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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
for the quarterly period ended March 31,September 30, 2021
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 001-37590
CERECORAVALO THERAPEUTICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State of incorporation)
45-0705648
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
540 Gaither Road, Suite 400
Rockville, Maryland 20850
(Address of principal executive offices)
(410) 522-8707
(Registrant’s telephone number,
including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading SymbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.001 par value

CERCAVTXNasdaq Capital Market
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, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging“emerging growth company"company” in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☑Smaller reporting company ☑
Emerging growth company ☐

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. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act). Yes   No ☑
As of May 11,November 5, 2021, the registrant had 95,471,843112,317,829 shares of common stock outstanding.


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CERECOR
AVALO THERAPEUTICS, INC.
 
FORM 10-Q
 
For the Quarter Ended March 31,September 30, 2021
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
      
     Page
    
  
      
   
      
  a) 
     
  b) 
     
d)
    
 c)
  e) 
     
  
     
  
     
  
 
     
  
     
  
  
    
  
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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  Financial Statements.
CERECORAVALO THERAPEUTICS, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
 
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
(unaudited)(unaudited)
AssetsAssets        Assets        
Current assets:Current assets:  Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalentsCash and cash equivalents$38,292 $18,919 Cash and cash equivalents$71,506 $18,919 
Accounts receivable, netAccounts receivable, net3,130 2,177 Accounts receivable, net1,435 2,177 
Other receivablesOther receivables2,056 2,208 Other receivables2,477 2,208 
Inventory, netInventory, netInventory, net16 
Prepaid expenses and other current assetsPrepaid expenses and other current assets2,465 2,660 Prepaid expenses and other current assets1,408 2,660 
Restricted cash, current portionRestricted cash, current portion153 38 Restricted cash, current portion164 38 
Total current assetsTotal current assets46,096 26,005 Total current assets77,006 26,005 
Property and equipment, netProperty and equipment, net1,530 1,607 Property and equipment, net1,410 1,607 
Other long-term assetOther long-term asset2,000 — 
Intangible assets, netIntangible assets, net1,161 1,585 Intangible assets, net304 1,585 
GoodwillGoodwill14,409 14,409 Goodwill14,409 14,409 
Restricted cash, net of current portionRestricted cash, net of current portion149 149 Restricted cash, net of current portion227 149 
Total assetsTotal assets$63,345 $43,755 Total assets$95,356 $43,755 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equityLiabilities and stockholders’ equity  Liabilities and stockholders’ equity  
Current liabilities:Current liabilities:  Current liabilities:  
Accounts payableAccounts payable$11,913 $2,574 Accounts payable$3,568 $2,574 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilitiesAccrued expenses and other current liabilities14,238 11,310 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities15,460 11,310 
Current liabilities of discontinued operationsCurrent liabilities of discontinued operations209 1,341 Current liabilities of discontinued operations10 1,341 
Total current liabilitiesTotal current liabilities26,360 15,225 Total current liabilities19,038 15,225 
Notes payableNotes payable32,483 — 
Royalty obligationRoyalty obligation2,000 2,000 Royalty obligation2,000 2,000 
Deferred tax liability, netDeferred tax liability, net111 90 Deferred tax liability, net130 90 
Other long-term liabilitiesOther long-term liabilities1,719 1,878 Other long-term liabilities1,396 1,878 
Total liabilitiesTotal liabilities30,190 19,193 Total liabilities55,047 19,193 
Stockholders’ equity:Stockholders’ equity:  Stockholders’ equity:  
Common stock—$0.001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020; 89,104,816 and 75,004,127 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively89 75 
Preferred stock—$0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020; 1,257,143 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020
Common stock—$0.001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; 112,317,829 and 75,004,127 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectivelyCommon stock—$0.001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; 112,317,829 and 75,004,127 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively112 75 
Preferred stock—$0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; 0 and 1,257,143 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectivelyPreferred stock—$0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; 0 and 1,257,143 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively— 
Additional paid-in capitalAdditional paid-in capital241,535 202,276 Additional paid-in capital283,167 202,276 
Accumulated deficitAccumulated deficit(208,470)(177,790)Accumulated deficit(242,970)(177,790)
Total stockholders’ equityTotal stockholders’ equity33,155 24,562 Total stockholders’ equity40,309 24,562 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equityTotal liabilities and stockholders’ equity$63,345 $43,755 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$95,356 $43,755 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
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CERECOR
AVALO THERAPEUTICS, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Three Months EndedThree Months EndedNine Months Ended
March 31, September 30,September 30,
20212020 2021202020212020
Revenues:Revenues:Revenues:
Product revenue, netProduct revenue, net$473 $2,754 Product revenue, net$1,350 $1,111 $4,554 $5,202 
License revenueLicense revenue— — 625 — 
Total revenues, netTotal revenues, net473 2,754 Total revenues, net1,350 1,111 5,179 5,202 
Operating expenses:Operating expenses:Operating expenses:
Cost of product salesCost of product sales77 66 Cost of product sales908 77 1,067 221 
Research and developmentResearch and development25,206 4,768 Research and development10,551 8,872 48,325 19,556 
Acquired in-process research and developmentAcquired in-process research and development25,549 Acquired in-process research and development— — — 25,549 
General and administrativeGeneral and administrative4,911 2,676 General and administrative5,188 4,573 16,718 13,350 
Sales and marketingSales and marketing435 677 Sales and marketing738 462 1,959 1,792 
Amortization expenseAmortization expense424 431 Amortization expense428 404 1,281 1,238 
Total operating expensesTotal operating expenses31,053 34,167 Total operating expenses17,813 14,388 69,350 61,706 
(30,580)(31,413)(16,463)(13,277)(64,171)(56,504)
Other income:
Other (expense) income:Other (expense) income:
Change in fair value of Investment in AytuChange in fair value of Investment in Aytu7,080 Change in fair value of Investment in Aytu— — — 5,208 
Other income11 
Interest income17 10 
Total other income, net from continuing operations17 7,101 
Other (expense) income, netOther (expense) income, net(15)19 (20)447 
Interest (expense) income, netInterest (expense) income, net(985)— (1,207)— 
Total other (expense) income, net from continuing operationsTotal other (expense) income, net from continuing operations(1,000)19 (1,227)5,655 
Loss from continuing operations before taxesLoss from continuing operations before taxes(30,563)(24,312)Loss from continuing operations before taxes(17,463)(13,258)(65,398)(50,849)
Income tax expense (benefit)Income tax expense (benefit)11 (2,157)Income tax expense (benefit)(180)(2,607)
Loss from continuing operationsLoss from continuing operations$(30,574)$(22,155)Loss from continuing operations$(17,471)$(13,261)$(65,218)$(48,242)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax(106)1,038 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxIncome (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax76 (198)38 385 
Net lossNet loss$(30,680)$(21,117)Net loss$(17,395)$(13,459)$(65,180)$(47,857)
Net (loss) income per share of common stock, basic and diluted:Net (loss) income per share of common stock, basic and diluted:Net (loss) income per share of common stock, basic and diluted:
Continuing operationsContinuing operations$(0.32)$(0.36)Continuing operations$(0.17)$(0.16)$(0.67)$(0.68)
Discontinued operationsDiscontinued operations(0.00)0.02 Discontinued operations0.00 (0.01)0.00 0.00 
Net loss per share of common stock, basic and dilutedNet loss per share of common stock, basic and diluted$(0.32)$(0.34)Net loss per share of common stock, basic and diluted$(0.17)$(0.17)$(0.67)$(0.68)
Net (loss) income per share of preferred stock, basic and diluted:Net (loss) income per share of preferred stock, basic and diluted:Net (loss) income per share of preferred stock, basic and diluted:
Continuing operationsContinuing operations$(1.61)$(1.78)Continuing operations$(0.82)$(3.34)$(3.40)
Discontinued operationsDiscontinued operations(0.01)0.08 Discontinued operations(0.01)0.00 0.02 
Net loss per share of preferred stock, basic and dilutedNet loss per share of preferred stock, basic and diluted$(1.62)$(1.70)Net loss per share of preferred stock, basic and diluted$(0.83)$(3.34)$(3.38)

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
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CERECOR
AVALO THERAPEUTICS, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share amounts)

 Common stockPreferred StockAdditional paid-inAccumulatedTotal stockholders’
 SharesAmountSharesAmountcapitaldeficitequity
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
Balance, December 31, 202075,004,127 $75 1,257,143 $$202,276 $(177,790)$24,562 
Issuance of shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants in underwritten public offering, net13,971,889 14 — — 37,639 — 37,653 
Exercise of stock options and warrants128,800 — — — 172 — 172 
Stock-based compensation— — — — 1,448 — 1,448 
Net loss— — — — — (30,680)(30,680)
Balance, March 31, 202189,104,816 $89 1,257,143 $$241,535 $(208,470)$33,155 
 Common stockPreferred StockAdditional paid-inAccumulatedTotal stockholders’
 SharesAmountSharesAmountcapitaldeficitequity
Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
Balance, June 30, 202196,008,951 $96 — $— $247,067 $(225,575)$21,588 
Issuance of common stock in underwritten public offering, net14,308,878 14 — — 29,032 — 29,046 
Issuance of common stock pursuant to ATM Program, net2,000,000 — — 5,310 — 5,312 
Stock-based compensation— — — — 1,758 — 1,758 
Net loss— — — — — $(17,395)(17,395)
Balance, September 30, 2021112,317,829 $112 — $— $283,167 $(242,970)$40,309 
 Common stockPreferred StockAdditional paid-inAccumulatedTotal stockholders’
 SharesAmountSharesAmountcapitaldeficitequity
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
Balance, December 31, 201944,384,222 $44 2,857,143 $$135,239 $(114,291)$20,995 
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock8,000,000 (1,600,000)(2)(6)— 
Issuance of shares related to Aevi Merger3,893,361 — — 15,492 — 15,496 
Issuance of shares pursuant to registered direct offering, net of offering costs1,306,282 — — 5,135 — 5,136 
Issuance of shares pursuant to common stock private placement, net of offering costs1,951,219 — — 3,886 — 3,888 
Exercise of stock options and warrants25,168 — — — 74 — 74 
Stock-based compensation— — — — 1,116 — 1,116 
Net loss— — — — — (21,117)(21,117)
Balance, March 31, 202059,560,252 $59 1,257,143 $$160,936 $(135,408)$25,588 
 Common stockPreferred StockAdditional paid-inAccumulatedTotal stockholders’
 SharesAmountSharesAmountcapitaldeficitequity
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
Balance, December 31, 202075,004,127 $75 1,257,143 $$202,276 $(177,790)$24,562 
Issuance of shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants in underwritten public offering, net13,971,889 14 — — 37,639 — 37,653 
Issuance of common stock in underwritten public offering, net14,308,878 14 — — 29,032 — 29,046 
Issuance of common stock pursuant to ATM Program, net2,000,000 — — 5,310 — 5,312 
Issuance of equity classified warrants related to venture debt financing agreement— — — — 861 — 861 
Exercise of stock options580,617 — — 1,567 — 1,568 
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock6,285,715 (1,257,143)(1)(5)— — 
Shares purchased through employee stock purchase plan88,686 — — — 207 — 207 
Restricted stock units vested during period77,917 — — — — — — 
Stock-based compensation— — — — 6,280 — 6,280 
Net loss— — — — — (65,180)(65,180)
Balance, September 30, 2021112,317,829 $112 — $— $283,167 $(242,970)$40,309 



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 Common stockPreferred StockAdditional paid-inAccumulatedTotal stockholders’
 SharesAmountSharesAmountcapitaldeficitequity
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
Balance, June 30, 202074,900,047 $75 1,257,143 $$199,191 $(148,689)$50,578 
Stock-based compensation— — — — 1,448 — 1,448 
Net loss— — — — — (13,459)(13,459)
Balance, September 30, 202074,900,047 $75 1,257,143 $$200,639 $(162,148)$38,567 
 Common stockPreferred StockAdditional paid-inAccumulatedTotal stockholders’
 SharesAmountSharesAmountcapitaldeficitequity
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
Balance, December 31, 201944,384,222 $44 2,857,143 $$135,239 $(114,291)$20,995 
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock8,000,000 (1,600,000)(2)(6)— — 
Issuance of shares related to Aevi Merger3,893,361 — — 15,492 — 15,496 
Issuance of shares pursuant to registered direct offering, net1,306,282 — — 5,135 — 5,137 
Issuance of shares pursuant to common stock private placement, net1,951,219 — — 3,886 — 3,888 
Issuance of shares of common stock in underwritten public offering, net15,180,000 15 — — 35,413 — 35,428 
Exercise of stock options and warrants50,239 — — — 92 — 92 
Restricted stock units vested during period111,667 — — — — — — 
Restricted stock units withheld for taxes(35,279)— — — (94)— (94)
Shares purchased through employee stock purchase plan58,336 — — — 133 — 133 
Stock-based compensation— — — — 5,349 — 5,349 
Net loss— — — — — (47,857)(47,857)
Balance, September 30, 202074,900,047 $75 1,257,143 $$200,639 $(162,148)$38,567 
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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CERECORAVALO THERAPEUTICS, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)
 Three Months Ended March 31,
 20212020
Operating activities        
Net loss$(30,680)$(21,117)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization451 453 
Stock-based compensation1,448 1,116 
Acquired in-process research and development, including transaction costs25,549 
Deferred taxes21 21 
Change in fair value of Investment in Aytu(7,080)
Change in value of Guarantee(1,755)
Change in fair value of warrant liability and unit purchase option liability(11)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net(953)(696)
Other receivables152 (1,963)
Inventory, net
Prepaid expenses and other assets195 23 
Accounts payable9,339 251 
Income taxes payable(551)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities1,724 (142)
Lease liability, net(16)158 
Net cash used in operating activities(18,316)(5,739)
Investing activities  
Net cash paid in merger with Aevi(1,251)
Purchase of property and equipment(21)
Net cash used in investing activities(21)(1,251)
Financing activities  
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and pre-funded warrants in underwritten public offering, net37,653 
Proceeds from registered direct offering, net5,136 
Proceeds from sale of shares pursuant to common stock private placement, net3,888 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants172 74 
Net cash provided by financing activities37,825 9,098 
Increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash19,488 2,108 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period19,106 3,729 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period$38,594 $5,837 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information  
Cash paid for taxes$$316 
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities
Issuance of common stock in Aevi Merger$$15,496 











 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20212020
Operating activities        
Net loss$(65,180)$(47,857)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization1,362 1,305 
Stock-based compensation6,280 5,349 
Accretion of debt discount445 — 
Acquired in-process research and development, including transaction costs— 25,549 
Deferred taxes40 29 
Change in fair value of Investment in Aytu— (5,208)
Change in fair value of warrant liability and unit purchase option liability— (14)
Change in value of Guarantee— (1,755)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net742 (172)
Other receivables(269)(4,184)
Other long-term asset(2,000)— 
Inventory, net(13)12 
Prepaid expenses and other assets1,252 (744)
Accounts payable994 (548)
Income taxes payable— 288 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities2,604 1,776 
Lease liability, net(50)10 
Net cash used in operating activities(53,793)(26,164)
Investing activities  
Proceeds from sale of Investment in Aytu, net— 12,837 
Net cash paid in merger with Aevi— (1,251)
Purchase of property and equipment(102)(63)
Net cash used in investing activities(102)11,523 
Financing activities  
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and pre-funded warrants in underwritten public offering, net37,653 — 
Proceeds from Notes and warrants, net of debt issuance costs paid32,900 — 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in underwritten public offering, net29,046 35,429 
Proceeds from common stock pursuant to ATM Program, net5,312 — 
Proceeds from registered direct offering, net— 5,136 
Proceeds from sale of shares pursuant to common stock private placement, net— 3,888 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options1,568 92 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan207 133 
Restricted stock units withheld for taxes— (94)
Net cash provided by financing activities106,686 44,584 
Increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash52,791 29,943 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period19,106 3,729 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period$71,897 $33,672 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information  
Cash paid for interest$796 $— 
Cash paid for taxes$— $316 
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities
Issuance of common stock in Aevi Merger$— $15,496 
Leased asset obtained in exchange for new operating lease liability$— $376 
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The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands):
March 31,September 30,
2021202020212020
Cash and cash equivalentsCash and cash equivalents$38,292 $5,659 Cash and cash equivalents$71,506 $33,391 
Restricted cash, currentRestricted cash, current153 65 Restricted cash, current164 132 
Restricted cash, non-currentRestricted cash, non-current149 113 Restricted cash, non-current227 149 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cashTotal cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$38,594 5,837 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$71,897 33,672 
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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CERECOR
AVALO THERAPEUTICS, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 

 

1. Business

CerecorAvalo Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company” or “Cerecor”“Avalo”) is a biopharmaceuticalleading clinical-stage precision medicine company focused on becoming a leaderthat discovers, develops, and commercializes targeted therapeutics for patients with significant unmet clinical need in developmentimmunology, immuno-oncology, and commercialization of treatments for rare and orphangenetic diseases. The Company is advancing its clinical-stage pipelinehas built a diverse portfolio of innovative therapies that address unmet patient needs withinto deliver meaningful medical impact for patients in urgent need. Avalo’s clinical candidates commonly have a proven mechanistic rationale, biomarkers and/or an established proof-of-concept to expedite and increase the probability of success.

In August 2021, the Company changed its corporate name change from Cerecor Inc. to Avalo Therapeutics, Inc. by filing a Certificate of Amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and merged certain wholly-owned subsidiaries into the Company to consolidate its corporate structure. The name change underscores the Company’s transition to developing innovative targeted therapies in immunology, immuno-oncology, and rare and orphangenetic diseases.

The Company’s rare disease pipeline includes CERC-801, CERC-802 and CERC-803 (“CERC-800 compounds”), which are in development for therapies for congenital disorders of glycosylation and CERC-006, an oral mTORC1/2 inhibitor in development for the treatment of complex lymphatic malformations. The Company is also developing 2 monoclonal antibodies, CERC-002 and CERC-007. CERC-002 targets the cytokine LIGHT (TNFSF14) and is in clinical development for the treatment of severe pediatric-onset Crohn’s disease and COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome. CERC-007 targets the cytokine IL-18 and is in clinical development for the treatment of Still’s disease (adult onset Still’s disease and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis) and multiple myeloma. CERC-006, 801, 802 and 803 have all received Orphan Drug Designation and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation, which makes all 4 eligible for a priority review voucher (“PRV”) upon approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”).

The Company continues to explore strategic alternatives for its non-core assets, including its commercialized product, Millipred®, an oral prednisolone indicated across a wide variety of inflammatory conditions, and for its neurology pipeline assets.

CerecorAvalo was incorporated and commenced operation in 2011 and completed its initial public offering in October 2015.

Liquidity

As of September 30, 2021, Avalo had $71.5 million in cash and cash equivalents. In JanuarySeptember 2021, the Company closed an underwritten public offering of 14,308,878 shares of common stock for net proceeds of approximately $29.0 million. Additionally, in August 2021, the Company sold 2.0 million shares of common stock under its “at-the-market” sales agreement (the “ATM Program”) for net proceeds of approximately $5.3 million.

In June 2021, the Company entered into a $35.0 million venture debt financing agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Horizon Technology Finance Corporation and Powerscourt Investments XXV, LP (collectively, the “Lenders”). As of September 30, 2021, the Company has received the full $35.0 million, $20.0 million of which was funded on the closing date in the second quarter of 2021 and the remaining $15.0 million was funded during the third quarter of 2021 in 2 separate tranches. The Loan Agreement contains certain covenants and certain other specified events that could result in an event of default, which if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of all or a substantial portion of the notes. As of the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company was not aware of any breach of covenants nor received any notice of event of default from the Lenders.

In the first quarter of 2021, the Company closed an underwritten public offering of 13,971,889 shares of its common stock and 1,676,923 pre-funded warrants for net proceeds of approximately $37.7 million (see Note 9 for additional information). As of March 31, 2021, Cerecor had $38.3 million in cash and cash equivalents.million.

In order to meet its cash flow needs, the Company applies a disciplined decision-making methodology as it evaluates the optimal allocation of the Company’s resources between investing in the Company’s existing pipeline assets and acquisitions or in-licensing of new assets. For the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021, CerecorAvalo generated a net loss of $30.7$65.2 million and negative cash flows from operations of $18.3$53.8 million. As of March 31,September 30, 2021, CerecorAvalo had an accumulated deficit of $208.5$243.0 million.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern; however, losses are expected to continue as the Company continues to invest in its core research and development pipeline assets. The Company will require additional financing to fund its operations and to continue to execute its business strategy at least one year after the date the condensed consolidated financial statements included herein were issued. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

To mitigate these conditions and to meet the Company’s capital requirements, management plans to use its current cash on hand along with some combination of the following: (i) dilutive and/or non-dilutive financings, (ii) federal and/or private grants, (iii) other out-licensing or strategic alliances/collaborations of its current pipeline assets, and (iv) out-licensing or sale of its non-core assets. If the Company raises additional funds through collaborations, strategic alliances or licensing arrangements with third parties, the Company might have to relinquish valuable rights to its technologies, future revenue streams, research programs or product candidates. Subject to limited exceptions, our venture debt financing agreement prohibits us from incurring certain additional indebtedness, making certain asset dispositions, and entering into certain mergers, acquisitions or other business combination transactions without prior consent of the Lenders. If the Company requires but is unable to obtain additional funding, the Company may be forced to make reductions in spending, delay, suspend, reduce or eliminate some or all of its planned research and development programs, or liquidate assets where possible. Due to the uncertainty regarding future financing and other potential options to raise additional funds, management has
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concluded that substantial doubt exists with respect to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q were issued.

Over the long term, the Company’s ultimate ability to achieve and maintain profitability will depend on, among other things, the development, regulatory approval, and commercialization of its pipeline assets, and the potential receipt and sale of any PRVs it receives.

2. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
 
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Basis of Presentation
 
The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to the authoritative GAAP as found in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2020 has been derived from audited financial statements at that date. The interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that may occur for the full fiscal year. Certain information and footnote disclosure normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to instructions, rules, and regulations prescribed by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

The Company believes that the disclosures provided herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading when these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are read in conjunction with the December 31, 2020 audited consolidated financial statements.

Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts in the following tables are in thousands except share and per share amounts.

Significant Accounting Policies

During the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021, there were no significant changes to the Company’s summary of significant accounting policies contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as filed with the SEC on March 8, 2021.

3. Revenue

The Company generates substantially all of its revenue from sales of Millipred®, an oral prednisolone indicated across a wide variety of inflammatory conditions, which is considered a prescription drug. The Company sells its prescription drug in the United States primarily through wholesale distributors. Wholesale distributors account for substantially all of the Company’s net product revenues and trade receivables. For the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Company’s three largest customers accounted for approximately 52%, 24%, and 24% of the Company’s total net product revenues. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company’s three largest customers accounted for approximately 62%, 20%, and 17% of the Company’s total net product revenues. Revenue from sales of prescription drugs was $1.4 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $4.6 million and $5.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The Company has a license and supply agreement for the Millipred® product with a wholly owned subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (“Teva”), which expires on September 30, 2023. Beginning July 1, 2021, Avalo is required to pay Teva 50 percent of the net profit of the Millipred® product following each calendar quarter, subject to a $0.5 million quarterly minimum payment. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company recognized $0.7 million in cost of product sales related to the royalty. Dr. Sol Barer served as the Chairman of the Company’s board of directors until June 2021 and currently serves as the Chairman of Teva’s board of directors.

License revenue was $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, which was related to upfront fees received in the second quarter of 2021 as a result of the out-licenses of the Company’s rights to its non-core neurology pipeline assets: AVTX-301 to Alto Neuroscience, Inc. (“Alto”) and AVTX-406 to ES Therapeutics, LLC (“ES”). ES is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Armistice Capital Master Fund Ltd. (an affiliate of Armistice Capital, LLC and collectively “Armistice”), which is a significant stockholder of
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the Company and whose chief investment officer, Steven Boyd, and managing director, Keith Maher, serve on the Company’s Board of Directors. The transaction with ES was approved in accordance with the Company’s related party transaction policy. Avalo is eligible to receive additional payments upon achievement of specified development, regulatory and sales-based milestones for both AVTX-301 and AVTX-406 and is also eligible to royalty payments based on net sales of AVTX-301; refer to Note 14 for more information.

4. Aytu Divestiture

Overview of Sale of Pediatric Portfolio and Related Commercial Infrastructure to Aytu BioScience

InOn November 1, 2019, the Company closed on an asset purchase agreement to sell the Company’s rights, title and interest in assets relating to certain commercialized products (the “Pediatric Portfolio”) and the corresponding commercial infrastructure to Aytu BioScience, Inc. (“Aytu”). Aytu paid consideration of $4.5 million in cash and approximately 9.8 million shares of Aytu convertible preferred stock, and assumed certain of the Company’s liabilities, including the Company’s payment obligations to Deerfield CSF, LLC (“Deerfield”) and certain other liabilities primarily related to contingent consideration and sales returns. Steve Boyd, Chief Investment Officerchief investment officer of Armistice Capital, LLC, a significant stockholder of the Company servesand a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, served on each company’s board of directors.

Cerecor retains all rights to Millipred®. Pursuant to a transition services agreement entered intoAytu’s Board from March 2019 until August 30, 2021. The transactions and agreements between Aytu and Cerecor upon the divestiture close date, Aytu managed Millipred® commercial operations for 18 months (post November 1, 2019). In May 2021, the Company entered into an amended transition services agreementand Aytu were approved in which Aytu will continue to manage Millipred®’s commercial operations for an additional two months.accordance with the Company’s related party transaction policy.

Upon the sale of the Pediatric Portfolio to Aytu, the Pediatric Portfolio met all conditions to be classified as discontinued operations. Therefore, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 and 2020 and as of December 31, 2020 reflect the operations, net of taxes, and related assets and liabilities of the Pediatric Portfolio as discontinued operations. Refer to the “Discontinued Operations” section below for more information, including Cerecor’sAvalo’s continuing involvement.involvement, which the Company expects to end in the second quarter of 2022.

Avalo retained all rights to Millipred®, which the Company considers a non-core asset. Aytu managed Millipred® commercial operations until June 30, 2021 pursuant to transition service agreements entered into between Aytu and Avalo, which included Aytu collecting cash on behalf of Avalo for sales of Millipred® until the second quarter of 2020. In the third quarter of 2021, Avalo finalized its trade and distribution channel to allow it to control third party distribution and began managing Millipred® commercial operations at that time. The Company agreed to postpone receipt of $2.0 million from Aytu in order to better facilitate the transition of commercial operations from Aytu. $1.0 million of the postponement will become due in December 2022 and the remainder in December 2024. The Company recognized the $2.0 million as an other long-term asset on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2021.

Deerfield Guarantee

As of the closing date of the Aytu Divestiture on November 1, 2019, Aytu assumed the Company’s debt obligation to Deerfield andwhich included monthly payments of $0.1 million through January 2021, with a balloon payment of $15.0 million that was to be due in January 2021. Aytu also assumed the contingent consideration liability related to future royalties on Avadel Pharmaceuticals PLC’s (“Avadel”) pediatric products.products, which included minimum monthly payments of $0.1 million through February 2026. In conjunction with the closing of this transaction, the Company entered into a guarantee in favor of Deerfield, which guarantees the payment of the assumed liabilities to Deerfield, which included the debt obligation and includes the contingent consideration related to future royalties on Avadel’s pediatric products (collectively referred to as the “Guarantee”).

Aytu publicly reported that it had paid the $15.0 million balloon payment to Deerfield before it came due in June 2020 and the fixed monthly payments to Deerfield ended in January 2021, thus satisfying the debt obligation. OfAytu publicly reported that it had entered into a Waiver, Release and Consent in June 2021, pursuant to which it paid $2.8 million to Deerfield in early satisfaction of the remaining contingent consideration
9


Table related to future royalties on Avadel’s pediatric products. Aytu agreed to pay the remaining fixed obligation of Contents$3.0 million in 6 equal quarterly payments of $0.5 million over the next 6 quarters commencing September 1, 2021.


$3.2 million was paid to Deerfield prior to the Aytu Divestiture and therefore, as of November 1, 2019, Aytu was responsible for the remaining $9.3 million. Aytu is required to pay an amount equal to at least $0.1 million per month. Cerecor’s Guarantee will end upon the earlier of (i) February 5, 2026, or (ii) upon $12.5 million in aggregate deferred payments has been paid to Deerfield. CerecorAvalo is required to make a payment under the Guarantee upon demand by Deerfield if all or any part of the fixed payments and/or deferred payments are not paid by Aytu when due or upon breach of a covenant. The remaining minimum commitments payable as(as most recently publicly reported by AytuAytu) was $7.3$3.0 million as of June 30, 2020,2021, which represents Cerecor’sAvalo’s estimated maximum potential future payments under the Guarantee.

The fair value of the Guarantee, which relates to the Company’s obligation to make future payments if Aytu defaults, was determined at the time of the Aytu Divestiture as the difference between (i) the estimated fair value of the assumed payments using Cerecor’sAvalo’s estimated cost of debt and (ii) the estimated fair value of the assumed payments using Aytu’s estimated cost of debt. Subsequent to the closeAt each
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Table of the Aytu Divestiture, at eachContents




subsequent reporting period, the value of the Guarantee is determined based on the expected credit loss of the Guarantee with changes recorded in (loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax within the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. We considered key driversThe Company concluded that the expected credit loss of costthe Guarantee was de minimis as of debt both at Aytu and Cerecor, including but not limited to,September 30, 2021 based on considerations such as recent financings, cash position, operating cash flows and trends and Aytu’s ability to meet its financial commitments. Based on these facts, the Company concluded that the expected credit loss of the Guarantee was de minimis as of March 31, 2021.

Discontinued Operations

The following tables summarizes the liabilities of the discontinued operations as of March 31,September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in thousands):
March 31,December 31, September 30,December 31,
20212020 20212020
LiabilitiesLiabilities  Liabilities  
Current liabilities:Current liabilities:Current liabilities:
Accrued expenses and other current liabilitiesAccrued expenses and other current liabilities$209 $1,342 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities$10 $1,341 
Total current liabilities of discontinued operationsTotal current liabilities of discontinued operations$209 $1,342 Total current liabilities of discontinued operations$10 $1,341 
    
Aytu assumed sales returns of the Pediatric Portfolio made after the closingtransaction close date of November 1, 2019 related to sales prior to November 1, 2019 only to the extent such post-Closing sales returns exceed $2.0 million and are less than $2.8 million (in other words, Aytu will only assume $0.8 million of such returns). Therefore, CerecorAvalo is liable for future sales returns of the Pediatric Portfolio sold prior to November 1, 2019the transaction close date in excess of the $0.8 million assumed by Aytu. As of March 31, 2021, theThe Company estimated future returns on sales of the Pediatric Portfolio made prior to the transaction close date to be $0.2 million,as of September 30, 2021, which was recognized within accrued expenses and other current liabilities from discontinued operations.operations (and shown in the table above).

Changes into the Company’s estimate of sales returns related to the Pediatric Portfolio is included within discontinued operations on the statement of operations and comprehensive loss and is shown within product revenue, net in the table summarizing the results of discontinued operations below. In future periods, as additional information becomes available, the Company expects to recognize expense (or a benefit) related to actual sales returns of the Pediatric Portfolio in excess (or less than) the returns reserve recorded, which will be recognized within discontinued operations. The Company expects this involvement to continue until sales returns are no longer accepted on sales of the Pediatric Portfolio made prior to November 1, 2019, which in line with the products’ return policies, returns on2019. Returns of these products may be accepted through the second quarter of 2022.2022 (in line with the products’ return policies).

The following table summarizes the results of discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2021202020212020
Product revenue, net$76 $(198)$139 $(1,370)
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing— — 101 — 
Total operating expenses— — 101 — 
Other income:
Change in value of Guarantee— — — 1,755 
Total other income— — — 1,755 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax$76 $(198)$38 $385 

There were no non-cash operating items from discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and no non-cash investing items from the discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 31, 2021 and 2020. The significant non-cash operating item from the discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 is contained below (in thousands).
10
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 Three Months Ended March 31,
 20212020
Product revenue, net$(5)$(717)
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing101 
Total operating expenses101 
Other income:
Change in value of Guarantee1,755 
Total other income1,755 
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax$(106)$1,038 

There were no non-cash operating items from discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and no non-cash investing items from the discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. The significant non-cash operating item from the discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 is contained below (in thousands).
 Three Months Ended March 31,
 20212020
Change in value of Guarantee$(1,755)

4. Revenue

The Company generates substantially all of its revenue from sales of Millipred®, an oral prednisolone indicated across a wide variety of inflammatory conditions, which is considered a prescription drug. The Company sells its prescription drug in the United States primarily through wholesale distributors and specialty contracted pharmacies. Wholesale distributors account for substantially all of the Company’s net product revenues and trade receivables. The Company also earns revenue from sales of its prescription drug directly to retail pharmacies. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company’s three largest customers accounted for approximately 67%, 18%, and 15% of the Company’s total net product revenues from sale of prescription drugs from continuing operations.

The Company has a license and supply agreement for the Millipred® product with a wholly owned subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (“Teva”), which expires on September 30, 2023. As part of a prior amendment to extend the contract to its current term, Cerecor agreed to pay Teva 50 percent of the net profit of the Millipred® product following each calendar quarter, subject to a $0.5 million quarterly minimum payment, which was set to begin on April 1, 2021. In May 2021, the Company and Teva entered into an amendment in which the net profit split will be delayed until July 1, 2021. Dr. Sol Barer is the Chairman of Cerecor’s board of directors and also serves as the Chairman of Teva’s board of directors.

Revenue from sales of prescription drugs was $0.5 million and $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. During the first quarter of 2021, the Company’s inventory on hand became short-dated (which the Company considers inventory within six months of expiration) due to manufacturing delays. The Company recorded a full allowance of $2.9 million for returns on the sale of short-dated inventory given the high likelihood of return. The Company received the delayed inventory lot in April 2021.
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20212020
Change in value of Guarantee— $(1,755)

5. Net Loss Per Share

The Company computes earnings per share (“EPS”) using the two-class method. The two-class method of computing EPS is an earnings allocation formula that determines EPS for common stock and any participating securities according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings.

The Company hashad 2 classes of stock outstanding during the nine months ended September 30, 2021; common stock and preferred stock. The preferred stock outstanding as of March 31, 2021 hasduring the period had the same rights and preferences as the Company’s common stock, other than being non-voting, and is convertible into sharesshare of common stock on a 1-for-5 ratio. In April 2021, Armistice, which is a significant stockholder of the Company and whose chief investment officer, Steven Boyd, and managing director, Keith Maher, serve on the Board of the Company, converted the remaining 1,257,143 shares of convertible preferred stock into 6,285,715 shares of Avalo’s common stock (refer to Note 11 for more information). Therefore, the Company had only common stock outstanding during the three months ended September 30, 2021. Under the two-class method, the convertible preferred stock iswas considered a separate class of stock until the time it was converted to common shares for EPS purposes and therefore basic and diluted EPS is provided below for both common stock and preferred stock. In April 2021, Armistice Capital Master Fund Ltd. (an affiliate of Armistice Capital, LLCstock for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and collectively “Armistice”), which is a significant
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stockholder of the Companynine months ended September 30, 2020 and whose chief investment officer, Steven Boyd, currently serves on the Board, converted the remaining 1,257,143 shares of convertible preferred stock into 6,285,715 shares of Cerecor’s common stock. Refer to Note 9 for more information.2021.

EPS for common stock and EPS for preferred stock is computed by dividing the sum of distributed earnings and undistributed earnings for each class of stock by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for each class of stock for the period. In applying the two-class method, undistributed earnings are allocated to common stock and preferred stock based on the weighted average shares outstanding during the period, which assumes the convertible preferred stock has been converted to common stock. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding as of March 31,September 30, 2021 includes the weighted average effect of the pre-funded warrants issued in connection with the January 2021 underwritten public offering that closed in January 2021, the exercise of which requires nominal consideration for the delivery of the shares of common stock (refer to Note 911 for more information).

Diluted net (loss) income per share includes the potential dilutive effect of common stock equivalents as if such securities were converted or exercised during the period, when the effect is dilutive. Common stock equivalents include: (i) outstanding stock options and restricted stock units, which are included under the “treasury stock method” when dilutive; and (ii) common stock to be issued upon the exercise of outstanding warrants, which are included under the “treasury stock method” when dilutive. Because the impact of these items is generally anti-dilutive during periods of net loss, there is no difference between basic and diluted loss per common share for periods with net losses. In periods of net loss, losses are allocated to the participating security only if the security has not only the right to participate in earnings, but also a contractual obligation to share in the Company’s losses.

The following table setstables set forth the computation of basic and diluted net (loss) income per share of common stock and preferred stock for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands, except share and per share amounts): 

Three Months EndedThree Months Ended
March 31, 2021 September 30, 2021
Common stockPreferred stockCommon stock
Continuing OperationsDiscontinued OperationsContinuing OperationsDiscontinued OperationsContinuing OperationsDiscontinued Operations
Numerator:Numerator:Numerator:
Allocation of undistributed net lossAllocation of undistributed net loss$(28,548)$(99)$(2,026)$(7)Allocation of undistributed net loss$(17,471)$76 
Denominator:Denominator:Denominator:
Weighted average sharesWeighted average shares88,576,559 88,576,559 1,257,143 1,257,143 Weighted average shares100,490,389 100,490,389 
Basic and diluted net loss per shareBasic and diluted net loss per share$(0.32)$(0.00)$(1.61)$(0.01)Basic and diluted net loss per share$(0.17)$0.00 

Three Months Ended
 March 31, 2020
Common stockPreferred stock
Continuing OperationsDiscontinued OperationsContinuing OperationsDiscontinued Operations
Numerator:
Allocation of undistributed net loss$(19,205)$900 $(2,950)$138 
Denominator:
Weighted average shares53,934,760 53,934,760 1,657,143 1,657,143 
Basic and diluted net loss per share$(0.36)$0.02 $(1.78)$0.08 

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Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 2021
Common stockPreferred stock
Continuing OperationsDiscontinued OperationsContinuing OperationsDiscontinued Operations
Numerator:
Allocation of undistributed net loss$(63,602)$37 $(1,616)$
Denominator:
Weighted average shares95,125,817 95,125,817 483,517 483,517 
Basic and diluted net loss per share$(0.67)$0.00 $(3.34)$0.00 

Three Months Ended
 September 30, 2020
Common stockPreferred stock
Continuing OperationsDiscontinued OperationsContinuing OperationsDiscontinued Operations
Numerator:
Allocation of undistributed net loss$(12,234)$(183)$(1,027)$(15)
Denominator:
Weighted average shares74,900,047 74,900,047 1,257,143 1,257,143 
Basic and diluted net loss per share$(0.16)$(0.01)$(0.82)$(0.01)


Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 2020
Common stockPreferred stock
Continuing OperationsDiscontinued OperationsContinuing OperationsDiscontinued Operations
Numerator:
Allocation of undistributed net loss$(43,511)$347 $(4,731)$38 
Denominator:
Weighted average shares63,920,795 63,920,795 1,389,990 1,389,990 
Basic and diluted net loss per share$(0.68)$0.00 $(3.40)$0.02 

The following outstanding securities have been excluded from the computation of diluted weighted shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 and 2020, as they could have been anti-dilutive: 
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Three Months Ended Three and Nine Months Ended
March 31,September 30,
20212020 20212020
Stock optionsStock options12,944,8917,712,680Stock options13,473,4129,548,262
Warrants on common stock1
Warrants on common stock1
4,002,3804,024,708
Warrants on common stock1
4,406,2244,024,708
Restricted Stock UnitsRestricted Stock Units155,833267,500Restricted Stock Units77,916155,833
Underwriters’ unit purchase option040,000
1 The above table excludes 1,676,923 pre-funded warrants.warrants for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021. See the “Q1 2021 Financing” in Note 911 for more information.

6. Asset Acquisition

Aevi Merger

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In the first quarter of 2020, the Company consummated its merger with Aevi Genomic Medicine Inc. (“Aevi”), in which CerecorAvalo acquired the rights to CERC-002, CERC-006AVTX-002, AVTX-006 and CERC-007AVTX-007 (the “Merger” or the “Aevi Merger”).

The Merger consideration included (i) stock valued at approximately $15.5 million, resulting in the issuance of approximately 3.9 million shares of CerecorAvalo common stock to Aevi stockholders, (ii) forgiveness of $4.1 million the Company had loaned Aevi prior to the Merger closing, (iii) contingent value rights for up to an additional $6.5 million in subsequent payments based on certain development milestones (discussed further in Note 13)14), and (iv) transaction costs of $1.5 million.

The Company recorded this transaction as an asset purchase as opposed to a business combination because management concluded that substantially all the value received was related to one group of similar identifiable assets, which was the in-process research and development (“IPR&D”) for two early phase therapies. The Company considered these pipeline assets similar due to similarities in the risks of development, stage of development, regulatory pathway, patient populations and economics of commercialization. The fair value of $25.5 million (consisting primarily of $24.0 million IPR&D, $0.3 million of cash and $0.9 million of assembled workforce) was immediately recognized as acquired in-process research and development expense in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss because the IPR&D asset has no alternate use due to the stage of development. The assembled workforce asset was recorded to intangible assets and will be amortized over an estimated useful life of two years.

7. Fair Value Measurements
 
ASC No. 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”), defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value standard also establishes a three‑level hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability on the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:
Level 1—inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for an identical asset or liability in an active market.
Level 2—inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for a similar asset or liability in an active market or model‑derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. 
Level 3—inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability.
 
The following table presents, for each of the fair value hierarchy levels required under ASC 820, the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands): 
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September 30, 2021
Fair Value Measurements Using
Quoted prices inSignificant otherSignificant
active markets forobservableunobservable
identical assetsinputsinputs
(Level 1)(Level 2)(Level 3)
Assets
Investments in money market funds*$70,366 $— $— 


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 March 31, 2021
 Fair Value Measurements Using
 Quoted prices inSignificant otherSignificant
 active markets forobservableunobservable
 identical assetsinputsinputs
 (Level 1)(Level 2)(Level 3)
Assets            
Investments in money market funds*$37,008 $$
 December 31, 2020
 Fair Value Measurements Using
 Quoted prices inSignificant otherSignificant
 active markets forobservableunobservable
 identical assetsinputsinputs
 (Level 1)(Level 2)(Level 3)
Assets            
Investments in money market funds*$17,503 $$
December 31, 2020
Fair Value Measurements Using
Quoted prices inSignificant otherSignificant
active markets forobservableunobservable
identical assetsinputsinputs
(Level 1)(Level 2)(Level 3)
Assets
Investments in money market funds*$17,503 $— $— 

*Investments in money market funds are reflected in cash and cash equivalents on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
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As of March 31,September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company’s financial instruments included cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, other receivables, prepaid and other current assets, accounts payable, and accrued expenses and other current liabilities.liabilities, and long-term debt. The carrying amounts reported in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, other receivables, prepaid and other current assets, accounts payable, and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate their respective fair values because of the short-term nature of these accounts. The estimated fair value of the Company’s debt approximates its carrying value as of September 30, 2021 and is in Level Two of the fair value hierarchy (refer to Note 10 for more information).

NaNNo changes in valuation techniques or inputs occurred during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 and 2020. NaNNo transfers of assets between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value measurement hierarchy occurred during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 and 2020.

8. Leases

The Company currently occupies 2 leased properties, both of which serve as administrative office space. The Company determined that both of these leases are operating leases based on the lease classification test performed at lease commencement.

The annual base rent for the Company’s office located in Rockville, Maryland is $0.2 million, subject to annual 2.5% increases over the term of the lease. The applicable lease provided for a rent abatement for a period of 12 months following the Company’s date of occupancy. The lease has an initial term of 10 years from the date the Company makes its first annual fixed rent payment, which occurred in January 2020. The Company has the option to extend the lease 2 times, each for a period of five years, and may terminate the lease as of the sixth anniversary of the first annual fixed rent payment, upon the payment of a termination fee. As of the lease commencement date, it was not reasonably certain that the Company will exercise the renewal periods or early terminate the lease and therefore the end date of the lease for accounting purposes is January 31, 2030.

The Company entered into a sublease for additional administrative office space in Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania in May 2020 (the “Chesterbrook Lease”). The annual base rent under the Chesterbrook Lease is $0.3 million. The lease expires on November 30, 2021.

In anticipation of the expiry of the Chesterbrook Lease on November 30, 2021, in September 2021, the Company entered into a lease for administrative office space in Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania that commences on December 1, 2021 (the “New Chesterbrook Lease”). The New Chesterbrook Lease has an initial term of 5.25 years from the lease commencement date. The initial annual base rent under the New Chesterbrook Lease is approximately $0.2 million. The Company will evaluate the accounting impact in the fourth quarter of 2021, including the lease classification test and the recognition of the lease right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and corresponding lease liability as of the lease commencement date on December 1, 2021. Therefore, the information contained below excludes the New Chesterbrook Lease.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to the leased properties (excluding the New Chesterbrook Lease) is as follows (in thousands):
 As of
 September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Property and equipment, net$698 $917 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities$219 $426 
Other long-term liabilities977 1,038 
Total operating lease liabilities$1,196 $1,464 
The operating lease ROU assets are included in property and equipment and the lease liabilities are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company utilized a weighted average discount rate of 7.6% to determine the present value of the lease payments. The weighted average remaining term of the operating leases at September 30, 2021 was 8.0 years.

The components of lease expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 were as follows (in thousands):
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 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
2021202020212020
Operating lease cost*$97 $102 $287 $244 
*Includes short-term leases, which are immaterial.

The following table shows a maturity analysis of the operating lease liabilities as of September 30, 20211 (in thousands):
 
 Undiscounted Cash Flows
October 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021$89 
2022174 
2023178 
2024183 
2025187 
2026192 
Thereafter621 
Total lease payments$1,624 
Less implied interest(428)
Total$1,196 

1The New Chesterbrook Lease is not included in the table above given its lease commencement date for accounting purposes is December 1, 2021. The New Chesterbrook lease has an initial lease term of 5.25 years from the lease commencement date and annual base rent is approximately $0.2 million.

9. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities as of March 31,September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 consisted of the following (in thousands): 
As of As of
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020 September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Research and developmentResearch and development$7,393 $4,939 Research and development$7,425 $4,939 
Compensation and benefitsCompensation and benefits1,697 3,119 Compensation and benefits3,436 3,119 
General and administrativeGeneral and administrative966 771 General and administrative1,364 771 
Sales and marketingSales and marketing93 31 Sales and marketing360 31 
Sales returns and allowances3,630 1,794 
Medicaid rebates83 119 
Commercial operationsCommercial operations1,993 1,913 
Royalty paymentRoyalty payment653 — 
Lease liability, currentLease liability, current357 426 Lease liability, current219 426 
OtherOther19 111 Other10 111 
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilitiesTotal accrued expenses and other current liabilities$14,238 $11,310 Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities$15,460 $11,310 

The $2.5 million increase in the research and development accrual as of March 31, 2021 was driven by an increase in manufacturing activities for CERC-002 to support the program’s clinical development.
10. Notes Payable

DuringOverview

On June 4, 2021, the firstCompany entered into a $35.0 million Loan Agreement with Horizon Technology Finance Corporation (“Horizon”) and Powerscourt Investments XXV, LP (“Powerscourt”, together with Horizon, the “Lenders”). In accordance with the Loan Agreement, $20.0 million of the $35.0 million was funded on the closing date (the “Initial Note”), with the remaining $15.0 million fundable upon the Company achieving certain predetermined milestones, which the Company met in the third quarter of 2021. On July 30, 2021, after achieving the Company’s inventory on hand became short-dated (whichpredetermined milestones, the Company considers inventory within six months of expiration) due to manufacturing delays. The Company records a full allowance for the returns on the sale of short-dated inventory given the high likelihood of return,borrowed $10.0 million, which was evidenced by a second note payable (the “Second Note”). On September 29, 2021, after achieving the main driver ofpredetermined milestones, the increase in sales returnsCompany borrowed the remaining $5.0 million, which was evidenced by a third note payable (the “Third Note”, and allowances as of March 31, 2021.collectively with the Initial and Second Notes, the “Notes”).

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Each advance under the Loan Agreement will mature 42 months from the first day of the month following the funding of the advance. Each advance accrues interest at a per annum rate of interest equal to 6.25% plus the prime rate, as reported in the Wall Street Journal (subject to a floor of 3.25%). The Loan Agreement provides for interest-only payments for each advance for the first 18 months, however the interest-only period was extended to 24 months as a result of the Company satisfying the Interest Only Extension Milestone (as defined in the Loan Agreement) in the third quarter of 2021. Thereafter, amortization payments will be payable in monthly installments of principal and interest through each advance’s maturity date. Upon 10 business days’ prior written notice, the Company may prepay all of the outstanding advances by paying the entire principal balance and all accrued and unpaid interest, subject to prepayment charges of up to 3% of the then outstanding principal balance. Upon the earlier of (i) payment in full of the principal balance, (ii) an event of default, or (iii) the maturity date, the Company will pay an additional final payment of 3% of the principal loan amount to the Lenders.

Each advance of the loan is secured by a lien on substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than Intellectual Property and Excluded Collateral (in each case as defined in the Loan Agreement), and contains customary covenants and representations, including a financial reporting covenant and limitations on dividends, indebtedness, collateral, investments, distributions, transfers, mergers or acquisitions taxes, corporate changes, deposit accounts, and subsidiaries.

The events of default under the Loan Agreement include but are not limited to, failing to make a payment, breach of covenant, or occurrence of a material adverse change. If an event of default occurs, the Lenders are entitled to accelerate the loan amounts due, or take other enforcement actions. As of the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company was not aware of any breach of covenants nor received any notice of event of default from the Lenders.

On June 4, 2021, pursuant to the Loan Agreement, the Company issued warrants to the Lenders to purchase 403,844 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $2.60 (the “Warrants”). The Warrants are exercisable for ten years from the date of issuance. The Lenders may exercise the Warrants either by (a) cash or check or (b) through a net issuance conversion. The Warrants, which met equity classification, were recognized as a component of permanent stockholders’ equity within additional paid-in-capital and were recorded at the issuance date using a relative fair value allocation method. The Company valued the Warrants at issuance, which resulted in a discount on the debt, and allocated the proceeds from the loan proportionately to the Notes and to the Warrants, of which $0.9 million was allocated to the Warrants.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company incurred $2.1 million in debt issuance costs, including legal fees in connection with the Loan Agreement, fees paid directly to the lender, and other direct costs, of which $1.7 million were paid in the third quarter of 2021. All fees, warrants, and costs paid to the Lenders and all direct costs incurred by the Company are recognized as a debt discount and are amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the loan. The Company did not incur any debt issuance costs for the three months ended September 30, 2021.

The effective interest rate of the Notes, including the accretion of the final payment, was 13.5% as of September 30, 2021.

Balance sheet information related to the note payable for the Notes is as follows (in thousands):
As of
September 30, 2021December 31, 2020Maturity
Initial Note20,600 — January 2025
Second Note10,300 — February 2025
Third Note5,150 — April 2025
Notes payable, gross1
36,050 — 
Less: Unamortized debt discount and issuance costs3,567 — 
Carrying value of notes payable, non-current$32,483 $— 

1 Balance includes $1.1 million final payment fee for the Notes, which represents 3% of the principal loan amount.

As of September 30, 2021, the estimated future principal payments due on the Notes were as follows (in thousands):

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 As of September 30, 2021
2021$— 
2022— 
202310,278 
202423,333 
20252,439 
Total principal payments1
$36,050 

1 Balance includes $1.1 million final payment fee, which represents 3% of the principal loan amount.


9.11. Capital Structure
 
Pursuant to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the Company is authorized to issue 2 classes of stock, common stock and preferred stock. At March 31,September 30, 2021, the total number of shares of capital stock the Company was authorized to issue was 205,000,000 of which 200,000,000 was common stock and 5,000,000 was preferred stock. All shares of common and preferred stock have a par value of $0.001 per share.

Common Stock

Q1Q3 2021 Financing

In JanuaryOn September 17, 2021, the Company closed an underwritten public offering of 13,971,88914,308,878 shares of its common stock and 1,676,923 pre-funded warrants for net proceeds of $37.7$29.0 million. Armistice, which is a significant stockholder of the Company and whose chief investment officer, Steven Boyd, and managing director, Keith Maher, currently servesserve on the Board of the Company, participated in the offering by purchasing 2,500,0005,454,545 shares of common stock, on the same terms as all other investors. Certain affiliates of Nantahala Capital Management LLC (collectively, “Nantahala”), which beneficially owned greater than 5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock at the time of the offering, participated in the offering on the same terms as all other investors.

At-the-Market Offering Program

In July 2021, the Company entered into an “at-the-market” sales agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. and therefore, were considered a related partyRBC Capital Markets, LLC (together, the “Agents”), pursuant to which the Company may sell from time to time, shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $50.0 million through the Agents. In August 2021, the Company sold 2.0 million shares of common stock under the ATM Program for net proceeds of approximately $5.3 million.

Q2 2021 Debt Financing Agreement

As part of the Loan Agreement entered into in the second quarter of 2021, on June 4, 2021, the Company issued warrants to Horizon and Powerscourt to purchase 403,844 shares of the Company’s written related person transaction policy, purchasedcommon stock with an exercise price of $2.60. The warrants are exercisable for ten years from the date of issuance. Refer to Note 10 for additional information.

Q1 2021 Financing

In January 2021, the Company closed an underwritten public offering of 13,971,889 shares of its common stock and 1,676,923 pre-funded warrants for net proceeds of $37.7 million. Armistice participated in the offering by purchasing 2,500,000 shares of common stock, on the same terms as all other investors. Nantahala participated in the offering by purchasing 1,400,000 shares of common stock, on the same terms as all other investors.

Nantahala also purchased the pre-funded warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,676,923 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $2.599, which represents the per share public offering price for the common stock less the $0.001 per share exercise price for each pre-funded warrant.

The pre-funded warrants are exercisable at any time after their original issuance at the option of each holder, in such holder’s discretion, by (i) payment in full in immediately available funds for the number of shares of common stock purchased upon such exercise or (ii) a cashless exercise, in which case the holder would receive upon such exercise the net number of shares of common
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stock determined according to the formula set forth in the pre-funded warrant. A holder will not be entitled to exercise any portion of any pre-funded warrant if the holder’s ownership of the Company’s common stock would exceed 9.99% following such exercise.

In the event of certain fundamental transactions, the holders of the pre-funded warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants the kind of amounts of securities, cash or other property that the holders would have received had they exercised the pre-funded warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction without regard to any limitations on exercise contained in the pre-funded warrants.

The pre-funded warrants were classified as a component of permanent stockholders’ equity within additional paid-in capital and were recorded at the issuance date using a relative fair value allocation method. The pre-funded warrants are equity classified because they (i) are freestanding financial instruments that are legally detachable and separately exercisable from the equity instruments, (ii) are immediately exercisable, (iii) do not embody an obligation for the Company to repurchase its shares, (iv) permit the holders to receive a fixed number of shares of common stock upon exercise, (v) are indexed to the Company’s common stock and (vi) meet the equity classification criteria. In addition, such pre-funded warrants do not provide any guarantee of value or return. The Company valued the pre-funded warrants at issuance, concluding that their sales price approximated their fair value, and allocated net proceeds from the sale proportionately to the common stock and pre-funded warrants, of which $4.4 million was allocated to the pre-funded warrants and recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital.

2020 Financings

On June 11, 2020, the Company closed an underwritten public offering of 15,180,000 shares of its common stock for net proceeds of approximately $35.4 million. Armistice participated in the offering by purchasing 2,000,000 shares of common stock, on the same terms as all other investors. Additionally, certain of the Company’s officers participated in the offering by purchasing an aggregate of 110,000 shares of common stock, on the same terms as all other investors.

On March 17, 2020, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Armistice pursuant to which the Company sold 1,951,219 shares of the Company’s common stock for net proceeds of approximately $3.9 million.
    
On February 6, 2020, the Company closed a registered direct offering with certain institutional investors for the sale by the Company of 1,306,282 shares of the Company’s common stock for net proceeds of approximately $5.1 million. Armistice participated in the offering by purchasing 1,256,282 shares of common stock from the Company, on the same terms as all other investors.
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Aevi Merger

On February 3, 2020, under the terms of the Aevi Merger noted above in Note 6, the Company issued approximately 3.9 million shares of common stock.

Common Stock Warrants
 
At March 31,September 30, 2021, the following common stock warrants were outstanding: 
Number of sharesExercise priceExpiration
Number of common sharesNumber of common sharesExercise priceExpiration
underlying warrantsunderlying warrantsper sharedateunderlying warrantsper sharedate
2,3802,380$8.68 May 20222,380$8.68 May 2022
4,000,0004,000,000$12.50 June 20244,000,000$12.50 June 2024
1,676,9231,676,923$0.001 1,676,923$0.001 
5,679,303  
403,844403,844$2.60 June 2031
6,083,1476,083,147  

Convertible Preferred Stock

On December 26, 2018, the Company filed a Certificate of Designation of Preferences of Series B Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B Convertible Preferred Stock” or “convertible preferred stock”) of CerecorAvalo Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Certificate of Designation of the Series B Preferred Stock”) classifying and designating the rights, preferences and privileges of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. The Certificate of Designation of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock authorized 2,857,143 shares of convertible preferred stock. The Series B Convertible Preferred Stock convertsconverted to shares of common stock on a 1-for-5 ratio and has the same rights, preferences, and privileges as common stock other than it holdsheld no voting rights. During the first quarter of 2020,
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the holder of the Series B Preferred Stock, Armistice, converted 1,600,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stockthe convertible preferred stock into 8,000,000 shares of Cerecor’sAvalo’s common stock. In April 2021, Armistice converted the remaining 1,257,143 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock into 6,285,715 shares of Cerecor’sAvalo’s common stock.

December 2018 Armistice Private Placement

On December 27, 2018, As of September 30, 2021, the Company entered into a series of transactions as part of a private placement with Armistice. The transactions were considered one transaction for accounting purposes. As part of the transaction, the Company exchanged common stock warrants issued on April 27, 2017 to Armistice for the purchase of up to 14,285,714 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.40 per share (the “original warrants”) for like-kind warrants to purchase up to 2,857,143 shares of the Company’s Series B Convertible Preferred Stock with an exercise price of $2.00 per share (the “exchanged warrants”). Armistice immediately exercised the exchanged warrants and acquired an aggregate of 2,857,143 shares of the convertiblehad no preferred stock which it has since converted into 14,285,715 shares of Cerecor common stock. Net proceeds of the transaction were approximately $5.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. In order to provide Armistice an incentive to exercise the exchanged warrants, the Company also entered into a securities purchase agreement with Armistice in December 2018 pursuant to which the Company issued warrants for 4,000,000 shares of common stock of the Company with a term of 5.5 years and an exercise price of $12.50 per share (the “incentive warrants”).outstanding.

10.12. Stock-Based Compensation

2016 Equity Incentive Plan

On April 5, 2016, the Company’s board of directors adopted the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”) as the successor to the 2015 Omnibus Plan (the “2015 Plan”). The 2016 Plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders and became effective on May 18, 2016 (the “2016 Plan Effective Date”). Upon the 2016 Plan Effective Date, the 2016 Plan reserved and authorized up to 600,000 additional shares of common stock for issuance, as well as 464,476 unallocated shares remaining available for grant of new awards under the 2015 Plan. An Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Amended Plan”) was approved by the Company’s stockholders in May 2018, which increased the share reserve by an additional 1.4 million shares. A Second Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Second Amended Plan”) was approved by the Company’s stockholders in August 2019, which increased the share reserve by an additional 850,000 shares. A Third Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Third Amended Plan”) was approved by the Company’s stockholders in June 2020 which increased the share reserve by an additional 2,014,400 shares. During the term of the 2016 Third Amended Plan, the share reserve will automatically increase on the first trading day in January of each calendar year ending on (and including) January 1, 2026, by an amount equal to 4% of the total number of outstanding shares of common
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stock of the Company on the last trading day in December of the prior calendar year. As of March 31,September 30, 2021, there were 2,728,7711,748,433 shares available for future issuance under the 2016 Third Amended Plan.

Option grants expire after ten years. Employee options typically vest over three or four years. Employees typically receive a new hire option grant, as well as an annual grant in the first or second quarter of each year. Options granted to directors typically vest either immediately or over a period of one or three years. Directors may elect to receive stock options in lieu of board compensation, which vest immediately. For stock options granted to employees and non-employee directors, the estimated grant date fair market value of the Company’s stock-based awards is amortized ratably over the individuals’ service periods, which is the period in which the awards vest. Stock-based compensation expense includes expense related to stock options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchase plan shares. The amount of stock-based compensation expense recognized for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 and 2020 was as follows (in thousands): 
Three Months Ended March 31, Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
20212020 2021202020212020
Research and developmentResearch and development$298 $382 Research and development$480 $384 $1,244 $1,156 
General and administrativeGeneral and administrative1,045 680 General and administrative1,171 972 4,720 3,959 
Sales and marketingSales and marketing105 55 Sales and marketing107 92 316 234 
Total stock-based compensationTotal stock-based compensation$1,448 $1,117 Total stock-based compensation$1,758 $1,448 $6,280 $5,349 

In June 2021, the Company’s former Chairman of the Board resigned from the Board. The Company and the former Chairman subsequently entered into an agreement for him to serve as a strategic advisor to the Board and the Company, including serving on the Company’s Scientific Advisory Board, for a period of at least one year. As consideration for these services, the Company modified his outstanding stock option awards to allow them to continue to vest during the term during which he serves as a strategic advisor. Additionally, any option award previously granted was amended to extend the exercisability period. As a result of the modification, the Company recognized $1.4 million of compensation cost, $1.0 million of which related to options with market-based vesting conditions (which were fully vested prior to the modification) and $0.4 million of which related to options with service-based vesting conditions in the second quarter of 2021. This expense was recognized in general and administrative expenses. At September 30, 2021, there was $0.2 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to the modification of service-based options that will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.7 years.

Stock options with service-based vesting conditions

The Company has granted awards that contain service-based vesting conditions. The compensation cost for these options is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting periods. A summary of option activity for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 is as follows:
 Options Outstanding
 Number of sharesWeighted average exercise price per shareWeighted average grant date fair value per shareWeighted average remaining contractual term (in years)
Balance at December 31, 20208,830,674 $3.95 $2.36 7.7
Granted3,467,817 $3.35 $2.22 
Exercised(128,800)$1.34 $1.00 
Forfeited(224,800)$3.77 $2.40 
Balance at March 31, 202111,944,891 $3.81 $2.34 8.2
Exercisable at March 31, 20213,914,889 $4.39 $2.53 6.0
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 Options Outstanding
 Number of sharesWeighted average exercise price per shareWeighted average grant date fair value per shareWeighted average remaining contractual term (in years)
Balance at December 31, 20208,830,674 $3.95 $2.36 7.7
Granted5,017,690 $3.24 $2.17 
Exercised(580,617)$2.70 $1.74 
Forfeited(439,341)$3.55 $2.27 
Expired(354,994)$4.53 $2.69 
Balance at September 30, 202112,473,412 $3.72 $2.30 8.4
Exercisable at September 30, 20214,437,524 $4.20 $2.41 7.4

In March 2021, the Company granted its newly appointed Chief Financial Officer options with service-based vesting conditions to purchase 0.5 million shares of common stock as an inducement option grant, pursuant to NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). In January 2021, the Company granted 2.7 million options with service-based vesting conditions to its employees as part of its annual stock option award.

In March 2020, our Chief Executive Officer entered into an amended employment agreement in which his salary in cash was reduced to $35,568 (the “Reduction”), which represents the minimum exempt annual salary. In consideration for the Reduction, on a quarterly basis, the Company grants stock options, which vest immediately, for the purchase of a number of shares of the Company’s common stock with a total value (based on the Black-Scholes valuation methodology) based on a pro rata total annual value of the foregone salary.

The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the stock options and the fair value of the Company’s common stock for those stock options that had exercise prices lower than the fair value of the Company’s common stock. As of March 31,September 30, 2021, the aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding was $1.6$0.2 million. The aggregate intrinsic value of options currently exercisable as of March 31,September 30, 2021 was $0.7$0.2 million. There were 1,137,2392,466,684 options that vested during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 with a weighted average exercise price of $3.96$3.64 per share. The total grant date fair value of shares which vested during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 was $2.8$5.6 million.

The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $1.3$1.7 million and $5.0 million related to stock options with service-based vesting conditions for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021.September 30, 2021, respectively. At March 31,September 30, 2021, there was $16.1$14.8 million of total unrecognized
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compensation cost related to unvested service-based vesting condition awards. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.12.8 years.

Stock-based compensation assumptions

The following table shows the assumptions used to compute stock-based compensation expense for stock options with service-based vesting conditions granted under the Black-Scholes valuation model for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021:
Service-based options 
Expected annual dividend yield 0%—%
Expected stock price volatility 73.0% - 75.6%86.5%
Expected term of option (in years) 5.00.76 - 6.25
Risk-free interest rate 0.36%0.07% - 1.12%1.23%

Stock options with market-based vesting conditions

The following table summarizes the Company’s market-based option activity for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 (in thousands except, for share amounts):
 Options Outstanding
 Number of sharesWeighted average exercise price per shareWeighted average remaining contractual term (in years)Aggregate intrinsic value (1)
Balance at December 31, 20201,000,000 $3.29 9.5$65 
Granted$
Balance at March 31, 20211,000,000 $3.29 9.2$
Exercisable at March 31, 20211,000,000 $255 
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 Options Outstanding
 Number of sharesWeighted average exercise price per shareWeighted average remaining contractual term (in years)Aggregate intrinsic value (1)
Balance at December 31, 20201,000,000 $3.29 9.5$65 
Granted— $— 
Balance at September 30, 20211,000,000 $3.29 2.7$— 
Exercisable at September 30, 20211,000,000 $— 
    
(1) The aggregate intrinsic value in the above table represents the total pre-tax amount that a participant would receive if the option had been exercised on the last day of the respective fiscal period. Options with a market value less than its exercise value are not included in the intrinsic value amount.

In the second quarter of 2020, the Company granted its recently appointed Chairman of the Board an option to purchase 1,000,000 shares of Company common stock with market-based vesting conditions. 500,000 of the shares vested immediately on the date of grant with an exercise price of the closing stock price on the date of grant of $2.51. 250,000 of the shares vest upon the Company’s common stock reaching a 50% premium to the stock price on June 18, 2020 and has an exercise price of the stock at that time and 250,000 of the shares vest upon the Company’s common stock reaching a 75% premium to the stock price on June 18, 2020 and has an exercise price of the stock at that time. Each vesting tranche represents a unique requisite service period and therefore the compensation cost for each vesting tranche is recognized on a straight-line basis over its respective vesting period. The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $0.1 million related to stock options with market-based vesting conditions for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

In the first quarter of 2021, the second tranche of 250,000 shares and the third tranche of 250,000 shares both vested upon the Company’s stock price reaching a 50% and 75% premium to the stock price on June 18, 2020, respectively.

Restricted Stock Units

The Company measures the fair value of the restricted stock units using the stock price on the date of the grant. The restricted shares typically vest annually over a four-year period beginning on the first anniversary of the award. The following table summarizes the Company’s restricted stock unit (“RSU”) activity for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021:
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RSUs Outstanding RSUs Outstanding
Number of sharesWeighted average grant date fair value Number of sharesWeighted average grant date fair value
Unvested RSUs at December 31, 2020Unvested RSUs at December 31, 2020155,833 $4.91 Unvested RSUs at December 31, 2020155,833 $4.91 
VestedVested0Vested(77,917)0
Unvested RSUs at March 31, 2021155,833 $4.91 
Unvested RSUs at September 30, 2021Unvested RSUs at September 30, 202177,916 $4.91 
    
The Company recognized expense of less than $6 thousand related to RSUs for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

On April 5, 2016, the Company’s board of directors approved the 2016 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). The ESPP was approved by the Company’s stockholders and became effective on May 18, 2016 (the “ESPP Effective Date”).

Under the ESPP, eligible employees can purchase common stock through accumulated payroll deductions at such times as are established by the administrator. The ESPP is administered by the compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors. Under the ESPP, eligible employees may purchase stock at 85% of the lower of the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock (i) on the first day of an offering period or (ii) on the purchase date. Eligible employees may contribute up to 15% of their earnings during the offering period. The Company’s board of directors may establish a maximum number of shares of the Company’s common stock that may be purchased by any participant, or all participants in the aggregate, during each offering or offering period. Under the ESPP, a participant may not accrue rights to purchase more than $25,000 of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock for each calendar year in which such right is outstanding.

Upon the ESPP Effective Date, the Company reserved and authorized up to 500,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the ESPP. On January 1 of each calendar year, the aggregate number of shares that may be issued under the ESPP shall automatically increases by a number equal to the lesser of (i) 1% of the total number of shares of the Company’s capital stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year, and (ii) 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, or (iii) a number of shares of the Company’s common stock as determined by the Company’s board of directors or compensation committee. The number of shares were increased by 500,000 on January 1, 2021. As of March 31,September 30, 2021, 1,925,3081,836,622 shares remained available for issuance.

In accordance with the guidance in ASC 718-50, Employee Share Purchase Plans, the ability to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at the lower of the offering date price or the purchase date price represents an option and, therefore, the ESPP is a compensatory plan under this guidance. Accordingly, stock-based compensation expense is determined based on the option’s grant-date fair value and is recognized over the requisite service period of the option. The Company used the Black-Scholes valuation model and recognized stock-based compensation expense of $34$81 thousand and $170 thousand for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021.September 30, 2021, respectively.

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13. Income Taxes

TheFor the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized minimal income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and an income tax benefit of $2.2$0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020.and $2.6 million, respectively. The tax benefit recognized for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2020 was a result of a tax law change signed into law as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), which allowed the Company to carry back certain losses for taxes paid in fiscal year 2017. Due to2017 and thus resulted in a refund claim. The 2021 income tax benefit was a result of the full valuation allowance againstupdated estimate of interest receivable and abatement of penalties on the Company’s deferred tax assets andrefund claim, as the current year losses, minimal tax expensefinal federal refund payment was recognized forreceived from the three months ended March 31,Internal Revenue Service in 2021.

12. Leases

The Company currently occupies 2 leased properties, both of which serve as administrative office space. The Company determined that both leases are operating leases based on the lease classification test performed at lease commencement.

The annual base rent for the Company’s office located in Rockville, Maryland is $161,671, subject to annual 2.5% increases over the term of the lease. The applicable lease provided forrecognized a rent abatement for a period of 12 months following the Company’s date of occupancy. The lease has an initial term of 10 years from the date the Company makes its first annual fixed rent payment, which occurred in January 2020. The Company has the option to extend the lease 2 times, each for a period of five years, and may terminate the lease as of the sixth anniversary of the first annual fixed rent payment, upon the payment of a termination fee. As of the
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lease commencement date, it was not reasonably certain that the Company will exercise the renewal periods or early terminate the lease and therefore the end date of the lease for accounting purposes is January 31, 2030.

The Company entered into a sublease for additional administrative office space in Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania in May 2020 (the “Chesterbrook Lease”). The annual base rent under the Chesterbrook Lease is $280,185. The lease expires in November 2021.

The weighted average remaining term of the operating leases at March 31, 2021 was 7.7 years.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to the leased property is as follows (in thousands):
 As of
 March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Property and equipment, net$846 $917 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities$357 $426 
Other long-term liabilities1,018 1,038 
Total operating lease liabilities$1,375 $1,464 
The operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets are included in property and equipment and the lease liabilities are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company utilized a weighted average discount rate of 7.4% to determine the present value of the lease payments.

The components of leaseminimal income tax expense for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 and 2020 were as follows (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended March 31,
20212020
Operating lease cost*$95 $55 
*Includes short-term leases, which are immaterial.

The following table shows a maturity analysis of the operating lease liabilities as of March 31, 2021 (in thousands):
 
 Undiscounted Cash Flows
April 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021$314 
2022174 
2023178 
2024183 
2025187 
2026192 
Thereafter621 
Total lease payments$1,849 
Less implied interest(474)
Total$1,375 
2020.

13.14. Commitments and Contingencies
 
Litigation

Litigation - General
    
The Company may become party to various contractual disputes, litigation, and potential claims arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company currently does not believe that the resolution of such matters will have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations except as otherwise disclosed in this report.

Karbinal Royalty Make-Whole Provision
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In 2018, in connection with the acquisition of Avadel’s pediatric products, the Company entered into a supply and distribution agreement (the “Karbinal Agreement”) with TRIS Pharma Inc. (“TRIS”). As part of the Karbinal Agreement, the Company had an annual minimum sales commitment, which is based on a commercial year that spans from August 1 through July 31, of 70,000 units through 2033.2025. The Company was required to pay TRIS a royalty make whole payment (“Make-Whole Payments”) of $30 for each unit under the 70,000 units annual minimum sales commitment through 2033.2025. 

As a part of the Aytu Divestiture, which closed on November 1, 2019, the Company assigned all payment obligations, including the Make-Whole Payments, under the Karbinal Agreement (collectively, the “TRIS Obligations”) to Aytu. However, under the original license agreement, the Company could ultimately be liable for the TRIS Obligations to the extent Aytu fails to make the required payments. The future Make-Whole Payments to be made by Aytu are unknown as the amount owed to TRIS is dependent on the number of units sold.

Millipred License and Supply Agreement

The Company has a License and Supply Agreement for Millipred® with Watson Laboratories, Inc., which is now part of Teva. Pursuant to the License and Supply Agreement, the Company is required to make license payments of $75,000 in February and August of each year through April 2021 and purchases inventory on an ad-hoc basis.

As part of a prior amendment to extend the contract to its current term, Cerecor agreed to pay Teva 50 percent of the net profit of the Millipred® product following each calendar quarter, subject to a $0.5 million quarterly minimum payment, which was set to begin on April 1, 2021. In May 2021, the Company and Teva entered into an amendment in which the net profit split will be delayed until July 1, 2021. Dr. Sol Barer is the Chairman of Cerecor’s board of directors and also serves as the Chairman of Teva’s board of directors.

Possible Future Milestone Proceeds for Out-Licensed Compounds

CERC-611 License Assignment

In August 2019, the Company entered into an assignment of license agreement (the “Assignment Agreement”) with ES Therapeutics, LLC (“ES Therapeutics”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Armistice, which is a significant stockholder of the Company and whose chief investment officer, Steven Boyd, currently serves on the Board. Pursuant to the Assignment Agreement, the Company assigned and transferred its rights, title, interest, and obligations with respect to CERC-611 to ES Therapeutics. The Company initially licensed the compound from Eli Lilly Company (“Lilly”) in September 2016. Under the Assignment Agreement, Armistice paid the Company an upfront payment of $0.1 million. The Company recognized the payment as license and other revenue in 2019. The Assignment Agreement also provides for: (a) a $7.5 million milestone payment to the Company upon cumulative net sales of licensed products reaching $750.0 million; and (b) a $12.5 million milestone payment to the Company upon cumulative net sales of licensed products reaching $1.3 billion. The Assignment Agreement also releases the Company of obligations related to CERC-611, including the $1.3 million contingent payment to Lilly upon the first subject dosage of CERC-611 in a multiple ascending dose study and from additional potential future payments due to Lilly upon achievement of certain development and commercialization milestones.

CERC-501 Sale to Janssen

In August 2017, the Company sold its worldwide rights to CERC-501 to Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Janssen”) in exchange for initial gross proceeds of $25.0 million. There is a potential future $20.0 million regulatory milestone payment to the Company upon acceptance of an NDA for any indication. The terms of the agreement provide that Janssen will assume ongoing clinical trials and be responsible for any new development and commercialization of CERC-501.

Possible Future Milestone Payments for In-Licensed Compounds

General

The Company is a party to license and development agreements with various third parties, which contain future payment obligations such as royalties and milestone payments and other future payment obligations (discussed further below). The Company recognizes a liability (and related expense) for each milestone if and when such milestone is probable and can be reasonably estimated. As typical in the biotechnology industry, each milestone has its own unique risks that the Company evaluates when determining the probability of achieving each milestone and the probability of success evolves over time as the programs progress and additional information is obtained. The Company considers numerous factors when evaluating whether a given milestone is probable including (but not limited to) the regulatory pathway, development plan, ability to dedicate sufficient funding to reach a given milestone and the probability of success.
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CERC-002AVTX-002 KKC License Agreement

On March 25, 2021, the Company entered into a license agreement with Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. (“KKC”) for exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize CERC-002,AVTX-002, KKC’s first-in-class fully human anti-LIGHT (TNFSF14) monoclonal antibody for all indications (the “KKC License Agreement”). The KKC License Agreement replacesreplaced the Amended and Restated Clinical Development and Option Agreement between the Company and KKC dated May 28, 2020.

Under the KKC License Agreement, the Company paid KKC an upfront license fee equal to $10.0 million. The Company willis also required to pay KKC milestone paymentsup to $112.5 million based on the achievement of certain success-basedspecified development and regulatory milestones that equal, for each of three separate indications of CERC-002, mid-teen millions of dollars or less depending on the territory to which the regulatory milestone achievement relates. In addition,milestones.Upon commercialization, the Company willis required to pay KKC (a) royalties during a country-by-country royalty term agreement equal to mid-teens percentage of the net sales of CERC-002 by the Company, (b) sales milestone paymentssales-based milestones aggregating up to $75 million tied to the achievement of annual net sales targets, and (c)targets.

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Additionally, the Company is required to pay KKC royalties during a country-by-country royalty term equal to a mid-teen percentage of annual net sales. The Company is required to pay KKC a double digit percentage (less than 30%) of the payments that the Company receives from sublicensing of its rights under the KKC License Agreement, subject to certain exclusions. Subject to the option described below that allows, upon exercise, KKC to develop, manufacture and commercialize CERC-002 in Japan, the Company will beAvalo is responsible for the development and commercialization of CERC-002AVTX-002 in all indications worldwide.

The Company grantedworldwide (other than the option in the KKC an option to exclude Japan from the scope of the worldwide rights granted to the Company suchLicense Agreement that, upon exercise of the option,by KKC, canallows KKC to develop, manufacture and commercialize CERC-002AVTX-002 in Japan. Upon exercise of the Option, KKC will be required to (a) reimburse the Company for a pre-agreed percentage of certain of its costs incurred to develop CERC-002 as a condition to KKC accessing the Company’s data that would be required to be included in an application for marketing authorization, (b) pay the Company for its services (such as transfer of data and regulatory support), (c) pay for all further development of CERC-002 in Japan and (d) pay any royalty due to the Company’s licensors on sales of CERC-002 in Japan. KKC will also have the right to purchase CERC-002 from the Company for use in Japan. No other amounts would be payable by KKC to the Company such as license fees, royalties and milestone payments. The option will expire if KKC does not exercise it within a set number of days after the FDA accepts for filing a Biologics License Application for a pre-defined indication of CERC-002.Japan).

The Company recognized the upfront license fee of $10.0 million within research and development expenses for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 and made the payment in April 2021. The CompanyThere has notbeen no cumulative expense recognized any liabilitiesas of September 30, 2021 related to the milestones outlined in the KKC License Agreement as of March 31, 2021.under this license agreement. The Company will continue to monitor the milestones at each reporting period.

CERC-006AVTX-006 Astellas License Agreement

The Company has an exclusive license agreement with OSI Pharmaceuticals, LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Astellas Pharma, Inc. (“Astellas”), for the worldwide development and commercialization of the novel, second generation mTORC1/2 inhibitor (which we refer to as CERC-006)AVTX-006). Under the terms of the license agreement, the Company paid Astellasthere was an upfront license fee of $0.5 million andmillion. The Company is required to pay Astellas will be eligible to receive milestone payments of up to $5.5 million based uponon the achievement of specified development and regulatory milestones. The Company is also required to pay Astellas a tiered mid-to-high single digit percentage of the payments that Avalo receives from sublicensing of its rights under the Astellas license agreement, subject to certain exclusions. Upon commercialization, the Company is required to pay Astellas will be entitledroyalties during a country-by-country royalty term equal to a tiered single-digit royalty on worldwidemid-to-high single digit percentage of annual net sales. CerecorAvalo is fully responsible for the development and commercialization of the program.

For the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021, the Company accruedrecognized a $0.5 million development milestone payment duewithin research and development expenses.There has been $0.5 million of cumulative expense recognized as of September 30, 2021 related to Astellas upon confirmation from the FDA that an initial signal finding study may proceed in the United States given the Company concluded it was probable the Company will begin such study in 2021.milestones under this license agreement. The Company will continue to monitor the remaining milestones at each reporting period.

CERC-007AVTX-007 AstraZeneca License Agreement

The Company has an exclusive global license with Medimmune Limited, a subsidiary of AstraZeneca plc (“AstraZeneca”), to develop and commercialize a Phase 2-ready fully human, anti-IL-18 monoclonal antibody (which we refer to as CERC-007) from Medimmune Limited, a subsidiaryAVTX-007). Under the terms of the license agreement, there was an upfront license fee of $6.0 million in cash and equity. The Company is required to payAstraZeneca plc (“AstraZeneca”). Upup to $162$71.5 million may be due to AstraZeneca uponbased on the achievement of certain development and sales-related milestones, in additionregulatory milestones. Upon commercialization, the Company is required to pay AstraZeneca sales-based milestone payments aggregating up to $90.0 million tied to the achievement of annual net sales targets.Additionally, the Company is also required to pay AstraZeneca royalties during a country-by-country royalty term equal to a tiered low double-digit royalty on globaldouble digit percentage of annual productnet sales. CerecorAvalo is fully responsible for the development and commercialization of the program.

ForNo expense related to this license agreement was recognized in the yearnine months ended December 31, 2020, Cerecor recognized aSeptember 30, 2021. There has been $1.5 million milestone paymentof cumulative expense recognized as of September 30, 2021 related to AstraZeneca within research and development expenses, which was due upon initiation of the first proof-of-concept study which uses CERC-007. The Company made such payment in the first quarter of 2021. milestones under this license agreement.The Company will continue to monitor the remaining milestones at each reporting period.

AVTX-008 Sanford Burnham Prebys License Agreement

On June 22, 2021, the Company entered into an Exclusive Patent License Agreement with Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (the “Sanford Burnham Prebys License Agreement”) under which the Company obtained an exclusive license to a portfolio of issued patents and patent applications covering an immune checkpoint program (which we refer to as AVTX-008).

Under the terms of the agreement, the Company incurred an upfront license fee of $0.4 million, as well as patent costs of $0.5 million. The Company is required to pay Sanford Burnham Prebys up to $24.2 million based on achievement of specified development and regulatory milestones. Upon commercialization, the Company is required to pay Sanford Burnham Prebys sales-based milestone payments aggregating up to $50.0 million tied to annual net sales targets.Additionally, the Company is required to pay Sanford Burnham Prebys royalties during a country-by-country royalty term equal to a low-to-mid single digit percentage of annual net sales. The Company is also required to pay Sanford Burnham Prebys a tiered low-double digit percentageof the payments that Avalo receives from sublicensing of its rights under the Sanford Burnham Prebys license agreement, subject to certain exclusions. Avalo is fully responsible for the development and commercialization of the program.

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The Company recognized the upfront license fee of $0.4 million within research and development expenses and the upfront patent expense of $0.5 million within general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. There has been no cumulative expense recognized as of September 30, 2021 related to the milestones under this license agreement. The Company will continue to monitor the milestones at each reporting period.

Possible Future Milestone Proceeds for Out-Licensed Compounds

AVTX-301 Out-License

On May 28, 2021, the Company out-licensed its rights in respect of its non-core asset, AVTX-301, to Alto. The Company initially in-licensed the compound from an affiliate of Merck & Co., Inc. (“Merck”) in 2013.

Under the out-license agreement, the Company received a mid-six digit upfront payment from Alto. The Company is also eligible to receive up to $18.6 million based on the achievement of specified development, regulatory and commercial sale milestones. Additionally, the Company is entitled to a less than single digit percentage royalty based on annual net sales. Alto is fully responsible for the development and commercialization of the program.

Avalo recognized the upfront fee as license revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The Company has not recognized any milestones as of September 30, 2021.

AVTX-406 License Assignment

On June 9, 2021, the Company assigned its rights, title, interest, and obligations under an in-license covering its non-core asset, AVTX-406, to ES, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Armistice, which is a significant stockholder of the Company and whose chief investment officer, Steven Boyd, and managing director, Keith Maher, currently serve on the Board of the Company. The transaction with ES was approved in accordance with Avalo’s related party transaction policy.

Under the assignment agreement, the Company received a low-six digit upfront payment from ES. The Company is also eligible to receive up to $6.0 million based on the achievement of specified development and regulatory milestones. Upon commercialization, the Company is eligible to receive sales-based milestone payments aggregating up to $20.0 million tied to annual net sales targets. ES is fully responsible for the development and commercialization of the program.

Avalo recognized the upfront fee as license revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The Company has not recognized any milestones as of September 30, 2021.

AVTX-501 Sale to Janssen

In August 2017, the Company sold its worldwide rights to AVTX-501 to Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Janssen”) in exchange for initial gross proceeds of $25.0 million. The Company is also eligible to receive up to $20.0 million based on the achievement of specified development and regulatory milestones. Janssen is fully responsible for the development and commercialization of the program.

The Company has not recognized any milestones as of September 30, 2021.

AVTX-611 License Assignment

In August 2019, the Company assigned its rights, title, interest, and obligations under an in-license covering its non-core asset, AVTX-611, to ES, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Armistice, which is a significant stockholder of the Company and whose chief investment officer, Steven Boyd, and managing director, Keith Maher, currently serve on the Board of the Company.

Upon commercialization, the Company is eligible to receive sales-based milestone payments aggregating up to $20.0 million tied to annual net sales targets. ES is fully responsible for the development and commercialization of the program.

The Company has not recognized any milestones as of September 30, 2021.

Related Party and Acquisition Related Contingent Liabilities

CERC-006AVTX-006 Royalty Agreement with Certain Related Parties
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Prior to CerecorAvalo entering into the Aevi Merger, in July 2019, Aevi entered into a royalty agreement with Mike Cola, Cerecor’sAvalo’s current Chief Executive Officer, Joseph J. Grano, Jr., Kathleen Jane Grano, Joseph C. Grano, The Grano Children’s Trust, Joseph C. Grano, trustee and LeoGroup Private Investment Access, LLC on behalf of Garry A. Neil, Cerecor’sAvalo’s current Chief Scientific Officer (collectively, the “Investors”) in exchange for a one-time aggregate payment of $2.0 million (the “Royalty Agreement”). Collectively, the Investors will be entitled to an aggregate amount equal to a low-single digit percentage of the aggregate net sales of Astellas’ second generation mTORC1/2 inhibitor, CERC-006.AVTX-006. At any time beginning three years after the date of the first public launch of CERC-006, CerecorAVTX-006, Avalo may exercise, at its sole discretion, a buyout option that terminates any further obligations under the Royalty Agreement in exchange for a payment to Investors of an aggregate of 75% of the net present value of the royalty payments. A majority of the independent members of the board of directors and the audit committee of Aevi approved the Royalty Agreement.

CerecorAvalo assumed this Royalty Agreement upon closing of the Aevi Merger and it is recorded as a royalty obligation within the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2020.September 30, 2021. Because there is a significant related party relationship between the Company and the Investors, the Company has treated its obligation to make royalty payments under the Royalty Agreement as an implicit obligation to repay the funds advanced by the Investors. As the Company makes royalty payments in accordance with the Royalty Agreement, it will reduce the liability balance. At the time that such royalty payments become probable and estimable, and if such amounts exceed the liability balance, the Company will impute interest accordingly on a prospective basis based on such estimates, which wouldwill result in a corresponding increase in the liability balance.

Aevi Merger Possible Future Milestone Payments

A portion of the consideration for the Aevi Merger includes 2 future contingent development milestones worth up to an additional $6.5 million. The first milestone is the enrollment of a patient in a Phase 2 study related to CERC-002AVTX-002 for use in pediatric onset Crohn’s disease, CERC-006AVTX-006 (any indication) or CERC-007AVTX-007 (any indication) prior to February 3, 2022. If this milestone is met, the Company is required to make a milestone payment of $2.0 million. The second milestone is the receipt of a NDA approval for either CERC-006AVTX-006 or CERC-007AVTX-007 from the FDA on or prior to February 3, 2025. If this milestone is met, the Company is required to make a milestone payment of $4.5 million. All milestones are payable in either shares of the Company’s common stock or cash, at the election of the Company.

The contingent consideration related to the development milestones will be recognized if and when such milestones are probable and can be reasonably estimated. As of the consummation of the Merger on February 3, 2020 and as of March 31,September 30, 2021, 0no contingent consideration related to the development milestone has been recognized. The Company will continue to monitor the development milestones at each reporting period.

Ichorion Asset Acquisition Possible Future Milestone Payments

In September 2018, the Company acquired Ichorion Therapeutics, Inc. including acquiring 3 compounds for inherited metabolic disorders known as CDGs (CERC-801, CERC-802(AVTX-801, AVTX-802 and CERC-803)AVTX-803) and 1 other preclinical compound. Consideration for the transaction included shares of CerecorAvalo common stock and 3 future contingent development milestones for the acquired compounds worth up to an additional $15.0 million. The first milestone is the first product being approved for marketing by the FDA on or prior to December 31, 2021. If this milestone is met, the Company is required to make a milestone payment of $6.0 million. The second milestone is the second product being approved for marketing by the FDA on or prior to December 31, 2021. If this milestone is met, the Company is required to make a milestone payment of $5.0 million. The third milestone is a protide molecule being approved by the FDA on or prior to December 31, 2023. If this milestone is met, the Company is required to make a milestone payment of $4.0 million. All milestones are payable in either shares of the Company’s common stock or cash, at the election of the Company.

The contingent consideration related to the development milestones will be recognized if and when such milestones are probable and can be reasonably estimated. As of March 31,September 30, 2021, 0no contingent consideration related to the development milestone has been recognized. The Company will continue to monitor the development milestones at each reporting period.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the information incorporated herein by reference contain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove incorrect, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “plans,” “intends,” “estimates,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “continue,” “seeks,” “aims,” “projects,” “predicts,” “pro forma,” “anticipates,” “potential” or other similar words (including their use in the negative), or by discussions of future matters such as the development of product candidates or products, technology enhancements, possible changes in legislation, and other statements that are not historical. Although our forward-looking statements reflect the good faith judgment of our management, these statements can only be based on facts and factors currently known by us. Consequently, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results and outcomes may differ materially from results and outcomes discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those below and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, particularly in Part II – Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” as well as in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on March 8, 2021, and in our other filings with the SEC. Statements made herein are as of the date of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the SEC and should not be relied upon as of any subsequent date. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, we do not undertake, and we specifically disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences, developments, unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statement.
 
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited financial statements and related notes that appear in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and with our audited financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2020 appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 8, 2021.     
 
Overview

CerecorAvalo Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company” or “Cerecor” or “we”“Avalo”) is a biopharmaceuticalleading clinical-stage precision medicine company focused on becomingthat discovers, develops, and commercializes targeted therapeutics for patients with significant unmet clinical need in immunology, immuno-oncology, and rare genetic diseases. We have built a leader in development and commercialization of treatments for rare and orphan diseases. The Company is advancing its clinical-stage pipelinediverse portfolio of innovative therapies that address unmet patient needs within rareto deliver meaningful medical impact for patients in urgent need. Our clinical candidates commonly have a proven mechanistic rationale, biomarkers and/or an established proof-of-concept to expedite and orphan diseases.

The Company’s rare disease pipeline includes CERC-801, CERC-802 and CERC-803 (“CERC-800 compounds”), which are in development for therapies for congenital disordersincrease the probability of glycosylation and CERC-006, an oral mTORC1/2 inhibitor in development for the treatment of complex lymphatic malformations. The Company is also developing two monoclonal antibodies, CERC-002 and CERC-007. CERC-002 targets the cytokine LIGHT (TNFSF14) and is in clinical development for the treatment of severe pediatric-onset Crohn’s disease and COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome. CERC-007 targets the cytokine IL-18 and is in clinical development for the treatment of Still’s disease (adult onset Still’s disease and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis) and multiple myeloma. CERC-006, 801, 802 and 803 have all received Orphan Drug Designation and Rare Pediatric Designation, which makes all four eligible for a priority review voucher (“PRV”) upon approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”).

The Company continues to explore strategic alternatives for its commercialized product, Millipred®, an oral prednisolone indicated across a wide variety of inflammatory conditions, and for its non-core neurology pipeline assets.success.

Management’s primary evaluation of the success of the Company is the ability to progress its pipeline assets forward towards commercialization or opportunistically out-licensing rights to indications or geographies. This success depends not only on the operational execution of the programs, but also the ability to secure sufficient funding to support the programs. We believe the ability to achieve the anticipated milestones (as presented in the Research and Development Updates milestone chart below), represents our most immediate evaluation points.

We have made significant progress in 2021 toward our key goal of advancing the pipeline as highlighted by the successful CERC-002 COVID-19 ARDSdata release of the first cohort of the AVTX-002 Phase 1b trial in Crohn’s Disease, data release of the first cohort of the AVTX-002 Phase 2 proof-of-concept data releasetrial in COVID-19 ARDS and subsequent receipt of fast-track designation (“FTD”), completion of the first cohort of the CERC-007 Multiple MyelomaAVTX-007 Phase 1b trial obtainingin Multiple Myeloma, receipt of FTD for CERC-803AVTX-803 and enrollment of the first patient in the CERC-007 AOSDAVTX-007 Phase 1b open-label proof-of-concept trial.trial in AOSD. We also believe thatour licensing activity during the first half of 2021, including in-licenses of immunology and immuno-oncology assets (including the expanded license agreement with Kyowa Kirin Co. (“KKC”) will allow us to explore CERC-002for AVTX-002 and the license agreement for AVTX-008) and out-licenses of non-core assets, enhances our focus on the development of innovative therapies in other indicationsareas of high unmet need within the fields of immunology, immuno-oncology, and to enhance the pipeline asset’s potentialrare genetic disorders. Additionally, we have executed a combination of debt and equity financings in 2021 for business development opportunities. Finally, the financing executed in January fortotal net proceeds of $37.7approximately $105 million, provided cash runway for theto strengthen and extend our financial resources to advance our clinical pipeline towards key development of our pipeline.

We expect COVID-19 to continue to present both challenges and opportunities to our business. However, there were no recent developments impacting the Company related to COVID-19.milestones.

Recent Developments

In August 2021, the Company changed its corporate name change from Cerecor Inc. to Avalo Therapeutics, Inc. by filing a Certificate of Amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and merged certain wholly-owned subsidiaries into the Company to consolidate its corporate structure. The name change underscores the Company’s transition to developing innovative targeted therapies in immunology, immuno-oncology, and rare genetic diseases.

In September 2021, the Company closed an underwritten public offering of 14,308,878 shares of common stock for net proceeds of approximately $29.0 million (the “September Offering”).
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During the third quarter of 2021, the Company received $15.0 million as a result of completing its second and third drawdowns under its previously announced $35.0 million venture debt financing agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Horizon Technology Finance Corporation and Powerscourt Investments XXV, LP. With the closing of the second and third tranches, the Company has received the full $35.0 million under its debt financing agreement.

In October 2021, the board of directors of the Company appointed Keith Maher, MD, to the Board pursuant to the right of Armistice to appoint two directors to the board of directors. Dr. Maher is employed by Armistice, which is a significant stockholder of the Company and whose chief investment officer, Steven Boyd, currently serves on the board of directors of the Company.

Research and Development Updates

On March 25, 2021, the Company entered into an expanded license agreement with KKC for exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize CERC-002, KKC’s first-in-class fully human anti-LIGHT (TNFSF14) monoclonal antibody for all indications. KKC has an option to retain the rights in Japan. The Company paid a $10.0 million upfront license fee to KKC in April 2021. KKC is also eligible to receive additional payments based on achievement of regulatory and commercial milestones, as well as royalties, and a share of sublicensing income.

In May 2021, the Company announced that it dosed its first patient in a Phase 1b open-label dose-escalation clinical trial of CERC-007 in patients with adult onset Still’s disease (“AOSD”). The Phase 1b clinical trial is a global multi-center, open label trial of CERC-007 that will enroll approximately 12 subjects with active AOSD. The primary objective of the study is to determine the safety and tolerability of CERC-007 in AOSD patients. Key secondary endpoints include assessing pharmacokinetic profile of CERC-007 and determining the effect of CERC-007 on systemic clinical manifestations and systemic markets of inflammation in subjects with AOSD.

In May 2021, the Company announced the FDA had granted FTD to CERC-002 for treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. FTD is granted to drugs being developed for the treatment of serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions where there is an unmet medical need. The purpose of the provision is to help facilitate development and expedite the review of drugs to treat serious or life-threatening conditions so that an approved product can reach the market expeditiously. Sponsors of drugs that receive FTD have the opportunity for more frequent interactions with the FDA review team throughout the development program. Under FTD, a Biologic License Application (“BLA”) for CERC-002 is eligible for both rolling submission and priority review.

The following chart summarizes key information about our clinical-stage pipeline and anticipated research & development milestones:

cerc-20210331_g1.jpgavtx-20210930_g1.jpg

Our Strategy
Our strategy for increasing stockholder value includes:
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Advancing our pipeline of compounds through development and to regulatory approval;
Acquiring or licensing rights to targeted, complementary differentiated preclinical and clinical stage compounds;
Developing the go-to-market strategy to quickly and effectively market, launch, and distribute each of our compounds that receive regulatory approval; and
Opportunistically out-licensing rights to indications or geographies.

Results of Operations

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2021 and 2020

Product Revenue, net    

Net product revenue was $0.5$1.4 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2021, as compared to $2.8 millionwhich was largely consistent with the net product revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2020. DuringSeptember 30, 2020 of $1.1 million.

Aytu BioScience, Inc. (“Aytu”), to which the firstCompany sold its rights, title and interest in assets relating to certain commercialized products in 2019, managed Millipred® commercial operations through June 30, 2021 pursuant to transition service agreements. In
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the third quarter of 2021, the Company’s inventory on hand became short-dated (which the Company considersfinalized its trade and distribution channel to be within six months of expiration), dueallow it to manufacturing delays. The Company recorded a full allowance of $2.9 million for returns on the sale of short-dated inventory given the high likelihood of return. This led to a minimal amount of net sales being recognized in the first quarter of 2021, which drove the decrease as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020. The Company received the delayed inventory lot in April 2021. Therefore, we expect net revenues ofcontrol third party distribution and began managing Millipred® to return to levels consistent with prior periods over 2021, however we continue to explore strategic alternatives for our non-core assets, which includes Millipred®. Accordingly, our ability to increase revenue in the future will depend on developing and commercializing our current clinical pipeline of product candidates.commercial operations at that time.

Cost of Product Sales

Cost of product sales waswere $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, which was consistent with the cost of product sales for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

The Company has a license and supply agreement for the Millipred® product with a wholly owned subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (“Teva”), which expires on September 30, 2023. As part of a prior amendment2020. The increase was driven by the Company’s requirement to extend the contract topay its current term, Cerecor agreed pay Tevasupplier fifty percent of the net profit of the Millipred® product following each calendar quarter beginning July 1, 2021, subject to a $0.5 million quarterly minimum payment, which was set to begin April 1, 2021. In May 2021, the Company and Teva entered into an amendment in which the net profit split will be delayed until July 1, 2021. Dr. Sol Barer is the Chairman of Cerecor’s board of directors and also serves as the Chairman of Teva’s board of directors. Beginning in the third quarter of 2021, wepayment. We expect cost of product sales to continue to increase as compared to historic periods.periods due to the net profit share.

Research and Development Expenses

The following table summarizes our research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, Three Months Ended September 30,
20212020 20212020
Preclinical expensesPreclinical expenses$2,234 $1,277 Preclinical expenses$1,485 $1,105 
Clinical expensesClinical expenses5,440 570 Clinical expenses2,658 2,768 
CMC expensesCMC expenses4,734 1,193 CMC expenses3,366 3,200 
License and milestone expenses10,500 — 
Internal expenses:Internal expenses:Internal expenses:
Salaries, benefits and related costsSalaries, benefits and related costs1,937 1,313 Salaries, benefits and related costs2,499 1,377 
Stock-based compensation expenseStock-based compensation expense298 382 Stock-based compensation expense480 384 
OtherOther63 33 Other63 38 
$25,206 $4,768  $10,551 $8,872 
 
Research and development expenses increased $20.4$1.7 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. The overall increase was driven by an increase in research and development activities as the Company continues to develop its maturing pipeline assets.

Salaries, benefits and related costs increased by $1.1 million mainly due to an increase in headcount to grow our research and development activities as we continue to invest in our maturing pipeline.

Research and development expense is likely to continue to outpace historic periods as the Company advances its maturing pipeline.

General and Administrative Expenses
The following table summarizes our general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands): 
 Three Months Ended September 30,
 20212020
Salaries, benefits and related costs$1,299 $957 
Legal, consulting and other professional expenses2,425 2,389 
Stock-based compensation expense1,172 972 
Other292 255 
 $5,188 $4,573 
General and administrative expenses increased $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. The increase was driven by a $0.3 million increase in salaries, benefits and related costs coupled with a $0.2 million increase in stock-based compensation expense, both of which are related to increased headcount to support the Company’s expanded research and development efforts. Overall, legal, consulting, and other professional expenses were largely consistent period over period. For the three months ended September 30, 2021, professional expenses increased mainly as a result of increased information technology services and consulting costs, however such increases were mostly offset by the recognition of a prior period legal settlement that did not repeat in the current period.
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General and administrative expense is likely to continue to outpace historic periods as a result of the increased infrastructure to support the Company’s maturing research and development efforts.

Sales and Marketing Expenses
The following table summarizes our sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands): 
 Three Months Ended September 30,
 20212020
Salaries, benefits and related costs$135 $214 
Stock-based compensation expense107 92 
Advertising and marketing expense482 141 
Other14 15 
 $738 $462 
Sales and marketing expenses primarily consist of expenses related to initiatives to support the go-to-market strategy of our pipeline assets. Sales and marketing expenses increased $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, which was largely driven by advertising and marketing expense incurred in the current period related to the corporate name change to Avalo Therapeutics, Inc.

Amortization Expense

The following table summarizes our amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):

 Three Months Ended September 30,
 20212020
Amortization of intangible assets$428 $404 

Amortization expense, which relates to the amortization of an intangible asset acquired as part of a previous acquisition and an assembled workforce acquired as part of a previous merger, was largely consistent for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020.

We expect amortization expense to decrease in future periods as the intangible asset and assembled workforce acquired will be fully amortized in the fourth quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2022, respectively.

Other (Expense) Income, Net

The following table summarizes our other (expense) income, net for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended September 30,
 20212020
Other (expense) income, net(15)19 
Interest expense, net(985)— 
$(1,000)$19 

Other expense, net was $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to minimal other income, net in the prior period. The change was mainly driven by the recognition of interest expense of $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 related to the Loan Agreement entered into in June 2021. Pursuant to the agreement, $20.0 million was funded on the close date in June 2021. The second $10.0 million and the third $5.0 million tranches of the loan were funded in July 2021 and September 2021, respectively. Given the second and third tranches were funded in the third quarter of 2021, we recognized a partial period of interest expense in the current period. We expect interest expense to increase in future periods as a result of recognizing a full period of interest.

Income Tax Expense
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The following table summarizes our income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended September 30,
 20212020
Income tax expense$$
The Company recognized minimal income tax expense for both the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020

Product Revenue, net    

Net product revenue was $4.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, which was largely consistent with the net product revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 of $5.2 million.

Aytu managed Millipred® commercial operations through June 30, 2021 pursuant to transition service agreements. In the third quarter of 2021, the Company finalized its trade and distribution channel to allow it to control third party distribution and began managing Millipred® commercial operations at that time.

License Revenue, net

License revenue was $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, which relates to upfront fees received as a result of the out-license and assignment, respectively, of the Company’s rights to its non-core neurology pipeline assets, AVTX-301 and AVTX-406 to Alto Neuroscience, Inc. and ES Therapeutics, LLC (“ES”), respectively. ES is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Armistice, which is a significant stockholder of the Company and whose chief investment officer, Steven Boyd, and managing director, Keith Maher, currently serve on the Board of the Company. The transaction with ES was approved in accordance with Avalo’s related party transaction policy.

Avalo is eligible to receive additional payments upon achievement of specified development, regulatory and sales-based milestones for both AVTX-301 and AVTX-406 and is also entitled to royalty payments based on net sales of AVTX-301.

Cost of Product Sales

Cost of product sales was $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The increase was primarily driven by the Company’s requirement to pay its supplier fifty percent of the net profit of the Millipred® product following each calendar quarter beginning July 1, 2021, subject to a $0.5 million quarterly minimum payment. We expect cost of product sales to continue to increase as compared to historic periods due to the net profit share.

Research and Development Expenses

The following table summarizes our research and development expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20212020
Preclinical expenses$5,829 $4,019 
Clinical expenses10,558 4,663 
CMC expenses13,005 5,721 
License and milestone expenses10,900 — 
Internal expenses:
Salaries, benefits and related costs6,595 3,891 
Stock-based compensation expense1,244 1,156 
Other194 106 
 $48,325 $19,556 
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Research and development expenses increased $28.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. The Company’s merger with Aevi Genomic Medicine Inc. (“Aevi”) (the “Aevi Merger” or the “Merger”), which closed in February 2020 was a transformative event as it significantly broadened our pipeline by adding the rights to three new
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assets, as well as bringing in critical leadership to guide the Company and development of the expanded pipeline. Given the timing of the Merger, the first half of 2020 was spent integrating and initiating the additional programs. Therefore, athe main driver of the increase was due to a full quarter of expanded development activities for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 (comparedwas attributable to preliminary activities for the prior year period).maturing pipeline.

In addition, the increase was driven byAdditionally, we recognized a $10.0 million upfront license fee which was recorded in March of 2021 and paid in April 2021, related to the expanded indication license agreement for CERC-002AVTX-002 entered into with KKCKyowa Kirin Co. (“KKC”) in March 2021. Furthermore, clinicalCMC expenses increased $4.9$7.3 million due to additional spending on manufacturing to support the development of the progressing pipeline and in anticipation of drug supply to support future trials. Clinical expenses increased $5.9 million primarily due to costs incurred to advance the pipeline most notably the CERC-800 compounds and CERC-007. Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (“CMC”) expenses increased $3.5 million due to additional spending on manufacturing to support development of the progressingas we approach multiple clinical data read outs across our pipeline. Preclinical expenses increased $1.0by $1.8 million duerelated to an increase inincreased non-clinical toxicity studies and biomarker studies to support clinical development. Finally, salaries, benefits and related costs increased by $2.7 million mainly due to an increase in headcount to grow our research and development activities as we continue to invest in our maturing pipeline.

We expect researchResearch and development expense is likely to continue to outpace historic periods (excluding the one-time KKC in-license charge) as the Company advances its maturing pipeline in anticipation of multiple clinical data readouts over the next twelve months.pipeline.

Acquired In-Process Research and Development Expenses

In the first quarter of 2020, the Company consummated its merger with Aevi, resulting in the Companyus acquiring $25.5 million of in-process research and development (“IPR&D”). The fair value of the IPR&D was immediately recognized as acquired in-process research and development expense given such asset has no other alternate use due to the stage of development. There was no acquired in-process research and developmentIPR&D for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021.

General and Administrative Expenses
 
The following table summarizes our general and administrative expenses for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands): 
Three Months Ended March 31, Nine Months Ended September 30,
20212020 20212020
Salaries, benefits and related costsSalaries, benefits and related costs$920 $1,012 Salaries, benefits and related costs$3,336 $3,725 
Legal, consulting and other professional expensesLegal, consulting and other professional expenses2,592 784 Legal, consulting and other professional expenses7,703 4,977 
Stock-based compensation expenseStock-based compensation expense1,045 706 Stock-based compensation expense4,720 3,963 
OtherOther354 174 Other959 685 
$4,911 $2,676  $16,718 $13,350 
 
General and administrative expenses were $4.9increased $3.3 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 which represents a $2.2 million increase fromcompared to the prior year period.same period in 2020. The increase was largely driven by a $1.8$2.7 million increase in legal, consulting and other professional expenses. The largest driversdriver was higher legal costsexpenses in the current quarter,period, including costs to execute the KKC expanded indication license agreement and the other licensing agreements executed in the current year. Additionally, there were increases to advance other business development activities.information technology services and director and officer insurance. Such increases were partially offset by a legal settlement in the prior period that did not repeat in the current period.

Stock-based compensation expense increased $0.3$0.8 million asfor the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The increase was largely driven by $1.4 million of expense related to the modifications of a result of increased headcount informer board members stock options during the firstsecond quarter of 2021, (inclusive of a full quarter ofpartially offset by increased expense for the executive leadership team, as opposed to a partial period in the prior year due to timingequity award grants and modifications to certain former executives and board members due to leadership changes in the first half of the Aevi Merger) and as a result of service-based options granted to employees in January 2021 as part of its annual stock option award.2020.

We expect generalThese increases were offset by a $0.4 million decrease in salaries, benefits and related costs for the quarter due to a $0.8 million severance accrual in the prior year related to the resignation of an executive during the second quarter of 2020, which did not repeat for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The overall decrease was partially offset by increased salaries cost driven by increased headcount in the current period.

General and administrative expensesexpense is likely to continue to increase compared tooutpace historic periods as a result of the increased infrastructure to support the Company’s expandedmaturing research and development efforts.

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Sales and Marketing Expenses
 
The following table summarizes our sales and marketing expenses for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands): 
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Three Months Ended March 31, Nine Months Ended September 30,
20212020 20212020
Salaries, benefits and related costsSalaries, benefits and related costs$189 $134 Salaries, benefits and related costs$506 $530 
Stock-based compensation expenseStock-based compensation expense105 55 Stock-based compensation expense316 234 
Advertising and marketing expenseAdvertising and marketing expense129 481 Advertising and marketing expense1,044 989 
OtherOther12 Other93 39 
$435 $677  $1,959 $1,792 
    
Sales and marketing expenses primarily consist of expenses related to initiatives to support the go-to-market strategy of our pipeline assets. ForSales and marketing expenses increased $0.2 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, we incurred costswhich was largely driven by advertising and marketing expense related to market research projects for multiple programs and indications that did not repeat in the current year, thus driving the $0.2 million decrease.corporate name change to Avalo Therapeutics, Inc.

Amortization Expense

The following table summarizes our amortization expense for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):

 Three Months Ended March 31,
 20212020
Amortization of intangible assets$424 $431 
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20212020
Amortization of intangible assets$1,281 $1,238 

Amortization expense, which relates to the amortization of the assembled workforcesan intangible asset acquired as part of a previous acquisitionsacquisition and mergers andan assembled workforce acquired as part of a previous merger, was consistent for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 and 2020. In 2020,

We expect amortization expense to decrease in future periods as a result of the intangible asset acquisition accounting treatment of the Aevi Merger, the Company recorded anand assembled workforce intangible assetwill be fully amortized in the fourth quarter of $0.9 million, which was assigned a two-year useful life.2021 and the first quarter of 2022, respectively.

Other (Expense) Income, Net

The following table summarizes our other (expense) income, net for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended March 31,
 20212020
Change in fair value of Investment in Aytu (as defined below)$— $7,080 
Change in other income— 11 
Interest income, net17 10 
$17 $7,101 

 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20212020
Change in fair value of Investment in Aytu (as defined below)$— $5,208 
Other (expense) income, net(20)447 
Interest expense, net(1,207)— 
$(1,227)$5,655 

Other income,expense, net decreased $7.1was $1.2 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 as compared to other income, net of $5.7 million for the prior year.same period in 2020. For the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021, the Company recognized interest expense of $1.2 million related to the Loan Agreement entered into in the second quarter of 2021. Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, $20.0 million was funded on the close date in June 2021. The second $10.0 million and the third $5.0 million tranches of the loan were funded in July 2021 and September 2021, respectively. Given that we entered into the Notes midway through 2021, we recognized a portion of interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. We expect interest expense to increase in future periods as a result of recognizing full periods of interest for the Notes.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, other income, net was mainly comprised of a $7.1$5.2 million gain on the change in the fair value of the Company’s investmentprevious Investment in Aytu. As consideration ofEach reporting period, the Company’s divestiture of certain commercialized products to Aytu BioScience, Inc. (“Aytu”) in 2019 (the “Aytu Divestiture”), the Company received 9,805,845 shares of Aytu Series G Preferred Stock (the “Investment in Aytu”), which was remeasured at fair value each reporting period. As of March 31, 2020, the Investment in Aytu was $14.7 million, representing a change in fair value of $7.1 million from the prior reporting period (driven by a significant increase in Aytu’s stock price from December 31, 2019 to March 31, 2020). The Company subsequently converted such shares into common stock and sold that common stock for net proceeds of approximately $12.8 million in April 2020.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

The following table summarizes our income tax expense (benefit) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended March 31,
 20212020
Income tax expense (benefit)$11 $(2,157)
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remeasured at its fair value. In the second quarter of 2020, the Company sold the common stock underlying its Investment in Aytu for net proceeds of $12.8 million, which represented a gain of $5.2 million from its fair value on December 31, 2019.

Income Tax Benefit

The following table summarizes our income tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20212020
Income tax benefit$(180)$(2,607)
The Company recognized minimal income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to an income tax benefit of $2.2$0.2 million and $2.6 million for the threenine months ended March 31, 2020.September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The tax benefit recognized for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2020 was a result of a tax law change signed into law as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic SecurityCARES Act, (“CARES Act”), which allowed the Company to carry back certain losses for taxes paid in fiscal year 2017. Due to2017 and thus resulted in a refund claim. The income tax benefit in the full valuation allowance againstcurrent period was a result of the Company’s deferred tax assetsupdated estimate of interest receivable and current year losses, minimal tax expenseabatement of penalties on the refund claim, as the final refund payment was recognized forreceived from the three months ended March 31,Internal Revenue Service in the second quarter of 2021.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2021, Avalo had $71.5 million in cash and cash equivalents. In JanuarySeptember 2021, the Company closed an underwritten public offering of 14,308,878 shares of common stock for net proceeds of approximately $29.0 million. Additionally, in August 2021, the Company sold 2.0 million shares under its “at the market” Sales agreement (the “ATM Program”) for net proceeds of approximately $5.3 million.

In June 2021, the Company entered into a $35.0 million venture debt financing agreement with Horizon Technology Finance Corporation and Powerscourt Investments XXV, LP. As of September 30, 2021, the Company has received the full $35.0 million, $20.0 million of which was funded on the closing date in the second quarter of 2021 and the remaining $15.0 million was funded during the third quarter of 2021 in two separate tranches. The Loan Agreement contains certain covenants and certain other specified events that could result in an event of default, which if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of all or a substantial portion of the notes. As of the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company was not aware of any breach of covenants nor received any notice of event of default from the Lenders.

In the first quarter of 2021, the Company closed an underwritten public offering of 13,971,889 shares of its common stock and 1,676,923 pre-funded warrants for net proceeds of approximately $37.7 million. As of March 31, 2021, Cerecor had $38.3 million in cash and cash equivalents.

In order to meet its cash flow needs, the Company applies a disciplined decision-making methodology as it evaluates the optimal allocation of the Company’s resources between investing in the Company’s existing pipeline assets and acquisitions or in-licensing of new assets. For the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021, CerecorAvalo generated a net loss of $30.7$65.2 million and negative cash flows from operations of $18.3$53.8 million. As of March 31,September 30, 2021, CerecorAvalo had an accumulated deficit of $208.5$243.0 million.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern; however, losses are expected to continue as the Company continues to invest in its core research and development pipeline assets. The Company will require additional financing to fund its operations and to continue to execute its business strategy at least one year after the date the condensed consolidated financial statements included herein were issued. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

To mitigate these conditions and to meet the Company’s capital requirements, management plans to use its current cash on hand along with some combination of the following: (i) dilutive and/or non-dilutive financings, (ii) federal and/or private grants, (iii) other out-licensing or strategic alliances/collaborations of its current pipeline assets, and (iv) out-licensing or sale of its non-core assets. If the Company raises additional funds through collaborations, strategic alliances or licensing arrangements with third parties, the Company might have to relinquish valuable rights to its technologies, future revenue streams, research programs or product candidates. Subject to limited exceptions, our venture debt financing agreement prohibits us from incurring certain additional indebtedness, making certain asset dispositions, and entering into certain mergers, acquisitions or other business combination transactions without prior consent of the Lender. If the Company requires but is unable to obtain additional funding, the Company may be forced to make reductions in spending, delay, suspend, reduce or eliminate some or all of its planned research and development programs, or liquidate assets where possible. Due to the uncertainty regarding future financingsfinancing and other potential options to raise additional funds, management has concluded that substantial doubt exists with respect to the Company’s ability to
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continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements arein this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q were issued.

Over the long term, the Company’s ultimate ability to achieve and maintain profitability will depend on, among other things, the development, regulatory approval, and commercialization of its pipeline assets, and the potential receipt and sale of any PRVs it receives.

Uses of Liquidity

The Company uses cash to primarily fund the ongoing development of our research and development pipeline assets and costs associated with its organizational infrastructure.

Cash Flows
 
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands): 
Three Months Ended March 31, Nine Months Ended September 30,
20212020 20212020
Net cash (used in) provided by:Net cash (used in) provided by:  Net cash (used in) provided by:  
Operating activitiesOperating activities$(18,316)$(5,739)Operating activities$(53,793)$(26,164)
Investing activitiesInvesting activities(21)(1,251)Investing activities(102)11,523 
Financing activitiesFinancing activities37,825 9,098 Financing activities106,686 44,584 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalentsNet increase in cash and cash equivalents$19,488 $2,108 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents$52,791 $29,943 
 
Net cash used in operating activities

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Net cash used in operating activities was $18.3$53.8 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021, and consisted primarilyconsisting of a net loss of $30.7$65.2 million, which was primarily driven by research and development activities as the Company continued to fund its pipeline of development assets. The three months ended March 31, 2020 included a one-timedecrease was partially offset by non-cash acquired IPR&D expensestock-based compensation of $25.5 million recorded in connection with the Aevi Merger, while the three months ended March 31, 2021 did not include a similar offset to cash used in operating activities.$6.3 million. Additionally, the three months ended March 31, 2021 included a full quarter of development of the expanded pipeline from the Aevi Merger compared to a partial quarter in the prior year (in which the focus was integration as opposed to pipeline development). Changeschanges in net liabilities increased by $10.4$3.5 million, mainly driven by a $9.3 million increase in accounts payable and $1.7$2.6 million increase in accrued expenses partially offset by increased accounts receivable of $1.0 million. Accounts payable as of March 31, 2021 included the $10.0 million upfront license feeprimarily related to increased accrued research and development expense. We expect cash used in operating activities to continue to outpace historic periods due to anticipated increases in research and development spend on the expanded KKC license agreement for CERC-002, which was entered into March 2021. The Company subsequently paid the $10.0 million fee in April 2021.maturing pipeline.

Net cash used in operating activities was $5.7$26.2 million for the threenine months ended March 31, 2020 andSeptember 30, 2020. This consisted primarily of a net loss of $21.1$47.9 million, which was driven by (i) increased research and development activities as the Company continued to fund its pipeline of development assets and (ii) non-cash adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities, including a $7.1$5.2 million realized gain related to the change in fair value of the Investment in Aytu and a $1.8 million gain related to the change in the value of the Guarantee associated with the Aytu Divestiture. This decrease was offset by the following non-cash adjustments:adjustments for non-cash acquired IPR&D expense of $25.5 million and non-cash stock-based compensation of $1.1$5.4 million. Additionally, changes in net liabilities increased by $3.9 million, mainly driven by a $4.3 million decrease in other receivables, a $0.7 million decrease in prepaid expenses and a $1.8 million increase in accrued expenses, partially offset by a $0.5 million decrease in accounts payable.

Net cash used in investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities was minimal for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 and consisted primarily of the purchase of property and equipment.

Net cash used inprovided by investing activities was $1.3$11.5 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2020 and consisted primarily of net proceeds of $12.8 million from the sale of the Aytu common stock during the second quarter of 2020 underlying the Company’s previous Investment in Aytu, slightly offset by transaction costs incurred as part of the Aevi Merger, partially offset by the cash acquired as part of the Merger.

Net cash provided by financing activities
 
Net cash provided by financing activities was $37.8$106.7 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021 and consisted primarily of net proceeds of $104.9 million from equity and debt financings. Specifically, the Company received net proceeds of $37.7 million from an underwritten public offering closed in January 2021 (the “January Offering”), net proceeds of 13,971,889$32.9 million as part of the Loan Agreement entered into in the second quarter of 2021, and net proceeds of $29.0 million from an underwritten
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public offering that closed in September 2021. Additionally, in August 2021, the Company sold 2.0 million shares of common stock and 1,676,923 pre-funded warrants. Armistice Capital Master Fund Ltd. (an affiliateunder the ATM Program for net proceeds of $5.3 million.

Armistice, Capital, LLC and collectively “Armistice”), which is a significant stockholder of the Company and whose chief investment officer, Steven Boyd, and managing director, Keith Maher, currently servesserve on the Board of the Company, participated in the offeringJanuary Offering by purchasing 2,500,000 shares of common stock and in the September Offering by purchasing 5,454,545 shares of common stock, both which were on the same terms as all other investors. Certain affiliates of Nantahala Capital Management LLC (collectively, “Nantahala”), which beneficially owned greater than 5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock at the time of the offering and, therefore, were considered a related party pursuant to the Company’s written related person transaction policy, purchased 1,400,000 shares of common stock,both 2021 public offerings, participated in both offerings on the same terms as all other investors. As part of the January Offering, Nantahala also purchased the pre-funded warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,676,923 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $2.599, which represents the per share public offering price for the common stock less the $0.001 per share exercise price for each pre-funded warrant.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $9.1$44.6 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2020 and consisted primarily of net proceeds of $35.4 million from an underwritten public offering of common stock for 15,180,000 shares of common stock. The Company also received $5.1 million from a registered direct offering with certain institutional investors, which included Armistice, that closed in February 2020 for the sale of 1,306,282 shares of common stock of Company and net proceeds of $3.9 million from a private placement of equity securities with Armistice duringin March 2020.

Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates, and Assumptions

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. In preparing the financial statements in conformity with GAAP, the Company makes estimates and assumptions that have an impact on assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses reported. These estimates can also affect supplemental information disclosed by us, including information about contingencies, risk, and financial condition. In our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, estimates are used for, but not limited to, revenue recognition, cost of product sales, stock-based compensation, fair value measurements, cash flows used in management’s going concern assessment, income taxes, goodwill, and other intangible assets and clinical trial accruals. The Company believes, given current facts and circumstances, that our estimates and assumptions are reasonable, adhere to GAAP and are consistently applied. Inherent in the nature of an estimate or assumption is the fact that actual results may differ from estimates, and estimates may vary as new facts and circumstances arise. Our most critical accounting estimates and assumptions are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the
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SEC on March 8, 2021. There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2021.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined by applicable SEC rules and regulations.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide the information required by this Item.
 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures    

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) and Rule 15d-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, conducted an evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Based on that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in management’s evaluation pursuant to Rules 13a-15(d) or 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

None.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on March 8, 2021, and our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 2, 2021 which could materially affect our business, financial condition, or future results. Our risk factors as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have not changed materially from those described in the Form 10-K and 8-K referenced above. The risks described in the Form 10-K and 8-K referenced above are not the only risks facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or future results of operations and the trading price of our common stock.

Item 5. Other Information.

On November 4, 2021, the Company entered into a Cooperation Agreement with Armistice Capital, LLC, (“Armistice”) which, together with its affiliates, is a significant stockholder of the Company and whose chief investment officer, Steven Boyd and managing director, Keith Maher, currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). Pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement, the Company agreed to take all necessary action to appoint Dr. June Almenoff to the Board no later than four (4) business days of the Effective Date of the Cooperation Agreement and a second director who will qualify as “independent” of the Company pursuant to Nasdaq listing standards, who is otherwise qualified to serve on the Audit Committee and who is not associated with Armistice, to be identified pursuant to an ongoing director search process. Pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement, Dr. Almenoff was appointed to the Board, effective November 10, 2021. In connection with the Cooperation Agreement, the Company has accepted the resignations of Dr. Suzanne Bruhn, effective upon the appointment of Dr. Almenoff, and Mr. Phil Gutry, effective on the date that is the earlier of forty-five (45) days following the effective date of the Cooperation Agreement and the appointment of the second director.

Pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement, the Company agreed that the Board would appoint Dr. Almenoff to each of the Nominating and Governance Committee and Audit Committee of the Board, that Mr. Gutry would step down from the Nominating and Governance Committee and that Dr. Magnus Persson would be appointed as the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee and as the Board’s Lead Independent Director. In addition, the Company agreed to hold a frequency of say-on-pay and a say-on-pay vote at its 2022 annual meeting of stockholders. In connection with their resignations, the Company has agreed to accelerate the vesting of the outstanding stock options as if Dr. Bruhn and Mr. Gutry had served out their full term, pay them compensation as if they had served out their full term and to extend the exercise period of their options until the second anniversary of their resignations.

In exchange for the foregoing agreements, Armistice agreed pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement to certain customary standstill provisions prohibiting it from, among other things, soliciting proxies and exercising certain stockholder rights through the date that is immediately following the Company’s 2022 annual meeting of stockholders. The parties also agreed to certain customary non-disparagement provisions pursuant to which neither the Company nor Armistice will make a statement or announcement that constitutes an ad hominem attack on, or otherwise disparages, the other party for a period of two years from the Effective Date of the Cooperation Agreement.

The Cooperation Agreement was negotiated by a Special Committee of the Board that was comprised of all non-Armistice Independent Directors. The Cooperation Agreement was then approved by the Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Compensation Committee, Audit Committee and the full Board.

The foregoing description of the Cooperation Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Cooperation Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and is incorporated herein by reference.
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Item 6.  Exhibits.
Exhibit
Number
Description of Exhibit
10.1*+3.1+
3.2
10.1+
31.1+
31.2+
32.1+†
101
Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31,September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2021 and 2020; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the ThreeNine Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2021 and 2020; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2021 and 2020; and (v) Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements.
104Cover Page Interactive Data File, formatted in XBRL (included in Exhibit 101).
* Certain portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K.
+ Filed herewith.
† This certification is being furnished solely to accompany this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, and is not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the registrant, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
CerecorAvalo Therapeutics, Inc.
 
Date: May 13,November 9, 2021/s/ Schond L. Greenway
Schond L. Greenway
Chief Financial Officer
(on behalf of the registrant and as the registrant’s principal financial officer)
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