ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
In addition to historical information, this Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that involve significant risks and uncertainties, which may cause our actual results to differ materially from plans and results discussed in forward-looking statements. We encourage you to review the risks and uncertainties, discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The risks and uncertainties can cause actual results to differ significantly from those forecasted in forward-looking statements or implied in historical results and trends.
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
We are a clinical and preclinical stage oncology and obesity-focused RNAi nanoparticle drug development company utilizing a novel technology that achieves systemic delivery for target-specific protein inhibition for any gene product that is over-expressed in disease. Our drug delivery and antisense technology, called DNAbilize®, is a platform that uses P-ethoxy, which is a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) backbone modification that is intended to protect the DNA from destruction by the body’s enzymes when circulating in vivo, incorporated inside of a lipid bilayer having neutral charge. We believe this combination allows for high efficiency loading of antisense DNA into non-toxic, cell-membrane-like structures for delivery of the antisense drug substance into cells. In vivo, the DNAbilize® delivered antisense drug substances are systemically distributed throughout the body to allow for reduction or elimination of target proteins in blood diseases and solid tumors. Through testing in numerous animal studies and dosing in clinical trials, our DNAbilize® drug candidates have demonstrated an excellent safety profile. DNAbilize® is a registered trademark of the Company.
Using DNAbilize® as a platform for drug development and manufacturing, we currently have four drug candidates in development to treat at least five different cancer disease indications. Our lead drug candidate, BP1001, or prexigebersen, which targets Grb2, initially started the efficacy portion of a Phase 2 clinical trial for untreated AML patients in combination with LDAC. However, the changing landscape of AML treatment has led to amendment of the Phase 2 clinical study by removing the combination treatment of prexigebersen and LDAC and replacing it with the combination treatment of prexigebersen and decitabine.
Venetoclax in combination with LDAC, decitabine or azacytidine (the latter two drugs are DNA hypomethylating agents) is approved as frontline therapy for newly diagnosed AML in adults who are 75 years or older, or who have comorbidities precluding intensive induction chemotherapy. We believe this approval of the frontline venetoclax and decitabine combination therapy provides an opportunity for developing prexigebersen as an addition to the combination therapy for the treatment of newly diagnosed AML patients. In preclinical efficacy studies, four AML cancer cell lines were treated with three different combinations of decitabine, venetoclax and prexigebersen. Decrease in AML cell viability was the primary measure of efficacy. The triple combination of decitabine, venetoclax and prexigebersen showed significant improvement in efficacy in three of the four AML cell lines. Based on these results, we believe that adding prexigebersen to the treatment combination of decitabine and venetoclax could lead to improved efficacy in AML patients.
Our approved amended Phase 2 clinical trial currently has three cohorts of subjects. The first two cohorts treat patients with the triple combination of prexigebersen, decitabine and venetoclax. The first cohort includes newly diagnosed AML patients, and the second cohort includes relapsed/refractory AML patients. Finally, the third cohort treats relapsed/refractory AML patients, who are venetoclax-resistant or -intolerant, with the two-drug combination of prexigebersen and decitabine. The full trial design plans have approximately 98 evaluable patients for the first cohort having newly diagnosed AML patients with a preliminary review performed after 19 evaluable patients and a formal interim analysis after 38 evaluable patients. The full trial design plans have approximately 54 evaluable patients for each of the second cohort, having relapsed/refractory AML patients, and the third cohort, having AML patients who are venetoclax-resistant or -intolerant, in each case with a review performed after 19 evaluable patients. The study is anticipated to be conducted at up to ten clinical sites in the U.S., and Gail J. Roboz, MD, is the national coordinating Principal Investigator for the Phase 2 trial. Dr. Roboz is a professor of medicine and director of the Clinical and Translational Leukemia Program at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University (the “Weill Medical College”) and the New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.
54
Table of Contents
The safety run-in of the triple combination of prexigebersen, decitabine and venetoclax for the Phase 2 clinical study was successfully completed. The preliminary data, presented at the 2021 ASH Annual Meeting, showed the treatment was well-tolerated and there were no dose limiting toxicities attributed to prexigebersen.
On June 3, 2024, we announced additional interim data for the first two cohorts of the Phase 2 clinical trial. In Cohort 1, 31 newly diagnosed patients were enrolled; 20 evaluable patients with a median age of 75 years, treated with at least one cycle of prexigebersen, decitabine and venetoclax, had adverse-risk or secondary AML evolved from myelodysplastic syndromes, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia or treatment-related AML. Fifteen patients (75%) achieved CR/CRi/CRh. One patient achieved partial remission (“PR”), three patients achieved stable disease, and one patient had toxicity attributed to decitabine and venetoclax treatment. In Cohort 2, 40 relapsed/refractory patients were enrolled; 23 evaluable patients with a median age of 63 years, treated with at least one cycle of prexigebersen, decitabine and venetoclax, had adverse-risk or secondary AML. Twelve patients (55%) achieved CR/CRi/CRh, one patient achieved PR, eight patients achieved stable disease and two patients had progressive disease or treatment failure. Among the evaluable patients of both cohorts, adverse events were consistent with those expected with decitabine and venetoclax and/or AML, including fatigue (72%), anemia (60%) and neutropenia (49%), while the most frequent severe adverse events were febrile neutropenia (26%) and sepsis (5%). The interim analysis data was selected as an oral presentation in the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting and as a poster presentation in the 2024 EHA Annual Meeting. Based on this interim data, we expect to continue enrollment of up to 98 and 54 evaluable patients for Cohorts 1 and 2, respectively and plan to pursue FDA expedited programs for Fast Track designation. We are evaluating whether to seek to expand Stage 2 of the Phase 2 clinical trial in Europe. We plan to complete enrollment in cohorts 1 and 2 in 2026.
Our second drug candidate, Liposomal Bcl-2 (“BP1002”), targets the protein Bcl-2, which is responsible for driving cell survival in up to 60% of all cancers. A Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the ability of BP1002 to treat refractory/relapsed lymphoma and refractory/relapsed CLL patients is being conducted at the Georgia Cancer Center, The University of Texas Southwestern and New York Medical College. A total of six evaluable patients are scheduled to be treated over two dose levels with BP1002 monotherapy in a standard 3+3 design. Enrollment has been successfully completed for both dose cohorts, 20 and 40 mg/m2. There were no dose limiting toxicities.
On December 11, 2024, we announced that the Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating BP1002 as a treatment for refractory/relapsed lymphoma and refractory/relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia has discontinued enrollment. This decision was based on enrollment challenges in these niche indications, particularly given the crowded development landscape that includes multiple competing trials and to reallocate resources towards advancing our metabolic program.
Additionally, preclinical studies suggest that the combination of BP1002 with decitabine is efficacious in venetoclax-resistant cells. An abstract of the preclinical study was presented at the 2021 American Association for Cancer Research (“AACR”) Annual Meeting. A Phase 1/1b clinical trial to investigate the ability of BP1002 to treat refractory/relapsed AML patients, including venetoclax-resistant patients, is being studied. A recent study found that AML patients who had relapsed from frontline venetoclax-based treatment had a very poor prognosis, with a median survival of less than three months. Since venetoclax and BP1002 utilize different mechanisms of action, we believe that BP1002 may be a potential treatment for venetoclax-relapsed AML patients. The Phase 1/1b clinical trial is being conducted at several leading cancer centers in the United States, including the Weill Medical College, MD Anderson, Scripps Health and The University of California at Los Angeles Cancer Center. On October 7, 2024, we announced that the FDA had completed its review of PK/PD data from the first two dosing cohorts (20 and 40 mg/m2) and that the enrollment for the third dosing cohort (60 mg/m2) is complete and we are now enrolling cohort four, which is the higher dose of 90 mg/m2. The approved treatment cycle is two doses per week over four weeks, resulting in eight doses administered over twenty-eight days. The Phase 1b portion of the study is expected to commence after completion of BP1002 monotherapy cohorts and will assess the safety and efficacy of BP1002 in combination with decitabine in refractory/relapsed AML patients.
Our third drug candidate, Liposomal STAT3 (“BP1003”), targets the STAT3 protein and is currently in IND enabling studies as a potential treatment of pancreatic cancer, NSCLC and AML. Preclinical studies showing BP1003’s ability to inhibit STAT3 protein expression and cancer cell viability had been presented at AACR Annual Meetings. On September 16, 2024, we announced a publication in the peer-reviewed journal, Biomedicines, which highlights the therapeutic potential and broad anti-tumor effect of BP1003 in numerous preclinical solid tumor models, including breast, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer. The lead indication for which we intend to develop BP1003 is pancreatic cancer due to the severity of this disease and the lack of effective, life-extending treatments. For example, pancreatic adenocarcinoma is projected to be the second most lethal cancer behind lung cancer by 2030. Typical survival for a metastatic pancreatic cancer patient is about three to six months from diagnosis. We have successfully
55
Table of Contents
completed several IND enabling studies of BP1003 and have one additional IND enabling study to complete. Once the additional study is successfully completed, our goal is to file an IND application and initiate the first-in-humans Phase 1 study of BP1003 in patients with refractory, metastatic solid tumors, including pancreatic cancer and NSCLC.
In addition, a modified product named BP1001-A, our fourth drug candidate, has shown to enhance chemotherapy efficacy in a preclinical study involving solid tumor models. Results of the preclinical study were published in the scientific journal Oncotarget in 2020. BP1001-A incorporates the same drug substance as prexigebersen but has a slightly modified formulation designed to enhance nanoparticle properties. A BP1001-A Phase 1/1b clinical trial in patients with advanced or recurrent solid tumors is being conducted at several leading cancer centers in the United States, including MD Anderson, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Mary Crowley Cancer Research and Holy Cross Hospital, Maryland. A total of nine evaluable patients are scheduled to be treated with BP1001-A monotherapy over three dose levels in a standard 3+3 dose escalation design. The first dose cohort consisted of a starting dose of 60 mg/m2 had been completed, and there were no dose limiting toxicities. Enrollment is now open for patients for the second dose cohort of 90 mg/m2 which we expect to be complete in the second quarter of 2025 in order to advance to dose level 3. The Phase 1b portion of the study is expected to commence after successful completion of BP1001-A monotherapy cohorts and is intended to assess the safety and efficacy of BP1001-A in combination with paclitaxel in patients with recurrent ovarian or endometrial tumors. Phase 1b studies are also expected to be opened in combination with gemcitabine in Stage 4 pancreatic cancer and combination therapy in breast cancer.
Development and Treatment for Obesity
Insulin resistance is a major contributor to obesity, Type 2 diabetes and other related metabolic diseases. Insulin lowers blood glucose level by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway. However, this insulin pathway is dysfunctional in obese patients who have Type 2 diabetes. Literature suggests that Grb2 is an inhibitor of the insulin/PI3K/AKT pathway. Upregulation of the Grb2 gene has been reported for patients with Type 2 diabetes. Knockdown of Grb2 expression enhanced insulin-induced AKT activity and glucose uptake in myoblast and hepatoma cells. Furthermore, insulin sensitivity was restored in Grb2 heterozygous knockout mice fed on high fat-induced diet. We are currently exploring the development of BP1001-A as a drug candidate to target insulin resistance. We hypothesize that by downregulating Grb2 expression, BP1001-A could potentially lower blood glucose level by enhancing insulin-mediated AKT activation and glucose uptake and storage and are pursuing studies to test such hypothesis.
On December 19, 2024, we announced the results of our initial preclinical work; BP1001-A, by downregulating Grb2 expression, increased the levels of phosphorylated AKT and phosphorylated FOXO-1 (a downstream AKT effector) in myoblast and hepatoma cells in the presence of insulin. Furthermore, high fat diet rich in saturated fatty acids can lead to insulin resistance. Palmitic acid, the most common saturated fatty acid in a high fat diet, has been shown to impair insulin signaling. On March 18, 2025, we announced preclinical results that BP1001-A attenuated fatty acid-induced insulin resistance and restored insulin sensitivity in muscle progenitor and skeletal muscle fiber cell models. These preliminary data confirmed that BP1001-A could affect the insulin/PI3K/AKT pathway and increase insulin sensitivity, thus validating BP1001-A as a potential candidate to target obesity in Type 2 diabetes patients. We have initiated animal studies to evaluate the efficacy of BP1001-A as a potential treatment for obesity and related metabolic diseases in Type 2 diabetes patients. If successful, we intend to initiate a first-in-human Phase 1 clinical trial in 2025 to further validate safety, measure pharmacokinetics and establish dosing for potential pivotal trials.
Our DNAbilize® technology-based products are available for out-licensing or partnering. We intend to apply our drug technology template to new disease-causing protein targets to develop new liposomal antisense drug candidates for inclusion in our pipeline that meet scientific, preclinical and commercial criteria and file new patents on these targets. We expect that these efforts will include collaboration with key scientific opinion leaders in the field of study and include developing drug candidates for diseases other than cancer. As we expand our drug development programs, we will look at indications where a systemic delivery is needed and antisense RNAi nanoparticles can be used to slow, reverse or cure a disease, either alone or in combination with another drug.
We are developing a molecular biomarker package to accompany prexigebersen treatment, the goal of which is to identify patients with a genetic profile more likely to respond to the investigational treatment and improve the probability of success for this program as a result. The emerging role of biomarkers has been enhancing cancer development over the past decade and has become a more common companion to many cancer development programs. We expect to develop molecular biomarker packages to accompany our new programs.
56
Table of Contents
We have certain intellectual property as the basis for our current drug products in clinical development, prexigebersen, BP1002, BP1003 and BP1001-A. We are developing RNAi antisense nanoparticle drug candidates based on our own patented technology to treat cancer, obesity and autoimmune disorders where targeting a single protein may be advantageous and result in reduced patient adverse effects as compared to small molecule inhibitors with off-target and non-specific effects. We have composition of matter and method of use intellectual property for the design and manufacture of antisense RNAi nanoparticle drug products.
As of December 31, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $117.5 million. Our net loss was $9.9 million and $16.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. We expect to continue to incur significant operating losses, and we anticipate that our losses may increase substantially as we expand our drug development programs and commercialization efforts. To achieve profitability, we must enter into license or development agreements with third parties or successfully develop and obtain regulatory approval for one or more of our drug candidates and effectively commercialize any drug candidates we develop. In addition, if we obtain regulatory approval of one or more of our drug candidates, we expect to incur significant commercialization expenses related to product sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution. Even if we succeed in developing and commercializing one or more of our drug candidates, we may not be able to generate sufficient revenue and we may never be able to achieve or sustain profitability. We expect to finance our foreseeable cash requirements through cash on hand, cash from operations, debt financings and public or private equity offerings. We may seek to access the public or private equity markets whenever conditions are favorable; however, there can be no assurance that we will be able to raise additional capital when needed or on terms that are favorable to us, if at all. Additionally, we may seek collaborations and license arrangements for our drug candidates. We currently have no lines of credit or other arranged access to debt financing.
Financial Operations Overview
Revenue
We have not generated significant revenues to date. Our ability to generate revenues from our drug candidates will depend heavily on the successful development and eventual commercialization of our drug candidates.
In the future, we may generate revenue from a combination of product sales, third-party grants, service agreements, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements. We expect that any revenue we generate will fluctuate due to the timing and amount of services performed, milestones achieved, license fees earned and payments received upon the eventual sales of our drug candidates, in the event any are successfully commercialized. If we fail to complete the development of any of our drug candidates or obtain regulatory approval for them, our ability to generate future revenue will be adversely affected.
Research and development expenses
Research and development expenses consist of costs associated with our research activities, including the development of our drug candidates. Our research and development expenses consist of:
● costs of materials used during research and development activities.
Costs and expenses that can be clearly identified as research and development are charged to expense as incurred. Advance payments, including nonrefundable amounts, for goods or services that will be used or rendered for future research and development activities are deferred and capitalized. Such amounts will be recognized as an expense as the related goods are delivered or the related services are performed. If the goods will not be delivered, or services will not be rendered, then the capitalized advance payment is charged to expense.
57
Table of Contents
We expect research and development expenses associated with the completion of the associated clinical trials to be substantial and to increase over time. The successful development of our drug candidates is highly uncertain. At this time, we cannot reasonably estimate or know the nature, timing and estimated costs of the efforts that will be necessary to complete development of our drug candidates or the period, if any, in which material net cash inflows from our drug candidates may commence. This is due to the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with developing drugs, including the uncertainty of:
● competing technological and market developments;
● the performance of third-party manufacturers and suppliers;
A change in the outcome of any of these variables with respect to the development of a drug candidate could mean a significant change in the costs and timing associated with the development of that drug candidate. For example, if the FDA or other regulatory authority were to require us to conduct clinical trials beyond those which we currently anticipate will be required for the completion of clinical development of a drug candidate or if we experience significant delays in enrollment in any clinical trials, we could be required to expend significant additional financial resources and time on the completion of clinical development.
General and administrative expenses
Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits for management and administrative personnel, professional fees for legal, accounting and other services, travel costs and facility-related costs such as rent, utilities and other general office expenses.
Results of Operations
Comparisons of the Year Ended December 31, 2024 to the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Revenue. We had no revenue for each of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Research and Development Expenses. Our research and development expense was $7.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $4.3 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in research and development expense was primarily due to decreased manufacturing expenses related to drug product releases in 2024 compared to 2023. The following table sets forth our research and development expenses (in thousands):
Year ended
December 31,
Research and development expense $ 7,147 $ 11,425
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense 148 183
Total research and development expense $ 7,295 $ 11,608
58
Table of Contents
General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and administrative expense was $4.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $0.5 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in general and administrative expense was primarily due to increased salaries and benefits expense as well as expenses related to our special shareholder meeting in 2024. The following table sets forth our general and administrative expenses (in thousands):
Year ended
December 31,
General and administrative expense $ 4,279 $ 3,684
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense 418 551
Total general and administrative expense $ 4,697 $ 4,235
Net Operating Loss. Our net loss from operations was $12.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $3.8 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.
Change in Fair Value of Warrant Liability. The change in fair value of the warrant liability for the year ended December 31, 2024 resulted in non-cash income of $2.1 million.
Net Loss. Our net loss was $9.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $6.2 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.
Net Loss per Share. Net loss per share, both basic and diluted, was $4.12 per share for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $33.63 per share for the year ended December 31, 2023. Net loss per share is calculated using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the applicable periods and excludes stock options and warrants because they are antidilutive.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
We have not generated significant revenues to date. Since our inception, we have funded our operations primarily through public and private offerings of our capital stock and other securities. We expect to finance our foreseeable cash requirements through cash on hand, cash from operations, debt financings and public or private equity offerings. We may seek to access the public or private equity markets whenever conditions are favorable; however, there can be no assurance that we will be able to raise additional capital when needed or on terms that are favorable to us, if at all. Additionally, we may seek collaborations and license arrangements for our drug candidates. We currently have no lines of credit or other arranged access to debt financing.
We had a cash balance of $1.2 million at December 31, 2024, an increase of $0.1 million compared to December 31, 2023. We do not believe that our available cash at December 31, 2024 will be sufficient to fund current liabilities and capital expenditure requirements. The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon obtaining funding through one or more sources as described above to meet its planned obligations and pay its liabilities.
Cash Flows
For the Year Ended December 31, 2024
Operating Activities. Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $10.6 million. Excluding non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $0.6 million, change in fair value of the warrant liability of $2.1 million and depreciation and amortization expenses of $0.2 million, net cash used in operating activities consisted primarily of the net loss for the period of $9.9 million, an increase in operating assets of $0.6 million and a decrease in lease liabilities of $0.1 million. These are partially offset by an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $1.4 million.
Investing Activities. There were no investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2024.
59
Table of Contents
Financing Activities. Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 consisted of $10.7 million from the March 2024 Registered Direct Offering, the April 2024 Registered Direct Offering, the At The Market Offering Agreement, the June 2024 Private Placement and the October 2024 Private Placement (each as defined below).
For the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Operating Activities. Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $11.5 million. Excluding non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $0.7 million, change in fair value of the warrant liability of $0.3 million and depreciation and amortization expenses of $0.2 million, net cash used in operating activities consisted primarily of the net loss for the period of $16.1 million. These are partially offset by a decrease in prepaid drug product of $3.0 million, a decrease in other current assets of $0.3 million and an increase in operating liabilities of $0.1 million.
Investing Activities. There were no investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Financing Activities. Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 consisted of net proceeds of $1.7 million from the 2023 Public Offering as described below, as well as net proceeds of $0.5 million from the exercise of warrants to purchase shares of our common stock.
2022 Shelf Registration Statement
On May 27, 2022, we filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC, which was declared effective by the SEC on June 14, 2022 (File No. 333-265282) (the “2022 Shelf Registration Statement”), at which time the offering of unsold securities under a previous shelf registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC, which was declared effective by the SEC on June 5, 2019 (File No. 333-231537) (the “2019 Shelf Registration Statement”), was deemed terminated pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act. The 2022 Shelf Registration Statement was filed to register the offering, issuance and sale of (i) up to $110.0 million of our common stock, preferred stock, warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock or any combination thereof, either individually or in units, (ii) up to $9.0 million of our common stock under the Offering Agreement (as defined below), which $9.0 million was subsequently reduced to $3.0 million pursuant to a prospectus supplement filed with the SEC on July 29, 2022, and (iii) up to 11,895 shares of our common stock pursuant to the exercise of warrants outstanding on May 27, 2022. The $3.0 million of our common stock that could previously be offered, issued and sold under the Offering Agreement was included in the $110.0 million of our securities that may be offered, issued and sold. On December 7, 2022, we received written notice from Wainwright (as defined below) that Wainwright had elected, pursuant to Section 8(b) of the Offering Agreement, to terminate the Offering Agreement effective as of December 7, 2022. As of immediately prior to the termination of the Offering Agreement, all $3.0 million of shares of our common stock remained available for sale pursuant to the ATM Prospectus (as defined below) and the Offering Agreement. As a result of the termination of the Offering Agreement, we will not offer or sell any additional shares of our common stock under the ATM Prospectus or the Offering Agreement, and the entire $3.0 million of shares of our common stock included in the ATM Prospectus will be available for sale in other offerings pursuant to the 2022 Shelf Registration Statement. As of the date hereof, we are not eligible to utilize the 2022 Shelf Registration Statement. The foregoing does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of that jurisdiction.
2023 Public Offering
On August 3, 2023, we entered into a placement agency agreement with Roth Capital Partners, LLC relating to a best efforts public offering of an aggregate of 175,000 shares of its common stock, together with warrants to purchase up to 175,000 shares of its common stock (the “2023 Warrants”), for gross proceeds of approximately $2.1 million (the “2023 Public Offering”). The 2023 Public Offering was made pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-272879), which was declared effective by the SEC on August 2, 2023. The 2023 Public Offering closed on August 7, 2023. The net proceeds from the 2023 Public Offering, after deducting the placement agent’s fees and expenses and our offering expenses, and excluding the proceeds, if any, from the exercise of the warrants issued in such offering, were approximately $1.7 million.
60
Table of Contents
March 2024 Registered Direct Offering and March 2024 Private Placement
On March 25, 2024, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with a certain institutional and accredited investor pursuant to which we agreed to sell, in a registered direct offering, an aggregate of 75,000 shares of our common stock for gross proceeds of approximately $0.3 million under the base prospectus contained in the 2022 Shelf Registration Statement and a related prospectus supplement filed with the SEC on March 27, 2024 (the “March 2024 Registered Direct Offering”). In a concurrent private placement, we also agreed pursuant to the securities purchase agreement to issue to such investor warrants to purchase up to 75,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $3.865 per share (the “March 2024 Private Placement”). The March 2024 Registered Direct Offering and the March 2024 Private Placement closed on March 27, 2024. The net proceeds from the offerings, after deducting the placement agent’s fees and expenses and our offering expenses, and excluding the proceeds, if any, from the exercise of the warrants issued in the offerings, were approximately $0.2 million.
At the Market Offering
On April 4, 2024, we entered into the At The Market Offering Agreement with Wainwright, as sales agent, pursuant to which we may offer and sell, from time to time, through Wainwright, shares of our common stock. Under the At The Market Offering Agreement, Wainwright may sell shares by any method deemed to be an “at the market” offering as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, as amended, or any other method permitted by law, including in privately negotiated transactions. We or Wainwright may suspend or terminate the offering of shares upon notice to the other party and subject to other conditions. We will pay Wainwright a commission of 3.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds from each sale of shares under the At The Market Offering Agreement and have agreed to provide Wainwright with customary indemnification and contribution rights. We have also agreed to reimburse Wainwright for certain specified expenses. We are subject to certain restrictions on our ability to offer and sell shares of our common stock under the At The Market Offering Agreement. On April 4, 2024, in connection with the execution of the At The Market Offering Agreement, we filed with the SEC a prospectus supplement (the “Initial ATM Prospectus Supplement”) to the base prospectus contained in the 2022 Shelf Registration Statement, which Initial ATM Prospectus Supplement related to the offering of up to $2.0 million of shares of the Company’s common stock under the At The Market Offering Agreement. Subsequent to entering into the Offering Agreement, we offered and sold 436,511 shares of common stock for gross proceeds of approximately $2.0 million and terminated the offering under the Initial ATM Prospectus Supplement on April 19, 2024. The net proceeds from such offering, after deducting commissions and our offering expenses, were approximately $1.8 million.
On April 19, 2024, we determined to increase the number of shares available for sale under the At The Market Offering Agreement, up to an additional aggregate offering price of approximately $1.1 million, which shares are being offered and sold pursuant to the 2022 Shelf Registration Statement and a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus filed with the SEC on April 19, 2024 (the “Subsequent ATM Prospectus Supplement”). As of December 31, 2024, we have offered and sold 334,929 shares of common stock under the Subsequent ATM Prospectus Supplement for gross proceeds of approximately $1.1 million and after deducting commissions and the Company’s offering expenses, the net proceeds from such offering were approximately $1.0 million.
April 2024 Registered Direct Offering and April 2024 Private Placement
On April 18, 2024, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain institutional and accredited investors pursuant to which we agreed to sell, in a registered direct offering, an aggregate of 375,000 shares of our common stock for gross proceeds of approximately $1.2 million under the base prospectus contained in the 2022 Shelf Registration Statement and a related prospectus supplement filed with the SEC on April 19, 2024 (the “April 2024 Registered Direct Offering”). In a concurrent private placement, we also agreed pursuant to the securities purchase agreement to issue to such investors warrants to purchase up to 375,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $3.10 per share (the “April 2024 Private Placement”). The April 2024 Registered Direct Offering and the April 2024 Private Placement closed on April 19, 2024. The net proceeds from the offerings, after deducting the placement agent’s fees and expenses and our offering expenses, and excluding the proceeds, if any, from the exercise of the warrants issued in the offerings, were approximately $0.9 million.
June 2024 Private Placement
On June 3, 2024, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with a certain institutional and accredited investor pursuant to which we agreed to sell, in a private placement, an aggregate of (i) 180,000 shares of our common stock, (ii) pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 1,629,955 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.001 per share, (iii) series A warrants to purchase up to
61
Table of Contents
1,809,955 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share and (iv) series B warrants to purchase up to 1,809,955 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $4.0 million (the “June 2024 Private Placement”). The June 2024 Private Placement closed on June 5, 2024. The net proceeds from the offering, after deducting the placement agent’s fees and expenses and our offering expenses, and excluding the proceeds, if any, from the exercises of the warrants issued in the offering, were approximately $3.3 million.
October 2024 Private Placement
On October 8, 2024, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with a certain institutional and accredited investor pursuant to which we agreed to sell, in a private placement, an aggregate of (i) pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 4,597,702 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.001 per share, (ii) series A warrants to purchase up to 6,407,657 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $1.00 per share and (iii) series B warrants to purchase up to 6,407,657 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $1.00 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $4.0 million (the “October 2024 Private Placement”). The October 2024 Private Placement closed on October 10, 2024 (the “Closing Date”). In connection with the October 2024 Private Placement, the Company and the investor agreed to cancel such investor’s series A warrants to purchase 1,809,955 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.00 and series B warrants to purchase 1,809,955 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.00 issued to such investor in connection with the June 2024 Private Placement, effective as of the Closing Date. The net proceeds from the offering, after deducting the placement agent’s fees and expenses and our offering expenses, and excluding the proceeds, if any, from the exercises of the warrants issued in the offering, were approximately $3.5 million.
March 2025 Promissory Note
On March 6, 2025, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with 1800 Diagonal Lending LLC, a Virginia limited liability company (the “Lender”), an accredited investor, for the issuance and sale of a promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $161,000 (the “Promissory Note”) for a purchase price of $140,000 after deducting the original issue discount of $21,000. The Promissory Note bears a one-time interest charge of twelve percent that is applied on the date of issuance, March 6, 2025. The Promissory Note shall be paid in five payments with the first payment of $90,160 due on August 30, 2025 and each subsequent payment shall be equal to $22,540 which are due on September 30, 2025, October 30, 2025, November 30, 2025 and December 30, 2025. Upon the occurrence and during any continuation of any Event of Default (as defined in the Promissory Note), the Promissory Note shall become immediately due and payable and the Company shall pay to the Lender, in full satisfaction, an amount equal to 150% times the sum of (i) the then outstanding principal amount of the Promissory Note plus (ii) accrued and unpaid interest on the unpaid principal amount of the Promissory Note to the date of payment plus (iii) default interest, if any, at a rate of 22% per annum on the amounts referred to in clauses (i) and/or (ii) plus (iv) any amounts owed to the Lender pursuant to the Conversion Right (as defined below). In addition, only upon an Event of Default and during any continuation thereof, the Lender may elect to convert all or any part of the outstanding principal and interest on the Promissory Note in fully paid and non-assessable shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a conversion price per share equal to 65% of the lowest closing bid price of the Common Stock for the ten trading days prior to the date of conversion (the “Conversion Right”).
Future Capital Requirements
We expect to continue to incur significant operating expenses in connection with our ongoing activities, including conducting clinical trials, manufacturing and seeking regulatory approval of our drug candidates, prexigebersen, BP1002, BP1003 and BP1001-A. Accordingly, we will continue to require substantial additional capital to fund our projected operating requirements. Such additional capital may not be available when needed or on terms favorable to us. In addition, we may seek additional capital due to favorable market conditions or strategic considerations, even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current and future operating plan. There can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to raise additional capital through the sale of our securities in the future. Our future capital requirements may change and will depend on numerous factors, which are discussed in detail in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2024, we did not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements.
62
Table of Contents
Critical Accounting Policies
Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with GAAP in the U.S. The preparation of such financial statements has required our management to make assumptions, estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements, including the notes thereto, and related disclosures of commitments and contingencies, if any. We consider our critical accounting policies to be those that require the more significant judgments and estimates in the preparation of financial statements, including the following:
Research and Development Costs – Costs and expenses that can be clearly identified as research and development are charged to expense as incurred. Advance payments, including nonrefundable amounts, for goods or services that will be used or rendered for future research and development activities are deferred and capitalized. Such amounts will be recognized as an expense as the related goods are delivered or the related services are performed. If the goods will not be delivered, or services will not be rendered, then the capitalized advance payment is charged to expense.
The Company estimates its clinical trial expense accrual each period based on a cost per patient calculation which is derived from estimated start-up costs, clinical trial costs based on the number of patients and length of treatment and clinical study report costs. These services are performed by the Company’s third-party clinical research organizations, laboratories and clinical investigative sites. The expense accrual is recorded in research and development expense each period. Amounts that have been prepaid in advance of work performed are recorded in other current assets.
For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had $7.3 million and $11.6 million, respectively, of costs classified as research and development expense.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Our consolidated financial statements, together with the report of our independent registered public accounting firm, are set forth beginning on page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 9. CHANGES AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
It is management’s responsibility to establish and maintain adequate disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (who is also our Chief Financial Officer), has reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Following this review and evaluation, our management determined that as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our disclosure controls and procedures were
63
Table of Contents
effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act, is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, and effected by our Board, management, and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP and includes those policies and procedures that:
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. The scope of management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting includes our consolidated subsidiary.
Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls is based principally on our financial reporting as of December 31, 2024. In making our assessment of internal control over financial reporting, management used the criteria set forth in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (who is also our Chief Financial Officer), has evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, as of December 31, 2024. Based on this evaluation, management believes that, as of December 31, 2024, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
64
Table of Contents
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Identification of Directors and Executive Officers
Our current directors and officers are set forth below:
Name Age Position - Committee
Our current directors will serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are elected or appointed and qualified.
Background Information
Peter H. Nielsen. Mr. Nielsen co-founded Bio-Path and has served as Bio-Path’s President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer and Chairman of the Board since 2008. At the time of Bio-Path’s establishment in 2007, Mr. Nielsen licensed technology and targets from The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center and coordinated preclinical development, optimization and manufacturing of Bio-Path’s lead drug candidate, prexigebersen. Since that time, Mr. Nielsen has led the clinical advancement of prexigebersen into Phase 2 studies, the introduction of additional pipeline candidates and the Company’s public market debut. Prior to co-founding Bio-Path, Mr. Nielsen worked with several other companies, leading turnarounds and developing and executing on strategies for growth. Mr. Nielsen previously served as a director of Synthecon, Inc., a company developing 3D cell culture technology. Before entering the biotechnology sector, Mr. Nielsen was a lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Nuclear Power program where he was director of the physics department and was employed at Ford Motor Company in product development. Mr. Nielsen has a broad background in senior management and has significant negotiating experience. He holds engineering, mathematics and M.B.A. finance degrees from the University of California at Berkeley.
Heath W. Cleaver, CPA. Mr. Cleaver has served as a director of Bio-Path since 2014. Since February 2020, Mr. Cleaver has served as the President and Chief Financial Officer of Compressor Engineering Corporation (“CECO”), a privately-held independent manufacturer of engine and compressor replacement parts. Prior to his current roles, Mr. Cleaver served as Chief Financial Officer of CECO from July 2017 to February 2020. Mr. Cleaver was previously a consultant providing turn-around management and capital raising services to companies in the oil and gas service sector from 2016 to 2017. From 2015 to 2016, Mr. Cleaver served as the Chief Financial Officer of Global Fabrication Services, Inc. In 2014, Mr. Cleaver served as Chief Financial Officer at Tarka Resources, Inc. From 2011 until 2014, Mr. Cleaver served as Chief Financial Officer of Porto Energy Corp. From 2010 until 2011, Mr. Cleaver served as Chief Accounting Officer of Porto Energy Corp. Mr. Cleaver served as Corporate Controller and then as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer for BPZ Energy from 2006 to 2010. Beginning in 1997 through 2004, Mr. Cleaver served in various accounting roles, including Financial Controller, at Horizon Offshore Contractors, Inc. Mr. Cleaver is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Texas and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration - Accounting from Texas A&M University.
65
Table of Contents
Paul D. Aubert. Mr. Aubert was appointed to the Board on February 1, 2018. Mr. Aubert is currently Of Counsel with The Mussalli Law Firm in The Woodlands, Texas, a position he has held since April 2022. Prior to that, from March 2018 to March 2023, he served as Senior Vice President & General Counsel of Anthem Holdings Company and its subsidiaries. From June 2014 to March 2018, he practiced law in a solo law practice and also served as part-time General Counsel to his former employers. From February 2012 through May 2014, Mr. Aubert served as General Counsel of Pernix Therapeutics Holdings, Inc., a Nasdaq-listed specialty pharmaceutical company. Before that, he was a Shareholder in the Corporate and Securities practice group at Winstead PC, a national law firm headquartered in Dallas, Texas, from 2007 to 2012. Mr. Aubert also served as an attorney in the Corporate and Securities practice groups of several national and international law firms prior to joining Winstead in 2004, including at Andrews Kurth LLP from 1999 to 2004, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP from 1998 to 1999 and Jones Walker LLP from 1996 to 1998. Mr. Aubert holds a Juris Doctor and an M.B.A. from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana and a B.A. in History from Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge.
Aline B. Sherwood. Ms. Sherwood was appointed to the Board on March 31, 2022. Ms. Sherwood is currently the senior director of strategic communications at Cognition Therapeutics, Inc. Prior to joining Cognition in October 2023, she provided tactical support and strategic counsel to pre-commercial, public and private life sciences companies through Scienta Communications, LLC, an independent communications consultancy established in 2010. Previously, Ms. Sherwood worked at a series of global and boutique public and investor relations agencies where she provided support for companies developing therapeutics in a variety of indications. Earlier in her career, she managed corporate communications for The Liposome Company, which had developed and commercialized a liposomal formulation of amphotericin B. Before transitioning to industry, Ms. Sherwood worked in research laboratories at Princeton University and Thomas Jefferson University. She earned a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and classical civilizations from Beloit College.
Douglas P. Morris. Mr. Morris is a co-founder of Bio-Path and has served as a director of Bio-Path since 2007 and served as an officer from 2007 to June 2014. Mr. Morris also currently serves as the Director of Investor Relations and the Secretary of Bio-Path. Mr. Morris serves as an officer and director of two publicly traded companies seeking business merger combinations: Spirits Time International, Inc. (OTC Markets: SRSG) and Bioethics, LTD. (OTC Markets: BOTH). Mr. Morris previously served as a co-founder, Managing Member, and Secretary of nCAP Holdings, LLC (nCAP), a privately held technology based company from September 2013 to January 2016. Between 1993 and 2010, Mr. Morris was an officer and director of Celtic Investment, Inc., a financial services company. Mr. Morris owned and operated Hyacinth Resources, LLC (“Hyacinth”), a business-consulting firm, from 1990 until September 2018, and is also a Managing Member of Sycamore Ventures, LLC, a privately held consulting firm. Mr. Morris has a B.A. from Brigham Young University, and attended the University of Southern California Master’s program in public administration.
Board of Directors
Our operations are managed under the broad supervision of the Board, which has ultimate responsibility for the establishment and implementation of our general operating philosophy, objectives, goals and policies. Our Board is currently comprised of three independent directors and two non-independent directors. Although our common stock is not currently listed on Nasdaq, we have chosen to apply Nasdaq’s definition of independence. The Board has determined that current directors Heath W. Cleaver, Paul D. Aubert and Aline B. Sherwood are “independent” as independence is defined under the listing standards for The Nasdaq Stock Market. The Board based these determinations primarily on a review of the responses our directors provided to questions regarding employment and compensation history, affiliations and family and other relationships.
Codes of Ethics
We have adopted the Employee Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which applies to all of our employees, including our executive officers, and the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Members of the Board, which applies to members of the Board.
Board Committees
The Board has a standing audit committee (the “Audit Committee”), compensation committee (the “Compensation Committee”) and nominating/corporate governance committee (the “Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee”), each of which is governed by a charter. The Board may also establish other committees from time to time as necessary to facilitate the management of the business and affairs of the Company. In 2020, the Board formed a business development committee (the “Business
66
Table of Contents
Development Committee”) that assists the Board by advising management on its plans for business development, licensing opportunities and business partnership opportunities. In addition to these committees, we also have a Scientific Advisory Board that serves an advisory role to management and the Board. The information below summarizes the functions of each of the committees and the Scientific Advisory Board.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee has been structured to comply with the requirements of Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The Board has determined that the Audit Committee members have the appropriate level of financial understanding and industry specific knowledge to be able to perform the duties of the position and are financially literate and have the requisite financial sophistication as required by the applicable listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market. Although our common stock is not currently listed on Nasdaq, the Audit Committee satisfies the audit committee listing standards of Nasdaq.
The Audit Committee, as permitted by, and in accordance with, its charter, is responsible to periodically assess the adequacy of procedures for the public disclosure of financial information and review on behalf of the Board, and report to the Board, the results of its review and its recommendation regarding all material matters of a financial reporting and audit nature, including, but not limited to, the following main subject areas:
● financial statements, including management’s discussion and analysis thereof;
● internal controls;
● audits and reviews our financial statements; and
The Audit Committee appoints and sets the compensation for the independent registered public accounting firm annually and reviews and evaluates such external auditor. This external auditor reports directly to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee establishes our hiring policies regarding current and former partners and employees of the external auditor. In addition, the Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and non-audit services undertaken by the external auditor.
The Audit Committee has direct responsibility for overseeing the work of the external auditor engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an auditor’s report or performing other audit, review or attest services, including the resolution of disagreements between the external auditor and management.
The Audit Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Cleaver and Aubert and Ms. Sherwood. Mr. Cleaver currently serves as the chair of the Audit Committee. The Board has determined that Mr. Cleaver qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under the Exchange Act and that each member of the Audit Committee is an independent director. The Audit Committee meets at least once per fiscal quarter to fulfill its responsibilities under its charter and in connection with the review of the Company’s quarterly and annual financial statements.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee’s role is to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities relating to all forms of compensation of the Company’s executive officers, administering the Company’s incentive compensation plan and other benefits plans, including a deferred compensation plan, if applicable, and producing any required report on executive compensation for use in the Company’s proxy statement or other public disclosure. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted by
67
Table of Contents
the Board. The Compensation Committee periodically assesses compensation of our executive officers in relation to companies of comparable size, industry and complexity, taking the performance of the Company and such other companies into consideration. All decisions with respect to the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer are determined and approved either solely by the Compensation Committee or together with other independent directors, as directed by the Board. All decisions with respect to non-CEO executive compensation, and incentive-compensation and equity-based plans are first approved by the Compensation Committee and then submitted, together with the Compensation Committee’s recommendation, to the members of the Board for final approval. In addition, the Compensation Committee will, as appropriate, review and approve public or regulatory disclosure respecting compensation, including required disclosures regarding executive compensation under Item 402 of Regulation S-K, and the basis on which performance is measured. The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain and compensate any outside adviser as it determines necessary to permit it to carry out its duties. The Compensation Committee has not to date engaged the services of any executive compensation consultant. The Compensation Committee may not form or delegate authority to subcommittees without the prior approval of the Board.
The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Aubert and Cleaver and Ms. Sherwood, each of whom are independent under the rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market. The Compensation Committee meets as necessary. Mr. Aubert currently serves as the chair of the Compensation Committee.
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee’s charter provides that the responsibilities of such committee include:
● evaluating, identifying and recommending nominees to the Board;
● recommending directors to serve as committee members and chairs;
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for, among other things, identifying and recommending potential candidates for nomination to the Board. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee receives advice from the Board and will consider written recommendations from the stockholders of the Company respecting individuals best suited to serve as directors, and, when necessary, develops its own list of appropriate candidates for directorships. For a description of the procedures to be followed by stockholders of the Company in submitting recommendations to be considered by the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, see the discussion set forth below under the heading titled, “Stockholder Nominations for Directors.”
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Cleaver and Aubert and Ms. Sherwood, each of whom are independent under the rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market. Mr. Cleaver currently serves as the chair of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee meets at least annually, and otherwise as necessary.
Business Development Committee
The Business Development Committee assists the Board by advising management on its plans for business development, licensing opportunities and business partnership opportunities. The Business Development Committee also performs other duties as directed by the Board from time to time and operates under a written charter adopted by the Board. The Business Development Committee is currently comprised of Ms. Sherwood and Messrs. Nielsen and Morris. Ms. Sherwood currently serves as the chair of the Business Development Committee.
68
Table of Contents
Scientific Advisory Board
The Scientific Advisory Board assists management and the Board on an advisory basis with respect to the research, development, clinical, regulatory and commercial plans and activities relating to research, manufacture, use and/or sale of our drug candidates and products. The Scientific Advisory Board meets on an ad hoc basis and may attend meetings of the Board at the Board’s request. The current members of the Scientific Advisory Board are Jorge Cortes, M.D, who serves as chairman, D. Craig Hooper, Ph.D., and Jason Fleming, M.D.
Insider Trading Policy
The Company has adopted an insider trading policy (the “Insider Trading Policy”) governing policies and procedures for the purchase, sale and any other disposition of our securities by our directors, officers, employees and the Company itself. Such Insider Trading Policy is attached hereto as Exhibit 19.1.
Availability of Committee Charters and Other Information
The charters for our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, as well as our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Employee Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Members of the Board, are available under the section titled “Corporate Governance” on the Investors page of the Company’s website, www.biopathholdings.com. We intend to disclose any changes to or waivers from the Employee Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that would otherwise be required to be disclosed under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K on our website. The information on our website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or incorporated into any other filings we make with the SEC.
We also make available on our website, free of charge, access to our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports, as well as other documents that we file with or furnish to the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after such documents are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.
Nomination Process
It is our Board’s responsibility to nominate members for election to the Board and to fill vacancies on the Board that may occur between annual meetings of stockholders. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee assists the Board by identifying and reviewing potential candidates for Board membership consistent with criteria approved by the Board. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee also annually recommends qualified candidates (which may include existing directors) for approval by the Board of a slate of nominees to be proposed for election to the Board at the annual meeting of stockholders.
In the event of a vacancy on the Board between annual meetings of our stockholders, the Board may request that the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee identify, review and recommend qualified candidates for Board membership for Board consideration to fill such vacancies, if the Board determines that such vacancies will be filled. Our First Amended and Restated Bylaws (as amended, the “Bylaws”) allow for up to fifteen directors. The Board is permitted by the Bylaws to change the number of directors by a resolution adopted by the Board.
When formulating its recommendations for potential Board nominees, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee seeks and considers advice and recommendations from management, other members of the Board and may seek or consider advice and recommendations from consultants, outside counsel, accountants or other advisors as the Nominating/Corporate Governance committee or the Board may deem appropriate.
Board membership criteria are determined by the Board, with input from the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee. The Board is responsible for periodically determining the appropriate skills, perspectives, experiences and characteristics required of Board candidates, taking into account our needs and current make-up of the Board. This assessment should include appropriate knowledge, experience, and skills in areas deemed critical to understanding the Company and our business; personal characteristics, such as integrity and judgment; and the candidate’s commitments to the boards of other companies. Each Board member is expected
69
Table of Contents
to ensure that other existing and planned future commitments do not materially interfere with the member’s service as a director and that he or she devotes the time necessary to discharge his or her duties as a director.
Stockholder Nominations for Directors
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee will consider candidates for director nominees that are recommended by our stockholders in the same manner as Board recommended nominees, in accordance with the procedures set forth in our Bylaws. Any such nominations should be submitted to the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee c/o Secretary, Bio-Path Holdings, Inc., 4710 Bellaire Boulevard, Suite 210, Bellaire, Texas 77401 before the deadline set forth in the Bylaws and should be accompanied by the following information:
● the Proposing Stockholder Information (as defined in the Bylaws).
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
There have been no events under any bankruptcy act, no criminal proceedings and any judgments or injunctions material to the evaluation of the ability and integrity of any director or executive officer during the last ten years.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and officers, and persons who own more than 10% of our common stock, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership (Forms 3, 4, and 5) of common stock with the SEC. Officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all such forms that they file.
To our knowledge, based solely on our review of the copies of such reports received by us and on written representations by certain reporting persons that no reports on Form 5 were required, we believe that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors and 10% stockholders were complied with in a timely manner.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee oversees our compensation programs for executives and all employees. The Compensation Committee understands that for the Company and its stockholders to achieve long-term success, the compensation programs need to attract, retain, develop and motivate a strong leadership team. As a result, our executive compensation programs are designed to pay for performance, enable talent attraction, retain top talent and closely align the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders. All decisions with respect to the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer are determined and approved either solely by the Compensation Committee or together with other independent directors, as directed by the Board. All decisions with respect to non-CEO executive compensation, incentive-compensation and equity-based plans are first approved by the Compensation Committee and then submitted, together with the Compensation Committee’s recommendation, to the members of the Board for final approval.
This section provides important information on our executive compensation programs and explains the compensation decisions made during 2024 by the Compensation Committee for our named executive officers (“NEOs”). In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, our only NEO was Peter H. Nielsen, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and President.
Compensation Philosophy
Our primary objective with respect to executive compensation is to design a reward system that will align executive compensation with our overall business strategies and attract and retain highly qualified executives. We intend to stay competitive in
70
Table of Contents
the marketplace with companies of comparable size, industry and complexity. Our compensation philosophy for executives is guided by the following principles:
Our compensation philosophy rewards demonstrated performance and encourages behavior that is in the long-term best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
71
Table of Contents
Elements and Mix of our 2024 Compensation Program
The following elements made up the fiscal year 2024 compensation program for our NEOs:
Element Form of Compensation Purpose, Basis and Performance Criteria
Evaluation Process, Compensation Consultant, Peer Comparisons and Officers
Evaluation Process. The Compensation Committee oversees the administration of the compensation programs applicable to our employees, including our NEOs. The Compensation Committee generally makes its decisions regarding the annual compensation of our NEOs at its regularly-scheduled meeting in the first quarter of each year. These decisions include adjustments to base salary, grants of annual incentive awards and grants of long-term incentive awards. The Compensation Committee also makes compensation adjustments as necessary at other times during the year, such as in the case of promotions, changes in employment status and for competitive purposes.
Each year for the Compensation Committee meeting, our CEO prepares an evaluation of each of the other executive officers, if any, and makes compensation recommendations to the Compensation Committee based upon our performance against our corporate performance metrics and the individual’s performance. In addition to considering the CEO’s recommendations, the Compensation
72
Table of Contents
Committee assesses the applicable executive officer’s impact during the year and his or her overall value to the Company, specifically by considering the individual leadership skills, impact on strategic initiatives, performance in his or her primary area of responsibility, his or her role in succession planning and development, and other intangible qualities that contribute to corporate and individual success. During 2024, our CEO was our only executive officer.
Compensation Consultant and Peer Comparisons. For the 2024 performance period, the Compensation Committee did not engage an external compensation consultant to review the compensation of our executive officers. For comparison purposes, the Compensation Committee relied upon peer executive compensation data from proxies and compensation surveys of the Industry Peer Group (as defined below) prepared by our executive compensation counsel based on parameters set by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee reviewed executive compensation data from the Industry Peer Group to consider competitive pay levels and compensation practices. Such data included components such as total direct compensation, considered as the sum of base salary and annual cash performance incentive award, as well as total compensation, including long-term incentive awards.
While executive compensation data from the Industry Peer Group provides a point of reference for measurement, it is not the determinative factor for compensation decisions. The Compensation Committee does not target the compensation of our executive officers to a specific percentile of compensation provided to officers in comparable positions in our Industry Peer Group. The purpose of the comparison is not to supplant the analyses of our corporate performance and the individual performance of our executive officers that the Compensation Committee considers when making compensation decisions. Because the compensation data is just one of the several analytic tools that are used in setting executive compensation, the Compensation Committee has discretion in determining the nature and extent of its use.
The Compensation Committee established our current Industry Peer Group in 2024. With the assistance of our executive compensation counsel, the Compensation Committee reviews the composition of the peer group annually to ensure that companies are relevant for comparative purposes. In identifying companies to include in the Industry Peer Group, the Compensation Committee considered, among other things, the following:
● the industry of the companies;
● the annual revenue, market capitalization and total assets of the companies;
● the number of full-time employees of the companies;
● the market data sources that are available with respect to the companies; and
● the number of peers included in the Industry Peer Group.
For 2024, our Industry Peer Group consisted of the following companies (the “Industry Peer Group”):
● CNS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (CNSP)
● Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CYCC)
● Kintara Therapeutics, Inc. (KTRA)
● Monopar Therapeutics Inc. (MNPR)
● Neurobo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NRBO)
● Onconova Therapeutics, Inc. (ONTX)
● Panbela Therapeutics, Inc. (PBLA)
● Soligenix, Inc. (SNGX)
73
Table of Contents
● Sonnet Biotherapeutics Holdings, Inc. (SONN)
● Xenetic Biosciences, Inc. (XBIO)
Role of the Chief Executive Officer. Annually, our CEO provides the Compensation Committee with an evaluation of his performance that is based, in large part, upon performance of the Company and as our lead representative to the investment community. The Compensation Committee evaluates our CEO on these and other criteria. The total compensation package for our CEO is based on the Compensation Committee’s evaluation, and reflects his performance, the performance of the Company and competitive industry practices.
Role of Other Executive Officers. Our CEO makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee on all compensation actions (other than his own compensation) affecting our other executive officers, if any. In developing his recommendation for an executive officer, our CEO considers the self-evaluation prepared by the executive officer, the recommendations of his executive team, as well as his own evaluation. Our CEO’s evaluation includes an assessment of the impact that the executive officer has had on the Company during the award year and their overall value to the Company as a senior leader. The Compensation Committee is provided with our CEO’s evaluation of each executive officer’s performance and contributions to the Company. The Compensation Committee considers the information and recommendations provided by our CEO and provides a recommendation to the Board for non-CEO executive officer base salary, annual cash incentive awards and grants of long-term incentive awards, which are subject to approval by the Board. During 2024, our CEO was our only executive officer.
2024 Performance Analysis and Compensation Decisions
In its meeting in the first quarter of each year, the Compensation Committee determines base salaries for the current year, the annual performance incentive awards for prior-year performance and the long-term incentive awards for the current year. Each element is reviewed annually, as well as at the time of a promotion, other change in responsibilities, other significant corporate events or a material change in market conditions. Variances in the amount of compensation awarded to each executive officer generally reflect differences in individual responsibility and experience.
Base Salary. During 2024, the Compensation Committee approved an annual base salary for Mr. Nielsen of $440,000, compared to $400,000 during 2023. (Mr. Nielsen voluntarily reduced his base salary for 2023 to from $575,000 to $400,000).
Annual Performance Incentive Awards. During 2024, the Compensation Committee approved a discretionary annual cash performance incentive award for Mr. Nielsen in the amount of $150,000.
Long-term Incentive Awards. The Compensation Committee believes that long-term incentive awards should provide for a retention incentive with a strong tie to relative long-term stockholder return. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee grants stock option awards that typically vest over a four-year period. During 2024, the Board approved a long-term incentive award in the form of stock options to Mr. Nielsen based on recommendations from the Compensation Committee. Specifically, in July 2024, Mr. Nielsen was awarded a time-vested stock option award to purchase 25,000 shares of our common stock. The terms of the stock option grant require, among other things, that Mr. Nielsen continue to provide services over the vesting period of the options. The stock options vest over a four-year period from the date of the grant, with one-fourth (1/4) of the stock options vesting on the first anniversary of such grant, and the remaining stock options vesting thereafter in equal monthly increments equal to one-forty-eighth (1/48) of the stock options over the next three years, based on continuing service to the Company.
74
Table of Contents
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information with respect to the compensation of our sole NEO for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Option All Other
Awards Compensation
Name and Principal Position Year Salary ($) Bonus ($) ($)(1) ($) Total ($)
(3) Mr. Nielsen voluntarily reduced his base salary for 2023 to $400,000.
(4) Mr. Nielsen voluntarily elected to forego the entire $110,000 bonus.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
The following table contains information about grants of plan-based stock options to our sole NEO during fiscal year 2024:
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards
All Other All Other
Stock Option Exercise or Grant Date
Awards: Awards: Base Fair Value
Number of Number of Price of of
Shares of Securities Option Stock
Name Date ($) ($) ($) Units (#) Options (#) ($/Sh) ($)(2)
Narrative Disclosures to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
Please see the discussion under the heading “2024 Performance Analysis and Compensation Decisions” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, above.
75
Table of Contents
Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2024
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to outstanding stock option awards of our sole NEO for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Equity Incentive
Number of Securities Number of Securities Plan Awards:
Name (#) (#) Unearned Options (#) Price ($) Date
(1) All of these options granted are fully vested.
Employment Agreement and Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control
Bio-Path Subsidiary has entered into an employment agreement with its Chief Executive Officer, Peter H. Nielsen, dated May 1, 2007 (the “Nielsen Employment Agreement”).
The Nielsen Employment Agreement provides for a base salary, as approved by the Compensation Committee, of $440,000. The Nielsen Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Nielsen is entitled to certain severance payments and benefits in the event he is terminated without Cause (as defined in the Nielsen Employment Agreement) or resigns for Good Reason (as defined in the Nielsen Employment Agreement), subject to Mr. Nielsen’s continued compliance with the Confidentiality Agreement (as defined in the Nielsen Employment Agreement) and execution of a general release of all claims against us. In addition, the Nielsen Employment Agreement also provides that Mr. Nielsen is entitled to certain severance payments and benefits in the event he is terminated without Cause or resigns for Good Reason within three months before or 12 months following a Change in Control (as defined in the Nielsen
76
Table of Contents
Employment Agreement), subject to Mr. Nielsen’s continued compliance with the Confidentiality Agreement and execution of a general release of all claims against us.
The severance payments and benefits include the following in the event Mr. Nielsen is terminated without Cause or resigns for Good Reason: (i) any accrued but untaken vacation days of Mr. Nielsen will be paid to the extent not yet paid; (ii) the equivalent of Mr. Nielsen’s base salary will be paid for a period of three months; and (iii) subject to certain restrictions, for three months after Mr. Nielsen’s date of termination, the Company will continue its contributions toward Mr. Nielsen’s health care, dental, disability and life insurance benefits on the same basis as immediately prior to the date of termination.
The severance payments and benefits include the following in the event Mr. Nielsen is terminated without Cause or resigns for Good Reason within three months before or 12 months following a Change in Control: (i) any unvested stock or stock options awarded to Mr. Nielsen shall immediately vest upon the occurrence of Mr. Nielsen’s termination of employment; (ii) Mr. Nielsen’s base salary will be paid through the termination date, and any accrued but untaken vacation days of Mr. Nielsen will be paid to the extent not yet paid; (iii) Mr. Nielsen’s normal post-termination benefits will be paid in accordance with our retirement, insurance and other benefit plan arrangements (including non-qualified deferred compensation plans); (iv) the equivalent of Mr. Nielsen’s base salary will be paid for a period of three months; (v) subject to certain restrictions, for six months after Mr. Nielsen’s date of termination, or such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice of policy, Mr. Nielsen’s health care, dental, disability and life insurance benefits will be provided on the same basis as immediately prior to the date of termination; and (vi) subject to certain restrictions and to the extent not otherwise paid or provided, we will pay or provide any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which Mr. Nielsen is eligible to receive following his termination of employment under any of our plans, programs, policies, practices, contracts or agreements.
Potential severance payments and benefits to be paid pursuant to the Nielsen Employment Agreement assuming a termination or Change in Control occurred on December 31, 2024 are set forth in the table below.
Triggering Event
Termination without Cause or
Resignation for Good Reason within
Termination without Cause or 3 Months Before or 12 Months
Name Benefit Resignation for Good Reason ($) Following a Change in Control ($)
Peter H. Nielsen Market Value of Stock Vesting $ — $ — (1)
Continuation of Benefits 4,354 8,709
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The following table presents summary information for the year ended December 31, 2024 regarding the compensation of the members of our Board (other than Mr. Nielsen).
Fees
Earned
or Paid Option All Other
Name in Cash Awards Compensation Total
77
Table of Contents
The following table reflects the aggregate number of outstanding options (including unexercisable options) held by our directors (other than Mr. Nielsen) as of December 31, 2024:
Number of
shares underlying
Director outstanding options
Heath W. Cleaver 4,121
Paul D. Aubert 4,101
Aline B. Sherwood 3,000
Douglas P. Morris (1) 6,158
Narrative to Director Compensation Table
In 2024, our non-employee directors received cash and equity compensation in accordance with our non-employee director compensation structure. Directors who were also employed by the Company did not receive compensation for services as directors. During 2024, our compensation structure for all non-employee directors was as follows:
Cash Compensation Program
Non-employee directors received as compensation an annual cash retainer in the amount of $40,000.
The chairs of the respective Board committees also received as compensation the following amounts: (i) an annual cash retainer in the amount of $20,000 to the chair of the Audit Committee; (ii) an annual cash retainer in the amount of $10,000 to the chair of the Compensation Committee; (iii) an annual cash retainer in the amount of $8,000 to the chair of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee; and (iv) an annual cash retainer in the amount of $8,000 to the chair of the Business Development Committee.
Non-chair members of the respective Board committees also received as compensation the following amounts: (i) an annual cash retainer in the amount of $7,500 to each member of the Audit Committee; (ii) an annual cash retainer in the amount of $5,000 to each member of the Compensation Committee; and (iii) an annual cash retainer in the amount of $4,000 to each member of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee.
78
Table of Contents
In addition to the foregoing cash compensation for Board and committee members, non-employee directors of the Board who spent significant time performing Board or committee service beyond the normal scope of their Board or committee responsibilities could receive up to $2,500 per diem at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
Equity Compensation Program
Each non-employee director of the Board also received as compensation an annual stock option grant (a “Grant”) of 2,000 shares of our common stock (the “Option Shares”). The exercise price of the Option Shares was determined by the Board, and the Option Shares vest over a one-year period from the date of the Grant, with the Option Shares vesting in equal monthly increments equal to one-twelfth (1/12) of the Option Shares, based on continuing service to the Company.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth information regarding shares of our common stock beneficially owned at March 21, 2025 by: (i) our sole NEO and each director; (ii) all executive officers and directors as a group; and (iii) each person known by us to beneficially own 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock. The information in this table is based solely on statements in filings with the SEC or other reliable information.
Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial Percent of
Name of Beneficial Owner Ownership Class
Peter H. Nielsen (1) (2) 18,612 * %
Douglas P. Morris (1) (3) 2,576 *
Heath W. Cleaver (1) (4) 3,614 *
Aline B. Sherwood (1) (5) 2,500 *
Paul D. Aubert (1) (6) 3,601 *
All officers and directors as a group (7) 30,903 * %
*Less than 1%
(1) These are our NEOs and directors.
79
Table of Contents
Equity Compensation Plan Information
There are no equity compensation plans that have not been approved by our stockholders. The following table contains information about our equity compensation plans in effect as of December 31, 2024 (in thousands, except per share amount).
Number of
Number of shares of
shares of common stock
common stock to remaining
be issued Weighted-average available for
upon exercise of exercise price future issuance
outstanding of outstanding under equity
options, warrants options, warrants compensation
Plan Category and rights (1) and rights plans (2)
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders 97 $ 71.40 1,202
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders — —
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Related Party Transactions
It is our policy that we will not enter into any transactions required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC unless the Audit Committee first reviews and approves the transactions. The Audit Committee is required to review on an ongoing basis, and pre-approve all related party transactions before they are entered into, including those transactions that are required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. Related party transactions involving a director must also be approved by the disinterested members of the Audit Committee. It is the responsibility of our employees and directors to disclose any significant financial interest in a transaction between the Company and a third party, including an indirect interest. All related party transactions shall be disclosed in our filings with the SEC as required under SEC rules.
In addition, pursuant to our codes of ethics, all employees, officers and directors of ours and our subsidiaries are prohibited from engaging in any relationship or financial interest that is an actual or potential conflict of interest with us without approval. Employees and officers are required to provide written disclosure to their supervisors as soon as they have any knowledge of a transaction or proposed transaction with an outside individual, business or other organization that would create a conflict of interest or the appearance of one. Directors are required to disclose such information to the Board or as otherwise required by law.
For our last two fiscal years, there has not been nor is there currently proposed any transaction or series of similar transactions to which we were or are to be a party in which the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or 1% of the average of our total assets at the end of our last two fiscal years, and in which any of our directors, executive officers, persons who we know hold more than 5% of our common stock, or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest other than: (i) compensation agreements and other arrangements, which are described elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and (ii) the transactions described in the following paragraph.
We have entered into indemnity agreements with certain of our officers and directors which provide, among other things, that we will indemnify such officer or director, under the circumstances and to the extent provided for therein, for expenses, damages, judgments, fines and settlements he or she may be required to pay in actions or proceedings which he or she is or may be made a party by reason of his or her position as a director, officer or other agent of the Company, and otherwise to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws.
80
Table of Contents
Director Independence
The following members of the Board have been identified as independent under the standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market: Heath W. Cleaver, Paul D. Aubert and Aline B. Sherwood. Presently, there are no directors on our Audit Committee, Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee or Compensation Committee who are not independent under the standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market. Although our common stock is not currently listed on Nasdaq, we have chosen to apply Nasdaq’s definition of independence.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”), as our independent registered public accounting firm during such time, billed the approximate fees set forth in the table below. The Board has considered the services provided by EY and has concluded that such services are compatible with the independence of EY as our principal accountants during such periods.
The table below sets forth the aggregate fees billed to the Company by EY for services rendered in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands).
December 31, December 31,
Audit-related fees (2) — —
Tax fees (3) — —
All other fees (4) — —
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee has not adopted any blanket pre-approval policies and procedures. Instead, the Audit Committee will pre-approve the provision of all audit or non-audit services.
81
Table of Contents
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
3. Exhibits.
ExhibitNumber Exhibit
82
Table of Contents
83
Table of Contents
84
Table of Contents
19.1* Insider Trading Policy.
23.1* Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
+ Management contract or compensatory plan.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
85
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
BIO-PATH HOLDINGS, INC.
Dated: March 27, 2025 By: /s/ Peter H. Nielsen
Peter H. Nielsen
President
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Principal Accounting Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Date Title Signature
Principal Accounting Officer/Director Peter H. Nielsen
March 27, 2025 Director /s/ Heath W. Cleaver
Heath W. Cleaver
March 27, 2025 Director /s/ Paul D. Aubert
Paul D. Aubert
March 27, 2025 Director /s/ Aline B. Sherwood
Aline B. Sherwood
March 27, 2025 Director /s/ Douglas P. Morris
Douglas P. Morris
86
Table of Contents
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Bio-Path Holdings, Inc. Financial Statements Page
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms (PCAOB ID: 42) F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets F-4
Consolidated Statements of Operations F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows F-6
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity F-7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-8
F-1
Table of Contents
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Bio-Path Holdings, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Bio-Path Holdings, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2024, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2024, and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2024, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The Company’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations and has stated that substantial doubt exists about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management's evaluation of the events and conditions and management’s plans regarding these matters are also described in Note 2. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosure to which it relates.
F-2
Table of Contents
Prepaid or Accrued Research and Development Expenses
/s/ Ernst & Young
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.
Houston, Texas
March 27, 2025
F-3
Table of Contents
BIO-PATH HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except par value)
As of December 31, As of December 31,
Assets
Current assets
Fixed assets
Furniture, fixtures & equipment 1,077 1,120
Less accumulated depreciation (1,054) (1,044)
Right of use operating assets 84 102
Liabilities & Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Current portion of lease liabilities 83 103
Total current liabilities 3,295 1,906
Noncurrent lease liabilities — 10
Shareholders' equity
Total shareholders' equity 154 441
Total Liabilities & Shareholders' Equity $ 3,883 $ 3,220
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-4
Table of Contents
BIO-PATH HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Year Ended December 31,
Operating expenses
General and administrative 4,697 4,235
Other income (expense)
Change in fair value of warrant liability 2,084 (271)
Interest income 14 36
Total other income (expense) 2,098 (235)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted $ (4.12) $ (33.63)
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-5
Table of Contents
BIO-PATH HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
Cash flow from operating activities
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities
Stock-based compensation 566 734
Amortization of right of use assets 106 96
Depreciation 53 82
Change in fair value of warrant liability (2,084) 271
(Increase) decrease in operating assets
Prepaid drug product (442) 2,955
Other current assets (171) 286
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 1,409 227
Lease liabilities (118) (108)
Net cash used in operating activities (10,575) (11,535)
Cash flow from financing activities
Net proceeds from sale of common stock 10,696 1,677
Net proceeds from exercise of warrants — 526
Net cash provided by financing activities 10,696 2,203
Net increase (decrease) in cash 121 (9,332)
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities
Non-cash operating activities
Right of use asset recognized in exchange for lease obligation $ 88 $ —