UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021

 

or

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from __________ to __________

 

Commission File Number: 000- 55347

 

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada   45-5401931
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

880 Third Avenue, 12th Floor
New York, NY
  10022
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(646) 876-3459

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

N/A

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

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

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share   RLMD   The NASDAQ Global Select Market

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ☒ Yes     No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). ☒ Yes     No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer Smaller reporting company
    Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ☐ Yes     ☒ No

 

As of May 7, 2021, there were 16,796,237 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.

Index

 
    Page Number
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION    
     
Item 1. Financial Statements   1
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2021 (unaudited) and December 31, 2020   1
  Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020   2
  Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020   3
 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020

  4
  Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements   5
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation   15
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   23
Item 4. Controls and Procedures   23
       
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION    
       
Item 1. Legal Proceedings   24
Item 1A. Risk Factors   24
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds   24
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities   24
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures   24
Item 5. Other Information   24
Item 6. Exhibits   25
       
SIGNATURES   26

 

i

 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

   As of   As of 
   March 31,
2021
   December 31,
2020
 
   (Unaudited)     
Assets        
Current assets:        
    Cash and cash equivalents  $3,804,042   $2,495,397 
Short-term investments   98,899,732    114,595,525 
Lease payments receivable – short term   81,133    79,457 
Prepaid expenses   990,695    903,190 
Total current assets   103,775,602    118,073,569 
Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation   452    1,258 
Other assets   25,000    25,000 
Lease payments receivable – long term   65,454    86,377 
Total assets  $103,866,508   $118,186,204 
           
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 8)          
           
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $8,082,796   $8,346,475 
Accrued expenses   4,636,584    4,256,983 
Total current liabilities   12,719,380    12,603,458 
           
Stockholders’ Equity:          
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding   -    - 
Class A convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 3,500,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding   -    - 
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 16,748,055 and 16,332,939 shares issued and outstanding, respectively   16,748    16,333 
Additional paid-in capital   292,660,864    284,881,716 
Accumulated deficit   (201,530,484)   (179,315,303)
Total stockholders’ equity   91,147,128    105,582,746 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $103,866,508   $118,186,204 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

1

 

 

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

   Three months ended March 31, 
   2021   2020 
Operating expenses:        
Research and development  $14,022,227   $4,507,784 
General and administrative   8,382,976    5,466,654 
Total operating expenses   22,405,203    9,974,438 
           
Loss from operations   (22,405,203)   (9,974,438)
           
Other income (expenses):          
Interest/investment income, net   419,974    407,652 
Realized loss on short-term investments   (52,789)   (171,611)
Unrealized loss on short-term investments   (177,163)   (934,919)
Total other income (expenses), net   190,022    (698,878)
           
Net loss  $(22,215,181)  $(10,673,316)
           
Net loss per common share – basic and diluted  $(1.34)  $(0.72)
           
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted   16,572,672    14,738,230 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2

 

  

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

 

   Three months ended March 31, 2021 
   Common Stock   Additional
Paid-in
   Accumulated     
   Shares   Par Value   Capital   Deficit   Total 
Balance - December 31, 2020   16,332,939   $16,333   $284,881,716   $(179,315,303)  $105,582,746 
Stock-based compensation expense   -    -    5,851,284    -    5,851,284 
Warrants exercised for cash   273,491    273    1,460,233    -    1,460,506 
Options exercised for cash   141,625    142    467,631    -    467,773 
Net loss   -    -    -    (22,215,181)   (22,215,181)
Balance - March 31, 2021   16,748,055   $16,748   $292,660,864   $(201,530,484)  $91,147,128 

 

   Three months ended March 31, 2020 
   Common Stock   Additional
Paid-in
   Accumulated     
   Shares   Par Value   Capital   Deficit   Total 
Balance - December 31, 2019   14,457,013   $14,457   $235,522,746   $(119,858,909)  $115,678,294 
Stock-based compensation expense   -    -    5,039,362    -    5,039,362 
Warrants exercised for cash   447,107    447    3,041,726    -    3,042,173 
Cashless warrant exercise   34,114    34    (34)   -    - 
Options exercised   2,434    3    73,017    -    73,020 
Net loss   -    -    -    (10,673,316)   (10,673,316)
Balance - March 31, 2020   14,940,668   $14,941   $243,676,817   $(130,532,225)  $113,159,533 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated  financial statements.

 

3

 

 

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

   Three months ended March 31, 
   2021   2020 
Cash flows from operating activities        
Net loss  $(22,215,181)  $(10,673,316)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:          
Depreciation expense   806    1,046 
Stock-based compensation   5,851,284    5,039,362 
Realized loss on short-term investments   52,789    171,611 
Unrealized loss on short-term investments   177,163    934,919 
Change in operating assets and liabilities:          
Other receivable   -    (7,529)
Lease payment receivable   19,247    17,704 
Prepaid expenses   (87,505)   177,855 
Accounts payable   (263,679)   580,153 
Accrued expenses   379,601    333,432 
Net cash used in operating activities   (16,085,475)   (3,424,763)
           
Cash flows from investing activities          
Purchase of short-term investments   (20,663,535)   (37,230,631)
Sale of short-term investments   36,129,376    13,598,416 
Net cash provided by (used) in  investing activities   15,465,841    (23,632,215)
           
Cash flows from financing activities          
Principal payments of notes payable   -    (110,247)
Proceeds from options exercised for common stock   467,773    73,020 
Proceeds from warrants exercised for common stock   1,460,506    3,042,173 
Net cash provided by financing activities   1,928,279    3,004,946 
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   1,308,645    (24,052,032)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period   2,495,397    36,278,519 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period  $3,804,042   $12,226,487 
           
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:          
           
Cash paid during the period for:          
Income taxes  $-   $- 
Interest  $-   $2,415 
           
Non-cash investing and financing activities:          
Cashless exercise of warrants for common stock  $-   $34 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4

 

 

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 1 - BUSINESS

 

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc. (Relmada or the Company) (a Nevada corporation), is a clinical-stage, publicly traded biotechnology company focused on the development of esmethadone (d-methadone, dextromethadone, REL-1017), an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. Esmethadone is a New Chemical Entity (NCE) that potentially addresses areas of high unmet medical need in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases and other disorders.

 

In addition to the normal risks associated with a new business venture, there can be no assurance that the Company’s research and development will be successfully completed or that any product will be approved or commercially viable. The Company is subject to risks common to companies in the biotechnology industry including, but not limited to, dependence on collaborative arrangements, development by the Company or its competitors of new technological innovations, dependence on key personnel, protection of proprietary technology, and compliance with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other governmental regulations and approval requirements.

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) for interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2020 and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Liquidity

 

As shown in the accompanying financial statements, the Company incurred negative operating cash flows of $16,085,475 for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and has an accumulated deficit of $201,530,484 from inception through March 31, 2021. At March 31, 2021, the Company had cash and short-term investments of $102,703,774.

 

Relmada has funded its past operations through equity raises and most recently in the year ended December 31, 2020 raised net proceeds from the sale of common stock of $19,791,644, $8,056,416 through the exercise of warrants and $735,514 through the exercise of options. The Company also raised an additional $1,928,279 during the three months ended March 31, 2021 from the exercises of options and warrants.

 

Management believes that their existing cash and cash equivalents will enable them to fund operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements for at least 12 months from the issuance of these unaudited condensed consolidated quarterly financial statements. Beyond that point management will evaluate the size and scope of any subsequent trials that will affect the timing of additional financings through public or private sales of equity or debt securities or from bank or other loans or through strategic collaboration and/or licensing agreements. Any such expenditures related to any subsequent trials will not be incurred until such additional financing is raised. Further, additional financing related to subsequent trials does not affect the Company’s conclusion that based on the cash on hand and the budgeted cash flow requirements, the Company has sufficient funds to maintain operations for at least 12 months from the issuance of these consolidated financial statements.

 

5

 

 

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

Principles of Consolidation

  

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the Company’s accounts and those of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Risks and Uncertainties

 

The ongoing pandemic may adversely affect our business. Based on the Company’s current assessment, the Company does not expect any material impact on its long-term development timeline and its liquidity due to the worldwide spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) virus. However, the Company is actively monitoring this situation and the possible effects on its financial condition, liquidity, operations, suppliers, industry, and workforce.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The significant estimates are the valuation of stock-based compensation expenses and recorded amounts related to income taxes.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers cash deposits and all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company’s cash deposits are held at two high-credit-quality financial institutions. The Company’s cash deposits at these institutions exceed federally insured limits.

 

Short-term Investments

 

The Company’s investments consist entirely of mutual funds. The securities are measured at fair value based on the net asset value (“NAV”). The Company has adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2016-01, Financial Instruments which requires substantially all equity investments in nonconsolidated entities to be measured at fair value with recurring changes recognized in earnings, except for those accounted for using equity method accounting. Changes in fair value of the securities are recorded as part of other income on the consolidated statement of operations. Short term investment activity is presented in the investing activities section on the consolidated statement of cash flows.

 

Patents

 

Costs related to filing and pursuing patent applications are recorded as general and administrative expense and expensed as incurred since recoverability of such expenditures is uncertain.

 

Fixed Assets

 

Fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Fixed assets are comprised of computers and software. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the assets. Computers and software have an estimated useful life of three years.

 

6

 

 

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

Leases

 

The Company recognizes its leases with a term of greater than a year on the balance sheet by recording right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. Leases can be classified as either operating leases or finance leases. Operating leases will result in straight-line lease expense, while finance leases will result in front-loaded expense. The Company’s lease consists of an operating leases for office space. The Company does not recognize a lease liability or right-of-use asset on the balance sheet for short-term leases. Instead, the Company recognizes short-term lease payments as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. A short-term lease is defined as a lease that, at the commencement date, has a lease term of 12 months or less and does not include an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The Company’s financial instruments primarily include cash, short term investments, and accounts payable. Due to the short-term nature of cash and accounts payable the carrying amounts of these assets and liabilities approximate their fair value.

 

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price), in an orderly transaction between market participants at the reporting date. A fair value hierarchy has been established for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

 

Level 1 Inputs - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

 

Level 2 Inputs - Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatilities, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market data by correlation or other means.

 

Level 3 Inputs - Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (supported by little or no market activity).

 

The Company’s short-term investments of $98,899,732 at March 31, 2021 consist of mutual funds, bank deposits and money market funds and are classified using Level 1 inputs within the fair value hierarchy because the value is based on quoted prices in active markets. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded in the consolidated statement of operations under other income. The Company recorded an unrealized loss of $177,163, included in other income for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Accordingly, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in the tax rate is recognized in income or expense in the period that the change is effective. Tax benefits are recognized when it is probable that the deduction will be sustained. A valuation allowance is established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will either expire before the Company is able to realize the benefit, or that future deductibility is uncertain. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had recognized a valuation allowance to the full extent of the Company’s net deferred tax assets since the likelihood of realization of the benefit does not meet the more likely than not threshold.

 

7

 

 

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

The Company files a U.S. Federal income tax return and various state returns. Uncertain tax positions taken on the Company’s tax returns will be accounted for as liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits. The Company will recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in general and administrative expenses in the statements of operations. There were no liabilities recorded for uncertain tax positions at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The open tax years, subject to potential examination by the applicable taxing authority, for the Company are from June 30, 2018 forward.

 

Research and Development

 

Research and development costs primarily consist of research contracts for the advancement of product development, salaries and benefits, stock-based compensation, and consultants. The Company expenses all research and development costs in the period incurred. The Company makes an estimate of costs in relation to clinical study contracts. The Company analyzes the progress of studies, including the progress of clinical studies and phases, invoices received and contracted costs when evaluating the adequacy of the amount expensed and the related prepaid asset and accrued liability. 

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. That cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award - the requisite service period. The grant-date fair value of employee share options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model adjusted for the unique characteristics of those instruments.

 

Net Loss per Common Share

 

Basic net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders is calculated by dividing the net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period, without consideration for common stock equivalents. Diluted net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders is computed by dividing the net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common share equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock method. Dilutive common stock equivalents are comprised of Class A convertible preferred stock, Series A preferred stock, restricted stock awards, options and warrants to purchase common stock. For all periods presented, there is no difference in the number of shares used to calculate basic and diluted shares outstanding due to the Company’s net loss position.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the potentially dilutive securities that would be anti-dilutive due to the Company’s net loss are not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders. The anti-dilutive securities are as follows (in common stock equivalent shares): 

 

   Three months ended 
   March 31,
2021
   March 31,
2020
 
Stock options   5,165,987    3,997,856 
Common stock warrants   2,797,142    3,160,715 
Total   7,963,129    7,158,571 

 

8

 

 

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements 

 

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2021 and the standard did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Subsequent Events

 

The Company’s management reviewed all material events through the date the financial statements were issued for subsequent event disclosure consideration.

 

NOTE 3 - PREPAID EXPENSES

 

Prepaid expenses consisted of the following (rounded to nearest $00):

 

   March 31,
2021
   December 31,
2020
 
Insurance  $353,700   $527,600 
Research and Development   454,400    291,800 
Legal   11,000    11,000 
Other   171,600    72,800 
Total  $990,700   $903,200 

 

NOTE 4 - FIXED ASSETS

 

Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation, consisted of the following (rounded to nearest $00):

 

    Useful lives   March 31,
2021
    December 31,
2020
 
Computer and Software   3 years   $ 16,700     $ 16,700  
Less: accumulated depreciation         (16,200 )     (15,400 )
Fixed Assets       $ 500     $ 1,300  

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized depreciation expense of approximately $800 and $1,100, respectively.

 

9

 

 

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 5 - ACCRUED EXPENSES

 

Accrued expenses consisted of the following (rounded to nearest $00):

 

   March 31,
2021
   December 31,
2020
 
Research and development  $3,376,600   $2,183,800 
Professional fees   149,000    150,900 
Accrued bonus   365,200    1,444,900 
Accrued vacation   401,200    351,200 
Other   344,600    126,200 
Total  $4,636,600   $4,257,000 

 

NOTE 6 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Common Stock

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company issued 273,491 shares of common stock for cash exercises of warrants for proceeds of $1,460,506.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company issued 141,625 shares of common stock for cash exercise of options for proceeds of $467,773.

 

Options and Warrants

 

In December 2014, the Board of Directors adopted and the shareholders approved Relmada’s 2014 Stock Option and Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the Plan), which allows for the granting of common stock awards, stock appreciation rights, and incentive and nonqualified stock options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock to designated employees, non-employee directors, and consultants and advisors. The Plan allowed for the granting of 5,152,942 options or stock awards.

 

Stock options are exercisable generally for a period of 10 years from the date of grant and generally vest over four years. As of March 31, 2021, there were no shares available for future grants under the 2014 Plan and grants under the plan exceeded the total authorized options under the Plan by approximately 13,000. In the event the 2021 Incentive Plan is not approved these options will be cancelled. On March 19, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted, and at the annual shareholder meeting on May 20, 2021, Shareholders will be asked to approve a new 2021 Equity Incentive Plan which would allow for 1,500,000 shares to be available for future grants under the Plan.

 

As of March 31, 2021, no stock appreciation rights have been issued.

 

The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock options and warrants. The risk-free interest rate assumptions were based upon the observed interest rates appropriate for the expected term of the equity instruments. The expected dividend yield was assumed to be zero as the Company has not paid any dividends since its inception and does not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future. The expected volatility was based on historical volatility. The Company routinely reviews its calculation of volatility changes in future volatility, the Company’s life cycle, its peer group, and other factors.

 

10

 

 

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 6 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)

 

The Company uses the simplified method for share-based compensation to estimate the expected term for employee option awards for share-based compensation in its option-pricing model.

 

On January 6, 2021, the Company awarded a total of 1,490,000 options to employees and directors with an exercise price of $33.43 and a 10-year term vesting over a 4-year period. The options granted include time based vesting grants and performance vesting based on the Company’s achievement of performance metrics. The options have an aggregate fair value of $39.7 million calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Variables used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model include: (1) discount rate of 0.59% (2) expected life of 6.25 years, (3) expected volatility of 101%, and (4) zero expected dividends. As of March 31, 2021, performance metrics relating to the start of the Company’s second Phase 3 trial for 104,000 options were met. Vesting of such options is subject to the passage of time. At March 31, 2021, the Company incurred expense of $157,302 related to these options.

 

On February 18, 2021, the Company awarded a total of 25,000 options to an employee with an exercise price of $35.15 and a 10-year term, vesting over a 4-year period. The options have an aggregate fair value of $701,000 calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Variables used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model include: (1) discount rate of 0.75% (2) expected life of 6.25 years, (3) expected volatility of 101%, and (4) zero expected dividends.

 

At March 31, 2021, the Company has unrecognized stock-based compensation expense of approximately $85.7 million related to unvested stock options over the weighted average remaining service period of 3.23 years.

 

Options

 

A summary of the changes in options during the three months ended March 31, 2021 is as follows:

 

    Number of
Options
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price For
Share
    Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(Years)
    Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
Outstanding and expected to vest at December 31, 2020     3,905,737     $ 24.32       8.40     $ 48,952,339  
Granted     1,515,000       33.46       9.78       -  
Exercised     (141,625 )     3.30       -       -  
Forfeited     (113,125 )     34.47       -       -  
Outstanding and expected to vest at March 31, 2021     5,165,987     $ 27.36       8.68     $ 53,992,340  
Options exercisable at March 31, 2021     1,409,421     $ 20.22       7.77     $ 25,192,625  

 

11

 

 

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 6 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)

 

Warrants

 

A summary of the changes in outstanding warrants during the three months ended March 31, 2021 is as follows:

 

   Number of
Shares
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price Per
Share
 
Outstanding and vested at December 31, 2020   2,670,633   $9.11 
Granted   400,000    33.43 
Exercised   (273,491)   5.34 
Outstanding at March 31, 2021   2,797,142   $12.96 
Vested at March 31, 2021   2,383,080   $9.57 

 

At March 31, 2021, the Company had approximately $13.6 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to outstanding warrants.

 

On January 6, 2021, the Company awarded a total of 400,000 warrants to consultants with an exercise price of $33.43 and a 10-year term, vesting over 4-year period. The warrants granted include time based vesting grants and performance vesting based on the Company’s achievement of performance metrics. The warrants have an aggregate fair value of $10.6 million calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Variables used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model include: (1) discount rate of 0.59% (2) expected life of 6.25 years, (3) expected volatility of 101%, and (4) zero expected dividends. As of March 31, 2021, performance metrics relating to the start of the Company’s second Phase 3 trial for 40,000 warrants were met. Vesting of such options is subject to the passage of time. At March 31, 2021, the Company incurred expense of $60,501 related to these warrants.

 

At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the aggregate intrinsic value of warrants vested and outstanding was approximately $61.1 million and $61.2 million, respectively.

 

The following summarizes the components of stock-based compensation expense which includes stock options and warrants in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (rounded to nearest $00):

 

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
2021
   Three Months Ended
March 31,
2020
 
Research and development  $545,800   $3,293,000 
General and administrative   5,305,500    1,746,400 
Total  $5,851,300   $5,039,400 

 

NOTE 7 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Effective March 6, 2020, Dr. Ottavio Vitolo, the Company’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Research and Development, entered into a Separation and Severance Agreement with the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Company agreed to pay Dr. Vitolo severance of $200,000 in accordance with his employment contract. In addition, Dr. Vitolo’s options granted under the Company’s 2014 Stock Option and Equity Incentive Plan continued to vest until September 6, 2020. Dr. Vitolo had until March 6, 2021   to exercise his vested options and he was allowed to use a cashless exercise provision to exercise his vested options. As of March 31, 2021, the remaining vested options have been forfeited. The agreement also contains customary confidentiality, release, and non-disparagement provisions, and the Company agreed to pay accrued and unpaid salary, vacation time and attorney’s fees totaling approximately $45,000.

 

Effective December 31, 2020, Dr. Thomas Wessel, the Company’s Executive Vice President, Head of Research and Development, entered into a Separation and Severance Agreement with the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Company agreed to pay Dr. Wessel severance of $237,500 in accordance with his employment contract. In addition, Dr. Wessel’s options granted under the Company’s 2014 Stock Option and Equity Incentive Plan continue to vest until June 30, 2021. Dr. Wessel shall have until December 31, 2021 to exercise his vested options and he shall be allowed to use a cashless exercise provision to exercise his vested options. The agreement also contains customary confidentiality, release, and non-disparagement provisions, and the Company agreed to pay accrued vacation time totaling approximately $28,940.

 

12

 

 

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 8 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

License Agreements

 

Wonpung

 

On August 20, 2007, the Company entered into a License Development and Commercialization Agreement with Wonpung Mulsan Co, a shareholder of the Company. Wonpung has exclusive territorial rights in countries it selects in Asia to market up to two drugs the Company is currently developing and a right of first refusal (ROFR) for up to an additional five drugs that the Company may develop in the future as defined in more detail in the license agreement. If the parties cannot agree to terms of a license agreement then the Company shall be able to engage in discussions with other potential licensors. As of March 2021, no discussions are active between the Company and Wonpung.

 

The Company received an upfront license fee of $1,500,000 and will earn royalties of up to 12% of net sales for up to two licensed products it is currently developing. The licensing terms for the ROFR products are subject to future negotiations and binding arbitration. The terms of each licensing agreement will expire on the earlier of any time from 15 years to 20 years after licensing or on the date of commercial availability of a generic product to such licensed product in the licensed territory.

 

Third Party Licensor

 

Based upon a prior acquisition, the Company assumed an obligation to pay a third party (Dr. Charles E. Inturrisi and Dr. Paolo Manfredi – see below): (A) royalty payments up to 2% on net sales of licensed products that are not sold by sublicensee and (B) on each and every sublicense earned royalty payment received by licensee from its sublicensee on sales of license product by sublicensee, the higher of (i) 20% of the royalties received by licensee; or (ii) up to 2% of net sales of sublicensee. The Company will also make milestone payments of up to $4 or $2 million, for the first commercial sale of product in the field that has a single active pharmaceutical ingredient, and for the first commercial sale of product in the field of product that has more than one active pharmaceutical ingredient, respectively. As of March 31, 2021, the Company has not generated any revenue related to this license agreement.

 

Inturrisi / Manfredi

 

In January 2018, we entered into an Intellectual Property Assignment Agreement (the Assignment Agreement) and License Agreement (the License Agreement and together with the Assignment Agreement, the Agreements) with Dr. Charles E. Inturrisi and Dr. Paolo Manfredi (collectively, the Licensor). Pursuant to the Agreements, Relmada assigned its existing rights, including patents and patent applications, to d-methadone in the context of psychiatric use (the Existing Invention) to Licensor. Licensor then granted Relmada under the License Agreement a perpetual, worldwide, and exclusive license to commercialize the Existing Invention and certain further inventions regarding d-methadone in the context of other indications such as those contemplated above. In consideration of the rights granted to Relmada under the License Agreement, Relmada paid the Licensor an upfront, non-refundable license fee of $180,000. Additionally, Relmada will pay Licensor $45,000 every three months until the earliest to occur of the following events: (i) the first commercial sale of a licensed product anywhere in the world, (ii) the expiration or invalidation of the last to expire or be invalidated of the patent rights anywhere in the world, or (iii) the termination of the License Agreement. Relmada will also pay Licensor tiered royalties with a maximum rate of 2%, decreasing to 1.75%, and 1.5% in certain circumstances, on net sales of licensed products covered under the License Agreement. Relmada will also pay Licensor tiered payments up to a maximum of 20%, and decreasing to 17.5%, and 15% in certain circumstances, of all consideration received by Relmada for sublicenses granted under the License Agreement.  As of March 31, 2021, no events have occurred, and the Company continues to pay Licensor $45,000 every three months.

 

Legal

 

From time to time, the Company may become involved in lawsuits and other legal proceedings that arise in the course of business. Litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and it is not possible to predict the outcome of litigation with total confidence. The Company is currently not aware of any legal proceedings or potential claims against it whose outcome would be likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, operating results, or cash flows.

 

13

 

 

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 8 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (continued)

 

Lawsuit Brought by Current Employee

 

On July 15, 2020, an employee of the Company filed a Complaint alleging unequal pay based on gender and other employment-based claims. Subsequent to March 31, 2021, the Company settled this Complaint for an amount immaterial to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Leases and Sublease

 

The Company’s corporate headquarters are located at 880 Third Avenue, 12th Floor, New York, New York 10022 pursuant to a lease agreement for a period of one year. In accordance with ASU 2016-02, Leases, the Company has elected the practical expedient and recognizes rent expense evenly over the 12 months. The monthly rent is approximately $8,800. For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized lease expense of approximately $15,900 and $41,600, respectively.

 

On June 8, 2017, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated License Agreement with Actinium. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Actinium will continue to license the furniture, fixtures, equipment and tenant improvements located in the office (FFE) for a license fee of $7,529 per month until December 8, 2022. Actinium shall have at any time during the term of this agreement the right to purchase the FFE for $496,914, less any previously paid license fees. The license of FFE qualifies as a sales-type lease. At inception, the Company derecognized the underlying assets of $493,452, recognized discounted lease payments receivable of $397,049 using the discount rate of 8.38% and recognized loss on sales-type lease of fixed assets of $96,403. For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized lease income of approximately $3,300 and $4,900, respectively. As of March 31, 2021, the balance of unearned interest income was approximately $11,500.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

The following tables sets forth our contractual obligations for the next five years and thereafter:

 

   Total   Less than
1 year
   1 - 2
years
   3 - 5
years
   More than
5 years
 
Office lease  $79,200   $79,200   $-   $-   $- 
Total obligations  $79,200   $79,200   $-   $-   $- 

 

NOTE 9 - OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLAN

 

Relmada participates in a multiemployer 401(k) plan that permits eligible employees to contribute funds on a pretax basis subject to maximum allowed under federal tax provisions. The Company matches 100% of the first 3% of employee contributions, plus 50% of employee contributions that exceed 3% but do not exceed 5%.

 

The employees choose an amount from various investment options for both their contributions and the Company’s matching contribution. The Company’s contribution expense was $40,320 and $8,058 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

NOTE 10 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Subsequent to March 31, 2021, 48,182 outstanding warrants and options were exercised for total cash proceeds of approximately $367,800.

 

14

 

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT NOTICE

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this Report) contains forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, principally in the sections entitled “Description of Business,” “Risk Factors,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this Quarterly Report, including statements regarding future events, our future financial performance, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. We have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including “anticipates,” “believes,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “should,” or “will” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although we do not make forward-looking statements unless we believe we have a reasonable basis for doing so, we cannot guarantee their accuracy. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the risks outlined under “Risk Factors” or elsewhere in this Quarterly Report, which may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all risk factors, nor can we address the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements included in this document are based on information available to us on the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

 

You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement, each of which applies only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Before you invest in our securities, you should be aware that the occurrence of the events described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to conform our statements to actual results or changed expectations.

 

Business Overview

 

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc. (Relmada or the Company, we or us) (a Nevada corporation), is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of esmethadone (d-methadone, dextromethadone, REL-1017), an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. Esmethadone is a new chemical entity (NCE) that potentially addresses areas of high unmet medical need in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases and other disorders.

 

Our lead product candidate, esmethadone, is an NCE being developed as a rapidly acting, oral agent for the treatment of depression and other potential indications. We have previously completed Phase 1 single and multiple ascending dose studies and on October 15, 2019 we reported top-line data from study REL-1017-202. This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the safety, tolerability and efficacy of two oral doses of REL-1017, 25 mg once a day and 50 mg once a day, as an adjunctive treatment in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), who experienced an inadequate response to 1 to 3 adequate antidepressant treatments with an antidepressant medication.

 

In the REL-1017-202 study, 62 subjects, average age 49.2 years, with an average Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score of 25.3 and an average Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score of 34.0 (severe depression), were randomized. Other demographic characteristics were balanced across all arms. After an initial screening period, subjects were randomized to one of three arms: placebo, REL-1017 25 mg or REL-1017 50 mg, in addition to stable background antidepressant therapy. Subjects in the REL-1017 treatment arms received one loading dose of either 75 mg (25 mg arm) or 100 mg (50 mg arm) of REL-1017. Subjects were treated inpatient for 7 days and discharged home at Day 9. They returned for follow-up visits at Day 14 and Day 21. Efficacy was measured on Days 2, 4 and 7 in the dosing period and on Day 14, one week after treatment discontinuation. 61 subjects received all treatment doses and were included in the per-protocol population (PPP) treatment analysis; 57 subjects completed all visits. All 62 randomized subjects were part of the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. No differences were observed between the ITT and PPP analyses and results.

 

15

 

 

Key findings:

 

We observed that subjects in both the REL-1017 25 mg and 50 mg treatment groups experienced statistically significant improvement on all efficacy measures tested as compared to subjects in the placebo group, including: the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS); the Clinical Global Impression – Severity (CGI-S) scale; the Clinical Global Impression – Improvement (CGI-I) scale; and the Symptoms of Depression Questionnaire (SDQ).

 

Improvements on the MADRS endpoint appeared on Day 4 in both REL-1017 dose groups and continued through Day 7 and Day 14, seven days after treatment discontinuation, with P values< 0.03 and large effect sizes (a measure of quantifying the difference between two groups), ranging from 0.7 to 1.0. Similar findings emerged from the CGI-S and CGI-I scales.

 

MADRS: Analysis of Change from Baseline to Day 7 and to Day 14 ITT Population

 

    Day 2     Day 4     Day 7     Day 14  
    LS
Means Difference
    P-value     d     LS
Means Difference
    P-value     d     LS
Means Difference
    P-value     d     LS
Means Difference
    P-value     d  
REL-1017 25mg vs Placebo     -1.9       0.4340       0.3       -7.9       0.0087       0.9       -8.7       0.0122       0.8       -9.4       0.0103       0.9  
REL-1017 50mg vs Placebo     -0.3       0.9092       0.0       -7.6       0.0096       0.8       -7.2       0.0308       0.7       -10.4       0.0039       1.0  

 

 

LS = Least Squares; d = Cohen’s effect size

 

The study also confirmed the favorable tolerability profile of REL-1017, which was also observed in the Phase 1 studies. Subjects experienced mild and moderate adverse events (AEs), and no serious adverse events, without significant differences between placebo and treatment groups. The AEs observed in the Phase 2a clinical study were of the same nature as those observed in the Phase 1 clinical studies in d-Methadone, and there was no evidence of either treatment induced psychotomimetic and dissociative AEs or withdrawal signs and symptoms upon treatment discontinuation.

 

Phase 3 Program

 

On December 20, 2020, we announced that the first patient had been enrolled in the first Phase 3 clinical trial (RELIANCE I) for the Company’s lead product candidate, REL-1017, as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). On April 1st, 2021, Relmada announced the initiation of RELIANCE II, the second of two sister pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials (RELIANCE I and RELIANCE II) for the Company’s lead product candidate, REL-1017, as an adjunctive treatment for MDD.

 

Following discussions with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Relmada’s Phase 3 program includes the following key attributes:

 

  The Phase 3 program consists of two sister, two-arm, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Each trial will be conducted in 55 clinical sites in the United States and will include approximately 400 MDD patients with inadequate response to standard antidepressants in their current depression episode. Patients will add either a 25 mg oral dose of REL-1017 once per day or placebo to their ongoing antidepressant treatment.

 

  The primary endpoint to be evaluated will be the change from baseline on the Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score at day-28 for REL-1017 compared to placebo. Success on this endpoint with the collection of sufficient safety data could support the use of REL-1017 for chronic treatment, if approved.

 

16

 

 

  The change from baseline and the 7-day MADRS score will serve as a key secondary endpoint and will provide information on the time to treatment effect.

 

  The Company expects to initiate the second Phase 3 trial, RELIANCE II, in the first half of 2021. Patients who complete RELIANCE I and RELIANCE II will be eligible to rollover into the long-term, open-label study, which is also expected to include subjects who had not previously participated in a REL-1017 clinical trial.

 

Key Upcoming Anticipated Milestones

 

We expect multiple key milestones over the next 12-18 months. These include:

 

  Start of Phase 2 monotherapy MDD trial in the first half of 2021.

 

 

Results of oxycodone human abuse potential study in mid 2021.

 

  Results of IV ketamine human abuse potential study in the fourth quarter of 2021.

 

  Results of RELIANCE I and RELIANCE II adjunctive MDD trials in the first half of 2022.

 

Our Development Program

 

Esmethadone (d-Methadone, dextromethadone, REL-1017) as a treatment for MDD

 

Background

 

In 2014, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimated that 15.7 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in the past year. According to data from nationally representative surveys supported by NIMH, only about half of Americans diagnosed with major depression in a given year receive treatment. Of those receiving treatment with as many as four different standard antidepressants, 33% of drug-treated depression patients do not achieve adequate therapeutic benefits according to the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) trial published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

 

In addition to the high failure rate, only one of the marketed products for depression, esketamine (marketed by Johnson and Johnson as Spravato), an in-clinic nasal spray treatment can demonstrate rapid antidepressant effects, while the other currently approved products can take two to four weeks to show activity. The urgent need for improved, faster acting antidepressant treatments is underscored by the fact that severe depression can be life-threatening, due to heightened risk of suicide.

 

Esmethadone Overview and Mechanism of Action

 

Esmethadone’s mechanism of action, as a low affinity, non-competitive NMDA channel blocker or antagonist, is fundamentally differentiated from most currently FDA-approved antidepressants, as well as all atypical antipsychotics used adjunctively with standard, FDA-approved antidepressants. Working through the same brain mechanisms as ketamine and esketamine but potentially lacking its adverse side effects, esmethadone is being developed as a rapidly acting, oral agent for the treatment of depression and potentially other CNS conditions.

 

17

 

 

In chemistry an enantiomer, also known as an optical isomer, is one of two stereoisomers that are mirror images of each other that are non-superimposable (not identical), much as one’s left and right hands are the same except for being reversed along one axis. A racemic compound, or racemate, is one that has equal amounts of left- and right-handed enantiomers of a chiral molecule. For racemic drugs, often only one of a drug’s enantiomers is responsible for the desired physiologic effects, while the other enantiomer is less active or inactive.

 

As a single isomer of racemic methadone, esmethadone has been shown to possess NMDA antagonist properties with virtually no traditional opioid or ketamine-like adverse events at the expected therapeutic doses. In contrast, racemic methadone is associated with common opioid side effects that include anxiety, nervousness, restlessness, sleep problems (insomnia), nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, drowsiness, and others. It has been shown that the left (levo) isomer, l-methadone, is largely responsible for methadone’s opioid activity, while the right (dextro) isomer, esmethadone, at the currently therapeutic doses used in development is virtually inactive as an opioid while maintaining affinity for the NMDA receptor.

 

NMDA receptors are present in many parts of the CNS and play important roles in regulating neuronal activity and promoting synaptic plasticity in brain areas important for cognitive functions such as executive function, learning and memory. Based on these premises, esmethadone could show benefits in several different CNS indications.

 

Esmethadone (d-methadone, dextromethadone, REL-1017) in other indications

 

In addition to developing esmethadone as an adjunctive treatment of MDD, we are planning to evaluate the utility of esmethadone as a front line monotherapy treatment for MDD.

 

Additionally, other indications that Relmada may explore in the future, include, restless leg syndrome and other glutamatergic system activation related diseases.

 

Our Corporate History and Background

 

We are a clinical-stage, publicly traded biotechnology company developing NCEs and novel versions of proven drug products that potentially address areas of high unmet medical need in the treatment of depression and other CNS diseases.

 

Currently, none of our product candidates have been approved for sale in the United States or elsewhere. We have no commercial products nor do we have a sales or marketing infrastructure. In order to market and sell our products we must conduct clinical trials on patients and obtain regulatory approvals from appropriate regulatory agencies, like the FDA in the United States, and similar organizations elsewhere in the world.

 

We have not generated revenues and do not anticipate generating revenues for the foreseeable future. We had net loss of $22,215,181 for the three months ended March 31, 2021. At March 31, 2021, we have an accumulated deficit of $201,530,484.

 

Business Strategy

 

Our strategy is to leverage our considerable industry experience, understanding of CNS markets and development expertise to identify, develop and commercialize product candidates with significant market potential that can fulfill unmet medical needs in the treatment of CNS diseases. We have assembled a management team along with both scientific and business advisors, including recognized experts in the fields of depression, with significant industry and regulatory experience to lead and execute the development and commercialization of esmethadone.

 

We plan to further develop esmethadone as our priority program. As the drug esmethadone is an NCE, the regulatory pathway required to support and NDA submission will consist of conducting a full clinical development program. We plan to also generate intellectual property (IP) that will further protect our products from competition. We will continue to prioritize our product development activities after taking into account the resources we have available, market dynamics and potential for adding value.

 

18

 

 

Market Opportunity

 

We believe that the market for addressing areas of high unmet medical need in the treatment of CNS diseases will continue to be large for the foreseeable future and that it will represent a sizable revenue opportunity for us. For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that CNS diseases affect nearly 2 billion people globally, making up approximately 40% of total disease burden (based on disability adjusted life years), compared with 13% for cancer and 12% for cardiovascular disease.

 

The depression treatment market is segmented on the basis of antidepressants drugs, devices, and therapies. Antidepressants are the largest and most popular market segment. The antidepressants segment consists of large pharmaceutical and generic companies, such as Eli Lilly, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Allergan, Sage Therapeutics and Johnson & Johnson. Some of the notable drugs produced by these companies are Cymbalta® (Eli Lilly), Effexor® (Pfizer), Pristiq® (Pfizer), Zulresso® (Sage) and Spravato® (Johnson & Johnson).

 

Intellectual Property Portfolio and Market Exclusivity

 

We have over 50 issued patents and pending patent applications related to REL-1017 for multiple uses, including psychological and neurological conditions. We have also secured an Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA for d-methadone for “the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia”, which, upon NDA approval, carry 7-year FDA Orphan Drug marketing exclusivity. In the European Union, some of our products may be eligible up to 10 years of market exclusivity, which includes 8 years data exclusivity and 2 years market exclusivity. In addition to any granted patents, REL-1017 will be eligible for market exclusivity to run concurrently with the term of the patent for 5 years in the U.S. (Hatch Waxman Act) plus additional 6 months of pediatric exclusivity and up to 10 years of in the E.U. We believe an extensive intellectual property estate of US and foreign patents and applications will protect our technology and products once our patent applications for our products are approved.

 

Key Strengths

 

We believe that the key elements for our market success include:

 

  Compelling lead product opportunity, esmethadone currently in Phase 3 trials for the adjunctive treatment of MDD.

 

  Robust, and highly statistically significant, efficacy seen with esmethadone in a randomized Phase II trial, with early onset of action seen at 4 days, with a dramatic effect size also observed at 7 days, primary endpoint, and 14 days (7 days post-treatment).

 

  Successful Phase 1 safety studies of esmethadone and strong clinical activity signal in depression established in three independent animal models.

 

  Potential in additional multiple indications in underserved markets with large patient population, such as MDD, other affective disorders, and cognitive disorders

 

  Scientific support of leading experts: Our scientific advisors include clinicians and scientists who are affiliated with a number of highly regarded medical institutions such as Harvard, Cornell, Yale, and University of Pennsylvania.

 

  Substantial IP portfolio and market protection: approved and filed patent applications provide coverage beyond 2033. In addition, some of our drugs, including esmethadone have also been designated as Orphan Drugs by the FDA, thereby providing seven years of market exclusivity at launch.

 

Available Information

 

Reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pursuant to the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), including annual and quarterly reports, and other reports we file, can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549.

 

19

 

 

Results of Operations

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 versus March 31, 2020

 

   Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2021
   Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2020
   Increase
(Decrease)
 
Operating Expenses            
Research and development  $14,022,227   $4,507,784   $9,514,443 
General and administrative   8,382,976    5,466,654    2,806,322 
Total  $22,405,203    9,974,438    12,320,765 

   

Research and Development Expense

 

Research and development expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was approximately $14,022,200 compared to $4,507,800 for the three months ended March 31, 2020, an increase of approximately $9,514,400. The increase was primarily due to:

 

  Increase in study costs of $7,737,900 associated with the execution of our Phase 2 and 3 studies;

 

  Increase in manufacturing and drug storage costs of $24,700;

 

Increase in pre-clinical and toxicology expenses of $184,600;

 

Increase in compensation expense of $46,800 related to the hiring of two additional research and development employees and their related bonuses;

 

  A decrease in stock-based compensation expense of $1,200,800 primarily related the separation agreement with Ottavio Vitolo through which we incurred expenses of approximately $1,500,000 in 2020;

 

  Increase in other research expenses of $2,721,200 primarily associated with the addition of consultants contracted to assist in the execution of our Phase 3 trials.

 

General and Administrative Expense

 

General and administrative expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was approximately $8,383,000 compared to $5,466,700 for the three months ended March 31, 2020, an increase of approximately $2,916,300. The increase was primarily due to:

 

  Increase in compensation expense of $19,600 related to the hiring of four additional employees;

 

  Increase in stock-based compensation expense of $2,012,600 related to the hiring of four additional employees;

 

  Increase in other general and administrative expenses of $884,100 primarily due to an increase in consulting services.

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

Interest / investment income was approximately $420,000 and $407,700 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Realized loss on short-term investments was approximately $52,800 and $171,600 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Unrealized loss on short-term investments was approximately $177,200 and $934,900 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

Net Loss

 

The net loss for the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was approximately $22,215,200 and $10,673,300, respectively. The Company had basic and diluted loss per share of $1.34  and $0.72 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company did not provide for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, since there was a loss and a full valuation allowance against all deferred tax assets.

 

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Liquidity

 

As shown in the accompanying financial statements, the Company incurred negative operating cash flows of $16,085,475 for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and has an accumulated deficit of $201,530,484 from inception through March 31, 2021.

 

Relmada has funded its past operations through equity raises and most recently in 2020 Relmada raised net proceeds from the sale of common stock of $19,791,644, $8,056,416 through the exercise of warrants and $735,514 through the exercise of warrants. The Company also raised an additional $1,928,279 during the three months ended March 31, 2021 from the exercise of options and warrants.

 

Management believes that it has sufficient funding to continue ongoing operations for the at least 12 months from the issuance of the accompanying consolidated quarterly financial statements. Since March 31, 2021 and to date, the Company has received approximately $367,800 in warrant and option exercises, which resulted in the Company having approximately $96,833,000 in cash, cash equivalents and short term investments at May 12, 2021. Based on the budgeted cash flow requirements, the Company believes these funds are sufficient to fund its ongoing operations for at least 12 months after the filing of these condensed consolidated financial statements. The Company expects that the burn rate for that time frame, will range between $75 and $100 million.

 

The following table sets forth selected cash flow information for the periods indicated below:

 

    Three Months Ended
March 31,
2021
    Three Months Ended
March 31,
2020
 
Cash used in operating activities   $ (16,085,745 )   $ (3,424,763 )
Cash provided by (used) in investing activities     15,465,841     (23,632,215 )
Cash provided by financing activities     1,928,279       3,004,946  
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,308,645     $ (24,052,032 )

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, cash used in operating activities was $16,085,475 primarily due to the net loss of $22,215,181, prepaid expense of $87,505, and accounts payable of $263,679, offset by non-cash stock compensation charges of $5,851,284, unrealized loss of $177,163, realized loss of $52,789, and accrued expenses of $379,601.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, cash used in operating activities was $3,424,763 primarily due to the net loss of $10,673,316, offset by prepaid expense of $177,855, accounts payable of $580,153, unrealized loss of $934,919, realized loss of $171,611, accrued expenses of $333,432, and non-cash stock compensation charges of $5,039,362.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, cash provided by investing activities was $15,465,841 related to the purchase of $20,663,535 and sale of $36,129,376 short-term investments.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, cash used in investing activities was $23,632,215 related to the purchase of $37,230,631 and the sale of $13,598,416 short-term investments.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $1,928,279 due to proceeds from options exercised for common stock of $467,773 and proceeds from warrants exercised for common stock of $1,460,506.

 

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Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $3,004,946 due to proceeds from options exercised for common stock of $73,020 and proceeds from warrants exercised for common stock of $3,042,173, partially offset by payments of notes payable of 110,247. 

 

Effects of Inflation

 

Our assets are primarily monetary, consisting of cash and cash equivalents. Because of their liquidity, these assets are not directly affected by inflation. Because we intend to retain and continue to use our equipment, we believe that the incremental inflation related to replacement costs of such items will not materially affect our operations. However, the rate of inflation affects our expenses, such as those for employee compensation and contract services, which could increase our level of expenses and the rate at which we use our resources.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

Please refer to Note 10 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 under the heading Commitments and Contingencies. To our knowledge there have been no material changes to the risk factors that were previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

A critical accounting policy is one that is both important to the portrayal of a company’s financial condition and results of operations and requires management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

 

Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and all applicable U.S. GAAP accounting standards effective as of March 31, 2021 have been taken into consideration in preparing the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. The preparation of unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses and related disclosures. Some of those estimates are subjective and complex, and, consequently, actual results could differ from those estimates. The following accounting policies and estimates have been highlighted as significant because changes to certain judgments and assumptions inherent in these policies could affect our consolidated financial statements:

 

  Research and development expenses, and

 

  Stock-based compensation expenses

 

We base our estimates, to the extent possible, on historical experience. Historical information is modified as appropriate based on current business factors and various assumptions that we believe are necessary to form a basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities. We evaluate our estimates on an on-going basis and make changes when necessary. Actual results could differ from our estimates.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

 

There have been no material changes to our exposures to market risks as disclosed under the heading “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks” in the annual MD&A contained in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based upon our evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of March 31, 2021, in ensuring that material information that we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, during the three months ended March 31, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

From time to time, the Company may become involved in lawsuits and other legal proceedings that arise in the course of business. Litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and it is not possible to predict the outcome of litigation with total confidence. The Company is currently not aware of any legal proceedings or potential claims against it whose outcome would be likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, operating results, or cash flows.

 

Lawsuit Brought by Current Employee

 

On July 15, 2020, an employee of the Company filed a Complaint alleging unequal pay based on gender and other employment-based claims. Subsequent to March 31, 2021, the Company settled this Complaint for an amount immaterial to the consolidated financial statements.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

Effects of COVID-19

 

The pandemic caused by an outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted, and is likely to continue to result, in significant national and global economic disruption and may adversely affect our business. Based on the Company’s current assessment, the Company does not expect any material impact on its long-term development timeline and its liquidity due to the worldwide spread of the COVID-19 virus. However, the Company is actively monitoring this situation and the possible effects on its financial condition, liquidity, operations, suppliers, industry, and workforce.

 

There have been no material changes to the risk factors under Part I, Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, which include more detailed risk factors related to COVID-19.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

None.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Copies of the following documents are included as exhibits to this report pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K

 

Exhibit No.   Title of Document   Location
         
31.1   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002   Filed herewith
         
31.2   Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002   Filed herewith
         
32.1*   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*  

Furnished herewith

         
32.2*   Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*  

Furnished herewith

         
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document   Filed herewith
         
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document   Filed herewith
         
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document   Filed herewith
         
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document   Filed herewith
         
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document   Filed herewith
         
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document   Filed herewith

 

 

* The Exhibit attached to this Form 10-Q shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to liability under that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: May 12, 2021 By: /s/ Sergio Traversa
    Sergio Traversa
    Chief Executive Officer
    (Duly Authorized Officer and
Principal Executive Officer)
     
    /s/ Maged Shenouda
    Maged Shenouda
    Chief Financial Officer
    (Duly Authorized Officer and
Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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