Theriva Biologics, Inc 10-Q for FY2025 Q2
Theriva Biologics, Inc. (TOVX)
About this 10-Q
Theriva Biologics, Inc filed this 10-Q on August 11, 2025, covering the quarter ended June 30, 2025 (FY2025 Q2).
Headline figures
Quarter ended June 30, 2025, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Net loss
- $13.06M
- compared with a net loss of $8.32M a year earlier
- Diluted EPS
- -$1.93
- compared with -$10.72 a year earlier
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from ____________ to ____________
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(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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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.
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Large Accelerated Filer | ☐ | | Accelerated Filer | ☐ |
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☒ | | Smaller Reporting Company | ||
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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. ☐
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As of August 7, 2025, the registrant had
THERIVA BIOLOGICS, INC.
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). In particular, statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including but not limited to, statements regarding the timing of our clinical trials, the development and commercialization of our pipeline products, the sufficiency of our cash, our ability to finance our operations and business initiatives and obtain funding for such activities and the timing of any such financing, our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy and plans prospects, or costs and objectives of management for future research, development or operations, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements relate to our future plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and may be identified by words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “targets,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “goals,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” and “continue” or similar words. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict, including those identified below, under Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and those identified under Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed on March 6, 2025 (the “2024 Form 10-K”). Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed, projected or implied in any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason.
NOTE REGARDING COMPANY REFERENCES
Throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, “Theriva Biologics,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Theriva Biologics, Inc. and our subsidiaries Theriva Biologics, S.L. (“VCN”, formerly known as VCN Biosciences, S.L.), Pipex Therapeutics, Inc. (“Pipex Therapeutics”), Effective Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“EPI”), Solovax, Inc. (“Solovax”), CD4 Biosciences, Inc. (“CD4”), Epitope Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Epitope”), Healthmine, Inc. (“Healthmine”), Putney Drug Corp. (“Putney”) and Synthetic Biomics, Inc. (“SYN Biomics”).
NOTE REGARDING TRADEMARKS
All trademarks, trade names and service marks appearing in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are the property of their respective owners.
THERIVA BIOLOGICS, INC.
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2
PART I–FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands except share and par value amounts)
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| June 30, 2025 |
| December 31, 2024 | ||
Assets |
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Current Assets |
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Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | | | $ | |
Tax credit receivable | | | | | | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | |
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Total Current Assets | |
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Non-Current Assets | | | | | | |
Property and equipment, net | |
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Restricted cash | | | | | | |
Right of use asset | | | | | | |
In-process research and development | |
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Deposits and other assets | |
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Total Assets | | $ | | | $ | |
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Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | |
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Current Liabilities: | |
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Accounts payable | | $ | | | $ | |
Accrued expenses | |
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Accrued employee benefits | |
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Deferred research and development tax credit-current portion | | | | | | |
Loans payable-current | | | | | | |
Operating lease liability-current portion | |
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Total Current Liabilities | |
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Non-current Liabilities | | | | | | |
Non-current contingent consideration | | | | | | |
Loan Payable - non-current | | | | | | |
Non-current deferred research and development tax credit | | | | | | |
Non-current operating lease liability | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities | |
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Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13) | |
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Stockholders’ Equity: | |
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Preferred Stock; | | | | | ||
Common stock, $ | |
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Additional paid-in capital | |
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Treasury stock at cost, | | | ( | | | ( |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | | | | | | ( |
Accumulated deficit | |
| ( | | | ( |
Total Stockholders’ Equity | |
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Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | | $ | | | $ | |
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
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| For the three months ended June 30, |
| For the six months ended June 30, | ||||||||
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| 2025 |
| 2024 |
| 2025 |
| 2024 | ||||
Operating Costs and Expenses: |
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General and administrative | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Research and development | |
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Goodwill impairment | | | — | | | | | | — | | | |
Total Operating Costs and Expenses | |
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Loss from Operations | |
| ( | | | ( | | | ( | | | ( |
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Other Income/Expense: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency exchange (loss) gain | | | | | | ( | | | | | | ( |
Interest income, net | |
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Total Other Income | |
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Net Loss | | | ( | | | ( | | | ( | | | ( |
Income tax benefit | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
Net Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders | | $ | ( | | $ | ( | | $ | ( | | $ | ( |
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Net Loss Per Share - Basic and Dilutive | | $ | ( | | $ | ( | | $ | ( | | $ | ( |
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Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period - Basic and Dilutive | |
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Net Loss | | | ( | | | ( | | | ( | | | ( |
Gain (loss) on foreign currency translation | | | | | | ( | | | | | | ( |
Total comprehensive loss | | $ | ( | | $ | ( | | $ | ( | | $ | ( |
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholder’s Equity
(In thousands, except share and par value amounts)
| | Common Stock $0.001 Par Value | | | | | | | | Accumulated | | | | | | | ||||
| | | | | | | Additional | | | | | Other | | | | | Total | |||
| | | | | | | Paid-in | | Accumulated | | Comprehensive | | | | | Stockholders’ | ||||
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| Shares |
| Amount |
| Capital |
| Deficit |
| income |
| Treasury Stock |
| Equity | ||||||
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Balance at December 31, 2024 | | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | ( | | $ | ( | | $ | ( | | $ | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation | | — | | | — | | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | |
Foreign currency exchange gains | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | | — | | | |
Net loss | | — | | | — | | | — | | | ( | | | — | | | — | | | ( |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at March 31, 2025 | | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | ( |
| $ | ( | | $ | ( | | $ | |
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Stock-based compensation | | — | | | — | | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | |
Issuance of Common Stock and Warrants, net of issuance costs | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | |
Conversion of Warrants to Common | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | |
Foreign currency exchange gains | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | | — | | | |
Net loss | | — | | | — | | | — | | | ( | | | — | | | — | | | ( |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at June 30, 2025 | | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | ( | | $ | | | $ | ( | | $ | |
| | Common Stock $0.001 Par Value | | | | | | | | Accumulated | | | | | | | ||||
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| | | | Additional | | | | | Other | | | | | Total | |||
| | | | | | | Paid-in | | Accumulated | | Comprehensive | | | | | Stockholders’ | ||||
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| Shares |
| Amount |
| Capital |
| Deficit |
| income |
| Treasury Stock |
| Equity | ||||||
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Balance at December 31, 2023 | | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | ( | | $ | | | $ | ( | | $ | |
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Stock-based compensation | | — | | | — | | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | |
Foreign currency exchange losses | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | ( | | | — | | | ( |
Net loss | | — | | | — | | | — | | | ( | | | — | | | — | | | ( |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at March 31, 2024 | | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | ( |
| $ | ( | | $ | ( | | $ | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation | | — | | | — | | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | |
Stock issued under “at-the-market” offering | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | |
Foreign currency exchange losses | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | ( | | | — | | | ( |
Series C Preferred Stock conversion to Common | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | |
Net loss | | — | | | — | | | — | | | ( | | | — | | | — | | | ( |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at June 30, 2024 | | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | ( | | $ | ( | | $ | ( | | $ | |
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
| | For the Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||
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| 2025 |
| 2024 | ||
Cash Flows From Operating Activities: |
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Net loss | | $ | ( | | $ | ( |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | |
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Stock-based compensation | |
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Goodwill impairment | |
| — | |
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Change in fair value of contingent consideration | |
| | | | ( |
Non-cash lease expense | | | | | | |
Depreciation | |
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Deferred research and development tax credit | | | ( | | | ( |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets | |
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Accounts payable | |
| ( | | | |
Accrued expenses | |
| ( | | | |
Accrued employee benefits | |
| ( | | | ( |
Operating lease liability | |
| ( | | | ( |
Net Cash Used In Operating Activities | |
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Cash Flows from Investing Activities | |
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Purchase of property and equipment | | | ( | | | ( |
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities | | | ( | | | ( |
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Cash Flows from Financing Activities | |
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Tax credit receivable | | | | | | — |
Proceeds from issuance of common stock | | | | | | — |
Proceeds from issuance of common stock for warrant exercises | | | | | | — |
Payment of loans payable | | | ( | | | ( |
Proceeds from issuance ATM offering, net of issuance costs | | | — | | | |
Proceeds from long term debt | | | | | | — |
Net Cash provided by Financing Activities | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | | | | | | ( |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | | | | | | ( |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of this period | |
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Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of this period | | $ | | | $ | |
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Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported in the consolidated balance sheet | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | | | $ | |
Restricted cash included in other long-term assets | | | | | | |
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows | | $ | | | $ | |
| | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
1. Organization, Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation
Description of Business
Theriva Biologics, Inc. (the “Company” or “Theriva Biologics”) is a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics in areas of high unmet need. As a result of the acquisition in March 2022 of Theriva Biologics S.L. (“VCN”, formerly known as VCN Biosciences, S.L.) (the “Acquisition”), described in more detail below, the Company transitioned its strategic focus to oncology through the development of VCN’s new oncolytic adenovirus platform designed for intravenous and intravitreal delivery to trigger tumor cell death, to improve access of co-administered cancer therapies to the tumor, and to promote a robust and sustained anti-tumor response by the patient’s immune system. Prior to the Acquisition, the Company’s focus was on developing therapeutics designed to treat gastrointestinal (GI) diseases in areas which included its clinical development candidates: (1) SYN-004 (ribaxamase) which is designed to degrade certain commonly used intravenous (IV) beta-lactam antibiotics within the GI tract to prevent microbiome damage thereby preventing overgrowth and infection by pathogenic organisms such as Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), and vancomycin resistant Enterococci (VRE), and reducing the incidence and severity of acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients, and (2) SYN-020, a recombinant oral formulation of the enzyme intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) produced under cGMP conditions and intended to treat both local GI and systemic diseases.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and notes required by Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for complete financial statements. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, comprised of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary by management to fairly state the Company’s results of operations, financial position, and cash flows. The operating results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed on March 6, 2025 (the “2024 Form 10-K”).
On August 15, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a reverse stock split of the Company’s authorized, issued and outstanding shares of common stock, par value $
As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, each twenty-five (25) pre-split shares of Common Stock outstanding was automatically combined into (1) new share of Common Stock without any action on the part of the holders, and the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reduced from
7
Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Organization, Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (continued)
All affected share amounts and exercise/conversion prices in the condensed consolidated financial statements and footnotes below have been adjusted retrospectively for the Reverse Stock Split.
The condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which requires the use of estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets and liabilities at the reporting date and the amounts of revenue and expenses in the periods presented. The Company believes that the accounting estimates employed are appropriate and the resulting balances are reasonable; however, due to the inherent uncertainties in making estimates, actual results may differ from the original estimates, requiring adjustments to these balances in future periods. As of June 30, 2025, the Company has
2. Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company continues to incur losses and, as of June 30, 2025, the Company had an accumulated deficit of approximately $
The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the Company’s ability to raise additional debt and equity capital or secure a potential license or strategic relationship that can help fund our clinical development activities. There can be no assurance that such capital will be available in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to the Company. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability of the recorded assets or the classification of liabilities that may be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
The Company does not have sufficient capital to fund its operations beyond the next twelve months. In order to address the Company’s capital needs, including its planned clinical trials, the Company is actively pursuing additional equity or debt financing in the form of either a private placement or a public offering as well as partnerships and other collaborations. The Company has been in ongoing discussions with strategic institutional investors and investment banks with respect to such possible offerings. Such additional financing opportunities might not be available to the Company when and if needed, on acceptable terms or at all. If the Company is unable to obtain additional financing in sufficient amounts or on acceptable terms under such circumstances, the Company’s operating results and prospects will be adversely affected.
At June 30, 2025, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $
8
Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
2. Going Concern (continued)
The actual amount of funds the Company will need to operate is subject to many factors, some of which are beyond its control. These factors include the following:
| ● | the progress of its research activities; |
| ● | the number and scope of its research programs; |
| ● | the ability to recruit patients for clinical studies in a timely manner; |
| ● | the progress of its preclinical and clinical development activities; |
| ● | the progress of the development efforts of parties with whom the Company has entered into research and development agreements and amount of funding received from partners and collaborators; |
| ● | its ability to maintain current research and development licensing arrangements and to establish new research and development and licensing arrangements; |
| ● | the Company’s ability to achieve its milestones under licensing arrangements; |
| ● | the costs associated with manufacturing-related services to produce material for use in its clinical trials; |
| ● | the costs involved in prosecuting and enforcing patent claims and other intellectual property rights; and |
| ● | the costs and timing of regulatory approvals. |
The Company has based its estimates of funding requirements on assumptions that may prove to be wrong. The Company may need to obtain additional funds sooner or in greater amounts than it currently anticipates.
If the Company raises funds by selling additional shares of Common Stock or other securities convertible into Common Stock, the ownership interest of the existing stockholders will be diluted. If the Company is not able to obtain financing when needed, it may be unable to carry out its business plan. As a result, the Company may have to significantly limit its operations and its business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially harmed.
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
There have been no new or material changes to the significant accounting policies discussed in the Company’s audited financial statements and the notes thereto included in the 2024 Form 10-K.
Segment information
The Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The CODM is assisted in his responsibilities of making decisions regarding resource allocation and performance assessment by the leadership team, consisting of the General Director, Europe and Head of Corporate and Product Development.
The Company views its operations and manages its business as
9
Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
As the Company does not currently generate revenue, the CODM assesses Company performance through the achievement of pre-clinical and clinical research goals. In addition to the Company’s Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss, the CODM is regularly provided with budgeted and forecasted expense information which is used to determine the Company’s liquidity needs and cash allocation. The measure of segment assets is reported on the balance sheet as total assets.
IPR&D
IPR&D assets represent the fair value assigned to technologies that the Company acquired, which at the time of acquisition have not reached technological feasibility and have no alternative future use. IPR&D assets are considered to have indefinite-lives until the completion or abandonment of the associated research and development projects. If and when development is complete, which generally occurs upon regulatory approval and the ability to commercialize products associated with the IPR&D assets, these assets are then deemed to have definite lives and are amortized based on their estimated useful lives at that point in time. If development is terminated or abandoned, the Company may have a full or partial impairment charge related to the IPR&D assets, calculated as the excess of carrying value of the IPR&D assets over fair value.
During the period that the assets are considered indefinite-lived, they are tested for impairment on an annual basis on October 1, or more frequently if the Company becomes aware of any events occurring or changes in circumstances that could indicate an impairment. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the estimated fair value of the IPR&D with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The key assumptions used to value IPR&D include estimates of future cash flows and to the discount rate applicable to the future cash flow periods.
Contingent Consideration
Consideration paid in a business combination may include potential future payments that are contingent upon the acquired business achieving certain milestones in the future (“contingent consideration”). Contingent consideration liabilities are measured at their estimated fair value as of the date of acquisition, with subsequent changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company estimates the fair value of the contingent consideration as of the acquisition date using the estimated future cash outflows based on the probability of meeting future milestones. Payments for amounts not in excess of original fair values established at acquisition date (including measurement period adjustments), and not paid within a period considered to be close to the transaction date, are reflected as financing activities in the statement of cash flows. Subsequent to the date of acquisition, the Company reassesses the actual consideration earned and the probability-weighted future earn-out payments at each balance sheet date. The discounted cash flow is the method used to value the contingent consideration which includes inputs of not readily observable market data, which are level 3 inputs. Any adjustment to the contingent consideration liability will be recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. Contingent consideration liabilities expected to be settled within 12 months after the balance sheet date are presented in current liabilities, with the non-current portion recorded under long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. See Fair Value of Financial Instruments below.
Long-Lived Assets Impairment
Long-lived assets include property, equipment, and right of use assets. Management reviews the Company’s long-lived assets for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be fully recoverable. The judgments made related to the expected useful lives of long-lived assets, definitions of lease terms and the Company’s ability to realize undiscounted cash flows in excess of the carrying amounts of these assets are affected by factors such as the ongoing maintenance and improvements of the assets, changes in economic conditions, changes in usage or operating performance and other factors. The Company determines the extent to which an asset may be impaired based upon its expectation of the asset’s future usability as well as whether there is reasonable assurance that the future cash flows associated with the asset will be in excess of its carrying amount. If the total of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value and the carrying value of the asset.
10
Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – (continued)
Research and Development Tax Credits
The Company, through its Theriva S.L. subsidiary, participates in a Research and Development incentive program sponsored by the Spanish government. The program provides for reimbursement of certain expenses incurred in research and development efforts the Company incurs in Spain. The program provides for certain limits on the types and amounts of expenses and requires participants to complete a certification and apply for the refund annually. Subsequent to the period in which expenses are incurred, the program requires participants to maintain certain workforce levels and research and development expenditures over a
Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Developments
On November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03 - Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. The ASU requires more detailed disclosures about the types of expenses in commonly presented expense captions such as cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses. This includes separate footnote disclosure for expenses such as purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation, and intangible asset amortization. Public business entities are required to apply the guidance prospectively and may apply it retrospectively. The ASU’s amendments are effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Public business entities are required to apply the guidance prospectively and may apply it retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of adopting this ASU.
In December 2023, the FASB issued final guidance in ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (ASC 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures requiring entities to provide additional information in the rate reconciliation and disclosures about income taxes paid. For public business entities, the guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is not early adopting this ASU, and therefore, this ASU is not adopted in the current period. The Company does not expect this ASU to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
4. Intangibles
As a result of the Acquisition of VCN, the Company has an intangible asset, in-process research and development (“IPR&D”). The IPR&D is deemed to have indefinite lives and therefore not amortized. During the three months ended June 30, 2025, the Company announced in a press release that it had met the primary survival and safety endpoints in its VIRAGE Phase 2b clinical trial evaluating the Company’s lead product candidate VCN-01. As a result, the Company deemed this to be a change in circumstances that could indicate impairment. The Company updated its key assumptions used to value IPR&D including estimates of future cash flows and the discount rate applicable to the future cash flow periods. The Company determined that there was
The following table provides the Company’s in-process R&D as of June 30, 2025.
|
| In-process | |
| | R&D (in thousands) | |
Balance at December 31, 2024 | | $ | |
Effects of exchange rates | | | |
Balance at June 30, 2025 | | $ | |
There were
11
Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
5. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurement, defines fair value as the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is determined based upon assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. Fair value measurements are classified on a three-tier hierarchy as follows:
| ● | Level 1 inputs: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets; |
| ● | Level 2 inputs: Inputs, other than quoted prices, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and |
| ● | Level 3 inputs: Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions. |
In many cases, a valuation technique used to measure fair value includes inputs from multiple levels of the fair value hierarchy described above. The lowest level of significant input determines the placement of the entire fair value measurement in the hierarchy.
The carrying amounts of the Company’s short-term financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate fair value due to the relatively short period to maturity for these level 1 instruments.
As a result of the acquisition of VCN the Company acquired interest-free or below-market interest rate loans extended by Spanish government. Additionally, the Company received an unsecured loan of €
In connection with the Acquisition of VCN, the Company was required to pay up to $
12
Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
5. Fair Value of Financial Instruments – (continued)
The following table summarizes the change in the fair value as determined by Level 3 inputs for the contingent consideration liabilities as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024:
|
| (in thousands) | |
Balance at December 31, 2024 | | $ | |
Change in fair value | |
| |
Reclassification of amounts to accrued expenses due to milestone being achieved | |
| ( |
Balance at June 30, 2025 | | $ | |
| | | |
Contingent consideration, current portion | | $ | — |
Contingent consideration, net of current portion | |
| |
Balance at June 30, 2025 | | $ | |
|
| (in thousands) | |
Balance at December 31, 2023 | | $ | |
Change in fair value | |
| |
Balance at December 31, 2024 | | $ | |
| | | |
Contingent consideration, current portion | | $ | — |
Contingent consideration, net of current portion | |
| |
Balance at December 31, 2024 | | $ | |
The fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis is as follows:
|
| As of June 30, 2025 | ||||||||||
Description |
| Total |
| Level 1 |
| Level 2 |
| Level 3 | ||||
Liabilities: |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
Contingent consideration | | $ | |
| $ | — |
| $ | — | | $ | |
Total liabilities | | $ | |
| $ | — |
| $ | — | | $ | |
|
| As of December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||
Description |
| Total |
| Level 1 |
| Level 2 |
| Level 3 | ||||
Liabilities: |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
Contingent consideration | | $ | |
| $ | — |
| $ | — | | $ | |
Total liabilities | | $ | |
| $ | — |
| $ | — | | $ | |
13
Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
5. Fair Value of Financial Instruments – (continued)
The recurring Level 3 fair value measurements of contingent consideration for which a liability is recorded include the following significant unobservable inputs:
| | As of June 30, 2025 | ||||
| | Valuation | | Significant | | Weighted Average |
|
| Methodology |
| Unobservable Input |
| (range, if applicable) |
Contingent Consideration |
| Discounted Cash Flows |
| Milestone dates |
| 2026-2031 |
|
| | | | | |
|
|
|
| Discount rate |
| |
|
|
|
| Weighted Average Discount rate |
| |
|
|
|
| Probability of Occurrence (periodic for each Milestone) |
| |
|
|
|
| Probability of occurrence (cumulative through each Milestone) |
| |
|
| As of December 31, 2024 | ||||
| | Valuation | | Significant | | Weighted Average |
|
| Methodology |
| Unobservable Input |
| (range, if applicable) |
Contingent Consideration |
| Discounted Cash Flows |
| Milestone dates |
| 2026-2028 |
| | | | | | |
|
| |
| Discount rate | | |
| | | | Weighted Average Discount rate | | |
| | | | Probability of Occurrence (periodic for each Milestone) | | |
|
| |
| Probability of occurrence (cumulative through each Milestone) | | |
6. Research and Development Tax Credits
The Company, through its Theriva S.L. subsidiary, participates in a Research and Development program sponsored by the Spanish government. The program provides for reimbursement of certain expenses incurred in research and development efforts Theriva S.L. incurs in Spain. The reimbursements can be through either tax credits or direct refunds. The program provides for certain limits on the types and amounts of expenses for which reimbursement may be sought and requires participants to complete a certification and apply for the refund annually. Subsequent to the period in which expenses are incurred, the program requires participants to maintain certain workforce levels and research and development expenditures over a
In the quarter ended June 30, 2023, the Company completed the certification and applied for direct reimbursement, as opposed to a tax credit, for its qualifying research and development expenses incurred in the year ended December 31, 2022. The Company received approvals from the Spanish government in September and October 2023. During the quarter ended June 30, 2024, the Company completed the certification and applied for direct reimbursement for its qualifying research and development expenses incurred in the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company received approvals from the Spanish government in December 2024.
The Company evaluated the program and concluded that it qualified to be accounted for as government assistance. Accordingly, the Company, as allowed by U.S. GAAP, elected to account for the grant by analogizing to the guidance provided by International Accounting Standards (“IAS”) 20, Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance. Accordingly, the Company recognized a tax credit receivable of $
14
Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
7. Selected Balance Sheet Information
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (in thousands)
| | June 30, | | December 31, | ||
|
| 2025 |
| 2024 | ||
Prepaid manufacturing expenses | | $ | | | $ | |
Prepaid insurance | | | | | | |
Prepaid consulting, subscriptions and other expenses | | | | | | |
VAT receivable | | | | | | |
Prepaid clinical research organizations | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Total | | $ | | | $ | |
Prepaid clinical research organizations (CROs) expense is classified as a current asset. The Company makes payments to the CROs based on agreed upon terms that include payments in advance of study services.
Property and equipment, net (in thousands)
|
| June 30, | | December 31, | ||
|
| 2025 |
| 2024 | ||
Computers and office equipment | | $ | | | $ | |
Other property, plant and equipment | | | | | | |
Leasehold improvements | |
| | |
| |
Software | |
| | |
| |
| |
| | |
| |
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization | |
| ( | |
| ( |
| | | | | | |
Total | | $ | | | $ | |
Accrued expenses (in thousands)
|
| June 30, | December 31, | |||
|
| 2025 |
| 2024 | ||
Milestone due to Grifols | | $ | | | $ | — |
Accrued clinical consulting services | | | | | | |
Accrued manufacturing costs | |
| | |
| |
Accrued vendor payments | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Total | | $ | | | $ | |
Accrued employee benefits (in thousands)
|
| June 30, | | December 31, | ||
|
| 2025 |
| 2024 | ||
Accrued bonus expense | | $ | | | $ | |
Accrued compensation expense | | | | | | |
Accrued vacation expense | |
| | |
| |
| | | | | | |
Total | | $ | | | $ | |
15
Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
8. Stock-Based Compensation
Stock Incentive Plans
On November 2, 2010, the Board of Directors and stockholders adopted the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (“2010 Stock Plan”) for the issuance of up to
On September 17, 2020, the stockholders approved and adopted the 2020 Stock Incentive Plan (“2020 Stock Plan”) for the issuance of up to
In the event of an employee’s termination, the Company will cease to recognize compensation expense for that employee. Stock option forfeitures are recognized as incurred. The fair value of the stock-based payment is recognized over the stated vesting period.
The Company has applied fair value accounting for all stock-based payment awards since inception. The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The assumptions used for the six months ended June 30, 2025 are as follows:
| | 2025 |
| |
Exercise price | | $ | | |
Expected dividends | |
| — | % |
Expected volatility | |
| | % |
Risk free interest rate | |
| | % |
Expected life of option (years) | |
| | |
There were
Expected dividends—The Company has never declared or paid dividends on its Common Stock and has no plans to do so in the foreseeable future.
Expected volatility—Volatility is a measure of the amount by which a financial variable such as a share price has fluctuated (historical volatility) or is expected to fluctuate (expected volatility) during a period. The expected volatility assumption is derived from the historical volatility of the Company’s Common Stock over a period approximately equal to the expected term.
Risk-free interest rate—The assumed risk-free rate used is a zero coupon U.S. Treasury security with a maturity that approximates the expected term of the option.
Expected life of the option—The period of time that the options granted are expected to remain unexercised. Options granted during the prior year have a maximum term of seven years. The Company estimates the expected life of the option term based on the weighted average life between the dates that options become fully vested and the maximum life of options granted.
16
Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
8. Stock-Based Compensation – (continued)
The Company records stock-based compensation based upon the stated vesting provisions in the related agreements. The vesting provisions for these agreements have various terms as follows:
| ● | immediate vesting, |
| ● | in full on the one-year anniversary date of the grant date, |
| ● | half vesting immediately and the remaining over three years, |
| ● | quarterly over three years, |
| ● | annually over three years, |
| ● | one-third immediate vesting and the remaining annually over two years, |
| ● | one-half immediate vesting and the remaining over nine months, |
| ● | one-quarter immediate vesting and the remaining over three years, |
| ● | one-quarter immediate vesting and the remaining over 33 months, |
| ● | monthly over one year, and |
| ● | monthly over three years. |
A summary of stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and the year ended December 31, 2024 is as follows:
|
| |
| Weighted |
| Weighted Average |
| Aggregate | ||
| | | | Average Exercise | | Remaining | | Intrinsic | ||
|
| Options |
| Price |
| Contractual Life |
| Value | ||
Balance - December 31, 2023 |
| | | $ | |
| | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Granted |
| | | | |
| | |
| |
Expired |
| ( | | | |
| | |
| |
Forfeited |
| — | | | — |
| | |
| |
Balance - December 31, 2024 | | | | | | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Granted | | | | | | | | | | |
Expired | | ( | | | | | | | | |
Forfeited | | — | | | — | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Balance - June 30, 2025 -outstanding |
| | | $ |
| | $ | — | ||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Balance - June 30, 2025 -exercisable |
| | | $ |
| | $ | — | ||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Grant date fair value of options granted – six months ended June 30, 2025 | | | | $ | |
|
| |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average grant date fair value – six months ended June 30, 2025 | | | | $ | |
|
| |
|
|
17
Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
8. Stock-Based Compensation – (continued)
Stock-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses relating to stock options issued to employees for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 was $
As of June 30, 2025, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options was $
The FASB’s guidance for stock-based payments requires cash flows from excess tax benefits to be classified as a part of cash flows from operating activities. Excess tax benefits are realized tax benefits from tax deductions for exercised options in excess of the deferred tax asset attributable to stock compensation costs for such options. The Company did not record any excess tax benefits during the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024.
9. Stock Warrants
On May 8, 2025 the Company consummated a public offering (the “May 2025 Offering”) of an aggregate of (i)
18
Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
9. Stock Warrants (continued)
A holder of the Common Warrants and the Pre-Funded Warrants (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of the Common Warrant or Pre-Funded Warrant to the extent that the holder would own more than
On September 27, 2024, the Company consummated a public offering (the “September 2024 Offering”) of an aggregate of (i)
19
Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
9. Stock Warrants (continued)
A summary of all warrant activity for the Company for the year ended December 31, 2024 and six months ended June 30, 2025 is as follows:
| | | | | | | Weighted Average |
|
| Number of |
| Weighted Average |
| Remaining | |
| | Warrants | | Exercise Price |
| Contractual Life | |
Balance at December 31, 2023 |
| — | | $ | — | | — |
Granted | | | | | | | |
Exercised | | ( | | | | | — |
Forfeited | | — | | | — | | — |
Balance at December 31, 2024 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Granted | | | | | | | |
Exercised | | ( | | | | | — |
Forfeited | | — | | | — | | — |
Balance at June 30, 2025 | | | | | | | |
10. Net Loss per Share
Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding including the effect of common share equivalents. Diluted net loss per share assumes the issuance of potential dilutive common shares outstanding for the period and adjusts for any changes in income and the repurchase of common shares that would have occurred from the assumed issuance, unless such effect is anti-dilutive. Net loss attributable to common stockholders for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 was $
11. Common and Preferred Stock
Series C and D Preferred Stock
On July 29, 2022, the Company closed a private placement offering pursuant to the terms of a Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of July 28, 2022 entered into with MSD Credit Opportunity Master Fund, L.P.(the “Securities Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company issued and sold
20
Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
11. Common and Preferred Stock (continued)
The Company included certain proposals at its 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, including (i) an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended (the “Charter”), to change the name of the Company to “Theriva Biologics, Inc.” (the “Name Change”), (ii) an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, as amended to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from
Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company filed certificates of designation (the “Certificates of Designation”) with the Secretary of the State of Nevada designating the rights, preferences and limitations of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock. The Certificate of Designation for the Series C Preferred Stock provides, in particular, that the Series C Preferred Stock will have no voting rights other than the right to vote as a class on the Stockholder Items (as defined therein) and the right to cast votes on an as converted to Common Stock basis on the Stockholder Items. The Certificate of Designation for the Series D Preferred Stock provides, in particular, that the Series D Preferred Stock will have no voting rights other than the right to vote as a class on the Stockholder Items and the right to cast
The holders of Preferred Stock were entitled to dividends, on an as-if converted basis, equal to dividends actually paid, if any, on shares of Common Stock. The Conversion Price may be adjusted pursuant to the Certificates of Designation for stock dividends and stock splits, subsequent rights offering, pro rata distributions of dividends or the occurrence of a fundamental transaction (as defined in the applicable Certificate of Designation).
The Series C Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock were classified as temporary equity as a result of the deemed liquidation provision. Transaction expenses paid to third parties will be charged to temporary equity and will not be accreted as deemed dividends until redemption becomes probable.
During the year ending December 31, 2024, the Company issued
During the year ending December 31, 2024, the Company issued
21
Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
12. Loans Payable
As a result of the Acquisition of VCN, the Company acquired interest-free or below-market interest rate loans (
During September 2024, the Company announced that its THERICEL project had been awarded €
|
| June 30, 2025 |
| June 30, 2025 | | December 31, 2024 |
| December 31, 2024 | ||||
| | Current | | Non-current |
| Current | | Non-current | ||||
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
NEBT Loan | | | | | $ | | | | | | $ | |
RETOS 2015 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
THERICEL Loan | | | — | | | | | | — | | | — |
| | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | |
A maturity analysis of the debt as of June 30, 2025 is as follows (amounts in thousands of dollars):
2026 |
| $ | |
2027 |
| | |
2028 |
| | |
2029 |
| | |
2030 | | | |
Thereafter | | | |
Total |
| $ | |
13. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company’s existing leases as of June 30, 2025 for its U.S. and Spanish facilities are classified as operating leases. During the quarter ended June 30, 2021, the Company renewed its Rockville, MD facility lease by entering into a Second Lease Amendment which extends the lease term for
The Company also leases research and office facilities in Parets del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain for its
Operating lease costs are presented as part of general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, and were approximately $
22
Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
13. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
A maturity analysis of the Company’s operating leases as of June 30, 2025 is as follows (amounts in thousands of dollars):
Future undiscounted cash flow for the years ending December 31, |
| |
|
| | | |
2025 | | | |
2026 | | | |
2027 | | | |
Total | | | |
| | | |
Discount factor | | | ( |
| | | |
Operating lease liability – current | | | ( |
Operating lease liability – long term | | $ | |
Risks and Uncertainties
The uncertain financial markets, disruptions in supply chains, mobility restraints, and changing priorities as well as volatile asset values could impact the Company’s business in the future. The Company and its third-party contract manufacturers, contract research organizations, and clinical sites may also face disruptions in procuring items that are essential to the Company’s research and development activities, including, for example, medical and laboratory supplies used in its clinical trials or preclinical studies, in each case, that are sourced from abroad or for which there are shortages. In addition, tariffs imposed on or by countries where the Company conducts its research and development or where the Company obtains supplies could impact the prices it pays for goods and services. Further, although the Company has not experienced any material adverse effects on business due to increasing inflation, it has raised operating costs for many businesses and, in the future, could impact demand or pricing manufacturing of its drug candidates or services providers, foreign exchange rates or employee wages. The Company is actively monitoring the effects that these disruptions and increasing inflation could have on its operations.
Through the Acquisition, the Company has operations in Spain related to conducting research and development, manufacturing, and clinical trials in Western European countries. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the war in the Middle East, and the retaliatory measures that have been taken, or could be taken in the future, by the United States, NATO, and other countries have created global security concerns that could result in a regional conflict and otherwise have a lasting impact on regional and global economies, any or all of which could disrupt the Company’s supply chain, and despite the fact that it currently does not plan any clinical trials in Eastern Europe or the Middle East, may adversely impact the cost and conduct of R&D, manufacturing, and international clinical trials of its product candidates.
14. Related Party
On December 14, 2023, the Company approved the retention of MaryAnn Shallcross, the wife of Steven Shallcross, as Director of Clinical Operations, for compensation of $
23
Theriva Biologics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
15. Subsequent Events
The Company has evaluated events that occurred through August 11, 2025, the date that the financial statements were issued, and determined that there have been no events that have occurred that would require adjustments to its disclosures in the financial statements except for the transaction described in Note 5 and the below.
Subsequent to the end of the second quarter of 2025, on July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBBA”) was signed into law, extending key provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act including, but not limited to, the restoration of 100% bonus depreciation, the introduction of new Section 174A permitting immediate expensing of domestic research and experimental expenditures, modifications to Section 163(j) interest expense limitations, updates to the rules governing global intangible low-taxed income, amendments to energy credit provisions, and the expansion of Section 162(m) aggregation requirements. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the OBBBA and an estimate of the impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements is not yet available.
24
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2024 included in our 2024 Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements reflecting our current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. See “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements. Our actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to important factors and risks including, but not limited to, those set forth below under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere herein, and those identified under Part I, Item 1A of our 2024 Form 10-K.
Overview
We are a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need. As a result of the acquisition in March 2022 of Theriva Biologics, S.L. (“VCN”, formerly named VCN Biosciences, S.L.), described in more detail below (the “Acquisition”), we transitioned our strategic focus to oncology through the development of VCN’s new oncolytic adenovirus platform designed for intravenous and intravitreal delivery to trigger tumor cell death, to improve access of co-administered cancer therapies to the tumor, and to promote a robust and sustained anti-tumor response by the patient’s immune system. Our lead product candidate, VCN-01, a clinical stage oncolytic human adenovirus that is modified for tumor-selective replication and to express an enzyme, PH20 hyaluronidase, that has been evaluated in a Phase 2b clinical study for the treatment of pancreatic cancer (“VIRAGE”), and has recently been used to treat patients in a Phase 1 clinical study for the treatment of retinoblastoma, and Phase 1 clinical studies for the treatment of other solid tumors including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Prior to the Acquisition, our focus was on developing therapeutics designed to treat gastrointestinal (GI) diseases which included our clinical development candidates: (1) SYN-004 (ribaxamase) which is designed to degrade certain commonly used intravenous (IV) beta-lactam antibiotics within the GI tract to prevent microbiome damage, thereby preventing overgrowth and infection by pathogenic organisms such as Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and vancomycin resistant Enterococci (VRE), and reducing the incidence and severity of acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients, and (2) SYN-020, a recombinant oral formulation of the enzyme intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) produced under cGMP conditions and intended to treat both local GI and systemic diseases. As part of our strategic transformation into an oncology focused company, we are exploring value creation options for our SYN-004 and SYN-020 assets, including out-licensing or partnering.
Financial Developments
On June 20, 2025, we filed a prospectus supplement (the “Prospectus Supplement”) to our Registration Statement on Form S-3, as amended (File No. 333-279077), which Form S-3 was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on September 25, 2024 (the “Registration Statement”), relating to the offer and sale of up to $2,534,352 shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), from time to time through or directly to A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners (the “Sales Agent”) pursuant to the terms of that certain Amended and Restated At Market Issuance Sales Agreement, dated February 9, 2021, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto, dated May 3, 2021, as further amended by Amendment No. 2 thereto, dated May 2, 2024 (the “ATM Sales Agreement”). Sales of Common Stock, if any, under the Prospectus Supplement will be made by any method permitted that is deemed an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act. The Sales Agent is not required to sell any specific amount, but will act as our Sales Agent using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices. The Sales Agent will be entitled to compensation at a commission rate equal to up to 3.0% of the gross sales price per share of Common Stock sold.
On May 8, 2025 we consummated a public offering (the “May 2025 Offering”) of an aggregate of (i) 1,990,900 shares (the “Shares”) of Common Stock, (ii) pre-funded warrants (“Pre-Funded Warrants”) to purchase up to 4,827,280 shares of Common Stock (the “Pre-Funded Warrant Shares”), and (iii) common stock purchase warrants (“Common Warrants”) to purchase up to 6,818,180 shares of common stock (the “Common Warrant Shares”). Each Share and associated Common Warrant to purchase one (1) Common Warrant Share was sold at a combined public offering price of $1.10. Each Pre-Funded Warrant and associated Common Warrant to purchase one (1) Common Warrant Share was sold at a combined public offering price of $1.099. We received aggregate gross proceeds from the May 2025 Offering of approximately $7.5 million, before deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses. Each Pre-Funded Warrant was immediately exercisable for one (1) Pre-Funded Warrant Shares at an exercise price of $0.001 per share and will remain exercisable until such Pre-Funded Warrant is exercised in full. Each Common Warrant has an exercise price of $1.10 per Common
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Warrant Share, is immediately exercisable, and expires five (5) years from its issuance date. The exercise price of the Common Warrants and the Pre-Funded Warrants and number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise will be adjusted in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events. In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in each of the Common Warrants and the Pre-Funded Warrants, the holders of such warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of their respective warrants the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that the holders would have received had they exercised their warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction. In addition, in certain circumstances, upon a fundamental transaction, a holder of Common Warrants will have the right to require us to repurchase its Common Warrants at the Black Scholes Value; provided, however, that, if the fundamental transaction is not within our control, including not approved by our board of directors, then the holder shall only be entitled to receive the same type or form of consideration (and in the same proportion), at the Black Scholes Value of the unexercised portion of the Common Warrant, that is being offered and paid to the holders of Common Stock in connection with the fundamental transaction. The Common Warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis if at the time of exercise thereof there is no effective registration statement registering, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for, the issuance of the Common Warrant Shares to the holder. The Pre-Funded Warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis at any time.
A holder of the Common Warrants and the Pre-Funded Warrants (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of the Common Warrant or Pre-Funded Warrant to the extent that the holder would own more than 4.99% (or 9.99%, at the election of the holder) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock immediately after exercise, except that upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to our, the holder may increase the amount of beneficial ownership of outstanding shares after exercising the holder’s Common Warrants or Pre-Funded Warrants up to 9.99% of the number of our shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise.
Our Current Product Pipeline
*Based on management’s current beliefs and expectations
aGVHD acute graft-versus host disease. allo-HCT allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant. CSR clinical study report. HNSCC head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. IV intravenous. IVit intravitreal. For other abbreviations see the text.
¹Additional products with preclinical proof-of-concept include SYN-006 (carbapenemase) to prevent aGVHD, CDI, and microbiome damage in patients treated with carbapenem antibiotics and SYN-007 (ribaxamase) DR to prevent antibiotic associated diarrhea with oral β-lactam antibiotics.
²Depending on funding/partnership. SYN-004 may enter a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”)-agreed Phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of CDI.
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Recent Clinical Developments
On May 27, 2025, we announced a poster presentation by Dr. Jaume Català-Mora, Pediatric Ophthalmologist, Sant Joan de Déu-Barcelona Children’s Hospital of results from investigator-sponsored Phase 1 study of VCN-01 in refractory retinoblastoma patients, which was presented on May 31, 2025 at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, which took place from May 30, 2025 -June 3, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
Based on the study results it was concluded that VCN-01 (zabilugene almadenorepvec) was well tolerated, after 2 intravitreal administrations at 2E10 vp/eye. The most frequently reported treatment-related adverse events were uveitis. 8,333 did not receive the second dose because of medical decision and also experienced glaucoma requiring treatment. No systemic toxicities occurred. There were no dose limiting toxicities and no ocular or systemic toxicities greater than Grade 3 during the evaluation period.
| ● | Some degree of ocular inflammation and associated turbidity was observed after VCN-01 injection. Inflammation was managed, and vitreous haze improved in some cases, using pre-emptive oral and/or topical steroids. |
| ● | VCN-01 did not cause retinal toxicity, and selective VCN-01 replication in retinoblastoma cells has been observed by immunohistochemical analysis. VCN-01 caused reversible changes in electroretinograms associated to turbidity. |
| ● | Replication of VCN-01 was detected over time within retinoblastoma tumors but was not observed in healthy tissue |
| ● | Intravitreal VCN-01 demonstrated promising antitumor activity: |
| o | Five patients presented a partial response, three presented stable disease and one, progressive disease |
| o | The eyes of 3 out of 5 patients with partial response are preserved with vision after receiving eye-conservative therapy (follow-up 12-49 months) |
On May 7, 2025, we announced positive topline outcomes from the VIRAGE Phase 2b clinical trial evaluating our lead product candidate VCN-01 (zabilugene almadenorepvec) plus standard-of-care (SoC) chemotherapy gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel as a first line therapy for patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) for whom gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel is the recommended first-line treatment option. VCN-01 is a systemically-administered, tumor selective, stroma-degrading oncolytic adenovirus that has been granted Orphan Drug Designation and Fast Track Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
The analysis of the VIRAGE trial includes data for first-line treatment of 96 newly-diagnosed metastatic PDAC patients:
| ● | In the primary endpoint analysis, the 48 patients treated with at least one dose of gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel SoC had a median overall survival (OS) of 8.6 months, while the 48 patients treated with VCN-01 followed by at least one dose of gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel SoC had a median OS of 10.8 months [Hazard Ratio (HR) = 0.57, 95% CI 0.34-0.96, p=0.0546]. |
| ● | The improvements in OS in the VCN-01+SoC treatment arm compared to the SoC control arm were reflected in increased progression free survival (PFS) [median PFS 7.0 vs 4.6 months; HR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.34-0.88, p= 0.0105]. |
| ● | The median duration of response (DoR) was 5.4 months (n=15) in the SoC control arm, while the median DoR in the VCN-01+SoC treatment arm was doubled to 11.2 months (n=19, HR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.08-0.62, p=0.0035). |
The increase in OS was greater for patients who received 2 doses of VCN-01 and 4 or more cycles of gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel SoC (n=34) compared with patients who received 4 or more cycles of gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel SoC (n=29) [median OS 14.8 and 11.6 months respectively; HR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.21-0.92, p=0.046], suggesting that the second dose of VCN-01 (administered 3 months after the first dose) provides a meaningful additional benefit in this treatment subgroup.
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Our Current Oncology-Focused Pipeline
Oncolytic Viruses
Our oncology platform is based on oncolytic virotherapy (“OV therapy”), which exploits the ability of certain viruses to kill tumor cells and trigger an anti-tumor immune response. This novel class of anticancer agents has unique mechanisms of action compared to other cancer drugs. Oncolytic viruses (“OV”) exploit the fact that cancer cells contain mutations that cause them to lose growth control and form tumors. Once inside a tumor cell, oncolytic viruses exploit the tumor cell machinery to generate thousands of additional copies of the virus, which then kill the tumor cell and spread to neighboring cells, causing a chain reaction of cell killing. This infection and tumor cell killing by OVs also alerts the immune system, which can then attack the virus infected tumor cells to help destroy the tumor in some instances.
Our OV product candidates are engineered to efficiently infect and selectively replicate to a high extent in tumor cells versus normal host cells, which enables intravenous delivery. By contrast, many other oncolytic viruses in clinical development today are administered by direct injection into the tumor. Intravenous delivery has the potential to expand the therapeutic effect of OVs because the virus can infect both the primary tumor and tumor metastases throughout the body.
Our first product candidate VCN-01, is a clinical stage oncolytic human adenovirus that is modified to express an enzyme, PH20 hyaluronidase, that is designed to degrade hyaluronan in the tumor stroma, which helps the virus and other molecules to penetrate and spread throughout the tumor. VCN-01 can be used alone or in combination with other cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, for difficult to treat cancers. An expanding intellectual property portfolio supports our oncology programs, and because our products are characterized as biologics with Orphan Drug designation in our target indications, if approved by the FDA they will be further protected by data and/or market exclusivity.
VCN-01 has been administered to 142 patients across multiple Phase 1 clinical trials and the Phase 2b VIRAGE trial, including patients with pancreatic cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, ovarian carcinoma, colorectal cancer, and retinoblastoma.
Current clinical update
We have recently completed patient treatment and follow-up in a Phase 2b clinical trial of intravenous VCN-01 with nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine in patients with PDAC and the clinical study report (CSR) is being prepared. Similarly, the CSR is being finalized for the Phase 1 investigator sponsored trial evaluating intravitreal VCN-01 in patients with retinoblastoma. A protocol amendment has recently been submitted in an additional investigator sponsored Phase 1 trial evaluating the intravenous administration of VCN-01 in patients prior to surgical resection of high-grade brain tumors. The CSR has been completed for the Phase 1 Trial of intravenous VCN-01 in combination with durvalumab in subjects with recurrent/ metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (mSCCHN) and.
Phase 1 Clinical Trials in PDAC
The safety, tolerability, and potential dosing regimens for VCN-01 in patients with PDAC or colorectal cancer were evaluated in Phase 1 clinical trials evaluating intratumoral (n=8; NCT02045589) and intravenous (n= 42; NCT02045602) VCN-01 either alone or in combination with gemcitabine ± nab-paclitaxel (published in J. Immunother. Cancer 2021 Nov;9(11):e003254 and J. Immunother. Cancer 2022 Mar;10(3):e003255, respectively). Intravenous VCN-01 was found to have an acceptable tolerability profile in PDAC and colorectal cancer patients and demonstrated compelling biochemical and clinical outcomes that enabled the advancement of VCN-01 into the Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with metastatic PDAC.
Phase 2 Trial of intravenous VCN-01 with nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine in patients with PDAC
In January 2023, we dosed the first patients in VIRAGE, the Phase 2b randomized, open-label, multicenter clinical trial of systemically administered VCN-01 in combination with standard-of-care (SoC) chemotherapy (gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel) as a first line therapy for patients with newly-diagnosed metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The study is being conducted at approximately 17 sites in the US and EU. Two doses of VCN-01 are included in the treatment arm: the 1st dose is administered on day 1, then one week later 3 cycles of gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel as standard of care is administered. The second VCN-01 dose is administered 7 days before the 4th cycle of chemotherapy (approximately 90 days after the first VCN-01 dose), followed by additional cycles of gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy.
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Patient dosing was initiated in the U.S. in July 2023 and on September 23, 2024, we announced that we achieved our target patient enrollment of 92 evaluable patients in the VIRAGE Phase 2b clinical trial. Thirty - six patients received their second doses of intravenous VCN-01, which were well tolerated and demonstrated the expected VCN-01 adverse event profile. Topline data for the VIRAGE Phase 2b clinical trial was announced Q2 2025.
On January 30, 2024, the accumulated clinical data from patients enrolled across 6 sites open in the U.S. and 9 sites open in Spain were reviewed by an Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC). According to the IDMC’s assessment, the ongoing Phase 2b trial continued without any changes to the protocol. No safety concerns were raised based on the evaluation of data presented at the IDMC meeting. Intravenous VCN-01 has been well tolerated and demonstrated a safety profile consistent with prior clinical trials. Importantly, no additional toxicities were observed in patients receiving a second dose of VCN-01, providing the first clinical evidence of the feasibility of repeated systemic dosing.
On May 10, 2024, we presented data demonstrating enhanced anti-tumor effects in human pancreatic cancer xenograft-bearing mice treated with lead product candidate VCN-01 and liposomal irinotecan. These data support the potential synergy of VCN-01 and first-line pancreatic cancer chemotherapy regimens.
On May 23, 2024, we announced that the FDA granted Fast Track Designation (FTD) to lead clinical candidate VCN-01 in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel to improve progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
On June 1, 2024, we presented the design of VIRAGE trial in a poster at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting 2024 Congress held and in Chicago (Illinois) from May 31- June 4, 2024. The poster discussed the objectives, endpoints and key inclusion and exclusion criteria included in the trial protocol, together with the treatment schedule for each arm of the study.
On December 5, 2024 we announced the outcomes of a Type D meeting with the FDA to obtain guidance on the design of a potential Phase 3 clinical study of VCN-01 in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy for the treatment of PDAC. FDA advised that the optimal path forward for the VCN-01 PDAC program is to conduct a stand-alone Phase 3 study of VCN-01 with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel. The FDA provided general agreement with our proposed design for a Phase 3 clinical study and indicated that inclusion of additional standard-of-care chemotherapy for PDAC was not necessary as it would complicate the study design and analysis. The FDA meeting also highlighted the FDA’s preferences regarding certain statistical elements of confirmatory clinical studies, including methods for sample size estimation and the study population(s) used for data analysis
On February 4, 2025, we received Scientific Advice from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on the design of a potential Phase 3 clinical study of VCN-01 in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic PDAC. Consistent with feedback from the FDA, CHMP advised that a marketing authorization application (MAA) for VCN-01 in metastatic PDAC could be supported by positive results from a randomized, controlled, stand-alone Phase 3 study comparing VCN-01 combined with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel to gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel standard-of-care alone. The Scientific Advice also included CHMP suggestions regarding the study populations, inclusion/exclusion criteria, randomization and blinding, priority endpoints, and proposed statistical strategies for data analysis. An additional comment from the EMA Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) noted that the potential benefit of VCN-01 with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel in a Phase 3 trial will be compared with the therapeutic effects of the other approved standard-of-care chemotherapies (FOLFIRINOX, NALIRIFOX) when considering maintenance of the Orphan Medicinal Product status of VCN-01 at the time of an MAA.
On March 31, 2025, we announced that a second Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) review of data from the VIRAGE Phase 2b clinical trial in newly-diagnosed metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) found that VCN-01 was well tolerated in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy (gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel) and the adverse event (AE) profile was as expected for the patient population and the medications being studied. The VCN-01 AE profile was consistent with that observed in prior clinical trials. The most common VCN-01 related AEs (pyrexia, flu-like illness, vomiting, nausea, and elevated transaminases) were transient and reversible. These AEs were observed to be less frequent and of reduced CTCAE grade after the second VCN-01 dose (administered on day 92) compared to the first VCN-01 dose (administered on day 1). The IDMC noted that the overall type and number of AEs in the VCN-01 treatment group was as expected for the pancreatic cancer population, the duration of treatment, and the administration of an oncolytic virus.
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On May 7, 2025, we announced positive topline outcomes from the VIRAGE Phase 2b clinical trial evaluating the Company’s lead product candidate VCN-01 (zabilugene almadenorepvec) plus standard-of-care (SoC) chemotherapy gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel as a first line therapy for patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) for whom gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel is the recommended first-line treatment option. Topline outcomes are detailed above under “Recent Clinical Developments”.
Retinoblastoma
Phase 1 Trial of intravitreal VCN-01 in patients with retinoblastoma
During the third quarter of 2017, VCN entered into a Clinical Trial Agreement with Hospital Sant Joan de Déu (Barcelona, Spain) to conduct an investigator sponsored Phase 1 clinical study evaluating the safety and tolerability of two intravitreal injections of VCN-01 in patients with intraocular retinoblastoma refractory to systemic, intra-arterial or intravitreal chemotherapy, or radiotherapy, in whom enucleation was the only recommended treatment (NCT03284268). Patients received two intravitreal injections of VCN-01, 14 days apart, at a dose of either 2 x 109 vp/eye (n=1) or 2 x 1010 vp/eye (n=8). The clinical database for the study has now been locked and the clinical study report is being prepared.
On April 23, 2024, we announced positive topline data from this study, with agreement by the study Monitoring Committee that the study had a positive outcome. Per the terms of the clinical trial agreement, the determination by the study Monitoring Committee that the study had a positive outcome means we received an exclusive, worldwide technology license, and related patents from Hospital Sant Joan de Déu for the treatment of pediatric patients with advanced retinoblastoma and we will pay to Hospital Sant Joan de Déu the amount of three hundred twenty thousand, two hundred and sixty five Euros (€320,265) or approximately $334,000, upon receipt by us of the final clinical study report.
A pre-Investigational New Drug (“IND”) meeting with the FDA was held on December 19, 2023 to discuss the path forward for VCN-01 as an adjunct to chemotherapy in pediatric patients with advanced retinoblastoma. The FDA provided some guidance on the potential endpoints and patient population for an advanced clinical trial and encouraged submission of a formal protocol under a US IND in order to provide more detailed commentary.
On July 30, 2024, we received notice from the FDA that we had been granted Rare Pediatric Drug Designation (RPDD) for VCN-01 for the treatment of retinoblastoma. The FDA grants RPDD for rare diseases (fewer than 200,000 affected persons in the United States) that are serious and life-threatening and primarily affect children ages 18 years or younger. If a Biologics License Application for VCN-01 for the treatment of retinoblastoma is approved by the FDA by September 30, 2026, we may be eligible to receive a Priority Review Voucher. Previously, the FDA granted orphan drug designation to VCN-01 for treatment of retinoblastoma.
On October 11, 2024, the European Commission adopted the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommendation to grant Orphan Medicinal Product Designation to VCN-01 for the treatment of retinoblastoma.
On May 27, 2025, the Company announced the definitive data from investigator-sponsored Phase 1 study of VCN-01 (zabilugene almadenorepvec) in refractory retinoblastoma patients in a poster presented by Dr. Jaume Català-Mora, Pediatric Ophthalmologist, Sant Joan de Déu-Barcelona Children’s Hospital at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting. Topline outcomes are detailed above under “Recent Clinical Developments” section.
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Phase 1 Trial of intravenous VCN-01 in Combination with Durvalumab in Subjects with Recurrent/ Metastatic SCCHN
In February 2019, VCN entered into a Clinical Trial Agreement with Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) (Spain) to conduct an investigator sponsored Phase 1 clinical study to evaluate the safety, tolerability and RP2D of a single intravenous injection of VCN-01 combined with durvalumab in two administration regimens: VCN-01 concomitantly with durvalumab, or sequentially with durvalumab starting two weeks after VCN-01 administration (NCT03799744). The study is also designed to evaluate whether VCN-01 treatment can re-sensitize PD-(l)-1 refractory tumors to subsequent anti-PD-L1 therapy. Durvalumab is a human monoclonal antibody (mAb) of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) 1 kappa subclass that inhibits binding of PD-L1. It is marketed as IMFINZI® by AstraZeneca/MedImmune, who supplied the product for its use in the clinical study. This Phase I trial is a multicenter, open label, dose escalation study in patients with histologically confirmed head and neck squamous cell carcinoma from specific sites: oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx or hypopharynx that is recurrent/metastatic (R/M) and not amenable to curative therapy by surgery or radiation. In addition, all patients should have undergone prior exposure to anti-PD-(L) 1 and progressed. Patients are entered at each dose level, according to a planned dose escalation schedule. The treatment is a single intravenous VCN-01 dose combined with concomitant intravenous durvalumab (MEDI4736) 1500 mg Q4W (Arm I) or durvalumab starting two weeks after VCN-01 administration (“sequential schedule”; Arm II). Patient recruitment into Arm I and Arm II was performed concurrently. Intravenous VCN-01 was administered to each patient only once during the trial at the VCN-01 dose level to which they were randomized. Durvalumab was administered Q4W until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal of consent, or another discontinuation criterion. Patient recruitment into the study was completed in February 2022 with a total of 18 patients enrolled. On September 5, 2022 we announced a presentation of initial data from this study in a poster at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress. The poster reported that treatment with VCN-01 was well tolerated when administered with durvalumab in the sequential schedule and the most common treatment-related adverse events were dose-dependent and reversible pyrexia, flu-like symptoms and increases in liver transaminases. Sustained blood levels of VCN-01 viral genomes and increased serum hyaluronidase levels were maintained for over six weeks and analysis of tumor samples showed an increase in CD8 T cells (a marker of tumor inflammation); upregulation of PD-L1; and downregulation of matrix-related pathways after VCN-01 administration. The study has been completed and the clinical study report has been completed.
On October 16, 2023, we presented additional data from this study in a poster at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2023 Congress held virtually and in Madrid, Spain from October 20-24, 2023. Key data and conclusions featured in the ESMO presentation include:
| ● | 20 patients were enrolled with a median of 4 prior lines of therapy, from which six in the concomitant (CS) (single dose of VCN-01 in combination with durvalumab on day 1) and 12 in the sequential (SS) (single dose of VCN-01 on day -14 and durvalumab on day 1) were evaluable for response. |
| ● | In the CS cohort at the 3.3×1012 viral particles (vp) dose, overall survival (OS) was 10.4 months. |
| ● | In the SS cohort at the 3.3×1012vp dose OS was 15.5 months, whereas in the SS cohort at the 1×1013 vp dose OS was 17.3 months. |
| ● | 11 patients (61.1%) were alive >12 months (2 in CS; 5 in SS at 3.3×1012vp, 4 in SS at 1×1013 vp). |
| ● | In spite of the advanced stage of the disease, and a global objective response rate for the trial of 5.5%, most of the patients appeared to benefit from subsequent treatment, with 2 patients showing complete responses to palliative chemotherapy and at least one patient still alive 4 years after entering the study. |
| ● | Biological activity: Patients showed VCN-01 replication and increased serum hyaluronidase levels were maintained for over six weeks. |
| ● | Observed an increase in CD8 T cells, a marker of tumor inflammation and an upregulation of PD-L1 in tumors. |
| ● | Increase of PDL1- combined positive score (CPS; 16/21; p=0.013) and CD8 T-cells (12/21; p=0.007) from baseline were found in tumor biopsies. |
| ● | There was a statistically significant correlation between OS observed in patients and CPS on day 8 (p=0.005). |
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Phase 1 Trial evaluating the safety and feasibility of huCART-meso cells when given in combination with VCN-01
In July 2021, VCN entered into a Clinical Trial Agreement with the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) to conduct an investigator sponsored Phase 1 clinical study to evaluate the safety, tolerability and feasibility of intravenous administration of VCN-01 in combination with lentiviral transduced huCART-meso cells (developed by the laboratory of Dr. Carl June) in patients with histologically confirmed unresectable or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma and serous epithelial ovarian cancer (NCT05057715). This is a Phase I study evaluating the combination of VCN-01 when given in combination with huCART-meso cells in a dose-escalation design in two cohorts (N = 3-6), where patients receive VCN-01 as a single IV infusion (at 3.3x1012 or 1x1013 vp) on Day 0, followed by a single dose of 5x107 huCART-meso cells on Day 14 via IV infusion. huCART-meso cells are modified T-cells targeting the mesothelin antigen, which is frequently expressed in multiple tumor types, particularly in pancreatic and ovarian cancers. Dr. June’s previous clinical studies have shown that huCART-meso cells encounter significant challenges in the tumor microenvironment, including immunosuppressive cells and soluble factors as well as metabolic restrictions. Initial VCN-01 clinical data from the studies described above suggest that administration of VCN-01 may increase tumor immunogenicity and improve access of the huCART-meso cells to tumor cells. This Phase I study will evaluate the safety and tolerability of the VCN-01 huCART-meso cell combination and test the hypothesis that administration of VCN-01 may enhance the potential antitumor effects of the co-administered huCART-meso cells.
On July 8, 2022, we were notified that the first patient to be dosed with VCN-01 had passed the safety evaluation period in this study. On June 22, 2023, at their Cellicon Valley conference, and again at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) meeting in San Diego, CA on November 3, 2023, and the International Oncolytic Virotherapy Conference (IOVC2023) in Calgary on November 13 2023, University of Pennsylvania investigators presented preliminary clinical safety and pharmacokinetic data from this study highlighting the feasibility of administering VCN-01 in sequence with huCART-meso cells in pancreatic and ovarian cancer patients. VCN-01 persistence was suggestive of tumor infection and active replication. The peak and duration of huCART-meso T cells in the peripheral blood as well as duration of stable disease in evaluable patients showed encouraging trends.
On October 16, 2024, at the 2024 Advancing Gene Therapy and Cell Therapies for Cancer conference by the American Society for Gene and Cell Therapy in Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania investigators presented results from the Phase 1 trial of huCART-meso cells administered in combination with VCN-01 in patients with pancreatic and serous epithelial ovarian cancer. Safety was in line with expectations from monotherapy studies and 3.3x1012 was defined as the dose for further development. The Cmax of huCART-meso cells showed some signs of enhancement in patients previously infused with VCN-01. 66.6% (4 out of 6) patients with measurable disease receiving huCART-meso after VCN-01 showed tumor shrinkage, indicating a promising trend in disease stabilization in patients receiving huCART-meso and VCN-01 compared to either agent alone.
On November 19, 2024 we were notified by the investigators that they would not continue with the present clinical trial, instead preferring to focus on advancement of a next-generation mesothelin-specific CAR-T. This new CAR-T could potentially be evaluated in combination with VCN-01 in a future clinical trial.
Phase 1 Trial evaluating the intravenous administration of VCN-01 in patients prior to surgical resection of high-grade brain tumors
In the second quarter of 2021, VCN entered into a Clinical Trial Agreement with the University of Leeds (UK) to sponsor a proof-of-concept Phase 1 clinical study to evaluate whether intravenously administered VCN-01 can cross the blood-brain barrier and infect the target brain tumor. This is an open-label, non-randomized, single center study of VCN-01 given intravenously at a dose of 1x1013 virus particles to patients prior to planned surgery for recurrent high-grade primary or metastatic brain tumors. We believe that the intravenous delivery of anti-cancer therapy to brain tumors, if effective, may enable the treatment of systemically disseminated brain metastases and may allow for reduction in the need to use neurosurgery to administer the drugs. This study aims to assess the presence of VCN-01 within the resected surgical specimen after systemic VCN-01 delivery and determine the safety of intravenous VCN-01 in patients with recurrent high-grade glioma or brain metastases. By confirming the presence of VCN-01 in high grade brain tumors following intravenous delivery, this study may pave the way for larger trials to study VCN-01 efficacy, both as a monotherapy and in combination with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. This trial has already received approval from Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) from UK Government.
On January 9, 2023, we issued a press release announcing that the first patient was dosed in this study and recruitment is on-going.
On May 12, 2025, a protocol amendment was submitted for this trial to MHRA (UK Regulatory Authorities).
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Our Current Gastrointestinal (GI) and Microbiome-Focused Pipeline
Our SYN-004 (ribaxamase) and SYN-020 clinical programs are focused on the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and the gut microbiome, which is home to billions of microbial species and composed of a natural balance of both “good” beneficial species and potentially “bad” pathogenic species. When the natural balance or normal function of these microbial species is disrupted, a person’s health can be compromised. All of our programs are supported by our growing intellectual property portfolio. We are maintaining and building our patent portfolio through: filing new patent applications; prosecuting existing applications; and licensing and acquiring new patents and patent applications.
SYN-004 (ribaxamase) — Prevention of antibiotic-mediated microbiome damage, thereby preventing overgrowth and infection by pathogenic organisms such as Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and vancomycin resistant Enterococci (VRE), and reducing the incidence and severity of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in allogeneic HCT recipients
SYN-004 (ribaxamase) is a proprietary oral capsule prophylactic therapy designed to degrade certain IV beta-lactam antibiotics excreted into the GI tract and thereby maintain the natural balance of the gut microbiome. Preventing beta-lactam damage to the gut microbiome has a range of potential therapeutic outcomes, including prevention of CDI, suppression of the overgrowth of pathogenic species (particularly antimicrobial-resistant organisms) and potentially reducing the incidence and/or severity of aGVHD in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) patients. SYN-004 (ribaxamase) 75 mg capsules are intended to be administered orally while patients are administered certain IV beta-lactam antibiotics. The capsule dosage form is designed to release the SYN-004 (ribaxamase) enzyme into proximal small intestine, where it has been shown to degrade beta-lactam antibiotics in the GI tract without altering systemic antibiotic levels. Beta-lactam antibiotics are a mainstay in hospital infection management and include the commonly used penicillin and cephalosporin classes of antibiotics.
Clostridioides difficile Infection
Clostridioides difficile (formerly known as Clostridium difficile and often called C. difficile or CDI) is a leading type of hospital acquired infection and is frequently associated with IV beta-lactam antibiotic treatment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified C. difficile as an “urgent public health threat,” particularly given its resistance to many drugs used to treat other infections. CDI is a major unintended risk associated with the prophylactic or therapeutic use of IV antibiotics, which may adversely alter the natural balance of microflora that normally protect the GI tract, leading to C. difficile overgrowth and infection. Other risk factors for CDI include hospitalization, prolonged length of stay (estimated at 7 days), underlying illness, and immune-compromising conditions including the administration of chemotherapy and advanced age.
Phase 1b/2a Clinical Study in Allogeneic HCT Recipients
In August 2019, we entered into a Clinical Trial Agreement (CTA) with the Washington University School of Medicine (Washington University) to conduct a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of SYN-004 (ribaxamase). Under the terms of this agreement, we serve as the sponsor of the study and supply SYN-004 (ribaxamase). Dr. Erik R. Dubberke, Professor of Medicine and Clinical Director, Transplant Infectious Diseases at Washington University and a member of the SYN-004 (ribaxamase) steering committee serves as the principal investigator of the clinical trial in collaboration with his Washington University colleague Dr. Mark A. Schroeder, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Bone Marrow Transplantation and Leukemia.
The Phase 1b/2a clinical trial was a single center, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial of oral SYN-004 (ribaxamase) in up to 36 evaluable adult allogeneic HCT recipients. The goal of this study is to evaluate the safety, tolerability and potential absorption into the systemic circulation (if any) of oral SYN-004 (ribaxamase; 150 mg four times daily) administered to allogeneic HCT recipients who receive an IV carbapenem or beta-lactam antibiotic to treat fever. Study participants were enrolled into three sequential cohorts administered a different study-assigned IV antibiotic. Each cohort seeks to complete eight evaluable participants treated with SYN-004 (ribaxamase) and four evaluable participants treated with placebo. Safety and pharmacokinetic data for each cohort will be reviewed by an independent Data and Safety Monitoring Committee, which will make a recommendation on whether to proceed to the next IV antibiotic cohort. The study will also evaluate potential protective effects of SYN-004 on the gut microbiome as well as generate preliminary information on potential therapeutic benefits and patient outcomes of SYN-004 in allogeneic HCT recipients.
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To date, we have completed 2 of 3 cohorts (Cohorts 1 and 2) in this study. On September 27, 2022, we issued a press release announcing positive outcomes from the Data and Safety Monitoring Committee (“DSMC”) review of results from the first Cohort and their recommendation that the study may proceed to enroll Cohort 2 in which study drug (SYN-004 or Placebo) is administered in combination with the IV beta-lactam antibiotic piperacillin/tazobactam.
On February 16, 2023 and April 13, 2023, we announced the presentation of safety and pharmacokinetic data from Cohort 1 of the Phase 1b/2a Clinical Trial of SYN-004 (ribaxamase) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients at the 2023 Tandem Meetings: Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Meetings of ASTCT and CIBMTR and at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID), respectively.
On October 3, 2024, we announced a positive outcome from the DSMC review of results from the second Cohort of our Phase 1b/2a randomized, double - blinded, placebo - controlled clinical trial of SYN - 004 (ribaxamase) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (“HCT”) recipients for the prevention of acute graft - versus - host - disease. Based on a review of the safety and pharmacokinetic data, the DSMC recommended that the study may proceed to enroll Cohort 3 in which study drug (SYN - 004 or Placebo) will be administered in combination with the IV beta - lactam antibiotic cefepime. Based upon our current available funding and our focus on our clinical development of VCN - 01 we do not anticipate that enrollment for the third cohort will commence unless we obtain grant funding, or find a licensee or partner to fund the SYN - 004 development program.
On April 10, 2025, we announced the presentation of the previously disclosed blinded safety and pharmacokinetic (PK) data from the ongoing Phase 1b/2a randomized, double - blinded, placebo - controlled clinical trial of SYN - 004 (ribaxamase) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients for the prevention of acute graft - versus - host - disease (aGVHD) at the Congress of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID Global), taking place in Vienna, Austria from April 11 - 15, 2025. This data was featured in an ePoster Flash Session oral presentation.
SYN-020 — Oral Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase (IAP)
SYN-020 is a quality-controlled, recombinant version of bovine Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase (IAP) produced under cGMP conditions and formulated for oral delivery. The published literature indicates that IAP functions to diminish GI and systemic inflammation, tighten the gut barrier to diminish “leaky gut,” diminish fat absorption, and promote a healthy microbiome. Despite its broad therapeutic potential, a key hurdle to commercialization has been the high cost of IAP manufacture which is commercially available for as much as $10,000 per gram. We believe we have developed technologies to traverse this hurdle and now have the ability to produce more than 3 grams per liter of SYN-020 and anticipate a cost of roughly a few hundred dollars per gram at commercial scale. Based on the known mechanisms as well as our own supporting animal model data, we intended to initially develop SYN-020 to mitigate the intestinal damage caused by radiation therapy that is routinely used to treat pelvic cancers. While we believe SYN-020 may play a pivotal role in addressing acute and long-term complications associated with radiation exposure to the GI tract, we have also begun planning for potential development of SYN-020 in large market indications with significant unmet medical needs. Such indications include celiac disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (“NAFLD”), and indications to treat and prevent metabolic and inflammatory disorders associated with aging.
On June 30, 2020, we submitted an IND application to the FDA in support of an initial indication for the treatment of radiation enteropathy secondary to pelvic cancer therapy. On July 30, 2020, we announced that we received a study-may-proceed letter from the FDA to conduct a Phase 1a single-ascending-dose (“SAD”) study in healthy volunteers designed to evaluate SYN-020 for safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic parameters (NCT04815993). On June 29, 2021, we announced that enrollment, patient dosing and observation had been completed in the Phase 1, open-label, SAD study of SYN-020. The SAD study enrolled 6 healthy adult volunteers into each of four cohorts with SYN-020 given orally as single doses ranging from 5 mg to 150 mg. The data demonstrated that SYN-020 maintained a favorable safety profile, was well tolerated at all dose levels, and no adverse events were attributed to the study drug. No serious adverse events were reported.
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During the third quarter of 2021 we initiated a Phase 1 clinical study evaluating multiple ascending doses (“MAD”) of SYN-020 (NCT05045833). The placebo-controlled, blinded study enrolled 32 healthy adult volunteers into four cohorts with SYN-020 administered orally in doses ranging from 5 mg to 75 mg twice daily for 14 days with a follow-up evaluation at day 35. Each cohort included six subjects who received SYN-020 and two who received placebo. On May 10, 2022, we announced positive safety data from the Phase 1 MAD study demonstrating that SYN-020 maintained a favorable safety profile and was well-tolerated across all dose levels. There were a few treatment-related adverse events, and all were mild (grade 1) and resolved without medical intervention. The most common adverse event, constipation, occurred in three out of 24 subjects in the treatment arm and in one out of eight subjects in the placebo arm. No adverse event led to discontinuation of the study drug and there were no serious adverse events. Additionally, fecal SYN-020 analyses verified intestinal bioavailability while plasma levels of SYN-020 were below the limit of quantitation in all samples at all timepoints verifying that SYN-020 was not absorbed into the systemic circulation.
During the second quarter of 2020, we announced that we entered into an agreement with Massachusetts General Hospital (“MGH”) granting us an option for an exclusive license to intellectual property and technology related to the use of IAP to maintain GI and microbiome health, diminish systemic inflammation, and treat age-related diseases, which option was later amended to include liver fibrosis in select diseases, including NAFLD. The option expired unexercised on July 1, 2024.
The Phase 1 data from our SAD and MAD studies are intended to support the development of SYN-020 in multiple clinical indications including radiation enteritis, NAFLD, celiac disease, and diseases associated with aging. With our transition to an oncology focused Company, we are exploring strategic opportunities to enable advancement of this potentially valuable asset.
As part of our strategic transformation into an oncology focused company, we are exploring value creation options for our SYN - 004 and SYN - 020 assets, including out - licensing or partnering.
VCN-01 + Topoisomerase Inhibitors
On May 10, 2024, we presented non-clinical describing enhanced anti-tumor effects in human pancreatic cancer xenograft-bearing mice treated with lead product candidate VCN-01 and liposomal irinotecan in a poster at the 27th American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) 2024 Congress held in Baltimore (Maryland) from May 7-11, 2024. These data support the potential synergy of VCN-01 and additional first-line pancreatic cancer chemotherapy regimens FOLFIRINOX and NALIRIFOX. Key finding reported in the poster include:
| ● | The combination of VCN-01 + topoisomerase I (topo1) inhibitors, such as liposomal irinotecan, has a tolerable toxicity profile and may improve efficacy in the treatment of human pancreatic cancer. |
| ● | Viral protein expression was increased in human pancreatic cancer cell lines when they were exposed to topo1 inhibiting chemotherapeutics, irinotecan, its active metabolite, SN-38, and topotecan. |
| ● | Synergy of VCN-01 plus liposomal irinotecan was observed in animals bearing subcutaneous human pancreatic tumors. |
| o | In human pancreatic mouse xenograft models, treatment with VCN-01 at a dose of 4x1010 vp or liposomal irinotecan alone (at both the 10 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg doses) resulted in significant tumor growth inhibition compared to saline. |
| o | Combination therapy with VCN-01 + liposomal irinotecan at either dose displayed significantly reduced tumor growth compared to each treatment alone. |
| o | qPCR analyses performed on tumors collected at end of study confirmed the presence of viral genomes, indicating ongoing transcriptional activity of VCN-01, which is consistent with viral replication for several days after administration. |
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VCN-X Next Generation OVs and Albumin Shield™ Technology
In parallel with VCN-01 clinical development, we are developing next-generation oncolytic adenoviruses (termed VCN-X) with novel therapeutic payloads and structural modifications designed to increase tumor cell killing and improve systemic virus pharmacokinetics. Preclinical proof-of-concept has been established with VCN-11, which has been engineered to contain all the features of VCN-01 as well as an additional modification to include an albumin binding domain (ABD) in the virus capsid. The virus capsid is the target for neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) that are generated by the host immune system to destroy circulating viruses. The presence of an ABD, however, blocks the binding of most neutralizing antibodies, which allows the virus to reach the tumor following intravenous administration. This “Albumin Shield” works because human blood contains a large amount of albumin to coat the ABD-containing virus. Importantly, this coating of albumin appears to be displaced after the virus reaches tumor cells to infect them. In pre-clinical mouse studies to test the functionality of the “Albumin Shield”, mice pre-immunized with virus are able to completely neutralize an unmodified OV because they have a large concentration of neutralizing antibodies in their blood. By contrast, viruses such as VCN-11 that contain the ABD are not neutralized and retain their ability to infect and destroy tumor cells. We believe the results with VCN-11 support the application of the Albumin Shield technology in our VCN-X program to advance treatments for tumors in which rapid multi-dosing may be beneficial.
In March 2021, preclinical data obtained with VCN-11 was published (J Control Release. 2021 Apr 10;332:517-528), showing that the ABD-containing virus induced 450 times more cytotoxicity in tumor cells than in normal cells. Hyaluronidase production was confirmed by measuring the activity of the PH20 enzyme with a hyaluronic acid-degradation assay, and by measuring PH20 activity in VCN-11 infected tumors in vivo. The ABD-containing virus evaded NAbs from different sources and tumor levels of virus were demonstrated in the presence of high levels of NAbs in vivo, whereas the control virus without ABD was neutralized. VCN-11 showed a low toxicity profile in athymic nude mice and Syrian hamsters, allowing treatments with high doses and fractionated administrations without major toxicities (up to 1.2x1011vp/mouse and 7.5x1011vp/hamster). ALT levels were increased on day 3 within an acceptable range that returned to normal levels by day 9. Fractionated intravenous administration of the ABD-containing virus (splitting the dose into two portions administered 4 h apart) appeared to improve virus circulation kinetics and increase tumor levels. Antitumor efficacy was observed in the presence of NAbs against Ad5 and the ABD-containing virus.
In May 2022, we presented data at the 25th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT). The presentation included preclinical results showcasing the potential of the Albumin Shield Technology to effectively target tumors after intravenous re-administration, even in the presence of high level NAbs, with no major toxicities observed. Our internal VCN-X discovery programs are currently evaluating new oncolytic viruses that contain the Albumin Shield technology and may expand the potential efficacy of Theriva’s oncolytic viruses.
THERICEL suspension cell lines for viral manufacturing
The THERICEL program is advancing a proprietary A549 suspension cell line for use in the manufacture of viral therapeutics. These cells are entering feasibility studies to support significant scale - up and potential Phase 3 GMP manufacture of VCN-01 for use in clinical trials. The use of the THERICEL suspension cells is expected to increase the efficiency and significantly reduce the cost of manufacture for VCN - 01 and other viral therapies.
We also have a Spanish government funded collaboration with the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona to adapt the THERICEL suspension cell platform for the clinical manufacture of adeno - associated virus (“AAV”) therapies. If successful, adaptation of the THERICEL platform to AAV manufacture provides an opportunity for potential commercial collaborations in the manufacture of a range of gene therapy products.
Intellectual Property
All of our programs are supported by growing patent estates. In total, Theriva Biologics has over 135 U.S. and foreign patents and over 50 U.S. and foreign patents pending. VCN, through assignment or exclusive licenses, controls over 50 U.S. and foreign patents and over 15 U.S. and foreign patents pending.
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The SYN-004 (ribaxamase) program is supported by intellectual property (“IP”) that is assigned to Theriva Biologics, namely U.S. and foreign patents (in most major markets, e.g. Europe (including Germany, Great Britain and France), Japan, China and Canada, among others) and U.S. and foreign patents pending (in most major markets, e.g. Europe (including Germany, Great Britain and France), Japan, China and Canada, among others). For instance, U.S. Patent Nos. 8,894,994 and 9,587,234, which include claims to compositions of matter and pharmaceutical compositions of beta-lactamases, including SYN-004 (ribaxamase), have patent terms to at least 2031. Further, U.S. Patent 9,301,995 and 9,301,996, both of which will expire in at least 2031, cover various uses of beta-lactamases, including SYN-004 (ribaxamase), in protecting the microbiome, and U.S. Patent Nos. 9,290,754, 9,376,673, 9,404,103, 9,464,280, and 9,695,409 which will expire in at least 2035, covers further beta-lactamase compositions of matter related to SYN-004 (ribaxamase).
The SYN-020 (oral intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP)) program is supported by IP that is assigned to Theriva Biologics, namely U.S. and foreign patents and patent applications (in many major markets, e.g. Europe, China, Japan, Korea, Canada, and Australia). These patents and patent applications, which cover various formulations, medical uses and manufacture of SYN-020, are expected to expire in 2038-2040, without taking potential patent term extensions or patent term adjustment into account.
The VCN-01 and Albumin Shield programs are supported by U.S. and foreign patents and patent applications that are assigned to VCN or exclusively licensed from Fundació Privada Institut d’Investigacio Biomedica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Institut Catala d’Oncologia (ICO), and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu in Barcelona. The patents and patent applications include U.S. patents and foreign patents (in most major markets, e.g. Europe, China, Japan, Korea, Canada, Israel, Mexico, Russia, and Australia) and U.S. and foreign patents pending (in most major markets, e.g. Europe, China, Korea, Canada, Mexico, and India). The patents and patent applications cover compositions of matter and pharmaceutical compositions of oncolytic adenoviruses and various medical uses of the same. For instance, U.S. Patent No. 10,316,065, which expires in 2030 without taking potential patent term extensions or patent term adjustment into account, provides composition of matter and pharmaceutical composition coverage for a genus of engineered oncolytic adenovirus suitable for the treatment of solid tumors. Other patents and patent applications, if granted, will provide protection to 2037 without taking potential patent term extensions or patent term adjustment into account.
Our goal is to (i) obtain, maintain, and enforce patent protection for our products, formulations, processes, methods, and other proprietary technologies, (ii) preserve our trade secrets, and (iii) operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of other parties worldwide. We seek, where appropriate, the broadest intellectual property protection for product candidates, proprietary information, and proprietary technology through a combination of contractual arrangements and patents.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) requires the use of estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of expenses in the periods presented. We believe that the accounting estimates employed are appropriate and resulting balances are reasonable; however, due to inherent uncertainties in making estimates, actual results may differ from the original estimates, requiring adjustments to these balances in future periods.
There are accounting policies, each of which requires significant judgments and estimates on the part of management, that we believe are significant to the presentation of our consolidated financial statements. The most significant accounting estimates relate to goodwill and IPR&D, research and development costs, and contingent consideration.
Goodwill and IPR&D
We classify intangible assets into two categories: (1) intangible assets with indefinite lives not subject to amortization and (2) goodwill. Intangible assets that are deemed to have indefinite lives, including goodwill, are reviewed for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The impairment test for indefinite-lived intangibles, other than goodwill, consists of a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset with their carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. Indefinite-lived intangible assets, such as goodwill, are not amortized. We test the carrying amounts of goodwill for recoverability on an annual basis or when events or changes in circumstances indicate evidence a potential impairment exists, using a fair value-based test. If a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, then we will record a goodwill impairment charge for the excess amount.
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IPR&D assets are considered to be indefinite-lived until the completion or abandonment of the associated research and development projects. IPR&D assets represent the fair value assigned to technologies that we acquire, which at the time of acquisition have not reached technological feasibility and have no alternative future use. IPR&D is capitalized at its fair value as an indefinite-lived intangible asset, and any development costs incurred after the acquisition are expensed as incurred. During the period that the assets are considered indefinite-lived, they are tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if we become aware of any events occurring or changes in circumstances that indicate that the fair value of the IPR&D assets are less than their carrying amounts. If and when development is complete, which generally occurs upon regulatory approval and the ability to commercialize products associated with the IPR&D assets, these assets are then deemed definite-lived and are amortized based on their estimated useful lives at that point in time. If development is terminated or abandoned, we may have a full or partial impairment charge related to the IPR&D assets, calculated as the excess of carrying value of the IPR&D assets over fair value.
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid when we acquired VCN in March 2022, over the fair values of the acquired tangible or intangible assets and assumed liabilities. We conduct an impairment test of goodwill on an annual basis as of October 1 of each year and will also conduct tests if events occur or circumstances change that would, more likely than not, reduce our fair value below our net equity value.
Contingent Consideration
Consideration paid in a business combination may include potential future payments that are contingent upon the acquired business achieving certain milestones in the future (“contingent consideration”). Contingent consideration liabilities are measured at their estimated fair value as of the date of acquisition, with subsequent changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. We estimate the fair value of the contingent consideration as of the acquisition date using the estimated future cash outflows based on the probability of meeting future milestones. The milestone payments will be made upon the achievement of clinical and commercialization milestones. Subsequent to the date of acquisition, we reassess the actual consideration earned and the probability-weighted future earn-out payments at each balance sheet date. Any adjustment to the contingent consideration liability will be recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. Contingent consideration liabilities expected to be settled within 12 months after the balance sheet date are presented in current liabilities, with the non-current portion recorded under long term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
Research and Development Costs
We expense research and development costs associated with developmental products not yet approved by the FDA to research and development expense as incurred. Research and development costs consist primarily of license fees (including upfront payments), milestone payments, manufacturing costs, salaries, stock-based compensation and related employee costs, fees paid to consultants and outside service providers for laboratory development, legal expenses resulting from intellectual property prosecution and other expenses relating to the design, development, testing and enhancement of our product candidates. Research and development expenses include external CRO services. We make payments to the CROs based on agreed upon terms and may include payments in advance of study services. We review and accrue CRO expenses based on services performed and rely on estimates of those costs applicable to the stage of completion of study as provided by the CRO. Accrued CRO costs are subject to revisions as such studies progress to completion. At June 30, 2025 and 2024, we have accrued CRO expenses of $2.5 million, that are included in accrued expenses. As of June 30, 2025 and 2024, we have prepaid CRO costs of $0.05 million and $0.2 million, respectively, that are included in prepaid expenses.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses increased to $11.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, from $1.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. This increase of 662% is primarily comprised of the increase in fair value of the contingent consideration adjustment of $9.2 million due to the VIRAGE Phase 2b clinical trial of VCN-01 in PDAC achieving its primary survival and safety endpoints and increased registration fees. The charge related to stock-based compensation expense was $97,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $114,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024.
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Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses decreased to $2.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, from approximately $3.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. This decrease of 34% is primarily the result of lower clinical trial expenses related to our VIRAGE Phase 2b clinical trial of VCN-01 in PDAC, lower indirect cost related to decreased VCN-01 manufacturing costs and lower clinical trial expenses related to our Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of SYN-004 (ribaxamase) in allogeneic HCT recipients, offset by higher patent expenses related to SYN-020. We anticipate research and development expense to increase as we complete our VIRAGE Phase 2b clinical trial of VCN-01and plan for a potential Phase 3 clinical trial of VCN-01 in PDAC, advance our VCN-01 program in retinoblastoma, expand GMP scale-up manufacturing activities for VCN-01, and continue supporting our other preclinical and discovery initiatives. The charge related to stock-based compensation expense was $76,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $58,000 related to stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended June 30, 2024.
The following table sets forth our research and development expenses directly related to our product candidates for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024. These direct expenses were external costs associated with preclinical studies and clinical trials. Indirect research and development expenses related to employee costs, facilities, stock-based compensation and research and development support services that are not directly allocated to specific product candidates.
| | June 30, | | June 30, | ||
Therapeutic Areas |
| 2025 |
| 2024 | ||
VCN-01 | | $ | 780 | | $ | 1,310 |
Ribaxamase | | | 105 | | | 264 |
SYN-020 | | | 89 | | | 36 |
Other therapeutic areas | |
| 119 | | | 120 |
| | | | | | |
Total direct costs | |
| 1,093 | | | 1,730 |
Total indirect costs | |
| 860 | | | 1,223 |
| | | | | | |
Total Research and Development | | $ | 1,953 | | $ | 2,953 |
Goodwill Impairment
During the quarter ended June 30, 2024, we experienced a sustained decline in the quoted market price of our common stock and we deemed this to be a triggering event for impairment. The Company performed an interim impairment analysis using the “Income approach” that requires significant judgments, including primarily the estimation of future development costs, the probability of success in various phases of its development programs, potential post-launch cash flows and a risk-adjusted weighted average cost of capital. We concluded that the IPR&D was not impaired as of June 30, 2024, however, goodwill with a carrying value of $5.5 million was written down to its estimated fair value of $1.5 million and an impairment charge of $4.0 million was recorded during the quarter ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in the valuation was primarily driven by an increase in the discount rate which was impacted by an increase in the company specific risk premium, and not by material changes to the clinical and administrative operations of the business. Goodwill was fully impaired during 2024.
Other Income/Expense
Other income was $74,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2025 compared to other income of $172,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024. Other income for the three months ended June 30, 2025 is primarily comprised of interest income of $54,000 and an exchange gain of $20,000. Other income for the three months ended June 30, 2024 is primarily comprised of interest income of $173,000 and exchange loss of $1,000.
Net Loss
Our net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2025 was $13.1 million, or ($1.93) per common share, compared to $8.3 million, or ($10.72) per common share for the three months ended June 30, 2024.
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Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses increased to $12.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, from $3.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. This increase of 271% is primarily comprised of the increase in fair value of the contingent consideration adjustment of $9.2 million due to the VIRAGE Phase 2b clinical trial of VCN-01 in PDAC achieving its primary survival and safety endpoints and increased registration fees. The charge related to stock-based compensation expense was $151,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $215,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2024.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses decreased to $4.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, from approximately $6.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. This decrease of 23% is primarily the result of lower clinical trial expenses related to our VIRAGE Phase 2b clinical trial of VCN-01 in PDAC, lower indirect cost related to decreased VCN-01 manufacturing costs and lower clinical trial expenses related to our Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of SYN-004 (ribaxamase) in allogeneic HCT recipients, offset by higher and higher patent expenses related to SYN-020. We anticipate research and development expense to increase as we complete our VIRAGE Phase 2b clinical trial of VCN-01and plan for a potential Phase 3 clinical trial of VCN-01 in PDAC, advance our VCN-01 program in retinoblastoma, expand GMP scale-up manufacturing activities for VCN-01, and continue supporting our other preclinical and discovery initiatives. The charge related to stock-based compensation expense was $122,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $116,000 related to stock-based compensation expense for the six months ended June 30, 2024.
The following table sets forth our research and development expenses directly related to our product candidates for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024. These direct expenses were external costs associated with preclinical studies and clinical trials. Indirect research and development expenses related to employee costs, facilities, stock-based compensation and research and development support services that are not directly allocated to specific product candidates.
|
| June 30, |
| June 30, | ||
Therapeutic Areas | | 2025 | | 2024 | ||
VCN-01 | | $ | 2,726 | | $ | 3,239 |
Ribaxamase | |
| 167 | |
| 542 |
SYN-020 | |
| 150 | |
| 69 |
Other therapeutic areas | |
| 205 | |
| 216 |
| | | | | | |
Total direct costs | |
| 3,248 | |
| 4,066 |
Total indirect costs | |
| 1,673 | |
| 2,346 |
| | | | | | |
Total Research and Development | | $ | 4,921 | | $ | 6,412 |
Goodwill Impairment
During the six months ended June 30, 2024, we experienced a sustained decline in the quoted market price of our Common Stock and we deemed this to be a triggering event for impairment. The Company performed an interim impairment analysis using the “Income approach” that requires significant judgments, including primarily the estimation of future development costs, the probability of success in various phases of its development programs, potential post-launch cash flows and a risk-adjusted weighted average cost of capital. We concluded that the IPR&D was not impaired as of June 30, 2024, however, goodwill with a carrying value of $5.5 million was written down to its estimated fair value of $1.5 million and an impairment charge of $4.0 million was recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in the valuation was primarily driven by an increase in the discount rate which was impacted by an increase in the company specific risk premium, and not by material changes to the clinical and administrative operations of the business. Goodwill was fully impaired during 2024.
Other Income/Expense
Other income was $167,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to other income of $400,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2024. Other income for the six months ended June 30, 2025 is primarily comprised of interest income of $150,000 and an
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exchange gain of $17,000. Other income for the six months ended June 30, 2024 is primarily comprised of interest income of $402,000 and exchange loss of $2,000.
Net Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders
Our net loss attributable to common stockholders was approximately $17.4 million, or $3.64 per basic and diluted common share for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to a net loss of approximately $13.5 million, or $18.45 per basic common share and diluted common share for the six months ended June 30, 2024.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of June 30, 2025, we had a significant accumulated deficit, and with the exception of the three months ended June 30, 2010 and the three months ended December 31, 2017, we have experienced significant losses and incurred negative cash flows since inception. We have incurred an accumulated deficit of $352.4 million as of June 30, 2025, and expect to continue to incur losses in the foreseeable future with the recognition of revenue being contingent on successful phase 3 clinical trials and requisite approvals by the FDA or foreign equivalents.
Our cash and cash equivalents totaled $12.1 million as of June 30, 2025, an increase of $0.5 million from December 31, 2024. During the year ended December 31, 2024 and six months ended June 30, 2025, the primary use of cash was for working capital requirements and operating activities which resulted in a net loss of $25.6 million and $17.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and the six months ended June 30, 2025, respectively.
With our cash position of $9.5 million as of early August 2025, we believe we will be able to fund our operations into the first quarter of 2026. Based on our current plans, our cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to cover overhead costs, manufacturing costs for near-term clinical supply, and limited research efforts, including our ongoing Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials for VCN-01, preclinical studies supporting VCN-01, our ongoing discovery initiatives, and to fund our committed obligations under the terms of the VCN share purchase agreement (the “VCN Purchase Agreement”) related to the Acquisition, but will not be sufficient for additional trials of VCN-01, SYN-020 or SYN-004, or to complete the last cohort of the Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of SYN-004, which are expected to require significant cash expenditures. Following the completion of our ongoing Phase 1 and Phase 2b clinical trials for VCN-01, and preclinical studies supporting VCN-01 and our discovery initiatives, we will need to obtain additional funds for future clinical trials. We anticipate that our future clinical trials will be much larger in size and require larger cash expenditures than the aforementioned clinical programs. We do not have any committed sources of financing for future clinical trials at this time, and it is uncertain whether additional funding will be available when we need it on terms that will be acceptable to us, or at all. Management believes its plan, which is focused on the advancement of VCN-01 will allow us to meet our financial obligations, further advance key products, and maintain our planned operations. Based upon our current available funding and our focus on our clinical development of VCN-01 we do not anticipate that we will fund the last cohort of the Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of SYN-004 and enrollment in this cohort will not commence unless we obtain grant funding, or find a licensee or partner for the SYN-004 development program. However, the amount of additional capital needed by us will also depend upon the costs to advance our VCN-01 clinical programs. If necessary, we may attempt to utilize the ATM Sales Agreement or seek to raise additional capital in other financing transactions, neither of which is guaranteed. Use of the ATM Sales Agreement is limited by certain restrictions and management’s plan does not rely on additional capital from any sources. If we are not able to obtain additional capital (which is not assured at this time), our long-term business plan may not be accomplished, and we may be forced to cease certain development activities. More specifically, the completion of any later stage clinical trial will require significant financing or a significant partnership.
Historically, we have financed our operations primarily through public and private sales of our securities, and we expect to continue to seek and obtain additional capital in a similar manner. During the year ended December 31, 2024, our only source of cash was from sales of our Common Stock through the ATM Sales Agreement pursuant to which we sold 569,000 shares of our Common Stock for net proceeds of $3.6 million and from the sale of our securities in our public offering of 918,600 shares of Common Stock in combination with accompanying warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,428,600 shares of the Common Stock for gross proceeds of $2.5 million (net proceeds of $2.0 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated expenses). During the six months ended June 30, 2025, the only source of cash was from the $1.7 million received for the Research and Development rebate program, $1.4 million for the THERICEL project loan from the National Knowledge Transfer Program of the Spanish government’s Ministry of Science and, in May 2025, we closed our May 2025 Offering of 6,818,180 shares of Common Stock (or Pre-Funded Warrants in lieu thereof) in combination with accompanying Common Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 6,818,180 shares of the Common Stock for gross proceeds of $7.5 million (net proceeds of $6.9 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated expenses).
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There can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to raise funds through the sale of shares of Common Stock through the ATM Sales Agreement or other equity financings. If we raise funds by selling additional shares of Common Stock or other securities convertible into Common Stock, the ownership interest of our existing stockholders will be diluted. If we are not able to obtain funding for future clinical trials when needed, we will be unable to carry out our business plan and we will be forced to delay the initiation of future clinical trials until such time as we obtain adequate financing and may need to abandon some of our development programs, cease operations, liquidate our assets or reorganize the Company, or a combination of the foregoing.
We have spent, and expect to continue to spend, a substantial amount of funds in connection with implementing our business strategy, including our planned product development efforts, preparation for our planned clinical trials, performance of clinical trials and our research and discovery efforts. Based on our current plans, our cash and cash equivalents will not be sufficient to enable us to meet our near term or long-term expected plans as it is anticipated that we will not have enough cash to continue our operations for the next twelve months from the date of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We will be required to obtain additional funding in order to continue the development of certain product candidates within the anticipated time periods (including initiation of planned clinical trials), if at all, and to continue to fund operations at the current cash expenditure levels. We do anticipate that our current cash of approximately $9.5 million as of early August 2025 will allow us to cover overhead costs, manufacturing costs for near-term clinical supply, and limited research efforts, including our ongoing Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials for VCN-01, preclinical studies supporting VCN-01, our ongoing discovery initiatives, and to fund our committed obligations under the terms of the VCN Share Purchase Agreement (the “VCN Purchase Agreement”) related to the Acquisition into the first quarter of 2026. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon our ability to obtain additional equity or debt financing, attain further operating efficiencies, reduce expenditures, and, ultimately, to generate revenue. Our notes to the consolidated financial statements contain an explanatory paragraph referring to our recurring and continuing losses from operations and expressing substantial doubt in our ability to continue as a going concern without additional capital becoming available. We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to obtain the required funding to achieve our current business plan, obtain the required regulatory approvals for our product candidates or complete additional corporate partnering or acquisition transactions in order to commercialize such product candidates once regulatory approval is received. If we fail to obtain additional funding for our clinical trials, whether through the sale of securities or a partner or collaborator, and otherwise when needed, we will not be able to execute our business plan as planned and will be forced to cease certain development activities (including initiation of planned clinical trials) until funding is received and our business will suffer, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon our ability to raise additional capital. Our cash and cash equivalents will not be sufficient to initiate or complete future registrational studies for VCN-01, any potential future trials of SYN-004 including Phase 3 clinical programs of SYN-004 (ribaxamase) for prevention of CDI or the Phase 1b/2a clinical study of SYN-004 (ribaxamase) in allogeneic HCT recipients, or later-stage clinical trials of SYN-020. Therefore, we do not intend to commence future new studies of VCN-01, SYN-004 (ribaxamase) or SYN-020 until we are confident that we have funding necessary to complete such trials. We are actively pursuing additional equity or debt financing, in the form of either a private placement or a public offering and have been in ongoing discussions with strategic institutional investors and investment banks with respect to such possible offerings. However, we do not currently have commitments from any third parties to provide us with capital. Potential sources of financing that we are pursuing include strategic relationships, licensing arrangements, public or private sales of our equity (including through the ATM Sales Agreement) or debt and other sources. Such additional financing opportunities might not be available to us when and if needed, on acceptable terms or at all. We cannot assure that we will meet the requirements for use of the ATM Sales Agreement especially in light of the fact that we are currently limited by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as to the number of shares of Common Stock that we can sell pursuant to the ATM Sales Agreement due to the market value of our Common Stock held by non-affiliates. Even if we meet the requirements for use of the ATM Sales Agreement, there can be no assurance that we will be able to raise funds through the sale of shares of Common Stock through the ATM Sales Agreement. Additionally, we may seek to access the public or private equity markets when conditions are favorable due to our long-term capital requirements. If we are unable to obtain additional capital (which is not assured at this time), our long-term business plan may not be accomplished and we may be forced to cease certain development activities. More specifically, the completion of future Phase 3 and/or registrational clinical studies will require significant financing or a significant partnership. If we raise funds by selling additional shares of Common Stock or other securities convertible into Common Stock, the ownership interest of our existing stockholders will be diluted. If we are not able to obtain funding for future clinical trials when needed, we will be unable to carry out our business plan and we will be forced to delay the initiation of future clinical trials until such time as we obtain adequate financing and our operating results and prospects will be adversely affected.
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Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods presented:
|
| Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||
| | 2025 | | 2024 | ||
Cash used in operating activities | | $ | (9,468) | | $ | (8,333) |
Cash used in investing activities | |
| (16) | |
| (1) |
Cash provided by financing activities | |
| 9,883 | |
| 1,773 |
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | | | 62 | | | (26) |
Net increase(decrease) increase in cash | |
| 461 | |
| (6,587) |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | |
| 11,705 | |
| 23,279 |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | | $ | 12,166 | | $ | 16,692 |
Cash Used in Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $9.5 million and $8.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, which was primarily due to the use of funds in our operations related to the development of VCN-01 our product candidate.
Cash Used in Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 was $16,000 and $1,000, respectively, for equipment purchases.
Cash Provided By Financing Activities
Cash provided by financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2025 included $1.8 million received for the research and development tax credit, $1.4 million in loan proceeds from the THERICEL project loan and $6.9 million in net proceeds from the sale of Common Stock, offset by payments of loans in the amount of $67,000. Cash provided by financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2024 included at the market offering proceeds of $1.8 million from sales of 4.4 million shares of our Common Stock offset by payments related to loans extended by certain Spanish institutions of $67,000.
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
During the three months ended June 30, 2025, we did not have, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under SEC rules.
Contractual Obligations
Leases
At the inception of a contract we determine if the arrangement is, or contains, a lease. Right of use (“ROU”) assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term.
We have made certain accounting policy elections whereby we (i) do not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities for short-term leases (those with original terms of 12-months or less) and (ii) combine lease and non-lease elements of our operating leases. As of June 30, 2025, we did not have any material finance leases.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information required under this item.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer, who also serves as our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2025. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. We have adopted and maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, is collected, recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules of the SEC. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Our Chief Executive Officer, who also serves as our Chief Financial Officer, concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have not been any changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the three months ended June 30, 2025 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.
From time to time we may become involved in legal proceedings or be subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are not presently a party to any legal proceedings that, if determined adversely to us, would individually or taken together have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition or cash flows. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
The following information updates, and should be read in conjunction with, the information disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” contained in our 2024 Form 10-K. Except as disclosed below, there have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in our 2024 Form 10-K.
Our auditor’s report on our consolidated financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph regarding our ability to continue as a going concern.
Our consolidated unaudited financial statements as of June 30, 2025 have been prepared under the assumption that we will continue as a going concern for the next twelve months. Our management concluded that our recurring losses from operations and the fact that as of June 30, 2025 we have an accumulated deficit of approximately $352.4 and working capital of $2.3 million raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern for the next twelve months after issuance of our financial statements. In addition, in connection with the filing of our 2024 Form 10-K our independent registered public accounting firm issued a report that included an explanatory paragraph referring to our recurring losses from operations (anticipated continued losses in the future) and net capital deficiency that, as of the date of such report, raised substantial doubt in our ability to continue as a going concern without additional capital becoming available. As of June 30, 2025, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $12.1 million and as of early August 2025, we had cash and cash equivalents of $9.5 million. At December 31, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $335 million and working capital of $8.7 million. As of December 31, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $11.6 million consisting of cash and investments in highly liquid U.S. money market funds. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon our ability to obtain additional equity or debt financing, attain further operating efficiencies, reduce expenditures, and, ultimately, to generate revenue. Our consolidated unaudited financial statements as of June 30, 2025 do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. We expect that our current cash will be able to fund operations into the first quarter of 2026 but will not be sufficient to fund operations for twelve months from the date of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
We will need to raise additional capital to operate our business and our failure to obtain funding when needed may force us to delay, reduce or eliminate certain of our development programs or commercialization efforts.
During the six months ended June 30, 2025, our operating activities used net cash of approximately $9.5 million and our cash and cash equivalents were approximately $12.1 million as of June 30, 2025. With the exception of the three months ended June 30, 2010 and the three months ended December 31, 2017, we have experienced significant losses since inception and have a significant accumulated deficit. As of June 30, 2025, our accumulated deficit totaled approximately $352.4 million on a consolidated basis. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, we have agreed to use reasonable efforts to commercialize VCN-01 and we agreed as a post- closing covenant to commit to fund VCN’s research and development programs, including but not limited to VCN-01 PDAC phase 2 clinical trial, VCN-01 RB trial and necessary G&A within a budgetary plan of approximately $27. 8 million over three years. We expect to incur additional operating losses in the future and therefore expect our cumulative losses to increase. With the exception of the quarter ended June 30, 2010, and limited laboratory revenues from Adeona Clinical Laboratory, which we sold in March 2012, we have generated very minimal revenues. We do not expect to derive revenue from any source in the near future until we or our potential partners successfully commercialize our products. We expect our expenses to increase in connection with our anticipated activities, particularly as we continue research and development, initiate and conduct clinical trials, and seek marketing approval for our product candidates. Until such time as we receive approval from the FDA and other regulatory authorities for our product candidates, we will not be permitted to sell our products and therefore will not have product revenues from the sale of products. For the foreseeable future we will have to fund all of our operations and capital expenditures from equity and debt offerings, cash on hand, licensing and collaboration fees and grants, if any.
We will need to raise additional capital to fund our operations and meet our current timelines and we cannot be certain that funding will be available on acceptable terms on a timely basis, or at all. The amount of government funding available for grants is dependent upon governmental budgets over which we have no control and which change with new administrations. Based on our current plans, we
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expect that our current cash will be able to fund operations into the first quarter of 2026 but will not be sufficient to fund our operations for the next twelve months and will only be sufficient to cover overhead costs, manufacturing costs for near-term clinical supply, and limited research efforts, including our ongoing Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials for VCN-01, preclinical studies supporting VCN-01, our ongoing discovery initiatives, and to fund our committed obligations under the terms of the VCN Share Purchase Agreement (the “VCN Purchase Agreement”) related to the Acquisition, but may not be sufficient for additional trials of VCN-01, SYN-020 or SYN-004, or to complete the last cohort of the Phase 1a/2a clinical trial of SYN-004, which are expected to require significant cash expenditures. In addition, based on the significant anticipated cost of a Phase 3 clinical program in a broad indication for SYN-004, we expect it will not be feasible for us to initiate and complete this trial at this time without a partner given the capital constraints tied to our current market cap and share price. We intend to focus our capital on our VCN-01 clinical trials and do not intend to provide further funding for our development of SYN-004 internally but intend to out-license or partner further development of SYN-004. Further development of VCN’s product candidates will require additional funding. To the extent that we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, our stockholders may experience significant dilution. Any debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants that may impact our ability to conduct our business and also have a dilutive effect on our stockholders. A failure otherwise to secure additional funds when needed in the future whether through an equity or debt financing or a sufficient amount of capital without a strategic partnership could result in us being unable to complete planned preclinical and clinical trials or obtain approval of our product candidates from the FDA and other regulatory authorities. In addition, we could be forced to delay, discontinue or curtail product development, forgo sales and marketing efforts, and forgo licensing in attractive business opportunities, cease operations, liquidate our assets or reorganize the Company, or a combination of the foregoing. Our ability to raise capital through the sale of securities may be limited by the rules of the SEC and NYSE American that place limits on the number and dollar amount of securities that may be sold. There can be no assurances that we will be able to raise the funds needed, especially in light of the fact that our ability to sell securities registered on our registration statement on Form S-3 will be limited until such time the market value of our voting securities held by non-affiliates is $75 million or more. We also may be required to seek collaborators for our product candidates at an earlier stage than otherwise would be desirable and on terms that are less favorable than might otherwise be available.
Changes to trade policy, including tariff and customs regulations, or failure to comply with such regulations may have an adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations.
Changes in U.S. or international social, political, regulatory and economic conditions or in laws and policies governing trade, manufacturing, development and investment in the countries where we currently conduct our business could adversely affect our business, reputation, financial condition and results of operations. Changes or proposed changes in U.S. or other countries’ trade policies may result in restrictions and economic disincentives on international trade. The U.S. government has recently imposed, or is currently considering imposing, tariffs on certain trade partners, including China, where we have engaged a vendor. Tariffs, economic sanctions and other changes in U.S. trade policy have in the past and could in the future trigger retaliatory actions by affected countries, and certain foreign governments have instituted or are considering imposing retaliatory measures on certain U.S. goods. Further, any emerging protectionist or nationalist trends (whether regulatory- or consumer-driven) either in the United States or in other countries could affect the trade environment. Our business, like many other corporations, would be impacted by changes to the trade policies of the United States and foreign countries (including governmental action related to tariffs, international trade agreements, or economic sanctions). Such changes have the potential to adversely impact the U.S. economy or certain sectors thereof, the global economy, and our industry, and as a result, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.
| (a) | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities |
We did not sell any equity securities during the quarter ended June 30, 2025 in transactions that were not registered under the Securities Act other than as previously disclosed in our filings with the SEC.
| (b) | Use of Proceeds |
Not applicable.
| (c) | Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
Not applicable.
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ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.
During the three months ended June 30, 2025,
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.
The exhibits filed or furnished as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are set forth on the Exhibit Index, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit |
| Exhibit Title |
3.1 | | Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (Incorporated by reference to (i) Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 16, 2008, File No. 001-12584, (ii) Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2001 filed August 14, 2001, File No. 001-12584; and (iii) Exhibits 3.1, 4.1 and 4.2 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1998 filed August 14, 1998, File No. 001-12584.) |
| | |
3.2 | | |
| | |
3.3 | | |
| | |
3.4 | | |
| | |
3.5 | | |
| | |
3.6 | | |
| | |
3.7 | | |
| | |
3.8 | | |
| | |
3.9 | | |
| | |
3.10 | | |
| | |
3.11 | | |
| | |
3.12 | | |
| | |
3.13 | | |
| | |
3.14 | | |
| | |
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3.15 | | |
| | |
3.16 | | |
| | |
3.17 | | |
| | |
3.18 | | |
| | |
4.1 | | |
| | |
4.2 | | |
| | |
10.1 | | |
| | |
10.2 | | |
| | |
31.1 | | |
| | |
32.1 | | |
| | |
101.INS | | Inline XBRL Instance Document* |
| | |
101.SCH | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema* |
| | |
101.CAL | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase* |
| | |
101.DEF | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase* |
| | |
101.LAB | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase* |
| | |
101.PRE | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase* |
| | |
104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in XBRL in Exhibit 101) |
*Filed or furnished herewith.
# | Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be identified pursuant to Item 15(a)(3) of this report |
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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.
| THERIVA BIOLOGICS, INC. | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Steven A. Shallcross |
| | Steven A. Shallcross |
| | Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer |
| | (Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
| | |
| | Date: August 11, 2025 |
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EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) OR RULE 15d-14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Steven A. Shallcross, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Theriva Biologics, Inc.; |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. | I am responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under my supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under my supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report my conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | I have disclosed, based on my most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: Aug 11, 2025 |
| By: | /s/ Steven A. Shallcross |
| | | Name: Steven A. Shallcross |
| | | Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer |
| | | (Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial |
| | | Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
EXHIBIT 32.1
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFCIER AND PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned officer of Theriva Biologics, Inc. (the “Registrant”) hereby certifies, to such officer’s knowledge, that:
(1) | the accompanying Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Registrant for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and |
(2) | the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant. |
Date: August 11, 2025 |
| By: | /s/ Steven A. Shallcross |
| | | Name: Steven A. Shallcross |
| | | Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer |
| | | (Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and |