenses:
Research and development expenses - Other$ 1,004,762 $ 4,273,531 $ (3,268,769) (76.5) % General and administrative expenses - Related party$ 7,361 $ 37,500 $ (30,139) (80.4) % General and administrative expenses - Other$ 5,731,238 $ 5,165,096 $ 566,142 11.0 % Stock based compensation expenses - Related Party$ 21,001 $ 173,161 $ (152,160) (87.9) % Stock based compensation expenses - Other$ 1,428,022 $ 3,173,519
$ (1,745,497) (55.0) % Other income (expense), net$ (1,546,695) $ 301,620 $ (1,848,315) (612.8) % Net loss$ 9,739,079 $ 12,521,187 $ (2,782,108) (22.2) % Revenues
We did not generate any revenues for the nine months ended
Operating Expenses Overview Total operating expenses for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 were$8,192,384 as compared to$12,822,807 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2019 , a decrease of approximately 36%. The decrease in total operating expenses is due primarily to a decrease in research and development expenses and stock-based, non-cash, compensation expenses offset by an increase in our general and administrative expenses.
Research and Development Expenses
For the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 , we incurred$1,004,762 in research and development expenses with non-related parties as compared to$4,273,531 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2019 . These expenses were incurred pursuant to developing the potential AD therapeutic product, specifically expenses relating to the recently concluded confirmatory Phase 2 clinical trial plus the recently initiated Phase 2 clinical trial for AD. Of these expenses, for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 ,$616,851 was incurred, which includes an expense offset of$861,852 reimbursable pursuant to ourNIH grant ($705,000 was received subsequent to the end of the third quarter 2020), principally relating to our confirmatory clinical trial and related storage of drug product,$319,128 for clinical consulting services,$22,138 of amortization of prepaid licensing fees relating to theStanford andMount Sinai license agreements and$26,645 for development of alternative drug supply withStanford University as compared to, for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2019 ,$3,647,450 was incurred principally relating to our confirmatory clinical trial and related storage of drug product,$584,745 for clinical consulting services,$20,729 of amortization of prepaid licensing fees relating to theStanford andMount Sinai license agreements and$20,607 for development of alternative drug supply withStanford University . We expect our research and development expenses to substantially increase, in the short term, as our current Phase 2 clinical trial for AD was recently initiated. Other development might increase, as our resources permit, in order to advance our potential products. We are continuing to determine how to proceed with respect to our other current development programs for Bryostatin-1.
General and Administrative Expenses
We incurred related party general and administrative expenses totaling$7,361 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 as compared to$37,500 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2019 . The decrease is attributable to the resignation of two members of our board of directors inFebruary 2020 , who are affiliates of CRE. 26 Table of Contents We incurred$5,731,238 and$5,165,096 of general and administrative expenses for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, an increase of approximately 10%. Of the amounts for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 , as compared to the comparable 2019 period:$1,381,863 was incurred primarily for wages, bonuses, vacation pay, severance, taxes and insurance, versus$1,625,174 for the 2019 comparable period;$1,799,735 was incurred for ongoing legal expenses versus$573,018 for the 2019 comparable period based upon work associated with our strategic alternatives and planning for ourJanuary 2020 capital raise;$1,235,761 was incurred for outside operations consulting services, versus$1,188,685 for the 2019 comparable period as we incurred additional cash and non-cash expenses for investment banking consulting services;$53,448 was incurred for travel expenses, versus$160,078 for the 2019 comparable period, which decrease is primarily attributable to limited travel due to the COVID-19 contagion;$368,984 was incurred for investor relations services versus$972,577 for the 2019 comparable period, which additional expenses during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2019 were primarily attributable to non-cash compensation paid to advisors and an increase in our market exposure;$236,163 was incurred for professional fees associated with auditing, financial, accounting and tax advisory services, versus$109,555 for the 2019 comparable period, which additional expenses during the current period were incurred for fees associated with our announced strategic transactions;$457,887 was incurred for insurance, versus$361,494 for the 2019 comparable period, which increase is primarily attributable to an increase in coverage; and$197,397 was incurred for utilities, supplies, license fees, filing costs, rent, advertising and other versus$174,515 for the 2019 comparable period, which increase is primarily attributable to fees relating to document preparation and filings for our announced strategic transactions.
Stock Based Compensation Expenses
We incurred related party non-cash expenses totaling$21,001 and$173,161 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease is primarily attributable to the resignation of two Board members who were affiliates of CRE and fully expensing certain options in 2019. We incurred$1,428,022 and$3,173,519 of non-related party non-cash expenses for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease for the comparable period is primarily attributable to newly issued stock options during the first quarter of 2019, which included awards with accelerated vesting terms. Other Income
We recorded$1,700,000 of other, non-cash expense for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 as compared to$0 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2019 . The current expense is due to a charge for the revaluation of investor warrants associated with our strategic transactions previously announced and currently in process (See "Planned Merger and Spin-Off" above.) We earned$153,305 of interest income for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 as compared to$301,620 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2019 on funds deposited in interest bearing money market accounts. The decrease is primarily attributable to the decrease in money market interest income rates.
Net loss and loss per share
We incurred losses of$9,739,079 and$12,521,187 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decreased loss was primarily attributable to the decrease in net research and development expenses associated with completing our most recent Phase 2 confirmatory clinical trial and a decrease in non-cash stock-based compensation expenses offset by the increase in our general and administrative expenses and one-time charges associated with the amendment of investor warrants. Earnings (losses) per common share were ($0.46 ) and ($0.97 ) for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease in loss per share is primarily attributable to the decrease in our net loss and an increase in weighted average common shares outstanding. The computation of diluted loss per share for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 excludes 500 shares of convertible preferred stock convertible into 303,031 shares of common stock, 22,011,258 warrants and options to purchase 2,271,573 shares of our common stock as they are anti-dilutive due to our net loss. For the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2019 , the computation excludes 10,368,158 warrants and options to purchase 2,295,246 shares of our common stock, as they are anti-dilutive due to our net loss. 27
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Comparison of the three months ended
The following table summarizes our results of operations for the three months
ended
Three months ended September 30, Dollar 2020 2019 Change % Change Revenue $ - $ - $ - 0 % Operating Expenses: Research and development expenses - Other$ 410,292 $ 845,797 $ (435,505) (51.5) % General and administrative expenses - Related party $ -$ 12,500 $ (12,500) (100.0) % General and administrative expenses - Other$ 1,778,187 $ 2,131,205 $ (353,018) (16.6) % Stock based compensation expenses - Related Party $ -$ 47,177 $ (47,177) (100.0) % Stock based compensation expenses - Other$ 387,927 $ 877,525 $ (489,598) (55.8) % Other income (expense), net$ (1,693,203) $ 90,159
$ (1,783,362) (1,978.0) % Net loss$ 4,269,609 $ 3,824,562 $ 445,046 11.6 % Revenues
We did not generate any revenues for the three months ended
Operating Expenses Overview Total operating expenses for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 were$2,576,406 as compared to$3,914,722 for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2019 , a decrease of approximately 34%. The decrease in total operating expenses is due primarily to a decrease in research and development expenses, stock-based, non-cash, compensation expenses and general and administrative expenses.
Research and Development Expenses
For the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 , we incurred$410,292 in research and development expenses with non-related parties as compared to$845,797 for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2019 . These expenses were incurred pursuant to developing the potential AD therapeutic product, specifically expenses relating to the recently initiated follow-on Phase 2 clinical trial for AD. Of these expenses, for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 ,$259,729 , which includes an expense offset of$861,852 reimbursable pursuant to ourNIH grant ($705,000 was received subsequent to the end of the third quarter 2020), was incurred principally relating to our confirmatory clinical trial and related storage of drug product,$130,887 for clinical consulting services,$7,179 of amortization of prepaid licensing fees relating to theStanford andMount Sinai license agreements and$12,497 for development of alternative drug supply withStanford University as compared to, for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2019 ,$664,677 was incurred principally relating to our confirmatory clinical trial and related storage of drug product,$165,033 for clinical consulting services,$7,480 of amortization of prepaid licensing fees relating to theStanford andMount Sinai license agreements and$8,607 for development of alternative drug supply withStanford University . We expect our research and development expenses to substantially increase, in the short term, as our current Phase 2 clinical trial for AD was recently initiated. Other development might increase, as our resources permit, in order to advance our potential products. We are continuing to determine how to proceed with respect to our other current development programs for Bryostatin-1.
General and Administrative Expenses
We incurred related party general and administrative expenses totaling$0 for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 versus$12,500 for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2019 . The decrease is attributable to the resignation of two members of our board of directors inFebruary 2020 , who are affiliates of CRE. 28 Table of Contents We incurred$1,778,187 and$2,131,205 of general and administrative expenses for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, a decrease of approximately 16%. Of the amounts for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 , as compared to the comparable 2019 period:$343,774 was incurred primarily for wages, bonuses, vacation pay, severance, taxes and insurance, versus$447,695 for the 2019 comparable period. The decrease for the three months endingSeptember 30, 2020 is principally based upon the resignation of our General Counsel and Regulatory Vice President in theSeptember 30, 2019 period;$529,855 was incurred for ongoing legal expenses versus$288,161 for the 2019 comparable period based upon work associated with our strategic transactions;$437,180 was incurred for outside operations consulting services, versus$764,747 for the 2019 comparable period, the decrease is attributable to additional cash and non-cash expenses for investment banking consulting services during the prior comparable period;$7,792 was incurred for travel expenses, versus$48,769 for the 2019 comparable period, which decrease is primarily attributable to limited travel due to the COVID-19 contagion;$146,593 was incurred for investor relations services versus$350,654 for the 2019 comparable period, which additional expenses during the three months endedSeptember 30, 2019 were primarily attributable to non-cash compensation paid to advisors and an increase in our market exposure;$80,028 was incurred for professional fees associated with auditing, financial, accounting and tax advisory services, versus$24,768 for the 2019 comparable period which increase is primarily attributable to fees relating to document preparation for our announced strategic transactions;$149,490 was incurred for insurance, versus$146,243 for the 2019 comparable period; and$83,475 was incurred for utilities, supplies, license fees, filing costs, rent, advertising and other versus$60,168 for the 2019 comparable period.
Stock Based Compensation Expenses
We incurred related party non-cash expenses totaling
We incurred$387,927 and$877,525 of non-related party non-cash expenses for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease for the comparable period is primarily attributable to newly issued stock options during the first quarter of 2019, which included awards with accelerated vesting terms. Other Income
We recorded$1,700,000 of other non-cash expense for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 as compared to$0 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2019 . The current expense is due to a charge for the revaluation of investor warrants associated with our strategic transactions previously announced and currently in process (see "Planned Merger and Spin-Off" above.) We earned$6,797 of interest income for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 as compared to$90,159 for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2019 on funds deposited in interest-bearing money market accounts. The decrease is primarily attributable to the decrease in money market interest income rates.
Net loss and loss per share
We incurred losses of$4,269,609 and$3,824,563 for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increased loss was primarily attributable to the recording of non-cash warrant amendment expenses offset by the decrease in research and development expenses associated with the ramp up of our current Phase 2 confirmatory clinical trial, a decrease in our general and administrative expenses and a decrease in non-cash stock-based compensation expenses. Earnings (losses) per common share were ($0.18 ) and ($0.30 ) for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease in loss per share is primarily attributable to an increase in weighted average common shares outstanding partially offset by the increase in our net loss. The computation of diluted loss per share for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 excludes 500 shares of convertible preferred stock convertible into 303,031 shares of common stock, 22,011,258 warrants and options to purchase 2,271,573 shares of our common stock as they are anti-dilutive due to our net loss. For the three months endedSeptember 30, 2019 , the computation excludes 10,368,158 warrants and options to purchase 2,295,246 shares of our common stock, as they are anti-dilutive due to our net loss. 29
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Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Since inception, we have incurred negative cash flows from operations. As ofSeptember 30, 2020 , we had an accumulated deficit of$98,555,922 and had working capital of$27,825,991 as compared to working capital of$17,397,094 as ofDecember 31, 2019 . The$10,428,897 increase in working capital was primarily attributable to an increase in cash of approximately$16.5 million , net of transaction expenses, from our registered direct offering of common stock and warrants (described below) offset by our net loss, excluding non-cash compensation and consulting expenses and depreciation, of$6,085,678 plus capital expenditures of$5,413 .
On
As ofSeptember 30, 2020 , the Company had approximately$27.0 million in cash and cash equivalents as compared to$17.4 million atDecember 31, 2019 . The increase in cash is attributable to the aformentioned issuance of preferred stock and warrants pursuant to a registered direct offering inJanuary 2020 , partially offset by cash used for operating activities during the 2020 period. The Company expects that its current cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to support its projected operating requirements for at least the next 12 months from the Form 10-Q filing date, which would include the continuing development of bryostatin, our novel drug targeting the activation of PKC epsilon. Such cash and cash projections do not include the impact of the Planned Merger and Spinoff transaction, if approved. In addition, should the Planned Mergers and Spinoff be approved and consummated, any cash in excess of$20,000,000 , subject to adjustment as provided for in the Merger Agreement, and all of the operating assets and liabilities of the Company will be contributed to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("Neurotrope SpinCo "). Neurotrope SpinCo operations are expected to be very similar to current operations of Neurotrope Bioscience. The cash expected to be spun out upon approval and closing is anticipated to be sufficient to financeSpinCo operations for at least the next twelve months from this filing date. Future development activities may require additional equity or debt financing or additional collaboration or licensing agreements. Such equity financing may not be on favorable terms and would likely be dilutive or in the case of debt financing may involve restrictive covenants. Collaboration or licensing arrangements may require the Company to relinquish rights to some of its technologies or product candidates on terms that may not favorable to the Company. The Company's ability to access capital when needed is not assured and, if not achieved on a timely basis, could materially harm its business, financial condition and results of operations.
Sources and Uses of Liquidity
Since inception, we have satisfied our operating cash requirements from the private placement of equity securities sold principally to outside investors. We expect to continue to incur expenses, resulting in losses and negative cash flows from operations, over at least the next several years as we may continue to develop AD and other therapeutic products. We anticipate that this development may include new clinical trials and additional research and development expenditures. We are continuing to determine how to proceed with respect to our current development programs for Bryostatin-1. Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2020 2019
Cash used in operating activities
5,413
5,214
Cash provided by financing activities 16,519,988 419,843
Cash used in operating activities was$6,896,751 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 , compared to$10,367,137 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2019 . The$3,470,386 decrease primarily resulted from the decreased net loss of approximately$2.8 million , by the decrease in payables of approximately$3.0 million and the one-time non-cash warrant amendment expense of$1.7 million , offset by a decrease in non-cash stock-based compensation expenses of approximately$2.7 million and by a decrease in prepaid expenses of approximately$1.3 million , for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 . 30
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Net cash used in investing activities was$5,413 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 compared to$5,214 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2019 . The cash used in investing activities for both periods was for capital expenditures.
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was$16,519,988 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 compared to$419,843 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2019 . Net cash provided for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 was the result of funds raised through the sale of common stock and warrants to investors from our registered direct public offering as described below versus cash provided for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2019 resulted from funds raised through exercise of warrants by investors in our historical private placements. OnJanuary 22, 2020 , we raised, through a registered direct offering, approximately$16.5 million in net proceeds. Pursuant to the terms of a purchase agreement, we issued to the purchasers an aggregate of 18,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock (which are convertible into a total of 10,909,100 shares of common stock) and Series H warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 10,909,100 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately$18 million . As ofNovember 5, 2020 , we had approximately$26.9 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities. We expect that our existing capital resources will be sufficient to support our projected operating requirements over at least the next 12 months from the Form 10-Q filing date, including the potential continued development of bryostatin, our novel drug targeting the activation of PKC epsilon. The future course of our operations and research and development activities will be contingent upon the further analysis of results from our recently completed trial, in addition to our current plans regarding the strategic alternative disclosed above in "Overview - Planned Merger and Spin-Off". We expect to require additional capital in order to initiate, pursue and complete all potential AD clinical trials, including the development of bryostatin for other potential product applications, or in connection with any strategic alternatives that we may pursue. Additional funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. If we are unable to access additional funds when needed, we may not be able to initiate, pursue and complete all planned clinical trials or continue the development of our product candidates or we could be required to delay, scale back or eliminate some or all of our development programs and operations. Any additional equity financing, if available, may not be available on favorable terms, would most likely be significantly dilutive to our current stockholders and debt financing, if available, and may involve restrictive covenants. If we are able to access funds through collaborative or licensing arrangements, we may be required to relinquish rights to some of our technologies or product candidates that we would otherwise seek to develop or commercialize on our own, on terms that are not favorable to us. Our ability to access capital when needed is not assured and, if not achieved on a timely basis, will materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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