Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

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NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Background

Background

 

Abeona Therapeutics Inc. (together with our subsidiaries, “we,” “our,” “Abeona” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing gene and cell therapies for life-threatening rare genetic diseases. Our lead clinical program is EB-101, an autologous, gene-corrected cell therapy for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (“RDEB”), which is currently in the pivotal Phase 3 VIITAL™ clinical trial. Following a comprehensive portfolio review in early 2022, we have decided to focus our research and development resources on the VIITAL™ readout while actively pursuing a potential commercialization partner for EB-101 with the objective of reducing operating expenses and extending our cash runway. As part of this portfolio prioritization, we have intensified our pursuit of a strategic partnership to take over development activities for our adeno-associated virus (“AAV”)-based gene therapy ABO-102 for Sanfilippo syndrome type A (“MPS IIIA”) and we have discontinued development of our AAV-based gene therapy ABO-101 for Sanfilippo syndrome type B (“MPS IIIB”). We plan to continue development of AAV-based gene therapies designed to treat ophthalmic and other diseases and next-generation AAV-based gene therapies using the novel AIM™ capsid platform that we have exclusively licensed from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (“UNC”), and internal AAV vector research programs.

 

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

 

The Company’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. 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. These unaudited interim condensed financial statement results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full fiscal year or any future period. Certain information that is normally required by U.S. GAAP has been condensed or omitted in accordance with rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

Therefore, these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which was filed with the SEC on March 31, 2022.

 

Uses and Sources of Liquidity

Uses and Sources of Liquidity

 

The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the 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 is issued.

 

As of March 31, 2022, we had cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments of $37.2 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, we had cash outflows from operations of $13.7 million. We have not generated significant product revenues and have not achieved profitable operations. There is no assurance that profitable operations will ever be achieved, and, if achieved, could be sustained on a continuing basis. In addition, development activities, clinical and nonclinical testing, and commercialization of our products will require significant additional financing.

 

We are subject to a number of risks similar to other life science companies, including, but not limited to, risks related to the successful discovery and development of product candidates, obtaining the necessary regulatory approval to market our product candidates, raising additional capital to continue to fund our operations, development of competing drugs and therapies, protection of proprietary technology and market acceptance of our products. As a result of these and other risks and the related uncertainties, there can be no assurance of our future success.

 

 

Following a comprehensive portfolio review in early 2022, we have decided to focus our research and development resources on the EB-101 program with the objective of reducing operating expenses and extending our cash runway. As part of this portfolio prioritization, we have intensified our pursuit of a strategic partnership to take over development activities for our AAV-based gene therapy ABO-102 for MPS IIIA and we have discontinued development of our AAV-based gene therapy ABO-101 for MPS IIIB. Based upon these current operating plans, our ability to access additional financial resources and/or our financial flexibility to further reduce operating expenses if required, we believe that we have sufficient resources to fund operations through at least the next 12 months from the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We will need to secure additional funding beyond the next 12 months to carry out all of our planned research and development activities. If we are unable to obtain additional financing or generate license or product revenue, the lack of liquidity and sufficient capital resources could have a material adverse effect on our future prospects.

 

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions.

 

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

There have been no new or material changes to the significant accounting policies discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 that are of significance, or potential significance, to the Company.

 

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

 

Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. The Company reclassified depreciation and amortization costs of $0.8 million and $35,000 to research and development and general and administrative expenses, respectively, on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss during the three months ended March 31, 2021. The Company also reclassified certain rent expenses of $0.3 million from general and administrative to research and development expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss during the three months ended March 31, 2021. Additionally, the Company also reclassified $5.0 million of restricted cash from prepaid expenses, other current assets and restricted cash and $0.9 million of restricted cash from other assets and restricted cash to restricted cash on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2021.

 

Net Loss Per Share

Net Loss Per Share

 

Basic and diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock. We do not include the potential impact of dilutive securities in diluted net loss per share, as the impact of these items is anti-dilutive. Potential dilutive securities result from outstanding restricted stock, stock options, and stock purchase warrants.

 

The following table sets forth the potential securities that could potentially dilute basic income/(loss) per share in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted net loss per share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented:

 

    2022     2021  
    For the three months ended March 31,  
    2022     2021  
Stock options     7,101,803       7,091,879  
Restricted stock     1,948,334       2,636,216  
Warrants     44,700,000       -  
Total     53,750,137       9,798,095