UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 (Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021

or

Or

For the transition period from ________ to ________.

Commission File No.: 000-55242001-39468

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: NoneAct

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑   No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☑   No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act ☐Act☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐  No ☑

On August 7,May 10, 2020, there were 7,068,30810,088,872 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001, outstanding.

Sun BioPharma,Panbela Therapeutics, Inc.
Index to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

Sun BioPharma,Panbela Therapeutics, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary Sun BioPharma AustraliaPanbela Therapeutics Pty Ltd.Ltd (collectively “we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company”), exist for the primary purpose of advancing the commercial development of a proprietary polyamine analogue for the treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer. We have exclusively licensed the worldwide rights to this compound, which has been designated as SBP-101, from the University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc. (“UFRF”).

The Company operates in a highly regulated and competitive environment. The development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products require approval from, and are subject to ongoing oversight by, the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) in the United States, the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia, the European Medicines Agency in the European Union, and comparable agencies in other countries. Obtaining approval for a new pharmaceutical product is never certain, may take many years, and is normally expected to involve substantial expenditures.

We have incurred losses of $43.5$48.3 million since our inception in 2011. For the sixthree months ended June 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, we incurred a net loss of $2.2$2.3 million. We also incurred negative cash flows from operating activities of $2.0approximately $1.9 million for this period. As we continue to pursue development activities and seek commercialization of our initial product candidate, SBP-101, we expect to incur substantial losses, which are likely to generate negative net cash flows from operating activities. As of June 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, we had cash of $2.3$8.1 million, working capital of $1.6$7.5 million, (current assets less current liabilities) and stockholders’ equity of $1.6$7.6 million. The Company’s principal sources of cash have historically included the issuance of convertible debt and equity securities.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability or classification of assets or the amounts of liabilities that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties. Our current independent registered public accounting firm included a paragraph emphasizing this going concern uncertainty in their audit report regarding our 20192020 financial statements dated March 24, 2020.25, 2021. Our ability to continue as a going concern, realize the carrying value of our assets and discharge our liabilities in the ordinary course of business is dependent upon a number of factors, including our ability to obtain additional financing, the success of our development efforts, our ability to obtain marketing approval for our SBP-101 product candidate in the United States, Australia, the European Union or other markets and ultimately our ability to market and sell our SBP-101 product candidate. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue operations as a going concern. See Note 4 titled “Liquidity and Business Plan.”

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the spread of a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) a global pandemic. Actions have been taken by federal, state and local governmental authorities to combat the spread of COVID-19, including through issuances of “stay-at-home” directives and similar mandates for many individuals to substantially restrict daily activities and for many businesses to curtail or cease normal operations. These measures, while intended to protect human life, have led to significantly reduced economic activity. Vaccines became available at the end of 2020 and distribution accelerated during the first quarter of 2021. While many state and local authorities have started to reopen businesses, others have adopted additional measures to mitigate COVID-19 and the rapid development and uncertainty of the situation continues to preclude any prediction as to the ultimate impact COVID-19 will have on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows, which will depend largely on future developments directly or indirectly relating to the duration and scope of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States and Australia. OnDuring April 3, 2020, we initiated a temporary pause in the enrollment of new patients in our ongoing clinical trial. On May 20, 2020,After six weeks, we reauthorized our clinical sites to resume recruitment and enrollment of patients in ourthe clinical trial, which we expect to continue as conditions allow.trial. We continued to treat patients already enrolled throughout the temporary pause in enrollment. New enrollments were not interrupted again once the temporary pause was lifted in May 2020, and the enrollment in this study was completed in the fourth quarter 2020. The Company also experienced a brief delay in the manufacturing of the active product ingredient. As we have adequate supply of drug product, there was no disruption in supply for our clinical or preclinical testing. The Company’s administrative operations have been decentralized since inception so the Company experienced no administrative disruptions or additional costs due to the pandemic or related restrictions.

We have prepared the accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly our consolidated financial position, consolidated results of operations and consolidated cash flows for the periods and as of the dates presented. Our fiscal year ends on December 31. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 20192020 was derived from audited consolidated financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our most recent filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and our subsequent filings with the SEC. The nature of our business is such that the results of any interim period may not be indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.

We need to obtain additional funds to continue our operationsBetween February 5 and execute our current business plans. We may seek to raise additional funds through various sources, suchMarch 23, 2021, the company issued 228,938 shares of common stock as equity and debt financings, or through strategic collaborations and license agreements. We can give no assurances that we will be able to secure additional sourcesthe result of funds to support our operations, or if such funds are available to us, that such additional financing will be sufficient to meet our needs or on terms acceptable to us. This risk would increase if our clinical data is inconclusive or not positive or economic conditions worsen in the market as a whole or in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology markets individually.exercise of outstanding warrants. Total cash received was approximately $1.0 million.

In May and JuneOn September 1, 2020, the Company sold 437,000consummated an underwritten public offering of 2,545,454 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase an equalthe same number of additional shares of common stock which resulted in net proceeds of approximately $9.3 million. In the quarter ended June 30, 2020, the Company sold common stock and warrants to purchase common stock in private placements to certain accredited investors pursuant to securities purchase agreements. Netresulting in net proceeds from these sales totaledof approximately $1.7 million. The warrants are exercisable for a periodWe expect the proceeds of five years fromthese offerings will be sufficient to fund our planned business operations into the datesecond quarter of issuance at an initial exercise price of $6.00 per share of common stock.

If we are unable to obtain additional financing, we believe that we2022. We will need to reduceraise additional capital in the future to support our operations by taking actions that may include, among other things, reducing use of outside professional service providers, reducing staff or further reducing staff compensation, significantly modifying or delaying the development of our SBP-101 product candidate, licensing rights to third parties, including the right to commercialize our SBP-101 product candidate for pancreatic cancer, or other applications that we would otherwise seek to pursue, or discontinuing operations entirely.operations.

Our future success is dependent upon our ability to obtain additional financing, the success of our development efforts, our ability to obtain marketing approval for our SBP-101 product candidate in the United States or other markets and ultimately our ability to market and sell our SBP-101 product candidate. If we are unable to obtain additional financing when needed, if our clinical trials are not successful or if we are unable to obtain marketing approval, we would not be able to continue as a going concern and would be forced to cease operations and liquidate our company.

There can be no assurances that we will be able to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. The sale of additional convertible debt or equity securities would likely result in dilution to our current stockholders.

Principles of consolidation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities, and expenses of the Company. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amount of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.estimates, particularly given the significant social and economic disruptions and uncertainties with the ongoing pandemic and control responses.

Research and development costs

Research and development costs include expenses incurred in the conduct of our second Phase 1 human clinical trial, for third-party service providers performing various testing and accumulating data related to our preclinical studies; sponsored research agreements; developing and scaling the manufacturing process necessary to produce sufficient amounts of the SBP-101 compound for use in our pre-clinical studies and human clinical trials; consulting resources with specialized expertise related to execution of our development plan for our SBP-101 product candidate; personnel costs, including salaries, benefits and share-based compensation; and costs to license and maintain our licensed intellectual property.

We charge research and development costs, including clinical trial costs, to expense when incurred. Our human clinical trials are, and will be, performed at clinical trial sites and are administered jointly by us with assistance from contract research organizations (“CROs”). Costs of setting up clinical trial sites are accrued upon execution of the study agreement. Expenses related to the performance of clinical trials generally are accrued based on contracted amounts and the achievement of agreed upon milestones, such as patient enrollment, patient follow-up, etc. We monitor levels of performance under each significant contract, including the extent of patient enrollment and other activities through communications with the clinical trial sites and CROs, and adjust the estimates, if required, on a quarterly basis so that clinical expenses reflect the actual effort expended at each clinical trial site and by each CRO.

All material CRO contracts are terminable by us upon written notice and we are generally only liable for actual effort expended by the CROs and certain non-cancelable expenses incurred at any point of termination.

We expense costs associated with obtaining licenses for patented technologies when it is determined there is no alternative future use of the intellectual property subject to the license.

StockStock-based compensation-based compensation

In accounting for stock-based incentive awards, we measure and recognize the cost of employee and non-employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments based on the fair value of those awards on the grant date. Calculating stock-based compensation expense requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, which represent our best estimates and involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment. Compensation cost is recognized ratably using the straight-line attribution method over the vesting period, which is considered to be the requisite service period. Compensation expense for performance-based stock option awards is recognized when “performance” has occurred or is probable of occurring.

The fair value of stock-based awards is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The determination of the fair value of stock-based awards is affected by our stock price, as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. Risk free interest rates are based upon U.S. Treasury rates appropriate for the expected term of each award. Expected volatility rates are based primarily on the volatility rates of a set of guideline companies, which consist of public and recently public biotechnology companies. The assumed dividend yield is zero, as we do not expect to declare any dividends in the foreseeable future. The expected term of options granted is determined using the “simplified” method. Under this approach, the expected term is presumed to be the mid-point between the average vesting date and the end of the contractual term.

Foreign currency translation adjustments

The functional currency of Sun BioPharma AustraliaPanbela Therapeutics Pty Ltd is the Australian Dollar. Accordingly, assets and liabilities, and equity transactions of Sun BioPharmaPanbela Therapeutics Australia Pty Ltd are translated into U.S. dollars at period-end exchange rates. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate in effect for the period. The resulting translation gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated comprehensive loss presented within the stockholders’ equity (deficit).equity. During the six-monththree-month periods ended June 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, any reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive loss to operations were inconsequential.

Comprehensive loss

Comprehensive loss consists of our net loss and the effects of foreign currency translation.

Net loss per share

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is based on the weighted average of common shares outstanding during the period plus dilutive potential common shares calculated using the treasury stock method. Such potentially dilutive shares are excluded when the effect would be anti-dilutive or reduce a net loss per share. The Company’s potential dilutive shares, which include convertible debt, outstanding common stock options, and warrants, have not been included in the computation of diluted net loss per share for all periods as the result would be anti-dilutive.

The following table sets forth the potential shares of common stock that were not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share as their effects would have been anti-dilutive as of:of the dates indicated:

Term debtWarrants exercised and expired

The termsDuring the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company issued a total of our unsecured loan (the “Term Debt”) payable228,939 shares of common stock for a total of approximately $1.0 million, resulting from exercises of outstanding warrants.  During the same period, the Company issued an additional 188,607 shares of common stock resulting from the net, cashless, exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase 531,140 shares.  Warrants to purchase a total of 86,200 shares of common stock, all having an exercise price of $5.00 per share, expired during the Institute for Commercialization of Public Research, Inc. (the “Institute”) which was amended in December of 2019 to extend the maturity date from Decemberquarter ended March 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020, remain unchanged as of June 30, 2020. The fair market value of the warrants issued in 2019 in exchange for modification of the terms is being amortized to interest expense over the remaining term of the loan. The amendment requires the continuation of monthly payments of principal and interest totaling $10,000. The unpaid principal balance at June 30, 2020 was $68,000.2021.

PPP LoanPublic offering of common stock and warrants

On MaySeptember 1, 2020, the Company obtained a loan in the principal amountclosed an underwritten public offering of approximately $103,000 from Bank of America  pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”).  In accordance with the requirements of the CARES Act, the Company expects to use the proceeds of the loan exclusively for qualified expenses, including payroll costs, as further detailed in the CARES Act and applicable guidance issued by the SBA.  The loan is evidenced by an unsecured promissory note and interest is scheduled to accrue on the outstanding balance at a rate of 1.0% per annum beginning on November 1, 2020.  However, the Company expects to be eligible to apply for forgiveness of up to all of the principal and interest due under the loan, in an amount equal to the sum of qualified expenses under the PPP during the twenty-four weeks following disbursement.  Notwithstanding the Company’s anticipated eligibility to apply for forgiveness, no assurance can be given that it will obtain forgiveness of all or any portion of the amount due under the loan. Subject to any such forgiveness granted under the PPP, the loan is scheduled to mature on May 1, 2022 and may require us to commence payments of principal and interest as soon as November 2020. The loan may be prepaid at any time prior to maturity with no prepayment penalties. The unsecured promissory note governing the loan provides for customary events of default, including, among others, those relating to failure to make payments, bankruptcy, breaches of representations, significant changes in ownership, and material adverse effects. The Company’s obligations under the note are not secured by any collateral.

On May 17, 2019, the Company executed an unsecured promissory note with a vendor that relieved the Company’s immediate obligation to pay the outstanding vendor invoices. The outstanding vendor invoices totaling approximately $742,000 were removed from the Company’s accounts payable as consideration for the promissory note.  The promissory note is unsecured, does not bear interest and the balance is payable in full on the earlier of (1) December 31, 2020 or (2) the date the Company’s stock is listed on a national securities exchange.

Private Placements of Common Stock and Warrants

During the quarter ended June 30, 2020, we issued an aggregate of 437,0002,545,454 shares of ourits common stock and warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to the same number of additional shares of common stock pursuant to securities purchase agreements.stock. The warrants are exercisable for a period of five years from the date of issuance at an initial exercise price of $6.00. Total$4.54. The gross proceeds from the sale of common stock and warrantsoffering was approximately $1.7$10.5 million. See Note 4, titled “Liquidity and Business Plan.”

WarrantsThe net proceeds was approximately $9.3 million. After exercises, registered warrants to purchase common stock issued for future servicestotaling 2,306,516 remained on March 31, 2021.

Shares reserved

On February 21, 2020, the Company issued to a service provider a five-year warrant to purchase 75,000The following shares of common stock at an exercise price of $6.49 per share. The fair market value of the warrants issued of approximately $228,000 was capitalized and will be charged against future proceeds.

Shares of common stockwere reserved for future issuance were as follows as of June 30, 2020:date indicated:

2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan

The Sun BioPharma,Panbela Therapeutics, Inc. 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan as last amended effective April 9, 2020 (the “2016 Plan”), has been approved was adopted by our Board of Directors in March 2016 and ratifiedapproved by our stockholders.stockholders in May 2016. The 2016 Plan permits the granting of incentive and non-statutory stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, performance units, performance shares and other stock awards to eligible employees, directors and consultants. We grant options to purchase shares of common stock under the 2016 Plan with an exercise price notat no less than the fair market value of the underlying common stock as of the date of grant. Options granted under the 2016 Plan have a maximum term of ten years. Under the 2016 Plan, a totalAs of 2,800,000March 31, 2021, options to purchase 2,153,871 shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance. As of June 30, 2020, optionsand 4,600 restricted stock units, each representing the right to purchase 1,694,051 sharesacquire one share of common stock, were outstanding under the 2016 Plan and 1,105,9491,453,208 shares remained available for future awards.

2011 Stock Option Plan

Our Board of Directors ceased making awards under the Sun BioPharma,Panbela Therapeutics, Inc. 2011 Stock Option Plan (the “2011 Plan”) upon the original receipt of stockholder approval for the 2016 Plan.Plan in May 2016. Awards outstanding under the 2011 Plan remain outstanding in accordance with and pursuant to the terms thereof. Options granted under the 2011 Plan have a maximum term of ten years and generally vest over zero to two years for employees. As of June 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, options to purchase 264,360232,000 shares of common stock remained outstanding under the 2011 Plan. The average remaining life is approximately 3.6 years.

Stock-basedStock-based Compensation Expense

General and administrative (“G&A”) and research and development (“R&D”) expenses include non-cash stock-based compensation expense as a result of our issuance of stock options. The terms and vesting schedules for stock-based awards vary by type of grant and the employment status of the grantee. The awards granted through June 30, 2020March 31, 2021 vest based upon time-based and performance conditions. There was approximately $0.7$2.2 million unamortized stock-based compensation expense related to options granted to employees as of June 30, 2020.March 31, 2021.

Stock-based compensation expense for each of the periods presented is as follows (in thousands):