CTOR 10-Q
Citius Oncology, Inc. (CTOR)
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
(Mark One)
For
the quarterly period ended:
OR
For the transition period from ______________ to ______________
Commission
File Number
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of Each Class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | ||
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.
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).
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 growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | 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 February 11, 2025, there were
Citius Oncology, Inc.
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
December 31, 2024
i
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and unless the context otherwise requires, the “Company,” “Citius Oncology” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Citius Oncology, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary Citius Oncology Sub Inc., “Citius Oncology Sub”, taken as a whole.
LYMPHIRTM (denileukin diftitox) is our registered trademark. All other trade names, trademarks and service marks appearing in this quarterly report are the property of their respective owners. We have assumed that the reader understands that all such terms are source-indicating. Accordingly, such terms, when first mentioned in this report, appear with the trade name, trademark or service mark notice and then throughout the remainder of this report without trade name, trademark or service mark notices for convenience only and should not be construed as being used in a descriptive or generic sense.
ii
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that express our intentions, beliefs, expectations, strategies, predictions or any other statements relating to our future activities or other future events or conditions. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may, and are likely to, differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements due to numerous factors discussed from time to time in this Report and in other documents which we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, such statements could be affected by risks and uncertainties related to:
| ● | the ability of the Company to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Merger (as defined herein), which may not be realized fully, if at all, or may take longer to realize than expected; |
| ● | the Company’s need for substantial additional funds and its ability to raise those funds; |
| ● | our ongoing evaluations of strategic alternatives; |
| ● | the ability of the Company to commercialize LYMPHIR, including covering the costs of licensing payments, product manufacturing and other third-party goods and services; |
| ● | the ability of LYMPHIR or any of our future product candidates to impact the quality of life of our target patient populations; |
| ● | the estimated markets for LYMPHIR or any of our future product candidates and the acceptance thereof by any market; |
| ● | our ability to procure cGMP commercial-scale supply; |
| ● | our dependence on third-party suppliers; |
| ● | risks arising from changes in the fields in which LYMPHIR and any of our future product candidates, if approved, may compete; |
| ● | risks relating to the results of research and development activities, including those from our existing and any new pipeline assets; |
| ● | the ability of the Company to maintain compliance with the continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”); |
iii
| ● | ability to obtain, perform under and maintain financing and strategic agreements and relationships; |
| ● | the Company’s operating results and financial performance; |
| ● | uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical testing, approval and commercialization of any future product candidates by the Company; |
| ● | the Company’s ability to manage and grow our business and execution of our business and growth strategies; |
| ● | the competitive environment in the life sciences and biotechnology industry; |
| ● | failure to maintain, protect and defend the Company’s intellectual property rights; |
| ● | changes in government laws and regulations, including laws governing intellectual property, and the enforcement thereof affecting the Company’s business; |
| ● | changes in general economic conditions, geopolitical risk, including as a result of any pandemic or international conflict, including in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine; |
| ● | the effect of the transactions on the Company’s business relationships, operating results, and businesses generally; |
| ● | volatility in the price of the Company’s securities due to a variety of factors, including the Company’s inability to implement their business plans or meet or exceed our financial projections; |
| ● | the outcome of any litigation related to or arising out of the Merger, or any adverse developments therein or delays or costs resulting therefrom; and |
| ● | the other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 27, 2024, as amended on January 27, 2025, and elsewhere in this Report. |
Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and except as may be required under applicable securities laws, we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the filing date of this Report.
iv
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
CITIUS ONCOLOGY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
| December 31, 2024 |
September 30, 2024 |
|||||||
| Current Assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||
| Inventory | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ||||||||
| Total Current Assets | ||||||||
| Other Assets: | ||||||||
| In-process research and development | ||||||||
| Total Other Assets | ||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | ||||||
| License payable | ||||||||
| Accrued expenses | ||||||||
| Due to related party | ||||||||
| Total Current Liabilities | ||||||||
| Deferred tax liability | ||||||||
| Note payable to related party | ||||||||
| Total Liabilities | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ Equity: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock - $ |
||||||||
| Common stock - $ |
||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Total Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
| Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | $ | $ | ||||||
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
1
CITIUS ONCOLOGY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023
(Unaudited)
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Revenues | $ | $ | ||||||
| Operating Expenses: | ||||||||
| Research and development | ||||||||
| General and administrative | ||||||||
| Stock-based compensation – general and administrative | ||||||||
| Total Operating Expenses | ||||||||
| Loss before Income Taxes | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Income tax expense | ||||||||
| Net Loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Net Loss Per Share – Basic and Diluted | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding – Basic and Diluted | ||||||||
See notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
CITIUS ONCOLOGY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023
(Unaudited)
| Preferred Stock | Common Stock | Additional
Paid-In | Accumulated | Total
Stockholders’ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, September 30, 2023 | - | $ | - | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
CITIUS ONCOLOGY, INC.
Condensed Consolidated STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023
(Unaudited)
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Cash Flows From Operating Activities: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | ||||||||
| Deferred income tax expense | ||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Inventory | ( | ) | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | ( | ) | ||||||
| Accrued expenses | ( | ) | ||||||
| Due to related party | ||||||||
| Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities | ||||||||
| Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents | ||||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents – Beginning of Period | ||||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents – End of Period | $ | $ | ||||||
See accompanying notes to the unaudited financial statements.
4
CITIUS ONCOLOGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023
(Unaudited)
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Business
Citius Oncology, Inc. (“Citius Oncology”, the “Company”, “we” or “us”) is a specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of critical care products targeting unmet needs with a focus on oncology products. We are commercializing E7777 (denileukin diftitox), an approved oncology immunotherapy for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (“CTCL”), a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. We have obtained the trade name of LYMPHIR for E7777.
Since our inception, we have devoted substantially all our efforts to business planning, research and development, and recruiting management and technical staff. We are subject to a number of risks common to companies in the pharmaceutical industry including, but not limited to, risks related to the development by the Company or its competitors of research and development stage products, market acceptance of any of its products approved for marketing, competition from larger companies, dependence on key personnel, dependence on key suppliers and strategic partners, the Company’s ability to obtain additional financing and the Company’s compliance with governmental and other regulations.
Since our inception, Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Citius Pharma”) (Nasdaq: CTXR) has funded and continues to fund the Company. Citius Pharma and the Company are party to an amended and restated shared services agreement (the “A&R Shared Services Agreement”), which governs certain management and scientific services that Citius Pharma provides the Company.
Merger
On August 23, 2021, Citius Pharma formed Citius Acquisition Corp. (“SpinCo”) as a wholly-owned subsidiary in conjunction with the acquisition of LYMPHIR, which began operations in April 2022, when Citius Pharma transferred the assets related to LYMPHIR to SpinCo, including the related license agreement and asset purchase agreement (see Note 5).
On October 23, 2023, Citius Pharma and SpinCo entered into an agreement and plan of merger and reorganization (the “Merger Agreement”) with TenX Keane Acquisition, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“TenX”), and TenX Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of TenX (“Merger Sub”).
On
August 12, 2024, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into SpinCo, with SpinCo surviving
as a wholly owned subsidiary of TenX (the “Merger”) which was subsequently renamed Citius Oncology Sub, Inc. Prior to closing
of the Merger, TenX migrated to and domesticated as a Delaware corporation in accordance with Section 388 of the General Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware and the Cayman Islands Companies Act (As Revised) (the “Domestication”). As part of the Domestication,
TenX changed its name to “Citius Oncology, Inc.” (Nasdaq: CTOR). Immediately after the closing of the Merger, Citius Pharma
owned approximately
While
the Merger Sub was the legal acquirer of the Company, for accounting purposes, the Company was deemed to be the accounting acquirer.
Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Merger was treated as the equivalent of the Company issuing stock for the assets and liabilities
of the Merger Sub, accompanied by a recapitalization. Total shares outstanding of the Company after the Merger and recapitalization increased
to
5
The
Merger, net amount of $
As
part of the Merger, Citius Pharma made capital investments in the Company through cash contributions of $
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Preparation - The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the operations of Citius Oncology, Inc., and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Citius Oncology Sub, Inc., which was formed in connection with Merger. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared on the same basis as the annual consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary to fairly state the condensed consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024, and the results of its operations and cash flows for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. The operating results for the three months ended December 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending September 30, 2025. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on December 27, 2024, as amended on January 27, 2025.
Use of Estimates - The process of preparing financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates having relatively higher significance include the accounting for in-process research and development, stock-based compensation and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates and changes in estimates may occur.
Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Common Share - Basic and diluted net loss per common share applicable to common stockholders is computed by dividing net loss applicable to common stockholders in each period by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during such period. For the periods presented, common stock equivalents and consisting of stock options, were not included in the calculation of the diluted loss per share because they were anti-dilutive.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Other than as disclosed in our Form 10-K, we are not aware of any other recently issued accounting standards not yet adopted that may have a material impact on our financial statements.
6
2. GOING CONCERN UNCERTAINTY AND MANAGEMENT’S PLAN
The
accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the
realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company had a net loss of $
The Company plans to continue to rely on funding from Citius Pharma, to raise capital through equity financings from outside investors and to generate revenue from the future sales of LYMPHIR. Both the Company and Citius Pharma are actively engaged in capital raising efforts to extend the cash runway. There is no assurance, however, that Citius Pharma will have the resources to continue funding the Company, that the Company will be successful in raising the needed capital and, if funding is available, that it will be available on terms acceptable to the Company or that the Company will find strategic partners or generate substantial revenue from the sale of LYMPHIR. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of the above uncertainty.
3. INVENTORY
Inventory
is stated at the lower of actual accumulated costs or net realizable value. Inventory consists of finished goods of $
4. PREPAID EXPENSES
Prepaid
expenses at December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024 consist of $
5. PATENT AND TECHNOLOGY LICENSE AGREEMENTS
License Agreement with Eisai
In September 2021, Citius Pharma entered into an asset purchase agreement with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories SA, a subsidiary of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd. (collectively, “Dr. Reddy’s”) and a license agreement with Eisai Co., Ltd. (“Eisai”) to acquire an exclusive license of E7777 (denileukin diftitox), an oncology immunotherapy for the treatment of CTCL, a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. We renamed E7777 as I/ONTAK and also obtained the trade name of LYMPHIR for the product. Citius Pharma assigned these agreements to us effective April 1, 2022. We have obtained the trade name LYMPHIR for E7777. The Company received a BLA approval from the FDA for LYMPHIR in August 2024.
Under
the terms of these agreements, Citius Pharma acquired Dr. Reddy’s exclusive license for E7777 from Eisai and other related assets
owned by Dr. Reddy’s (which are now owned by Citius Oncology). The exclusive license rights, through Citius Oncology, include rights
to develop and commercialize E7777 in all markets except for Japan and certain parts of Asia. Additionally, we, through Citius Oncology,
retain an option on the right to develop and market the product in India. Eisai retains exclusive development and marketing rights for
the agent in Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, India (subject to the India
option), Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Mongolia, and Papua
New Guinea. Citius Pharma paid Dr. Reddy’s a $
7
At
the time of the FDA approval for LYMPHIR, a $
Under
the license agreement, Eisai is to receive a $
The
term of the license agreement will continue until (i) if there has not been a commercial sale of a licensed product in the territory,
the 10-year anniversary of the original license effective date, March 30, 2016, or (ii) if there has been a first commercial sale of
a licensed product in the territory within the 10-year anniversary of the original license effective date, the 10-year anniversary of
the first commercial sale on a country-by-country basis. The term of the license may be extended for additional 10-year periods for all
countries in the territory by notifying Eisai and paying an extension fee equal to $
Also under the purchase agreement with Dr. Reddy’s, we are required to (i) use commercially reasonable efforts to make commercially available products in the CTCL indication, peripheral T-cell lymphoma indication and immuno-oncology indication, (ii) initiate two investigator initiated immuno-oncology trials (both of which have been initiated), (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to achieve each of the approval milestones, and (iv) complete each specified immuno-oncology investigator trial on or before the four-year anniversary of the effective date of the definitive agreement. Additionally, we are required to commercially launch a product in a territory within six months of receiving regulatory approval for such product in each such jurisdiction.
As part of the definitive agreement with Dr. Reddy’s, Citius Pharmaceuticals acquired method of use patents in which LYMPHIR is administered in combination with the programmed cell death protein 1 (“PD-1”) pathway inhibitor drug class. PD-1 plays a vital role in inhibiting immune responses and promoting self-tolerance through modulating the activity of T-cells, activating apoptosis of antigen-specific T cells and inhibiting apoptosis of regulatory T cells.
The following patents were acquired and subsequently transferred to us:
| ● | US Provisional Application No. 63/070,645, which was filed on August 26, 2020, and subsequently published as US 2022/0062390 A1 on March 3, 2022, entitled Methods of Treating Cancer. |
| ● | International Patent Application Number: PCT/IB2021/0576733, which was filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization on August 23, 2021, and subsequently published as WO 2022/043863 A1 on March 3, 2022, entitled, Combination for Use in Methods of Treating Cancer. |
Upon
FDA approval of the product in August 2024, the Company was subject to milestone payments totaling $
8
6. STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
Authorized Capital Stock and Stock Split
The
certificate of incorporation adopted on August 5, 2024, in connection with the Merger, also authorizes
Stock Plans
Under
the 2023 stock plan, adopted on April 29, 2023, we reserved
The
fair value of each stock option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Volatility is estimated
using the trading activity of Citius Pharmaceuticals common stock until such time as we have sufficient history. The risk-free interest
rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant commensurate with the expected term assumption. The expected
term of stock options granted to employees and directors, all of which qualify as “plain vanilla,” is based on the average
of the contractual term (generally
A summary of option activity under the plans is presented below:
| Shares | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |||||||||||
| Outstanding at September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Granted | $ | |||||||||||||
| Forfeited | ||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2024 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Exercisable at December 31, 2024 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
On
December 2, 2024, the Board of Directors granted options to purchase
On
December 12, 2024, the Board of Directors granted options to purchase
The
weighted average grant date fair value of the options granted during the three months ended December 31, 2024 was estimated at $
Stock-based
compensation expense for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $
At
December 31, 2024, unrecognized total compensation cost related to unvested awards under the Citius Oncology stock plans of $
9
7. COMMERCIAL MANUFACTURING CONTRACTS
The
Company has entered into an agreement with a Contract Manufacturing Organization for the manufacture and supply of drug substance. The
agreement runs through calendar 2026, with an automatic renewal for a subsequent four-year term. Under this agreement, the Company is
obligated to purchase minimum annual quantities of batches at a set price per batch, subject to annual increases. Additionally, the Company
is required to pay an annual service fee of $
As
of December 31, 2024, the Company also has commercial supply agreements with two other vendors for the completion and packaging of finished
drug products. Minimum purchase commitments under these two agreements amount to approximately $
8. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The
Company’s officers and directors also serve as officers of Citius Pharma. As of December 31, 2024, the Company does not have any
employees. The Company and Citius Pharma entered into the A&R Shared Services Agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Citius
Pharma provides management and scientific services to the Company. During the three months ended December 31, 2024, Citius Pharma charged
the Company $
The Company has limited cash, therefore all the Company’s expenditures are paid by Citius Pharma and reflected in the due to related party account.
Citius
Pharma advanced cash to the Company for a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note issued by the Company, dated August 16, 2024,
in the principal amount of $
10
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 should be read together with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Report and in conjunction with the audited financial statements of Citius Oncology, Inc. included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on December 27, 2024, as amended on January 27, 2025. The following discussion contains “forward-looking statements” that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. Our actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated and expressed in such forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. We caution that assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions, or beliefs about future events may, and often do, vary from actual results and the differences can be material. Please see “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” on page iii of this Report.
Business
Citius Oncology is a specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative targeted oncology therapies. We are commercializing LYMPHIR (denileukin diftitox), an oncology immunotherapy for the treatment of CTCL, a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. LYMPHIR was approved by the FDA in August 2024.
We were incorporated in the Cayman Islands on March 1, 2021, for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. In August 2024, we reincorporated in Delaware and completed the Merger whereby we acquired SpinCo as a wholly owned subsidiary and changed our name to Citius Oncology, Inc. SpinCo began operations in April 2022.
Since inception, we devoted substantially all of our efforts to business planning, research and development, and recruiting management and technical staff. The Company is subject to a number of risks common to companies in the pharmaceutical industry including, but not limited to, risks related to the development by the Company or our competitors of research and development stage products, market acceptance of our approved products, competition from larger companies, dependence on key personnel, dependence on key suppliers and strategic partners, the Company’s ability to obtain additional financing and the Company’s compliance with governmental and other regulations.
License Agreement with Eisai
In September 2021, Citius Pharma entered into an asset purchase agreement with Dr. Reddy’s and a license agreement with Eisai to acquire an exclusive license of E7777 (denileukin diftitox), an oncology immunotherapy for the treatment of CTCL, a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Citius Pharma renamed E7777 as I/ONTAK and also obtained the trade name LYMPHIRTM for the product. Citius Pharma assigned these agreements to us effective April 1, 2022. Denileukin diftitox is referred to in this report as E7777, I/ONTAK or LYMPHIR, depending on the period of time and context that is being discussed.
Under the terms of these agreements, Citius Pharma acquired Dr. Reddy’s exclusive license for E7777 from Eisai and other related assets owned by Dr. Reddy’s which are now owned by us. The exclusive license rights include rights to develop and commercialize E7777 in all markets except for Japan and certain parts of Asia. Additionally, we retained an option on the right to develop and market the product in India. Eisai retains exclusive development and marketing rights for the agent in Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, India (subject to the India option), Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Mongolia, and Papua New Guinea. Citius Pharma paid Dr. Reddy’s a $40 million upfront payment, which represents the acquisition date fair value of the in-process research and development acquired from Dr. Reddy’s. Dr. Reddy’s is entitled to up to $40 million in development milestone payments related to CTCL approvals in the U.S. and other markets, up to $70 million in development milestones for additional indications, as well as commercial milestone payments and low double-digit tiered royalties on net product sales (within a range of 10% to 15%) and up to $300 million for commercial sales milestones. We also must pay on a fiscal quarter basis tiered royalties equal to low double-digit percentages of net product sales (within a range of 10% to 15%). The royalties will end on the earlier of (i) the 15-year anniversary of the first commercial sale of the latest indication that received regulatory approval in the applicable country and (ii) the date on which a biosimilar product results in the reduction of net sales in the applicable product by 50% in two consecutive quarters, as compared to the four quarters prior to the first commercial sale of the biosimilar product. We will also pay to Dr. Reddy’s an amount equal to a low-thirties percentage of any sublicense upfront consideration or milestone payments (or the like) received by us and the greater of (i) a low-thirties percentage of any sublicensee sales-based royalties or (ii) a mid-single digit percentage of such licensee’s net sales. Citius Pharma is a guarantor of Citius Oncology’s payment obligations under these agreements.
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At the time of the FDA approval for LYMPHIR, a $27.5 million milestone payment became payable under the terms of the asset purchase agreement for which a balance of $22.5 million remains due as of December 31, 2024. Pending further discussions with Dr. Reddy’s, Dr. Reddy’s agreed to a partial deferral without penalty of this milestone payment.
Under the license agreement, Eisai was to receive a $5.9 million milestone payment, upon FDA approval which is included in license payable at December 31, 2024, and additional commercial milestone payments related to the achievement of net product sales thresholds and an aggregate of up to $22 million related to the achievement of net product sales thresholds. We were also required to reimburse Eisai for up to $2.65 million of its costs to complete the Phase 3 pivotal clinical trial for LYMPHIR for the CTCL indication and reimburse Eisai for all reasonable costs associated with the preparation of a BLA for LYMPHIR. Eisai was responsible for completing the CTCL clinical trial, and CMC activities through the filing of a BLA for LYMPHIR with the FDA. The BLA was approved by the FDA on August 8, 2024. The Company will be responsible for development costs associated with potential additional indications.
The term of the license agreement will continue until (i) if there has not been a commercial sale of a licensed product in the territory, the 10-year anniversary of the original license effective date, March 30, 2016, or (ii) if there has been a first commercial sale of a licensed product in the territory within the 10-year anniversary of the original license effective date, the 10-year anniversary of the first commercial sale on a country-by-country basis. The term of the license may be extended for additional 10-year periods for all countries in the territory by notifying Eisai and paying an extension fee equal to $10 million. Either party may terminate the license agreement upon written notice if the other party is in material breach of the agreement, subject to cure within the designated time periods. Either party also may terminate the license agreement immediately upon written notice if the other party files for bankruptcy or takes related actions or is unable to pay its debts as they become due. Additionally, either party will have the right to terminate the agreement if the other party directly or indirectly challenges the patentability, enforceability or validity of any licensed patent.
Under the purchase agreement with Dr. Reddy’s, we are required to (i) use commercially reasonable efforts to make commercially available products in the CTCL indication, peripheral T-cell lymphoma indication and immuno-oncology indication, (ii) initiate two investigator initiated immuno-oncology trials (both of which have been initiated), (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to achieve each of the approval milestones, and (iv) complete each specified immuno-oncology investigator trial on or before the four-year anniversary of the effective date of the definitive agreement. Additionally, we are required to commercially launch a product in a territory within six months of receiving regulatory approval for such product in each such jurisdiction.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three months ended December 31, 2024 compared with the three months ended December 31, 2023
Three
Months Ended 2024 | Three
Months Ended 2023 | |||||||
| Revenues | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||
| Research and development | 1,264,508 | 1,148,495 | ||||||
| General and administrative | 3,321,979 | 1,517,908 | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation – general and administrative | 1,808,478 | 1,917,000 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 6,394,965 | 4,583,403 | ||||||
| Loss before income taxes | (6,394,965 | ) | (4,583,403 | ) | ||||
| Income tax expense | 264,240 | 144,000 | ||||||
| Net loss | $ | (6,659,205 | ) | $ | (4,727,403 | ) | ||
Revenues
We did not generate any revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Research and Development Expenses
For the three months ended December 31, 2024, research and development expenses were $1,264,508 as compared to $1,148,495 for the three months ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $116,013 primarily related to costs associated with the two investigator immuno-oncology trials which are in process.
General and Administrative Expenses
For the three months ended December 31, 2024, general and administrative expenses were $3,321,979 as compared to $1,517,908 for the three months ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $1,804,071. The primary reason for the increase was the efforts associated with the pre-commercial and commercial launch activities of LYMPHIR associated with market research, marketing, distribution and drug product reimbursement from health plans and payers.
Stock-based Compensation Expense
For the three months ended December 31, 2024, stock-based compensation expense was $1,808,478 as compared to $1,917,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The primary reason for the $108,522 decrease in stock-based compensation expense was the decrease in the weighted average grant date fair value of the options granted during the three months ended December 31, 2024 to $0.80 per share as compared to the weighted average grant date fair value of the options granted of $1.66 per share during the year ended September 30, 2024.
Income Taxes
The Company recorded deferred income tax expense of $264,240 in the three months ended December 31, 2024 as compared to $144,000 in the three months ended December 31, 2023 related to the amortization for taxable purposes of its in-process research and development asset.
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Net Loss
For the three months ended December 31, 2024, we incurred a net loss of $6,659,205 compared to a net loss of $4,727,403 for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The $1,931,802 increase in the net loss was primarily due to the increase in our operating expenses.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity and Working Capital
Citius Oncology has incurred operating losses since inception and incurred a net loss of $6,659,205 for the three months ended December 31, 2024. At December 31, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $45,937,792. The Company has no revenue and has relied on funding from Citius Pharma to finance its operations. At December 31, 2024, we had $112 in cash and a negative working capital of approximately $26.3 million.
We plan to continue to rely on funding from Citius Pharma, to raise capital through equity financings from outside investors and to generate revenue from the future sales of LYMPHIR. There is no assurance, however, that Citius Pharma will have the resources to continue funding us, that we will be successful in raising the needed capital and, if funding is available, that it will be available on terms acceptable to us or that we will find strategic partners or generate substantial revenue from the sale of LYMPHIR.
We expect that Citius Pharma will have sufficient funds to continue our operations through March 2025. We will need to raise additional capital in the future to support our operations beyond March 2025. There is no assurance, however, that we will be successful in raising the needed capital or that the proceeds will be received in an amount or in a timely manner to support our operations.
Inflation
Our management believes that inflation has not had a material effect on our results of operations.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of our financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the amounts of revenues and expenses recorded during the reporting periods. We base our estimates on historical experience, where applicable, and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from our estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Our critical accounting policies and use of estimates are discussed in, and should be read in conjunction with, the annual consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on December 27, 2024, as amended on January 27, 2025.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Not applicable.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the specified time periods and accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.
Our Chief Executive Officer (who is our principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (who is our principal financial officer and principal accounting officer), evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2024. In designing and evaluating disclosure controls and procedures, we recognize that any disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objective. As of December 31, 2024, based on the evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
Changes In Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 that have 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.
There have been no material changes to the Company’s risk factors as disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on December 27, 2024, as amended on January 27, 2025.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information.
During
the quarter ended December 31, 2024, none of our directors or officers
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Item 6. Exhibits.
| 31.1 | Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a).* | |
| 31.2 | Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a).* | |
| 32.1 | Certification of the Principal Executive and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.* | |
| EX-101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document* | |
| EX-101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document* | |
| EX-101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document* | |
| EX-101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document* | |
| EX-101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document* | |
| EX-101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document* | |
| EX-104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)* |
| * | Filed herewith. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| CITIUS ONCOLOGY, INC. | ||
| Date: February 14, 2025 | By: | /s/ Leonard Mazur |
| Leonard Mazur | ||
| Chief
Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
| Date: February 14, 2025 | By: | /s/ Jaime Bartushak |
| Jaime Bartushak | ||
| Chief
Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | ||
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