10-Q: Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
Published on August 11, 2016
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2016
OR
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from _____to_____
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 001-37487
AETHLON MEDICAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
NEVADA | 13-3632859 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
9635 GRANITE RIDGE DRIVE, SUITE 100, SAN DIEGO, CA 92123
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(858) 459-7800
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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 x NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (ss.232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES x NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o | Accelerated filer o |
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Smaller reporting company x |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o NO x
As of August 11, 2016, the registrant had outstanding 7,631,153 shares of common stock, $.001 par value.
PART I. | FINANCIAL INFORMATION | 3 |
ITEM 1. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 3 |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AT JUNE 30, 2016 (UNAUDITED) AND MARCH 31, 2016 | 3 | |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2016 AND 2015 (UNAUDITED) | 4 | |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2016 AND 2015 (UNAUDITED) | 5 | |
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) | 6 | |
ITEM 2. | MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS | 16 |
ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK | 20 |
ITEM 4. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES | 21 |
PART II. | OTHER INFORMATION | 22 |
ITEM 1. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS | 22 |
ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS | 22 |
ITEM 2. | UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS | 22 |
ITEM 3. | DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES | 22 |
ITEM 4. | MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES | 22 |
ITEM 5. | OTHER INFORMATION | 22 |
ITEM 6. | EXHIBITS | 23 |
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AETHLON MEDICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
June 30, 2016 |
March 31, 2016 |
|||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||
Cash | $ | 1,294,259 | $ | 2,123,737 | ||||
Accounts receivable | – | 199,471 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 23,500 | 53,294 | ||||||
Total current assets | 1,317,759 | 2,376,502 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 29,656 | 36,038 | ||||||
Patents and patents pending, net | 91,870 | 94,161 | ||||||
Deposits | 21,747 | 22,415 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 1,461,032 | $ | 2,529,116 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 381,967 | $ | 244,804 | ||||
Due to related parties | 28,250 | 145,112 | ||||||
Other current liabilities | 58,747 | 136,695 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 468,964 | 526,611 | ||||||
Convertible notes payable, noncurrent portion, net | 616,817 | 500,139 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 1,085,781 | 1,026,750 | ||||||
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13) | ||||||||
Equity | ||||||||
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 7,622,393 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2016 and March 31, 2016 | 7,621 | 7,621 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 89,056,576 | 88,047,142 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (88,630,860 | ) | (86,502,043 | ) | ||||
Total Aethlon Medical, Inc. stockholders’ equity before noncontrolling interests | 433,337 | 1,552,720 | ||||||
Noncontrolling interest | (58,086 | ) | (50,354 | ) | ||||
Total equity | 375,251 | 1,502,366 | ||||||
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 1,461,032 | $ | 2,529,116 |
See accompanying notes.
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AETHLON MEDICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 and 2015
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 |
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 |
|||||||
REVENUES | ||||||||
Government contract revenue | $ | 4,635 | $ | 192,508 | ||||
OPERATING EXPENSES | ||||||||
Professional fees | 567,749 | 538,226 | ||||||
Payroll and related | 344,987 | 458,228 | ||||||
General and administrative | 223,551 | 286,025 | ||||||
Total operating expenses | 1,136,287 | 1,282,479 | ||||||
OPERATING LOSS | (1,131,652 | ) | (1,089,971 | ) | ||||
OTHER EXPENSE | ||||||||
Interest and other debt expenses | 42,167 | 126,688 | ||||||
Loss on debt extinguishment | 616,889 | – | ||||||
Warrant repricing expense | 345,841 | – | ||||||
Total other expense | 1,004,897 | 126,688 | ||||||
NET LOSS BEFORE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS | (2,136,549 | ) | (1,216,659 | ) | ||||
LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS | (7,732 | ) | (33,623 | ) | ||||
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS | $ | (2,128,817 | ) | $ | (1,183,036 | ) | ||
BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER COMMON SHARE | $ | (0.28 | ) | $ | (0.18 | ) | ||
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING – BASIC AND DILUTED | 7,622,393 | 6,720,484 |
See accompanying notes.
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AETHLON MEDICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 and 2015
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 |
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 |
|||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
Net loss | $ | (2,136,549 | ) | $ | (1,216,659 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 10,218 | 9,338 | ||||||
Stock based compensation | 50,710 | 50,711 | ||||||
Loss on debt extinguishment | 616,889 | – | ||||||
Loss on warrant repricing | 345,841 | – | ||||||
Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs | 27,641 | 112,440 | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | 199,471 | 192,374 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 30,462 | (20,480 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable and other current liabilities | 144,246 | 45,270 | ||||||
Due to related parties | (116,862 | ) | 29,000 | |||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (827,933 | ) | (798,006 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment | (1,545 | ) | – | |||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (1,545 | ) | – | |||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock | – | 5,591,988 | ||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | – | 5,591,988 | ||||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash | (829,478 | ) | 4,793,982 | |||||
Cash at beginning of period | 2,123,737 | 855,596 | ||||||
Cash at end of period | $ | 1,294,259 | $ | 5,649,578 | ||||
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||||||||
Debt discount on convertible notes payable | $ | 75,994 | $ | – | ||||
Reclassification of accrued interest into convertible notes payable | $ | 85,031 | $ | – |
See accompanying notes.
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AETHLON MEDICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
June 30, 2016
1. NATURE OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
ORGANIZATION
Aethlon Medical, Inc. and subsidiary ("Aethlon", the "Company", "we" or "us") is a medical device company focused on creating innovative devices that address unmet medical needs in cancer, infectious disease and other life-threatening conditions. At the core of our developments is the Aethlon ADAPT™ (Adaptive Dialysis-Like Affinity Platform Technology) system, a medical device platform that converges single or multiple affinity drug agents with advanced plasma membrane technology to create therapeutic filtration devices that selectively remove harmful particles from the entire circulatory system without loss of essential blood components. On June 25, 2013, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) that allows us to initiate human feasibility studies of the Aethlon Hemopurifier® in the U.S. Under the feasibility study protocol, we plan to enroll ten end-stage renal disease patients who are infected with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) to demonstrate the safety of Hemopurifier therapy. Successful completion of this study will allow us the opportunity to initiate pivotal studies that are required for market clearance to treat HCV and other disease conditions in the U.S.
Successful outcomes of human trials will also be required by the regulatory agencies of certain foreign countries where we intend to sell this device. Some of our patents may expire before FDA approval or approval in a foreign country, if any, is obtained. However, we believe that certain patent applications and/or other patents issued more recently will help protect the proprietary nature of the Hemopurifier(R) treatment technology.
In October 2013, our majority owned subsidiary, Exosome Sciences, Inc. (“ESI”), commenced operations with a focus on advancing exosome-based strategies to diagnose and monitor the progression of cancer, infectious disease and other life-threatening conditions.
ESI is accounted for as a non-controlling interest as the Company has an 80% ownership interest in the subsidiary. Earnings or losses attributable to other stockholders of a consolidated affiliated company are classified separately as "noncontrolling interest" in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest reflects only its share of the after-tax earnings or losses of an affiliated company. Income taxes attributable to noncontrolling interest are determined using the applicable statutory tax rates in the jurisdictions where such operations are conducted. The Company's consolidated balance sheets reflect noncontrolling interests within the equity section of the consolidated balance sheets.
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “AEMD.”
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
During the three months ended June 30, 2016, there have been no changes to our significant accounting policies as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended March 31, 2016, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on June 29, 2016. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aethlon Medical, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all normal recurring accruals and adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly the condensed consolidated balance sheet of the Company at June 30, 2016, the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2016, and the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended June 30, 2016. Estimates were made relating to useful lives of fixed assets, valuation allowances, the fair value of warrants, impairment of assets, share-based compensation expense and accruals for clinical trial and research and development expenses. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Certain amounts previously reported in the financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Such reclassifications did not affect net loss, equity or cash flows. The results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or any future interim periods.
On April 14, 2015, we completed a 1-for-50 reverse stock split. Accordingly, authorized common stock was reduced from 500,000,000 shares to 10,000,000 shares, and each 50 shares of outstanding common stock held by stockholders were combined into one share of common stock. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been retroactively revised to reflect such reverse stock split as if it had occurred on April 1, 2015. All share and per share amounts have been revised accordingly.
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On March 31, 2016, we filed a Certificate of Amendment to our Articles of Incorporation to increase our authorized common stock from 10,000,000 to 30,000,000 shares. Our stockholders approved the amendment at our annual meeting of stockholders held on March 29, 2016.
LIQUIDITY AND GOING CONCERN
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern, which contemplates, among other things, the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. We have incurred continuing losses from operations and at June 30, 2016 had limited working capital and an accumulated deficit of approximately $88,631,000. These factors, among other matters, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. A significant amount of additional capital will be necessary to advance the development of our products to the point at which they may become commercially viable. We intend to fund operations, working capital and other cash requirements for the twelve month period subsequent to June 30, 2016 through debt and/or equity financing arrangements as well as through revenues and related cash receipts under our government contracts (see Note 11).
We are currently addressing our liquidity issue by seeking additional investment capital through issuances of common stock under our existing S-3 registration statement and by applying for grants issued by government agencies in the United States. We believe that our cash on hand and funds expected to be received from additional debt and equity financing arrangements will be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs for the twelve month period through June 30, 2017. However, no assurance can be given that we will receive any funds in addition to the funds we have received to date (see Note 14).
The successful outcome of future activities cannot be determined at this time and there is no assurance that, if achieved, we will have sufficient funds to execute our intended business plan or generate positive operating results.
The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to this uncertainty and as to the recoverability and classification of asset carrying amounts or the amount and classification of liabilities that might result should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
2. LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period of computation. Diluted loss per share is computed similar to basic loss per share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if potential common shares had been issued, if such additional common shares were dilutive. Since we had net losses for all periods presented, basic and diluted loss per share are the same, and additional potential common shares have been excluded as their effect would be antidilutive.
As of June 30, 2016 and 2015, a total of 2,771,780 and 2,773,483 potential common shares, consisting of shares underlying outstanding stock options, warrants and convertible notes payable were excluded as their inclusion would be antidilutive.
3. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES
Our research and development costs are expensed as incurred. We incurred approximately $118,000 and $182,000 of research and development expenses for the three month periods ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which are included in various operating expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.
4. SIGNIFICANT RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
During the three months ended June 30, 2016, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-03, the new accounting standard on imputation of interest, simplifying the presentation of debt issuance costs. As a result of the adoption of that pronouncement, our deferred offering costs at March 31, 2016 were reclassified from current assets to an offset against our convertible notes.
Management is evaluating significant recent accounting pronouncements that are not yet effective for us, including the new accounting standard on improvements to employee share based payment accounting, ASU 2016-09 (Topic 718), the new accounting standard related to leases, ASU 2016-02 (Topic 842), the new accounting standard for recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities, ASU 2016-01, the new accounting standard on extraordinary and unusual items on income statements, ASU 2015-01, the new accounting standard related to presentation of financial statements - going concern qualifications, ASU 2014-15, and the new accounting standard on revenue recognition, ASU 2014-09 (Topic 606), and have not yet concluded whether any such pronouncements will have a significant effect on our future consolidated financial statements.
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5. CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE
Convertible Notes Payable consisted of the following at June 30, 2016:
Principal | Unamortized Discount |
Net Amount |
Accrued Interest |
|||||||||||||
Convertible Notes Payable – Non-Current Portion: | ||||||||||||||||
November 2014 10% Convertible Notes | $ | 692,811 | $ | (75,994 | ) | $ | 616,817 | $ | 2,889 | |||||||
Total Convertible Notes Payable | $ | 692,811 | $ | (75,994 | ) | $ | 616,817 | $ | 2,889 |
During the three months ended June 30, 2016, we recorded interest expense of $13,882 related to the contractual interest rates of our convertible notes and interest expense of $27,641 related to the amortization of deferred financing costs for a total interest expense of $41,523 related to our convertible notes in the three months ended June 30, 2016.
Convertible Notes Payable consisted of the following at March 31, 2016:
Principal | Unamortized Discount |
Net Amount |
Accrued Interest |
|||||||||||||
Convertible Notes Payable – Non-Current Portion: | ||||||||||||||||
November 2014 10% Convertible Notes | $ | 527,780 | $ | (27,641 | ) | $ | 500,139 | $ | 74,036 | |||||||
Total Convertible Notes Payable | $ | 527,780 | $ | (27,641 | ) | $ | 500,139 | $ | 74,036 |
The above table shows the retroactive application of $27,641 in note discounts representing the deferred financing costs of that same amount on March 31, 2016 due to the application of related to the application of the new accounting standard ASU 2015-03.
During the three months ended June 30, 2015, we recorded interest expense of $13,195 related to the contractual interest rates of our convertible notes, interest expense of $93,138 related to the amortization of debt discount and interest expense of $19,302 related to the amortization of deferred financing costs for a total interest expense of $125,635 related to our convertible notes in the three months ended June 30, 2015.
NOVEMBER 2014 10% CONVERTIBLE NOTES
In November 2014, we entered into a subscription agreement with two accredited investors providing for the issuance and sale of (i) convertible promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $527,780 and (ii) five year warrants to purchase up to 47,125 shares of common stock at a fixed exercise price of $8.40 per share. These notes bear interest at the annual rate of 10% and originally matured on April 1, 2016.
The aggregate gross cash proceeds to us were $415,000 after subtracting legal fees of $35,000; the balance of the principal amount of the notes represents a $27,780 due diligence fee and an original issuance discount. We recorded deferred financing costs of $112,780 to reflect the legal fees, due diligence fee and original issuance discount and will amortize those costs over the life of the notes using the effective interest method.
These notes are convertible at the option of the holders into shares of our common stock at a fixed price of $5.60 per share, for up to an aggregate of 94,246 shares of common stock. There are no registration requirements with respect to the shares of common stock underlying the notes or the warrants.
The estimated relative fair value of warrants issued in connection with the November 2014 10% Convertible Notes was recorded as a debt discount and is amortized as additional interest expense over the term of the underlying debt. We recorded debt discount of $240,133 based on the relative fair value of these warrants. In addition, as the effective conversion price of the debt was less than market price of the underlying common stock on the date of issuance, we recorded an additional debt discount of $287,647 related to the beneficial conversion feature.
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Initial Amendment of the November 2014 10% Convertible Note Terms
On November 12, 2015, we entered into an amendment of terms (“Amendment of Terms”) with the two investors that participated in the November 2014 10% Convertible Notes. The Amendment of Terms modifies the terms of the subscription agreement, notes and warrants to, among other things, extend the maturity date of the notes from April 1, 2016 to June 1, 2016, temporarily reduce the number of shares that we must reserve with respect to conversion of the notes, and temporarily suspend the time period during which one of the investors may exercise its warrants. In exchange for the investors’ agreements in the Amendment of Terms, we paid one of the investors a cash fee of $90,000, which we recorded as deferred financing costs and will amortize over the remaining term of the notes. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, $62,308 of amortization related to the amendment has been included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Second Amendment and Extension of the November 2014 10% Convertible Notes
On June 27, 2016, we and certain investors (the “Investors”) entered into Amendments (the “Amendments”) to our November 2014 10% Convertible Notes in the original principal amount of $527,780 (the “Notes”) and Class A Common Stock Purchase Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 47,125 shares of common stock (the “Existing Warrants”) issued and sold by us to the Investors under a Subscription Agreement dated November 6, 2014. The Amendments provide that the Maturity Date (as defined in the Notes) was extended from June 1, 2016 to July 1, 2017 and that the Conversion Price (as defined in the Notes) was reduced from $5.60 per share of common stock to $5.00 per share of common stock. In addition, we reduced the purchase price (as defined in the Existing Warrants) from $8.40 per share to $5.00 per share. In connection with these modifications, each of the Investors signed a Consent and Waiver providing its consent under certain restrictive provisions, and waiving certain rights, including a right to participate in certain offerings made by us, under a Securities Purchase Agreement dated June 23, 2015, (the “2015 SPA”) to which we, the Investors and certain other investors are parties, in order to facilitate an at-the-market equity program (see Note 6).
The Amendments also increase the principal amount of the Notes to $692,811 (in the aggregate) to (i) include accrued and unpaid interest through June 15, 2016, and (ii) increase the principal amount by $80,000 (in the aggregate) as an extension fee for the extended maturity date of the Notes set forth above. With respect to each Note, we entered into an Allonge to Convertible Promissory Note (each, an “Allonge”) reflecting the changes in the principal amount, Maturity Date and Conversion Price of the Note.
We also issued to the Investors new warrants (the “New Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate of 30,000 shares of common stock with a Purchase Price (as defined in the New Warrants) of $5.00 per share of common stock. We issued the New Warrants in substantially the same form as the Existing Warrants, and the New Warrants will expire on November 6, 2019, the same date on which the Existing Warrants will expire.
The modification of the Notes was evaluated under FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic No. 470-50-40, “Debt Modification and Extinguishments”. Therefore, according to the guidance, the instruments were determined to be substantially different, and the transaction qualified for extinguishment accounting. As a result, we recorded a loss on debt extinguishment of $536,889 and recognized and an extension fee expense of $80,000, which are included in other expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. The debt extinguishment is comprised from the fair value of warrants issued in connection with the Notes of $287,676, as well as $325,206 related to beneficial conversion feature and offset by debt discount of $75,993. The beneficial conversion feature is a result of the effective conversion price of the new Notes being less than the market price of the underlying common stock on the date of modification.
6. EQUITY TRANSACTIONS IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2016
Common Stock Sales Agreement with H.C. Wainwright
On June 28, 2016, we entered into a Common Stock Sales Agreement (the “Agreement”) with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (“H.C. Wainwright”) which establishes an at-the-market equity program pursuant to which we may offer and sell shares of our common stock from time to time as set forth in the Agreement. The Agreement provides for the sale of shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $12,500,000 (the “Shares”).
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement, H.C. Wainwright will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell the Shares from time to time, based upon our instructions. We have provided H.C. Wainwright with customary indemnification rights, and H.C. Wainwright will be entitled to a commission at a fixed rate equal to three percent (3.0%) of the gross proceeds per Share sold. In addition, we have agreed to pay certain expenses incurred by H.C. Wainwright in connection with the Agreement, including up to $50,000 of the fees and disbursements of their counsel. The Agreement will terminate upon the sale of all of the Shares under the Agreement unless terminated earlier by either party as permitted under the Agreement (see Note 14).
Sales of the Shares, if any, under the Agreement shall be made in transactions that are deemed to be “at the market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, including sales made by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions, including on the Nasdaq Capital Market, at market prices or as otherwise agreed with H.C. Wainwright. We have no obligation to sell any of the Shares, and, at any time, we may suspend offers under the Agreement or terminate the Agreement.
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Amendment of November 2014 Investment Documents
Under the Second Amendment and Extension of the November 2014 10% Convertible Promissory Notes (See Note 5), we reduced the purchase price of 47,125 warrants from $8.40 per share to $5.00 per share.
We also issued to the investors new warrants to purchase an aggregate of 30,000 shares of common stock with a purchase price of $5.00 per share of common stock. We issued the new warrants in substantially the same form as the previously issued warrants, and the new warrants will expire on November 6, 2019, the same date on which the previously issued warrants will expire (See Note 5).
Amendment of December 2014 Warrants
On June 27, 2016, we and certain investors (the “Unit Investors”) entered into Consent and Waiver and Amendment agreements (the “CWAs”), relating to an aggregate of 264,000 Warrants to Purchase Common Stock (the “Unit Warrants”) we had issued to the Unit Investors on December 2, 2014 pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement dated November 26, 2014 (the “2014 SPA”). In the CWAs, each of the Unit Investors provided its consent under certain restrictive provisions, and waived certain rights, including a right to participate in certain offerings made by us, under the 2014 SPA in order to facilitate the at-the-market equity program described above. Pursuant to the CWAs, we reduced the Exercise Price (as defined in the Unit Warrants) from $15.00 per share of common stock to $5.00 per share of common stock. At any time that the shares of common stock underlying the Unit Warrants are covered by an effective registration statement that permits the public resale of the shares, if the Unit Investors exercise the Unit Warrants, they must do so in a cash exercise, which could yield up to $1,320,000 in proceeds to us.
On June 27, 2016, each of the Unit Investors also entered into a Consent and Waiver providing its consent under certain provisions, and waiving certain rights, including a right to participate in certain offerings made by us, under the 2015 SPA in order to facilitate the at-the market equity program described above.
In accordance with GAAP, we measured the change in fair value that arose from the reduction in exercise price and recognized an expense of $345,841, which is included in other expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.
7. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
DUE TO RELATED PARTIES
Historically, certain of our officers and other related parties have advanced us funds, agreed to defer compensation and/or paid expenses on our behalf to cover working capital deficiencies. There were no such related party transactions during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 except that we had accrued unpaid Board fees of $86,000 owed to our outside directors as of March 31, 2016. At June 30, 2016, we had unpaid Board fees of $28,250.
8. OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
Other current liabilities were comprised of the following items:
June 30, | March 31, | |||||||
2016 | 2016 | |||||||
Accrued interest | $ | 2,889 | $ | 74,038 | ||||
Other accrued liabilities | 55,858 | 62,657 | ||||||
Total other current liabilities | $ | 58,747 | $ | 136,695 |
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9. STOCK COMPENSATION
The following tables summarize share-based compensation expenses relating to shares and options granted and the effect on basic and diluted loss per common share during the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015:
June 30, 2016 |
June 30, 2015 |
|||||||
Vesting of stock options | $ | 50,710 | $ | 50,711 | ||||
Total stock-based compensation expense | $ | 50,710 | $ | 50,711 | ||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted | 7,622,393 | 6,720,484 | ||||||
Basic and diluted loss per common share | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) |
All of the stock-based compensation expense recorded during the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, which totaled $50,710 and $50,711, respectively, is included in payroll and related expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. Stock-based compensation expense recorded during the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 had represented an impact on basic and diluted loss per common share of $(0.01) in both periods.
We review share-based compensation on a quarterly basis for changes to the estimate of expected award forfeitures based on actual forfeiture experience. The cumulative effect of adjusting the forfeiture rate for all expense amortization is recognized in the period the forfeiture estimate is changed. The effect of forfeiture adjustments for the three months ended June 30, 2016 was insignificant.
There were no stock option grants during the three months ended June 30, 2016 or June 30, 2015.
Options outstanding that have vested and are expected to vest as of June 30, 2016 are as follows:
Number of Shares |
Weighted Average Exercise Price |
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years |
||||||||||
Vested | 402,214 | $ | 11.46 | 4.95 | ||||||||
Expected to vest | 36,333 | $ | 5.17 | 7.28 | ||||||||
Total | 438,547 |
There was no stock option activity during the three months ended June 30, 2016.
At June 30, 2016, there was approximately $88,428 of unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based payments, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.44 years.
On June 30, 2016, our stock options had no intrinsic value since the closing price on that date of $5.70 per share was below the weighted average exercise price of our stock options.
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10. WARRANTS
During the three months ended June 30, 2016, we issued 30,000 warrants with an exercise price of $5.00 per share.
A summary of warrant activity during the three months ended June 30, 2016 is presented below:
Amount | Range of Exercise Price |
Weighted Average Exercise Price |
||||||||||
Warrants outstanding at March 31, 2016 | 2,164,094 | $2.10 - $15.00 | $ | 6.68 | ||||||||
Issued | 30,000 | $5.00 | $ | 5.00 | ||||||||
Warrants outstanding at June 30, 2016 | 2,194,094 | $2.10 - $15.00 | $ | 5.38 | ||||||||
Warrants exercisable at June 30, 2016 | 2,194,094 | $2.10 - $15.00 | $ | 5.38 |
The following outlines the significant weighted average assumptions used to estimate the fair value information presented, with respect to warrants utilizing the Binomial Lattice option pricing models at, and during the three months ended June 30, 2016:
Risk free interest rate | 0.70% |
Average expected life | 3.5 years |
Expected volatility | 91.5% |
Expected dividends | None |
The expected volatility was based on the historic volatility. The expected life of options granted was based on the "simplified method" as described in the SEC's guidance due to changes in the vesting terms and contractual life of current option grants compared to our historical grants.
Based on the above assumptions, we valued the 30,000 new warrants issued during the three months ended June 30, 2016 at $111,900.
11. DARPA CONTRACT AND RELATED REVENUE RECOGNITION
We entered into a contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency on September 30, 2011. Under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency award, we have been engaged to develop a therapeutic device to reduce the incidence of sepsis, a fatal bloodstream infection that often results in the death of combat-injured soldiers. The award from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency was a fixed-price contract with potential total payments to us of $6,794,389 over the course of five years. Fixed price contracts require the achievement of multiple, incremental milestones to receive the full award during each year of the contract. Under the terms of the contract, we will perform certain incremental work towards the achievement of specific milestones against which we will invoice the government for fixed payment amounts.
Originally, only the base year (year one contract) was effective for the parties, however, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency subsequently exercised the option on the second, third and fourth years of the contract. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has the option to enter into the contract for year five. The milestones are comprised of planning, engineering and clinical targets, the achievement of which in some cases will require the participation and contribution of third party participants under the contract. There can be no assurance that we alone, or with third party participants, will meet such milestones to the satisfaction of the government and in compliance with the terms of the contract or that we will be paid the full amount of the contract revenues during any year of the contract term. We commenced work under the contract in October 2011.
Due to budget restrictions within the Department of Defense, on February 10, 2014, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency reduced the scope of our contract in years three through five of the contract. The reduction in scope focused our research on exosomes, viruses and blood processing instrumentation. This scope reduction reduced the possible payments under the contract by $858,491 over years three through five. We completed a re-budgeting of the expected costs on the remaining years of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency contract based on the reduced milestones and have concluded that the reductions in our costs due to the scaled back level of work will almost entirely offset the anticipated revenue levels based on current assumptions.
During the three months ended June 30, 2016, we did not invoice the U.S. Government for any milestones.
In the three months ended June 30, 2015, we invoiced the U.S. Government for the twenty-fifth milestone under our DARPA contract in the amount of $186,164 and received that payment. The details of that milestone were as follows:
Milestone M6 – Define Aethlon’s GMP manufacturing process and revise and upgrade Aethlon’s quality procedures and policies to the current state of the art. The milestone payment was $186,164. Management considers this milestone to be substantive as it was not dependent on the passage of time nor was it based solely on another party's efforts. We demonstrated that defined our GMP manufacturing process and that we revised and upgraded our quality procedures and policies to the current state of the art for a company of our size. The report was accepted by the contracting officer's representative and the invoice was submitted thereafter.
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12. SEGMENTS
We operate our businesses principally through two reportable segments: Aethlon, which represents our therapeutic business activities, and ESI, which represents our diagnostic business activities. Our reportable segments have been determined based on the nature of the potential products being developed. We record discrete financial information for ESI and our chief operating decision maker reviews ESI’s operating results in order to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the ESI segment and to assess its performance.
Aethlon’s revenue is generated primarily from government contracts to date and ESI does not yet have any revenues. We have not included any allocation of corporate overhead to the ESI segment.
The following tables set forth certain information regarding our segments:
Three Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||
2016 | 2015 | |||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||
Aethlon | $ | 4,635 | $ | 192,508 | ||||
ESI | – | – | ||||||
Total Revenues | $ | 4,635 | $ | 192,508 | ||||
Operating Losses: | ||||||||
Aethlon | $ | (1,092,990 | ) | $ | (921,859 | ) | ||
ESI | (38,662 | ) | (168,112 | ) | ||||
Total Operating Loss | $ | (1,131,652 | ) | $ | (1,089,971 | ) | ||
Net Losses: | ||||||||
Aethlon | $ | (2,097,887 | ) | $ | (1,048,547 | ) | ||
ESI | (38,662 | ) | (168,112 | ) | ||||
Net Loss Before Non-Controlling Interests | $ | (2,136,549 | ) | $ | (1,216,659 | ) | ||
Cash: | ||||||||
Aethlon | $ | 1,291,537 | $ | 5,647,132 | ||||
ESI | 2,722 | 2,446 | ||||||
Total Cash | $ | 1,294,259 | $ | 5,649,578 | ||||
Total Assets: | ||||||||
Aethlon | $ | 1,419,226 | $ | 5,912,926 | ||||
ESI | 41,806 | 61,110 | ||||||
Total Assets | $ | 1,461,032 | $ | 5,974,036 | ||||
Capital Expenditures: | ||||||||
Aethlon | $ | 1,545 | $ | – | ||||
ESI | – | – | ||||||
Capital Expenditures | $ | 1,545 | $ | – | ||||
Depreciation and Amortization: | ||||||||
Aethlon | $ | 5,323 | $ | 4,443 | ||||
ESI | 4,895 | 4,895 | ||||||
Total Depreciation and Amortization | $ | 10,218 | $ | 9,338 | ||||
Interest Expense: | ||||||||
Aethlon | $ | (42,167 | ) | $ | (126,688 | ) | ||
ESI | – | – | ||||||
Total Interest Expense | $ | (42,167 | ) | $ | (126,688 | ) |
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13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
LEASE COMMITMENTS
We currently rent approximately 2,600 square feet of executive office space at 9635 Granite Ridge Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92123 at the rate of $6,054 per month on a four-year lease that expires in January 2019. We also rent approximately 1,700 square feet of laboratory space at 11585 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 109, San Diego, California 92121 at the rate of $4,838 per month on a one-year lease that expires in November 2016. Our current plans are to renew the lease prior to expiration or to secure alternative lab space in the San Diego area.
Our Exosome Sciences, Inc. subsidiary previously rented approximately 2,055 square feet of office and laboratory space at 11 Deer Park Drive, South Brunswick, NJ at the rate of $3,917 per month on a one-year lease that expired in October 2015. In October 2015, Exosome Sciences, Inc. relocated to a different suite at the same office complex. That new suite was comprised of approximately 541 square feet of office and laboratory space and is located at 9 Deer Park Drive, South Brunswick, NJ at the rate of $1,352 per month under a month to month lease basis. In January 2016, we exercised our 30-day notice to terminate the Exosome Sciences’ lease in New Jersey as part of a consolidation of our laboratory operations in San Diego.
Rent expense, which is included in general and administrative expenses, approximated $34,000 and $54,000 for the three month periods ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of March 31, 2016, our commitments under the lease agreements are as follows:
LEGAL MATTERS
From time to time, claims are made against us in the ordinary course of business, which could result in litigation. Claims and associated litigation are subject to inherent uncertainties and unfavorable outcomes could occur, such as monetary damages, fines, penalties or injunctions prohibiting us from selling one or more products or engaging in other activities.
The occurrence of an unfavorable outcome in any specific period could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations for that period or future periods. We are not presently a party to any pending or threatened legal proceedings.
14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Management has evaluated events subsequent to June 30, 2016 through the date that the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for transactions and other events which may require adjustment of and/or disclosure in such financial statements.
In July 2016, we commenced sales of common stock under our Common Stock Sales Agreement with H.C. Wainwright. As of August 11, 2016, we had raised net proceeds of $39,655 (after deducting $1,263 in commissions to H.C. Wainwright and $1,193 in other offering expenses) utilizing the sales agreement through the sale of 6,100 shares at an average price of $6.50 per share of net proceeds.
In July 2016, we issued an aggregate of 2,660 shares of common stock to three investors upon the exercise of previously issued warrants. The warrants were exercised on a cashless or “net” basis. Accordingly, we did not receive any proceeds from such exercises. The cashless exercise of such warrants resulted in the cancellation of previously issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 19,563 shares of common stock.
On August 9, 2016, we entered into a modification of our contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency entered into the contract modification to authorize us to quantify the degree to which the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS) virus can be extracted from blood circulation in vitro using miniature versions of the Aethlon Hemopurifier®. Under the modification of the contract, the new milestone is as follows: Quantify the degree to which the MERS virus can be extracted from circulation in vitro using miniature Hemopurifiers. The milestone payment is fixed at $193,719. The milestone is designated as Milestone 2.6.1.3 under year 5 of the contract.
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Restricted Stock Unit Grants to Directors and Executive Officers
On August 9, 2016, our Board of Directors (the “Board”) granted restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to certain of our officers and directors as set forth below. The RSUs represent the right to be issued on a future date shares of our common stock (the “Common Stock”) for vested RSUs. Our Compensation Committee recommended the grants based on a compensation assessment provided by a third-party compensation consulting firm engaged by us that developed a peer group of companies for market assessment and analyzed compensation at such companies. The consultant recommended beneficial ownership targets, which we previously disclosed in our Proxy Statement filed on February 23, 2016, in connection with our Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on March 29, 2016. In connection with the Annual Meeting, our stockholders approved our Amended 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, which included an increase in the number of shares available for grant under the plan in part to accommodate equity awards recommended by the Compensation Committee, and our stockholders approved our executive compensation as disclosed in the Proxy Statement pursuant to Item 402 paragraphs (m) through (q) of Regulation S-K.
· | To Mr. James A. Joyce, an aggregate of 634,000 RSUs valued at $6.28 per share, based on today’s closing price of the Common Stock. 158,500 of the RSUs are deemed vested upon grant and an additional 39,625 RSUs will vest each quarter beginning on January 1, 2017. This grant is intended to increase Mr. Joyce’s beneficial ownership of our Common Stock to 9.0%, which target was recommended in 2015 and in June 2016 by the compensation consultant engaged by us. Previously, in 2004, the Board had approved a beneficial ownership target of 15% for Mr. Joyce. However, Mr. Joyce has agreed to the modified target of 9.0%. |
· | To Mr. Rodney S. Kenley, an aggregate of 52,000 RSUs valued at $6.28 per share, based on today’s closing price of the Common Stock. 13,000 of the RSUs are deemed vested upon grant and an additional 3,250 RSUs will vest each quarter beginning on January 1, 2017. |
· | To Mr. James B. Frakes, an aggregate of 52,000 RSUs valued at $6.28 per share, based on today’s closing price of the Common Stock. 13,000 of the RSUs are deemed vested upon grant and an additional 3,250 RSUs will vest each quarter beginning on January 1, 2017. |
· | To each of our non-employee directors, Mr. Franklyn S. Barry, Jr., Mr. Edward G. Broenniman and Dr. Chetan S. Shah, 16,432 RSUs valued at an aggregate of $105,000, based on the average of the closing prices of the Common Stock for the five trading days preceding and including today’s date. These grants represent (a) $70,000 worth of RSUs representing two years of grants under the amended 2012 Non-Employee Directors Compensation Program (the “2012 Program”) because more than two years have elapsed since Messrs. Barry and Broenniman and Dr. Shah received grants under the program, all of which RSUs are deemed vested upon grant and (b) $35,000 worth of RSUs representing the grant covering the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, of which one-quarter are deemed vested upon grant and the remaining portion will vest ratably at September 30, 2016, at December 31, 2016 and at March 31, 2017. |
The grant of the RSUs and the terms of the RSUs will be set forth in the Stock Unit Grant Notice and Stock Unit Agreement to be entered into between us and each grant recipient. The RSUs are granted under our Amended 2010 Stock Incentive Plan.
Changes to 2012 Non-Employee Directors Compensation Program
In July 2012, the Board approved the 2012 Program, which modified and superseded the 2005 Directors Compensation Program that had been in effect previously. On June 6, 2014, the Board approved certain changes to the 2012 Program, and on August 9, 2016, the Board approved further modifications to the program. Under the modified 2012 Program, in which only non-employee directors may participate, a new eligible director will receive an initial grant of $50,000 worth of RSUs or, at the discretion of the Board, options to acquire shares of Common Stock. RSUs granted under this provision will be valued based on the average of the closing prices of the Common Stock for the five trading days preceding and including the date of grant and will vest at a rate determined by the Board in its discretion. Options granted under this provision will be valued at the exercise price, which will be based on the average of the closing prices of the Common Stock for the five trading days preceding and including the date of grant. Such options will have a term of ten years and will vest at a rate determined by the Board in its discretion.
At the beginning of each fiscal year, each existing director eligible to participate in the 2012 Program will receive a grant of $35,000 worth of RSUs or, at the discretion of the Board, options to acquire shares of Common Stock. RSUs granted under this provision will be valued based on the average of the closing prices of the Common Stock for the five trading days preceding and including the first day of the fiscal year (or preceding and including the date of grant, if such grant is not made on the first day of the fiscal year) and will vest at a rate determined by the Board in its discretion. Options granted under this provision will be valued at the exercise price, which will be based on the average of the closing prices of the Common Stock for the five trading days preceding and including the first day of the fiscal year (or preceding and including the date of grant, if such grant is not made on the first day of the fiscal year). Such options will have a term of ten years and will vest at a rate determined by the Board in its discretion.
In lieu of per meeting fees, under the 2012 Program eligible directors will receive an annual Board retainer fee of $30,000. The modified 2012 Program also provides for the following annual retainer fees: Audit Committee Chair - $5,000, Compensation Committee chair - $5,000, Audit Committee member - $4,000, Compensation Committee member - $4,000 and Lead independent director - $15,000.
The RSU grants and the changes to the 2012 Program were approved and recommended by our Compensation Committee prior to approval by the Board.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 1 in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. This item contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this Form 10-Q are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Such forward-looking statements involve assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Aethlon Medical, Inc. ("we" or "us") to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q. Such potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, completion of our capital-raising activities, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, approval of our products, other regulations, patent protection of our proprietary technology, product liability exposure, uncertainty of market acceptance, competition, technological change, and other risk factors detailed herein and in other of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this Form 10-Q, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons actual results could differ from those projected in such forward-looking statements.
Overview
We are a medical device company focused on creating innovative devices that address unmet medical needs in cancer, infectious disease and other life-threatening conditions. At the core of our developments is the Aethlon ADAPT™ (Adaptive Dialysis-Like Affinity Platform Technology) system, a medical device platform that converges single or multiple affinity drug agents with advanced plasma membrane technology to create therapeutic filtration devices that selectively remove harmful particles from the entire circulatory system without loss of essential blood components.
In June 2013, the FDA approved our investigational device exemption application to initiate a ten-patient human clinical trial in one location in the U.S. to treat dialysis patients who are infected with the Hepatitis C virus. The principal investigator of that clinical trial recently began recruiting patients. Successful outcomes of that human trial as well as at least one follow-on human trial will be required by the FDA in order to commercialize our products in the U.S. The regulatory agencies of certain foreign countries where we intend to sell this device will also require one or more human clinical trials.
Some of our patents may expire before we receive FDA approval to market our products in the U.S. or we receive approval to market our products in a foreign country. However, we believe that certain patent applications and/or other patents issued more recently will help protect the proprietary nature of the Hemopurifier treatment technology.
Through Exosome, we are also studying potential diagnostic techniques for identifying and monitoring neurological conditions and cancer. We consolidate Exosome’s activities in our consolidated financial statements.
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “AEMD.”
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act and must file reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission. The reports, information statements and other information we file with the Commission can be inspected and copied at the Commission Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the Commission at (800) SEC-0330. The Commission also maintains a Web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants, like us, which file electronically with the Commission. Our headquarters are located at 9635 Granite Ridge Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92123. Our phone number at that address is (858) 459-7800. Our Web site is http://www.aethlonmedical.com.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2016 COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2015
Revenues
We recorded government contract revenue in the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015. This revenue arose from work performed under our government contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, and our subcontract with Battelle Memorial Institute as follows:
Three Months Ended 6/30/16 | Three Months Ended 6/30/15 | Change in Dollars | ||||||||||
DARPA Contract | $ | – | $ | 186,164 | $ | (186,164 | ) | |||||
Battelle Subcontract | 4,635 | 6,344 | (1,709 | ) | ||||||||
Total Government Contract Revenue | $ | 4,635 | $ | 192,508 | $ | (187,873 | ) |
DARPA Contract
We entered into a contract with DARPA on September 30, 2011. Under the DARPA award, we have been engaged to develop a therapeutic device to reduce the incidence of sepsis, a fatal bloodstream infection that often results in the death of combat-injured soldiers. The award from DARPA was a fixed-price contract with potential total payments to us of $6,794,389 over the course of five years. Fixed price contracts require the achievement of multiple, incremental milestones to receive the full award during each year of the contract. Under the terms of the contract, we will perform certain incremental work towards the achievement of specific milestones against which we will invoice the government for fixed payment amounts.
Originally, only the base year (year one of the contract) was effective for the parties; however, DARPA subsequently exercised the option on the second, third and fourth years of the contract. DARPA has the option to enter into the contract for year five. The milestones are comprised of planning, engineering and clinical targets, the achievement of which in some cases will require the participation and contribution of third party participants under the contract. We cannot assure you that we alone, or with third party participants, will meet such milestones to the satisfaction of the government and in compliance with the terms of the contract or that we will be paid the full amount of the contract revenues during any year of the contract term. We commenced work under the contract in October 2011.
In February 2014, DARPA reduced the scope of our contract in years three through five of the contract. The reduction in scope focused our research on exosomes, viruses and blood processing instrumentation. This scope reduction will reduce the possible payments under the contract by $858,469 over years three through five.
We did not invoice DARPA for any milestones in the three months ended June 30, 2016 and in the three months ended June 30, 2015, we invoiced the U.S. Government for the twenty-fifth milestone under our DARPA contract in the amount of $186,164 and received that payment.
Operating Expenses
Consolidated operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2016 were $1,136,287 in comparison with $1,282,479 for the comparable quarter a year ago. This decrease of $146,191, or 11.4%, was due to decreases in payroll and related expenses of $113,241 and in general and administrative expenses of $62,474, which were partially offset by an increase in professional fees of $29,523.
The $113,241 decrease in payroll and related expenses was primarily due to a $107,470 reduction in cash-based compensation at ESI due to headcount reductions and a $5,771 reduction in cash-based compensation at Aethlon also due to headcount reductions from the 2015 period.
The $62,474 decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to a decrease of $44,155 in our non-DARPA-related general and administrative expenses and to a decrease of $17,425 in the general and administrative expenses at ESI.
The $29,523 increase in our professional fees was primarily due to an increase in our non-DARPA-related professional fees of $57,807, which was partially offset by a reduction in our professional fees at ESI of $4,552 and in our DARPA-related professional fees of $23,732. The $57,807 increase in our non-DARPA-related professional fees was due to the combination of a $48,328 increase in scientific consulting fees, a $34,000 increase in business development fees, a $23,091 increase in legal fees and a $1,724 increase in investor relations fees. Those increases were partially offset by a $49,574 decrease in accounting fees.
Other Expense
Other expense consists primarily of loss on debt extinguishment, loss on warrant repricing and interest expense. Other expense for the three months ended June 30, 2016 was other expense of $1,004,897 in comparison with other expense of $126,688 for the comparable quarter a year ago.
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The following table breaks out the various components of our other expense for both periods:
Quarter Ended | Quarter Ended | |||||||||||
6/30/16 | 6/30/15 | Change | ||||||||||
Loss on Debt Extinguishment | $ | 616,889 | $ | – | $ | 616,889 | ||||||
Loss on Warrant Repricing | 345,841 | – | 345,841 | |||||||||
Interest Expense | 42,167 | 126,688 | (84,521 | ) | ||||||||
Total Other Expense | $ | 1,004,897 | $ | 126,688 | $ | 878,209 |
Loss on Debt Extinguishment
This loss on debt extinguishment arose from the Amendments (the “Amendments”) to our November 2014 convertible notes The Amendments provided that the maturity date of the notes was extended from June 1, 2016 to July 1, 2017 and that the conversion price was reduced from $5.60 per share of common stock to $5.00 per share of common stock. In addition, we reduced the purchase price of warrants issued in connection with the notes from $8.40 per share to $5.00 per share. In connection with these modifications, each of the Investors signed a consent and waiver providing its consent under certain restrictive provisions, and waiving certain rights, including a right to participate in certain offerings made by us, under a securities purchase agreement dated June 23, 2015, (the “2015 SPA”) to which we, the Investors and certain other investors are parties, in order to facilitate an at-the-market equity program described in the liquidity and capital resources section of this report below. This loss also included an $80,000 fee to extend the November 2014 convertible notes from June 1, 2016 to July 1, 2017. The $80,000 amount was not a cash payment but rather was added to the principal of the notes
Loss on Warrant Repricing
On June 27, 2016, we and certain investors (the “Unit Investors”) entered into Consent and Waiver and Amendment agreements (the “CWAs”), relating to an aggregate of 264,000 Warrants to Purchase Common Stock (the “Unit Warrants”) we had issued to the Unit Investors on December 2, 2014 pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement dated November 26, 2014 (the “2014 SPA”). In the CWAs, each of the Unit Investors provided its consent under certain restrictive provisions, and waived certain rights, including a right to participate in certain offerings made by us, under the 2014 SPA in order to facilitate the at-the-market equity program described above. Pursuant to the CWAs, we reduced the Exercise Price (as defined in the Unit Warrants) from $15.00 per share of common stock to $5.00 per share of common stock.
On June 27, 2016, each of the Unit Investors also entered into a Consent and Waiver providing its consent under certain provisions, and waiving certain rights, including a right to participate in certain offerings made by us, under the 2015 SPA in order to facilitate the at-the market equity program described below.
We measured the change in fair value that arose from the reduction in exercise price from $15.00 to $5.00 and recorded a charge of $345,841 to our other expense to reflect this change.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $42,167 for the three months ended June 30, 2016 compared to $126,688 in the corresponding prior period, a decrease of $84,521. The various components of our interest expense are shown in the following table:
Quarter Ended | Quarter Ended | |||||||||||
6/30/16 | 6/30/15 | Change | ||||||||||
Interest Expense | $ | 14,526 | $ | 14,248 | $ | 278 | ||||||
Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs | 27,641 | 19,302 | 8,339 | |||||||||
Amortization of Note Discounts | – | 93,138 | (93,138 | ) | ||||||||
Total Interest Expense | $ | 42,167 | $ | 126,688 | $ | (84,521 | ) |
As noted in the above table, the most significant factor in the $84,521 decrease in interest expense was the $93,138 decrease in the amortization of note discounts, which related to the amortization against the discount on the convertible notes that we issued in November 2014. Other smaller factors in the change in our total interest was a $278 increase in contractual interest expense and a $8,339 increase in the amortization of deferred financing costs.
Net Loss
As a result of the changes in revenues and expenses noted above, our net loss before noncontrolling interests increased from approximately $1,217,000 in the quarter ended June 30, 2015 to approximately $2,137,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2016.
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Basic and diluted loss attributable to common stockholders were ($0.28) for the three month period ended June 30, 2016 compared to ($0.18) for the period ended June 30, 2015.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
At June 30, 2016, we had a cash balance of $1,294,259 and working capital of $848,795. This compares to a cash balance of $2,123,737 and working capital of $1,849,891 at March 31, 2016.
Significant additional financing must be obtained in order to provide a sufficient source of operating capital and to allow us to continue to operate as a going concern. In addition, we will need to raise capital to complete the approved human clinical trial in the U.S. We anticipate the primary source of this additional financing will be from proceeds of our at-the-market offering program.
We raised $5,591,988 in net proceeds from a financing in June 2015. That amount, coupled with previously existing funds on hand and expected revenues from our government contracts, has financed our operations through the first quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017. However, we will require significant additional financing to complete the current and expected additional future clinical trials in the U.S., as well as fund all of our continued research and development activities for the Hemopurifier and products on our Aethlon ADAPT platform through the twelve month period ending June 30, 2017. In addition, as we expand our activities, our overhead costs to support personnel, laboratory materials and infrastructure will increase. Should the financing we require to sustain our working capital needs be unavailable to us on reasonable terms, if at all, when we require it, we may be unable to support our research and U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, clearance activities including our planned clinical trials. The failure to implement our research and clearance activities would have a material adverse effect on our ability to commercialize our products.
Future capital requirements will depend upon many factors, including progress with pre-clinical testing and clinical trials, the number and breadth of our clinical programs, the time and costs involved in preparing, filing, prosecuting, maintaining and enforcing patent claims and other proprietary rights, the time and costs involved in obtaining regulatory approvals, competing technological and market developments, as well as our ability to establish collaborative arrangements, effective commercialization, marketing activities and other arrangements. We expect to continue to incur increasing negative cash flows and net losses for the foreseeable future.
Going Concern
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern, which contemplates, among other things, the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. We have incurred continuing losses from operations and at June 30, 2016 had limited working capital and an accumulated deficit of approximately $88,631,000. These factors, among other matters, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. A significant amount of additional capital will be necessary to advance the development of our products to the point at which they may become commercially viable. We intend to fund operations, working capital and other cash requirements for the twelve month period ending June 30, 2017 through debt and/or equity financing arrangements as well as through revenues and related cash receipts under our government contracts.
We are currently addressing our liquidity issue by seeking additional investment capital through issuances of common stock under our existing S-3 registration statement and by applying for additional grants issued by government agencies in the United States. We believe that our cash on hand and funds expected to be received from additional debt and equity financing arrangements will be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs for fiscal 2017. However, no assurance can be given that we will receive any funds in addition to the funds we have received to date (see Note 14).
In July 2016, we commenced sales of common stock under our Common Stock Sales Agreement with H.C. Wainwright. As of August 11, 2016, we had raised net proceeds of $39,655 (after deducting $1,263 in commissions to H.C. Wainwright and $1,193 in other offering expenses) utilizing the sales agreement through the sale of 6,100 shares at an average price of $6.50 per share of net proceeds.
The successful outcome of future activities cannot be determined at this time and there is no assurance that, if achieved, we will have sufficient funds to execute our intended business plan or generate positive operating results.
The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to this uncertainty and as to the recoverability and classification of asset carrying amounts or the amount and classification of liabilities that might result should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
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Cash Flows
Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, as reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, are summarized as follows:
(In thousands) For the three months ended |
||||||||
June 30, 2016 |
June 30, 2015 |
|||||||
Cash (used in) provided by: | ||||||||
Operating activities | $ | (828 | ) | $ | (798 | ) | ||
Investing activities | (2 | ) | ||||||
Financing activities | – | 5,592 | ||||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash | $ | (830 | ) | $ | 4,794 |
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES. We used cash in our operating activities due to our losses from operations. Net cash used in operating activities was approximately $828,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2016 compared to approximately $798,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2015, an increase of $30,000.
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES. We used approximately $2,000 of cash to purchase office equipment and fixtures in the three months ended June 30, 2016. There were no investing activities in the three months ended June 30, 2015.
NET CASH FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES. In the three months ended June 30, 2015 we raised approximately $5,592,000 through the sale of common stock. We did not generate any cash from financing activities in the three months ended June 30, 2016.
At the date of this filing, we plan to invest significantly into purchases of our raw materials and into our contract manufacturing arrangement subject to successfully raising additional capital.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make a number of 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. Such estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate estimates and assumptions based upon historical experience and various other factors and circumstances. We believe our estimates and assumptions are reasonable in the circumstances; however, actual results may differ from these estimates under different future conditions.
We believe that the estimates and assumptions that are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations, in that they require the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, form the basis for the accounting policies deemed to be most critical to us. These critical accounting policies relate to revenue recognition, measurement of stock purchase warrants issued with notes payable, beneficial conversion feature of convertible notes payable, impairment of intangible assets and long lived assets, stock compensation, and the classification of warrant obligations, and evaluation of contingencies. We believe estimates and assumptions related to these critical accounting policies are appropriate under the circumstances; however, should future events or occurrences result in unanticipated consequences, there could be a material impact on our future financial condition or results of operations.
There have been no changes to our critical accounting policies as disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2016.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We have no obligations required to be disclosed herein as off-balance sheet arrangements.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
As a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K, we are electing scaled disclosure reporting obligations and therefore are not required to provide the information requested by this item.
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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report.
Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act and are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the last fiscal quarter 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, claims are made against us in the ordinary course of business, which could result in litigation. Claims and associated litigation are subject to inherent uncertainties and unfavorable outcomes could occur, such as monetary damages, fines, penalties or injunctions prohibiting us from selling one or more products or engaging in other activities.
The occurrence of an unfavorable outcome in any specific period could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations for that period or future periods. We are not presently a party to any pending or threatened legal proceedings.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
As a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K, we are electing scaled disclosure reporting obligations and therefore are not required to provide the information requested by this item.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.
During the quarter ended June 30, 2016 and subsequent thereto through the date of filing this report, we issued the following securities which were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. We did not employ any form of general solicitation or advertising in connection with the offer and sale of the securities described below. In addition, we believe the purchasers are “accredited investors” for the purpose of Rule 501 promulgated under the Securities Act. For these reasons, among others, the offer and sale of the following securities were made in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act or Regulation D promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act.
In connection with the amendment on June 27, 2016 of our November 2014 convertible notes and related Class A Common Stock Purchase Warrants, we issued to the investors warrants to purchase an aggregate of 30,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $5.00 per share of common stock. The warrants will expire on November 6, 2019.
In July 2016, we issued an aggregate of 2,660 shares of common stock to three investors upon the exercise of previously issued warrants. The warrants were exercised on a cashless or “net” basis. Accordingly, we did not receive any proceeds from such exercises. The cashless exercise of such warrants resulted in the cancellation of previously issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 19,563 shares of common stock.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.
Not applicable
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
We have no disclosure applicable to this item.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.
Not applicable
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.
(a) Exhibits. The following documents are filed as part of this report:
3.1 | Articles of Incorporation of Aethlon Medical, Inc., as amended (1) | |
3.2 | Bylaws of Aethlon Medical, Inc., as amended (2) | |
4.1 | Form of Amendment to Notes and Warrants dated June 27, 2016 (3) | |
4.2 | Form of Allonge to Convertible Promissory Note dated June 27, 2016 (3) | |
4.3 | Form of Class A Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued June 27, 2016 (3) | |
4.4 | Form of Consent and Waiver and Amendment dated June 27, 2016 (3) | |
10.1 | Common Stock Sales Agreement dated June 28, 2016 between Aethlon Medical, Inc. and H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (3) | |
10.2 | Form of Consent and Waiver dated June 27, 2016 (3) | |
10.3 | 2012 Non-Employee Directors Compensation Program, as amended August 9, 2016 (4) | |
31.1 | Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act rules 13a- 14(a) and 15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002* | |
31.2 | Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act rules 13a- 14(a) and 15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002* | |
32.1 | Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002* | |
32.2 | Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002* | |
101 | Interactive Data Files* | |
101.INS | XBRL Instance Document* | |
101.SCH | XBRL Schema Document* | |
101.CAL | XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document* | |
101.DEF | XBRL Definition Linkbase Document* | |
101.LAB | XBRL Label Linkbase Document* | |
101.PRE | XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document* |
______________________
* Filed herewith.
(1) | Filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-211151) filed on May 5, 2016 and incorporated by reference. |
(2) | Filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on June 26, 2015 for the year ended March 31, 2015 and incorporated by reference. |
(3) | Filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 28, 2016 and incorporated by reference. | |
(4) | Filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 10, 2016 and incorporated by reference. |
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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.
AETHLON MEDICAL, INC. | |||
Date: August 11, 2016 | By: | /s/ JAMES B. FRAKES | |
JAMES B. FRAKES | |||
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | |||
CHIEF ACCOUNTING OFFICER |
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