Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies

v3.19.3
Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies

NOTE 1 – NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Background

 

Abeona Therapeutics Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with our subsidiaries, “we,” “our,” “Abeona” or the “Company”), is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing gene and cell therapies for life-threatening rare genetic diseases. Our lead programs include EB-101, an autologous, gene-corrected cell therapy for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (“RDEB”); ABO-102, an adeno-associated virus (“AAV”)-based gene therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome type A (“MPS IIIA”); and ABO-101, an AAV-based gene therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome type B (“MPS IIIB”). We also are developing ABO-202 and ABO-201, which are AAV-based gene therapies for the CLN1 and CLN3 forms of Batten Disease, respectively, ABO-401 for the treatment of cystic fibrosis, and ABO-5OX for the treatment of retinal diseases. In addition, we are developing next-generation AAV-based gene therapy though our novel AIM™ capsid platform and internal AAV vector research programs. Our efforts since inception have been principally devoted to research and development, resulting in significant losses.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2019, the condensed consolidated statements of operations and stockholders’ equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, were prepared by management without audit. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, except as otherwise disclosed, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, and changes in financial position for such periods, have been made.

 

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. The results of operations for the periods ended September 30, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that may be expected for a full year. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 contains financial information taken from the audited Abeona consolidated financial statements as of that date.

 

As of September 30, 2019, we had 6,697,980 options and 1,820,686 warrants that were not included in the EPS calculation as their effect would be antidilutive. As of September 30, 2018, we had 5,999,544 options and 2,220,687 warrants that were not included in the earnings per share calculation as their effect would be antidilutive.

 

Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as amended (ASC 606). At year-end 2018, we determined that we should adjust the amounts originally reported for the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018 to correct for an error in the determination of the cumulative effect related to the adoption of ASC 606 as of January 1, 2018. The adjusted amounts for March 31, 2018 reflect a $2,067,000 reduction in foundation revenues and corresponding increases in the loss from operations and net loss of $2,067,000 and an increase in the diluted loss per share of $0.04, as compared to the originally reported amounts. The adjusted amounts for June 30, 2018 reflect a $543,000 reduction in foundation revenues and corresponding increases in the loss from operations and net loss of $543,000 and an increase in the diluted loss per share of $0.01, as compared to the originally reported amounts.

 

Uses and Sources of Liquidity

 

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes the Company will have sufficient cash to pay its operating expenses, as and when they become payable, for a period of at least 12 months from the date the financial report was issued. Therefore, we believe it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.

 

As of September 30, 2019, we had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $47.9 million and net assets of $96.1 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we had cash outflows from operations of $48.6 million.

 

In early 2019, the Company implemented a multi-faceted program to seek sufficient liquidity through at least the end of 2020. This program considered the possibility of accessing additional equity funding from current or new stockholders, out-licensing technology and/or other assets, deferring and/or eliminating planned expenditures, restructuring operations and/or reducing headcount and sales of assets. In September 2019, the Company announced that it has retained Jefferies LLC as its financial advisor to assist with the review of strategic options focused on advancing the Company’s mission and maximizing stockholder value. In an effort to unlock potential additional value, the Company initiated this more formal process to explore a broad range of strategic alternatives including but not limited to the partnering of its various clinical and pre-clinical programs, or a sale or merger of the Company.