08/14/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/14/2026 15:05
Management's Discussion and Analysis.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 and the related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, with the SEC on March 2, 2026. This discussion contains forward-looking statements reflecting our current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. See "Note On Forward-Looking Statements" for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those discussed in our forward-looking statements as a result of many factors.
Company Overview
We are a medical device company that is currently focused on bone regeneration in spinal fusion using the recombinant human protein known as NELL-1. NELL-1 in combination with DBM, demineralized bone matrix, is an osteopromotive recombinant protein that provides target specific control over bone regeneration. The NELL-1 technology platform has been licensed exclusively for worldwide applications to us through a technology transfer from UCLA TDG. UCLA TDG and the Company received guidance from the FDA that NELL-1/DBM will be classified as a device/drug combination product that will require an FDA-approved PMA before it can be commercialized in the United States.
We were founded by University of California professors in collaboration with an Osaka University professor and a University of Southern California surgeon in 2004 as a privately-held company with proprietary, patented platform technology. Our platform technology has been validated in sheep and non-human primate models to facilitate bone growth. We believe our platform technology has application in delivering improved outcomes in the surgical specialties of spinal, orthopedic, general orthopedic, plastic reconstruction, neurosurgery, interventional radiology, and sports medicine. Lead product development and clinical studies are targeted on spinal fusion surgery, one of the larger segments in the orthopedic market.
We are a clinical-stage entity. The production and marketing of our products and ongoing research and development activities are subject to extensive regulation by numerous governmental authorities in the United States. Prior to marketing in the United States, any combination product developed by us must undergo rigorous preclinical (animal) and clinical (human) testing and an extensive regulatory approval process implemented by the FDA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. There can be no assurance that we will not encounter problems in clinical trials that will cause us or the FDA to delay or suspend clinical trials.
Our success will depend in part on our ability to obtain and retain patents and product license rights, maintain trade secrets, and operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of others, both in the United States and other countries. In the second quarter of 2025, we submitted a patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO") regarding proprietary compositions of rhNELL-1 polypeptide for treating bone conditions There can be no assurance that the USPTO will approve our patent application or that the patents issued to or licensed by us will not be challenged, invalidated, rendered unenforceable, or circumvented, or that the rights granted thereunder will provide proprietary protection or competitive advantages to us.
During 2024, we announced the treatment of the first subjects in the multicenter, prospective, randomized pilot clinical study of our NB1 bone graft device. NB1 is NELL-1 protein combined with demineralized bone matrix (DBM) to provide rapid, specific and guided control over bone regeneration.
The pilot clinical study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness, fusion success, pain, function improvement and adverse events of NB1 in up to 30 adult subjects who undergo transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion to treat degenerative disc disease (DDD). To be enrolled in the study, subjects must have DDD at one level from L2-S1 and may also have up to Grade 1 spondylolisthesis or Grade 1 retrolisthesis at the involved level. The study is being conducted in Australia. The study design was previously reviewed and agreed upon by the FDA's Division of Orthopedic Devices in a Pre-submission to support progression to a pivotal clinical trial in the United States.
July 2026 Private Placement
On July 9, 2026, we issued an investor pre-funded warrants to purchase 2,112,677 shares of common stock, together with Series F Warrants (the "Series F Warrants") to purchase 2,112,677 shares of common stock and Series G Warrants (the "Series G Warrants," and together with the Series F Warrants, the "Warrants") to purchase 2,112,677 shares of common stock at a combined purchase price of $1.419 per pre-funded warrant and accompanying Series F Warrants and Series G Warrants, for net proceeds of approximately $2.7 million.
In addition, we issued the placement agent, or its designees, placement agent warrants to purchase 126,761 shares of common stock as compensation in connection with the private placement. Except for the exercise price, the placement agent warrants have substantially the same terms as the Series F Warrants.
The pre-funded warrants are immediately exercisable at an exercise price of $0.001 per share and remain outstanding until exercised in full. The Warrants, and placement agent warrants are exercisable commencing on the on the effective date of stockholder approval of the issuance of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants (the "Stockholder Approval Date") at an exercise price of $1.42, $1.42, and $1.775 per share, respectively. The Series F Warrants and placement agent warrants expire on the fifth anniversary of the Stockholder Approval Date. The Series G Warrants expire on the eighteen-month anniversary of the Stockholder Approval Date.
In addition to the placement agent warrants, the placement agent received compensation consisting of cash fee equal to 7.0% and a management fee equal to 1.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds from the private placement. We also reimbursed the placement agent for non-accountable expenses in an amount of $35,000, and its legal fees and expenses and other out-of-pocket expenses in the amount of $50,000.
ATM Offering
In September 2024, we entered into the ATM Agreement with Wainwright. Under the ATM Agreement, we may, from time to time, in our sole discretion, issue and sell through Wainwright up to $1,143,121 of shares of its common stock. In December 2024, we filed a prospectus supplement and increased the aggregate offering that can be sold under the ATM Agreement by $535,000. In March 2026, we filed an additional prospectus supplement and increased the aggregate offering that can be sold under the ATM Facility to $1,064,000.
Pursuant to the ATM Agreement, we may sell the shares by any method permitted that is deemed an "at the market" offering as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act. We will pay Wainwright a commission of 3.0% of the gross sales price per share sold under the ATM Agreement.
During the three months ended June 30, 2026, the Company sold 15,120 shares of common stock through the ATM Facility for net proceeds of $20,180, after deducting $2,090 in offering costs.
Results of Operations
Since our inception, we devoted substantially all of our efforts and funding to the development of the NELL-1 protein and raising capital. We have not yet generated revenues from our planned operations.
Three months ended June 30, 2026 compared to the Three months ended June 30, 2025
|
Three-months June 30, 2026 |
Three -months ended June 30, 2025 |
% Change | ||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 308,747 | $ | 191,608 | 61.13 | % | ||||||
| General and administrative | 499,359 | 556,467 | (10.26 | )% | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 808,106 | 748,075 | 8.02 | % | ||||||||
| Loss from operations | (808,106 | ) | (748,075 | ) | 8.02 | % | ||||||
| Change in fair value of warrant liability | (108 | ) | 902 | (111.97 | )% | |||||||
| Interest income | 34,512 | 6,654 | 418.67 | % | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (773,702 | ) | $ | (740,519 | ) | 4.48 | % | ||||
Research and Development
Our research and development expenditures increased from $191,608 for the three months ended June 30, 2025, to $308,747 for the same period in 2026, marking an increase of $117,139. The increase in costs can be attributed to our development activities to extend the shelf-life of our protein. We anticipate continued substantial investment in development activities for NELL-1 as we prepare for our pivotal clinical study in the future.
General and Administrative
Our general and administrative expenses decreased by $57,108, from $556,467 for the three months ended June 30, 2025, to $499,359 for the same period in 2026.
Change in fair value of warrant liability
In October 2022, we completed a public equity offering, which included the issuance of 9,029 warrants to purchase shares of common stock that expire in October 2027. The warrants provide for a Black Scholes value calculation in the event of certain fundamental transactions, which includes a floor on volatility utilized in the value calculation at 100% or greater. We have determined that this provision introduces leverage to the holders of the warrants that could result in a value that would be greater than the settlement amount of a fixed-for-fixed option on the Company's own equity shares. Accordingly, pursuant to ASC 815, we have classified the fair value of the warrants as a liability to be re-measured at the end of every reporting period with the change in value reported in the statement of operations.
The change in fair value of warrant liability represents the re-measurement of the outstanding warrants at June 30, 2026.
Six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to the Six months ended June 30, 2025
|
Six-months June 30, 2026 |
Six-months ended June 30, 2025 |
% Change | ||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 450,344 | $ | 615,186 | (26.80 | )% | ||||||
| General and administrative | 1,162,816 | 1,171,377 | (0.73 | )% | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 1,613,160 | 1,786,563 | (9.71 | )% | ||||||||
| Loss from operations | (1,613,160 | ) | (1,786,563 | ) | (9.71 | )% | ||||||
| Change in fair value of warrant liability | 157 | 2,257 | (93.04 | )% | ||||||||
| Interest income | 73,313 | 26,695 | 174.63 | % | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (1,539,690 | ) | $ | (1,757,611 | ) | (12.40 | )% | ||||
Research and Development
Our research and development expenditures decreased from $615,186 for the six months ended June 30, 2025, to $450,344 for the same period in 2026, marking a decrease of $164,842. The decrease in costs can be attributed to timing of our clinical trial. We anticipate continued substantial investment in development activities for NELL-1 as we prepare for our pivotal clinical study in the future.
General and Administrative
Our general and administrative expenses decreased by $8,561, from $1,171,377 for the six months ended June 30, 2025, to $1,162,816 for the same period in 2026.
Change in fair value of warrant liability
In October 2022, we completed a public equity offering, which included the issuance of 9,029 warrants to purchase shares of common stock that expire in October 2027. The warrants provide for a Black Scholes value calculation in the event of certain fundamental transactions, which includes a floor on volatility utilized in the value calculation at 100% or greater. We have determined that this provision introduces leverage to the holders of the warrants that could result in a value that would be greater than the settlement amount of a fixed-for-fixed option on the Company's own equity shares. Accordingly, pursuant to ASC 815, we have classified the fair value of the warrants as a liability to be re-measured at the end of every reporting period with the change in value reported in the statement of operations.
The change in fair value of warrant liability represents the re-measurement of the outstanding warrants at June 30, 2026.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Going Concern and Liquidity
We have no significant operating history and since inception to June 30, 2026 have incurred accumulated losses of approximately $89.7 million. We will continue to incur significant expenses for development activities for our lead product NELL-1/DBM. Operating expenditures for the next twelve months are estimated at $6.2 million. The accompanying consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2026 have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern. As reflected in the financial statements, we incurred a net loss of $1.5 million and used net cash in operating activities of $1.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2026. These factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern within a reasonable period of time, which is considered to be one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. In addition, our independent registered public accounting firm, in their report on the Company's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
We will continue to attempt to raise additional debt and/or equity financing to fund future operations and to provide additional working capital. However, there is no assurance that such financing will be consummated or obtained in sufficient amounts necessary to meet our needs. If cash resources are insufficient to satisfy our on-going cash requirements, we will be required to scale back or discontinue our product development programs, or obtain funds if available (although there can be no certainties) through strategic alliances that may require us to relinquish rights to our technology or substantially reduce or discontinue our operations entirely. No assurance can be given that any future financing will be available or, if available, that it will be on terms that are satisfactory to us. Even if we are able to obtain additional financing, it may contain undue restrictions on our operations, in the case of debt financing, or cause substantial dilution for our stockholders, in the case of equity financing.
At June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we had cash of $4,031,780 and $5,334,322, respectively. On July 7, 2026, the Company entered the July 2026 Private Placement and after deducting cash costs of $357,000, the Company received net proceeds of approximately $2.7 million from the offering.
Available cash including the July 2026 Private Placement is expected to fund the Company's operations into the second quarter of 2027.
Cash Flows
Operating activities
For the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, cash used in operating activities totaled $1,322,722 and $1,385,004, respectively.
Financing activities
During the six months ended June 30, 2026, cash provided by financing activities was $20,180 from the net proceeds of the ATM Facility compared to $4,700,341 during the six months ended June 30, 2025. During the six months ended June 30, 2025, cash provided by financing activities was from the net proceeds of the ATM Facility, the net proceeds of a public offering completed in June 2025 and the exercise of pre-funded warrants.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on the Company's financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
See our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 for a discussion of our critical accounting policies and use of estimates. There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and use of estimates discussed in such report.