UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended July 31, 2020

 

[  ] TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from ________ to ________

 

Commission file number 001-36138

 

ADVAXIS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   02-0563870
(State or other jurisdiction of   (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)

 

305 College Road East, Princeton, NJ   08540
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(609) 452-9813

(Registrant’s telephone number)

 

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

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock   ADXS   Nasdaq Capital Market

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has fled 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 fling requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [  ]

 

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

 

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

 

Large Accelerated Filer [  ]   Accelerated Filer [  ]
Non-accelerated Filer [X]   Smaller Reporting Company [X]
Emerging growth company [  ]      

 

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

 

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

 

The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $0.001 par value, outstanding as of September 2, 2020 was 66,227,473.

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page No.
     
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION 5
     
Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited) 5
     
  Condensed Balance Sheets 5
     
  Condensed Statements of Operations 6
     
  Condensed Statements of Cash Flows 7
     
  Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements 8
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 22
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 31
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 31
     
PART II OTHER INFORMATION 32
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 32
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors 32
     
Item 6. Exhibits 33
     
SIGNATURES 34

 

2

 

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING-STATEMENTS

 

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q (“Form 10-Q”) includes statements that are, or may be deemed, “forward-looking statements.” In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of such terms as “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “approximately” or, in each case, their negative or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. They appear in a number of places throughout this Form 10-Q and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, projections, outlook, analyses or current expectations concerning, among other things, our ongoing and planned discovery and development of drug candidates, the strength and breadth of our intellectual property, our ongoing and planned preclinical studies and clinical trials, the timing of and our ability to make regulatory filings and obtain and maintain regulatory approvals for our product candidates, the degree of clinical utility of our product candidates, particularly in specific patient populations, expectations regarding clinical trial data, our results of operations, financial condition, our available cash, liquidity, prospects, growth and strategies, impacts of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the length of time that we will be able to continue to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditures, our expected financing needs and sources of financing, the industry in which we operate and the trends that may affect our industry or us.

 

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events, competitive dynamics, and healthcare, regulatory and scientific developments and depend on the economic circumstances that may or may not occur in the future or may occur on longer or shorter timelines than anticipated. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this Form 10-Q, we caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate, may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q. In addition, even if our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate, are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q, they may not be predictive of results or developments in future periods.

 

Some of the factors that we believe could cause actual results to differ from those anticipated or predicted include:

 

  the success and timing of our clinical trials, including patient accrual;
     
  our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval or reimbursement of our product candidates for marketing;
     
  our ability to obtain the appropriate labeling of our products under any regulatory approval;
     
 

our ability to develop and commercialize our products;

 

  potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations, and our ability to continue operations in the same manner as previously conducted prior to the macroeconomic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic;
     
  the successful development and implementation of our sales and marketing campaigns;
     
  the change of key scientific or management personnel;
     
  the size and growth of the potential markets for our product candidates and our ability to serve those markets;
     
  our ability to successfully compete in the potential markets for our product candidates, if commercialized;

 

3

 

 

  regulatory developments in the United States and other countries;
     
  the rate and degree of market acceptance of any of our product candidates;
     
  new products, product candidates or new uses for existing products or technologies introduced or announced by our competitors and the timing of these introductions or announcements;
     
  market conditions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors;
     
  our available cash;
     
  the accuracy of our estimates regarding expenses, future revenues, capital requirements and needs for additional financing;
     
  our ability to obtain additional funding;
     
  our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our product candidates;
     
  the success and timing of our preclinical studies, including IND enabling studies;
     
  the ability of our product candidates to successfully perform in clinical trials and to resolve any clinical holds that may occur;
     
  our ability to obtain and maintain approval of our product candidates for trial initiation;
     
  our ability to manufacture and the performance of third-party manufacturers;
     
  our ability to identify license and collaboration partners and to maintain existing relationships;
     
  the performance of our clinical research organizations, clinical trial sponsors, clinical trial investigators and collaboration partners for any clinical trials we conduct;
     
  any outcomes from our review of strategic transactions; and
     
  our ability to successfully implement our strategy.

 

Any forward-looking statements that we make in this Form 10-Q speak only as of the date of such statement, and we undertake no obligation to update such statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-Q. You should also read carefully the factors described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, (as filed with the SEC on December 20, 2019, and amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto on Form 10-K/A filed on January 21, 2020 and by Amendment No. 2 thereto on Form 10-K/A filed on February 28, 2020, as so amended the “2019 Form 10-K/A”) as further supplemented by the risks and uncertainties discussed in Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2020 (as filed with the SEC on June 11, 2020) to better understand the risks and uncertainties inherent in our business and underlying any forward-looking statements. As a result of these factors, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q will prove to be accurate.

 

This Form 10-Q includes statistical and other industry and market data that we obtained from industry publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties. Industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies generally indicate that their information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, although they do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. While we believe these industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies are reliable, we have not independently verified such data.

 

4

 

 


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

ADVAXIS, INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

    

July 31, 2020

    

October 31, 2019

 
    

(Unaudited)

      
ASSETS          
Current Assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $23,846   $32,363 
Deferred expenses   1,518    2,353 
Deferred offering costs   644    - 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   1,291    1,433 
Total current assets   27,299    36,149 
           
Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation)   3,667    4,350 
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization)   3,841    4,575 
Operating right-of-use asset (net of accumulated amortization)   5,030    - 
Other assets   182    183 
Total assets  $40,019   $45,257 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $414   $976 
Accrued expenses   1,826    3,478 
Common stock warrant liability   33    19 
Current portion of operating lease liability   926    - 
Other current liabilities   50    48 
Total current liabilities   3,249    4,521 
           
Operating lease liability, net of current portion   5,304    - 
Other liabilities   -    1,205 
Total liabilities   8,553    5,726 
           
Commitments and contingencies – Note 9          
           
Stockholders’ equity:          
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; Series B Preferred Stock; 0 shares issued and outstanding at July 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019; Liquidation preference of $0 at July 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019   -    - 
Common stock - $0.001 par value; 170,000,000 shares authorized, 62,714,946 and 50,201,671 shares issued and outstanding at July 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019, respectively   62    50 
Additional paid-in capital   435,682    423,750 
Accumulated deficit   (404,278)   (384,269)
Total stockholders’ equity   31,466    39,531 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $40,019   $45,257 

 

The accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements.

 

5

 

 

ADVAXIS, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

   Three Months Ended
July 31,
   Nine months ended
July 31,
 
   2020   2019   2020   2019 
                 
Revenue  $-   $6   $253   $20,883 
                     
Operating expenses:                    
Research and development expenses   3,458    7,060    12,239    19,735 
General and administrative expenses   2,384    3,076    8,063    8,834 
Total operating expenses   5,842    10,136    20,302    28,569 
                     
Loss from operations   (5,842)   (10,130)   (20,049)   (7,686)
                     
Other income (expense):                    
Interest income, net   7    95    108    354 
Net changes in fair value of derivative liabilities   7    177    (16)   2,572 
Loss on shares issued in settlement of warrants   -    -    -    (1,607)
Other expense   (1)   -    (2)   (7)
Net loss before benefit for income taxes   (5,829)   (9,858)   (19,959)   (6,374)
                     
Income tax expense   -    -    50    50 
                     
Net loss  $(5,829)  $(9,858)  $(20,009)  $(6,424)
                     
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted  $(0.09)  $(1.00)  $(0.35)  $(0.94)
                     
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted   61,634,031    9,870,461    57,963,228    6,813,494 

 

The accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements.

 

6

 

 

ADVAXIS, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

   Nine Months Ended
July 31,
 
   2020   2019 
         
OPERATING ACTIVITIES          
Net loss  $(20,009)  $(6,424)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:          
Stock compensation   708    1,565 
Employee stock purchase plan expense   1    3 
Loss (gain) on change in value of warrants   16    (2,572)
Loss on shares issued in settlement of warrants   -    1,607 
Loss on disposal of property and equipment   -    290 
Abandonment of intangible assets   892    625 
Depreciation expense   683    848 
Amortization expense of intangible assets   263    290 
Amortization of right-of-use asset   553      
Change in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   -    1,664 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   977    (54)
Other assets   1    - 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   (2,251)   (6,245)
Deferred revenue   50    (18,665)
Operating lease liabilities   (606)   - 
Other liabilities   -    39 
Net cash used in operating activities   (18,722)   (27,029)
           
INVESTING ACTIVITIES          
Purchase of property and equipment   -    (54)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment   -    8 
Cost of intangible assets   (421)   (845)
Net cash used in investing activities   (421)   (891)
           
FINANCING ACTIVITIES          
Net proceeds of issuance of common stock   10,621    24,471 
Warrant exercise   -    68 
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan   5    19 
Employee tax withholdings paid on equity awards   (2)   (15)
Tax shares sold to pay for employee tax withholdings on equity awards   2    14 
Net cash provided by financing activities   10,626    24,557 
           
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (8,517)   (3,363)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   32,363    45,118 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $23,846   $41,755 
           
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION          
Cash paid for taxes  $50   $50 
           
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES          
Shares issued in settlement of warrants   -    5,462 
Warrant liability reclassified into equity   2    53 
Pre-funded warrant exercises   -    1 
Commitment fee shares issued for equity line   644    - 
Amounts accrued for offering costs   37    - 

 

The accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements.

 

7

 

 

ADVAXIS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS

 

Advaxis, Inc. (“Advaxis” or the “Company”) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of proprietary Listeria monocytogenes (“Lm”)-based antigen delivery products. The Company is using its Lm platform directed against tumor-specific targets in order to engage the patient’s immune system to destroy tumor cells. Through a license from the University of Pennsylvania, Advaxis has exclusive access to this proprietary formulation of attenuated Lm called Lm TechnologyTM. Advaxis’ proprietary approach is designed to deploy a unique mechanism of action that redirects the immune system to attack cancer in three distinct ways:

 

  Alerting and training the immune system by activating multiple pathways in Antigen-Presenting Cells (“APCs”) with the equivalent of multiple adjuvants;
     
  Attacking the tumor by generating a strong, cancer-specific T cell response; and
     
  Breaking down tumor protection through suppression of the protective cells in the tumor microenvironment (“TME”) that shields the tumor from the immune system. This enables the activated T cells to begin working to attack the tumor cells.

 

Advaxis’ proprietary Lm platform technology has demonstrated clinical activity in several of its programs and has been dosed in over 470 patients across multiple clinical trials and in various tumor types. The Company believes that Lm Technology immunotherapies can complement and address significant unmet needs in the current oncology treatment landscape. Specifically, its product candidates have the potential to work synergistically with other immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibitors, while having a generally well-tolerated safety profile.

 

Going Concern and Management’s Plans 

 

The Company has not yet commercialized any human products and the products that are being developed have not generated significant revenue. As a result, the Company has suffered recurring losses and requires significant cash resources to execute its business plans. These losses are expected to continue for an extended period of time. The aforementioned factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the date of filing. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of asset amounts or the classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued.

 

Historically, the Company’s major sources of cash have been comprised of proceeds from various public and private offerings of its common stock, debt financings, clinical collaborations, option and warrant exercises, NOL tax sales, income earned on investments and grants and interest income. From October 2013 through July 31, 2020, the Company raised approximately $305.8 million in gross proceeds ($13.6 million in fiscal year 2020) from various public and private offerings of its common stock. 

 

As of July 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $23.8 million in cash and cash equivalents. Although the Company expects to have sufficient capital to fund its obligations, as they become due, in the ordinary course of business until at least July 2021, the actual amount of cash that it will need to operate is subject to many factors. Over the past several months, the Company has taken steps to obtain additional financing, including the at-the-market (“ATM”) program and the equity line with Lincoln Park Capital. Due to the current state of the Company’s stock price and general market conditions, these programs have not been utilized to the fullest extent, thereby resulting in lower capital availability than anticipated. Management’s plans to mitigate an expected shortfall of capital and to support future operations include obtaining additional funds through partnerships or strategic or financing investors. The Company has reduced its operating expenses to $20.3 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 as compared to $28.6 million during the comparable prior period.

 

8

 

 

The Company recognizes it will need to raise additional capital in order to continue to execute its business plan in the future. There is no assurance that additional financing will be available when needed or that management will be able to obtain financing on terms acceptable to the Company or whether the Company will become profitable and generate positive operating cash flow. If the Company is unable to raise sufficient additional funds, it will have to scale back its operations.

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Basis of Presentation/Estimates

 

The accompanying unaudited interim condensed financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information, and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) with respect to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements and the accompanying unaudited interim condensed balance sheet as of July 31, 2020 has been derived from the Company’s October 31, 2019 audited financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed financial statements furnished include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented.

 

Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and the related disclosures at the date of the financial statements and during the reporting period. Significant estimates include the timelines associated with revenue recognition on upfront payments received, fair value and recoverability of the carrying value of property and equipment and intangible assets, fair value of warrant liability, grant date fair value of options, deferred tax assets and any related valuation allowance and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates. 

 

These unaudited interim condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the Company as of and for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 and notes thereto contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on December 20, 2019, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto on Form 10-K/A filed on January 21, 2020 and by Amendment No. 2 thereto on Form 10-K/A filed on February 28, 2020.

 

Net Income (Loss) per Share

 

Basic net income or loss per common share is computed by dividing net income or loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share give effect to dilutive options, warrants, restricted stock units and other potential common stock outstanding during the period. In the case of a net loss, the impact of the potential common stock resulting from warrants, outstanding stock options and convertible debt are not included in the computation of diluted loss per share, as the effect would be anti-dilutive. In the case of net income, the impact of the potential common stock resulting from these instruments that have intrinsic value are included in the diluted earnings per share. The table sets forth the number of potential shares of common stock that have been excluded from diluted net loss per share (as of July 31, 2020, 327,338 warrants are included in the basic earnings per share computation because the exercise price is $0, and as of July 31, 2019, 13,079,000 pre-funded warrants are included in the basic earnings per share computation because the exercise price is nominal):

 

   As of July 31, 
   2020   2019 
Warrants   5,070,888    18,301,804 
Stock options   914,577    405,372 
Restricted stock units   5,818    16,204 
Total   5,991,283    18,723,380 

 

9

 

 

Leases

 

Effective November 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASC Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842”) using the modified retrospective transition approach by applying the new standard to all leases existing as of the date of initial application. Results and disclosure requirements for reporting periods beginning after November 1, 2019 are presented under ASC 842, while prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the previous guidance in ASC 840, Leases.

 

At the inception of an arrangement, the Company determines whether an arrangement is or contains a lease based on the facts and circumstances present in the arrangement. An arrangement is or contains a lease if the arrangement conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Most leases with a term greater than one year are recognized on the balance sheet as operating lease right-of-use assets and current and long-term operating lease liabilities, as applicable. The Company has elected not to recognize on the balance sheet leases with terms of 12 months or less. The Company typically only includes the initial lease term in its assessment of a lease arrangement. Options to extend a lease are not included in the Company’s assessment unless there is reasonable certainty that the Company will renew.

 

Operating lease liabilities and their corresponding right-of-use assets are recorded based on the present value of lease payments over the expected remaining lease term. Certain adjustments to the right-of-use asset may be required for items such as prepaid or accrued rent. The interest rate implicit in the Company’s leases is typically not readily determinable. As a result, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate, which reflects the fixed rate at which the Company could borrow on a collateralized basis the amount of the lease payments in the same currency, for a similar term, in a similar economic environment. In transition to ASC 842, the Company utilized the remaining lease term of its leases in determining the appropriate incremental borrowing rates.

 

Recent Accounting Standards

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

 

On November 1, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (ASU 2016-02), as amended, which establishes ASC 842 and supersedes the lease accounting guidance under ASC 840, and generally requires lessees to recognize operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use (ROU) assets on the balance sheet and to provide enhanced disclosures surrounding the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leasing arrangements. We adopted the new guidance using the modified retrospective transition approach by applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application and not restating comparative periods.

 

In adopting the new standard, the Company elected to utilize the available package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which does not require the reassessment of the following: (i) whether existing or expired arrangements are or contain a lease, (ii) the lease classification of existing or expired leases, and (iii) whether previous initial direct costs would qualify for capitalization under the new lease standard. Additionally, the Company elected to combine lease and non-lease components and to exclude leases with a term of 12 months or less.

 

As of the November 1, 2019 effective date, the Company had identified one operating lease arrangement and one short-term lease in which it is a lessee. The adoption of ASC 842 resulted in the recognition of an operating lease liability and a right-of-use asset of approximately $6.8 million and $5.6 million, respectively, on the Company’s balance sheet relating to its leases, with the difference relating to reclassifications of the current accrued rent liability and the current lease incentive obligation of approximately $0.9 million and $0.3 million, respectively, as reductions to the right-of-use-asset for its operating lease. The adoption of the standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s condensed statements of operations or condensed statements of cash flows.

 

Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective accounting pronouncements, if adopted, would have a material impact on the accompanying condensed financial statements. 

 

10

 

 

3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property and equipment, net consists of the following (in thousands):

 

   July 31, 2020   October 31, 2019 
         
Leasehold improvements  $2,335   $2,335 
Laboratory equipment   3,405    3,405 
Furniture and fixtures   744    744 
Computer equipment   409    409 
Construction in progress   83    83 
Total property and equipment   6,976    6,976 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization   (3,309)   (2,626)
Net property and equipment  $3,667   $4,350 

 

Depreciation expense for the three months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019 was $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Depreciation expense for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019 was $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

 

4. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Intangible assets, net consist of the following (in thousands):

 

   July 31, 2020   October 31, 2019 
         
Patents  $5,208   $5,833 
Licenses   777    777 
Software   117    117 
Total intangibles   6,102    6,727 
Accumulated amortization   (2,261)   (2,152)
Intangible assets  $3,841   $4,575 

 

The expirations of the existing patents range from 2020 to 2040 but the expirations can be extended based on market approval if granted and/or based on existing laws and regulations. Capitalized costs associated with patent applications that are abandoned without future value are charged to expense when the determination is made not to pursue the application. Patent applications having a net book value of $0.3 million were abandoned and were charged to research and development expenses in the statement of operations for each of the three months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Patent applications having a net book value of $0.9 million and $0.6 million were abandoned and were charged to research and development expenses in the statement of operations for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Amortization expense for intangible assets that was charged to general and administrative expense in the statement of operations aggregated $0.1 million for each of the three months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Amortization expense for intangible assets that was charged to general and administrative expense in the statement of operations aggregated $0.3 million for each of the nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

Management has reviewed its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset might not be recoverable. Net assets are recorded on the balance sheet for patents and licenses related to axalimogene filolisbac (AXAL), ADXS-HOT, ADXS-PSA and ADXS-HER2 and other products that are in development. However, if a competitor were to gain FDA approval for a treatment before us or if future clinical trials fail to meet the targeted endpoints, the Company would likely record an impairment related to these assets. In addition, if an application is rejected or fails to be issued, the Company would record an impairment of its estimated book value. Lastly, if the Company is unable to raise enough capital to continue funding its studies and developing its intellectual property, the Company would likely record an impairment to these assets.

 

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At July 31, 2020, the estimated amortization expense by fiscal year based on the current carrying value of intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):

 

   Fiscal year ending October 31, 
     
2020 (Remaining)  $79 
2021   309 
2022   309 
2023   309 
2024   309 
Thereafter   2,526 
Total  $3,841 

 

5. ACCRUED EXPENSES:

 

   July 31, 2020   October 31, 2019 
         
Salaries and other compensation  $743   $158 
Vendors   604    3,194 
Professional fees   479    126 
Total accrued expenses  $1,826   $3,478 

 

6. COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANTS AND WARRANT LIABILITY

 

Warrants

 

As of July 31, 2020, there were outstanding warrants to purchase 5,398,226 shares of our common stock with exercise prices ranging from $0 to $281.25 per share. Information on the outstanding warrants is as follows:

 

Exercise
Price
   Number of Shares
Underlying Warrants
   Expiration Date  Type of Financing
$-    327,338   July 2024  July 2019 Public Offering
$281.25    25   N/A  Other warrants
$0.372    70,863   September 2024  September 2018 Public Offering
$1.25    5,000,000   July 2025  January 2020 Public Offering
 Grand Total    5,398,226       

 

As of October 31, 2019, there were outstanding warrants to purchase 432,142 shares of our common stock with exercise prices ranging from $0 to $281.25 per share. Information on the outstanding warrants is as follows:

 

Exercise
Price
   Number of Shares
Underlying Warrants
   Expiration Date  Type of Financing
$-    359,838   July 2024  July 2019 Public Offering
$281.25    25   N/A  Other Warrants
$0.372    72,279   September 2024  September 2018 Public Offering
 Grand Total    432,142       

 

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A summary of warrant activity was as follows (in thousands, except share and per share data):

 

   Shares   Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
In Years
   Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
 
Outstanding and exercisable warrants at October 31, 2019   432,142   $0.08    4.76   $114,069 
Issued   5,000,000    1.25           
Exercised *   (33,916)   0.02           
Outstanding and exercisable warrants at July 31, 2020   5,398,226   $1.16    4.90   $204,596 

 

* Includes the cashless exercise of 32,500 warrants that resulted in the issuance of 32,500 shares of common stock.

 

As of July 31, 2020, the Company had 5,327,363 of its total 5,398,226 outstanding warrants classified as equity (equity warrants). At October 31, 2019, the Company had 359,863 of its total 432,142 outstanding warrants classified as equity (equity warrants). At issuance, equity warrants are recorded at their relative fair values, using the relative fair value method, in the stockholders’ equity section of the balance sheet.

 

Warrant Liability

 

As of July 31, 2020, the Company had 70,863 of its total 5,398,226 outstanding warrants classified as liabilities (liability warrants). At October 31, 2019, the Company had 72,279 of its total 432,142 outstanding warrants classified as liabilities (liability warrants). These warrants contain a down round feature, except for exempt issuances as defined in the warrant agreement, in which the exercise price would immediately be reduced to match a dilutive issuance of common stock, options, convertible securities and changes in option price or rate of conversion. As of July 31, 2020, the down round feature was triggered three times and the exercise price of the warrants were reduced from $22.50 to $0.372. The warrants require liability classification as the warrant agreement requires the Company to maintain an effective registration statement and does not specify any circumstances under which settlement in other than cash would be permitted or required. As a result, net cash settlement is assumed and liability classification is warranted. For these liability warrants, the Company utilized the Monte Carlo simulation model to calculate the fair value of these warrants at issuance and at each subsequent reporting date.

 

In measuring the warrant liability at July 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019, the Company used the following inputs in its Monte Carlo simulation model:

 

   July 31, 2020   October 31, 2019 
Exercise Price  $0.372   $0.372 
Stock Price  $0.58   $0.32 
Expected Term   4.12 years    4.87 years 
Volatility %   104.47%   100.99%
Risk Free Rate   0.16%   1.51%

 

7. SHARE BASED COMPENSATION

 

The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense included in the condensed statement of operations (in thousands):

 

   Three Months Ended July 31,   Nine Months Ended July 31, 
   2020   2019   2020   2019 
Research and development  $79   $241   $233   $822 
General and administrative   176    223    475    743 
Total  $255   $464   $708   $1,565 

 

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Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

 

A summary of the Company’s RSU activity and related information for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 is as follows:

 

   Number of
RSUs
   Weighted-Average
Grant
Date Fair Value
 
         
Balance at October 31, 2019   14,706   $47.62 
Vested   (8,608)   59.61 
Cancelled   (280)   98.80 
Balance at July 31, 2020   5,818   $27.40 

 

As of July 31, 2020, there was approximately $0.1 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested RSUs, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted average vesting period of approximately 0.72 years.

 

As of July 31, 2020, the aggregate intrinsic value of non-vested RSU’s was approximately $3,000.

 

Employee Stock Awards

 

Common Stock issued to executives and employees related to vested incentive retention awards, employment inducements, management purchases and employee excellence awards totaled 0 shares and 408 shares during the three months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Total stock compensation expense associated with employee awards for the three months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019 was approximately $40,000 and $0.2 million, respectively

 

Common Stock issued to executives and employees related to vested incentive retention awards, employment inducements, management purchases and employee excellence awards totaled 8,608 shares and 10,947 shares during the nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Total stock compensation expense associated with employee awards for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019 was approximately $0.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively.

 

Stock Options

 

A summary of changes in the stock option plan for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 is as follows:

 

   Number of
Options
   Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
 
Outstanding at October 31, 2019:   560,490   $71.56 
Granted   450,000    0.66 
Canceled or expired   (95,913)   58.21 
Outstanding at July 31, 2020   914,577    38.08 
Vested and Exercisable at July 31, 2020   266,380   $125.14 

 

During the nine months end July 31, 2020, the Company granted options to purchase 385,000 and 65,000 shares of its common stock to employees and directors, respectively. The stock options have a ten-year term, vest over three years, and have an exercise price of $0.66.

 

Total compensation cost related to the Company’s outstanding stock options, recognized in the statement of operations for the three months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019 was approximately $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. For the nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, compensation cost related to the Company’s outstanding stock options was approximately $0.6 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

 

As of July 31, 2020, there was approximately $0.8 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option awards, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted average vesting period of 1.37 years.

 

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As of July 31, 2020, the aggregate intrinsic value of vested and exercisable options was $0 and the aggregate intrinsic value of non-vested options was approximately $42,000.

 

In determining the fair value of the stock options granted during the nine months ended July 31, 2020, the Company used the following inputs in its Black Scholes Merton model:

 

  

Nine Months

Ended
July 31, 2020

 
     
Expected Term   5.50-6.50 years  
Expected Volatility   100.27-105.21%
Expected Dividends   0%
Risk Free Interest Rate   0.36-0.52%

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

During the nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company issued 11,148 and 4,585 shares, respectively, that were purchased under the 2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”).

 

8. COLLABORATION AND LICENSING AGREEMENTS

 

OS Therapies LLC

 

On September 4, 2018, the Company entered into a development, license and supply agreement with OS Therapies (“OST”) for the use of ADXS31-164, also known as ADXS-HER2, for evaluation in the treatment of osteosarcoma in humans. Under the terms of the license agreement, as amended, OST will be responsible for the conduct and funding of a clinical study evaluating ADXS-HER2 in recurrent, completely resected osteosarcoma. Under the most recent amendment to the licensing agreement, OST agrees to pay Advaxis $25,000 per month (“Monthly Payment”) starting on April 30, 2020 until it achieves its funding milestone of $2,337,500. Upon receipt of the first Monthly Payment, Advaxis will initiate the transfer of the intellectual property and licensing rights of ADXS31-164, which were licensed pursuant to the Penn Agreement, back to the University of Pennsylvania. Contemporaneously, OST will enter negotiations with the University of Pennsylvania to establish a licensing agreement for ADXS31-164 to OST for clinical and commercial development of the ADXS31-164 technology.

 

Provided that OST meets its ongoing obligation to make its Monthly Payments to Advaxis for six consecutive months, Advaxis agrees to transfer, and OST agrees to take full ownership of, the IND application for ADXS31-164 in its entirety to OST, along with agreements and promises contained therein, as well as all obligations associated with this IND or any HER2 product/program development. Until OST makes its Monthly Payments to Advaxis for six consecutive months, Advaxis will continue to bear the costs of the regulatory filing services related to the IND application for ADXS31-164.

 

Within five business days of achieving the funding milestone of $2,337,500 for the performance of the Children’s Oncology Group study (knowns as the “License Commencement Date”), OST will make a non-refundable and non-creditable payment to Advaxis of $1,550,000 less the cumulative Monthly Payments previously made (the “License Commencement Payment”). Within five days following the License Commencement Date, Advaxis will provide existing drug supply “as is” to OST, and until the drug supply is supplied to OST, Advaxis will bear the storage costs for the drug product. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company is also to receive sales-based milestone payments and royalties on future product sales. In addition, the Company and OST will establish a Joint Steering Committee to oversee the R&D activities.

 

The promises to (1) Maintain the HER2 product until transfer to OST, (2) Provide the IND application ownership for ADX321-164 to OST, (3) Participate in the Joint Steering Committee, (4) Transfer of IP & licensing rights of ADXS31-164 and related Patents, and (5) Provide Clinical Drug Supply represent one combined performance obligation for revenue recognition purposes. The Company concluded that the transfer of the IP and licensing rights provides OST with a functional, or “right to use,” license, and thus the Company will recognize the upfront fees of $1,550,000 from the license at a point in time. The revenue from the transfer of the license cannot be recognized until the transfer of the corresponding IP to OST has occurred and OST has the ability to benefit from the right to use the license. As the right to use the license begins when OST makes the upfront payment within five days of the License Commencement Date and the IP transfers to OST at that time, the upfront fees from the license will be recognized upon the transfer of the intellectual property to OST.

 

Since OST is making $25,000 monthly payments that will be creditable against the $1,550,000, the Company will receive payments prior to the performance of the single distinct performance obligation. Due to this, the Company will defer any of the monthly payments until the IP and licensing rights are transferred to OST. However, if OST terminates the contract, which they are able to do with 60-day notice, the Company would recognize any of the $25,000 monthly payments received when the contract terminates. As of July 31, 2020, OST has made payments totaling $50,000 and this has been recorded as other liabilities in the condensed balance sheet.

 

Elanco Animal Health (formerly Aratana Therapeutics)

 

During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, the USDA’s Center for Veterinary Biologics granted Aratana conditional approval for its canine osteosarcoma vaccine using Advaxis’ technology. During the three months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, Advaxis recognized royalty revenue totaling $0 and $6,000, respectively, from Aratana’s sales of the canine osteosarcoma vaccine. During the nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, Advaxis recognized royalty revenue totaling approximately $3,000 and $8,000, respectively, from Aratana’s sales of the canine osteosarcoma vaccine. On July 16, 2019, Aratana announced their shareholders approved a merger agreement with Elanco Animal Health (“Elanco”) whereby Elanco will be the majority shareholder of Aratana. All of the terms of the Aratana Agreement remain in effect.

 

Global BioPharma Inc.

 

On December 9, 2013, the Company entered into an exclusive licensing agreement for the development and commercialization of axalimogene filolisbac with Global BioPharma, Inc. (“GBP”), a Taiwanese based biotech company funded by a group of investors led by Taiwan Biotech Co., Ltd (TBC). During each of the nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded $0.3 million in revenue for the annual license fee renewal. Since Advaxis has no significant obligation to perform after the license transfer and has provided GBP with the right to use its intellectual property, performance is satisfied when the license renews.

 

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9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Legal Proceedings

 

Stendhal

 

On September 19, 2018, Stendhal filed a Demand for Arbitration before the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (Case No. 01-18-0003-5013) relating to the Co-development and Commercialization Agreement with Especificos Stendhal SA de CV (the “Stendhal Agreement”). In the demand, Stendhal alleged that (i) the Company breached the Stendhal Agreement when it made certain statements regarding its AIM2CERV program, (ii) that Stendhal was subsequently entitled to terminate the Agreement for cause, which it did so at the time and (iii) that the Company owes Stendhal damages pursuant to the terms of the Stendhal Agreement. Stendhal is seeking to recover $3 million paid to the Company in 2017 as support payments for the AIM2CERV clinical trial along with approximately $0.3 million in expenses incurred. Stendhal is also seeking fees associated with the arbitration and interest. The Company has answered Stendhal’s Demand for Arbitration and denied that it breached the Stendhal Agreement. The Company also alleges that Stendhal breached its obligations to the Company by, among other things, failing to make support payments that became due in 2018 and that Stendhal therefore owes the Company $3 million. Advaxis is also seeking fees associated with the arbitration and interest.

 

From October 21-23, 2019, an evidentiary hearing for the arbitration was conducted. On April 1, 2020, the Arbitrator issued a final award denying Stendhal’s claim in full. The Arbitrator found that the Company had not repudiated the Agreement and did not owe Stendhal damages, fees, or interest associated with the arbitration. The Arbitrator also denied the Company’s claim that Stendhal breached its obligations to the Company. The parties were ordered to bear their own attorneys’ fees and evenly split administrative fees and expenses for the arbitration.

 

10. LEASES

 

Operating Leases

 

The Company leases its corporate office and manufacturing facility in Princeton, New Jersey under an operating lease that expires in November 2025. The Company has the option to renew the lease term for two additional five-year terms. The renewal periods were not included the lease term for purposes of determining the lease liability or right-of-use asset. The Company has provided a security deposit of approximately $182,000, which is recorded as Other Assets in the condensed balance sheet.

 

The Company identified and assessed the following significant assumptions in recognizing its right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities:

 

  As the Company does not have sufficient insight to determine an implicit rate, the Company estimated the incremental borrowing rate in calculating the present value of the lease payments. The Company utilized a synthetic credit rating model to determine a benchmark for its incremental borrowing rate for its leases. The benchmark rate was adjusted to arrive at an appropriate discount rate for the lease.
     
  Since the Company elected to account for each lease component and its associated non-lease components as a single combined component, all contract consideration was allocated to the combined lease component.
     
  Renewal option periods have not been included in the determination of the lease terms as they are not deemed reasonably certain of exercise.
     
  Variable lease payments, such as common area maintenance, real estate taxes, and property insurance are not included in the determination of the lease’s right-of-use asset or lease liability.

 

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Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases as of July 31, 2020 was as follows (in thousands):

 

Operating Leases:      
Operating lease right-of-use assets  $5,030 
      
Operating lease liability  $926 
Operating lease liability, net of current portion   5,304 
Total operating lease liabilities  $6,230 

 

Supplemental lease expense related to leases was as follows (in thousands):

 

Lease Cost (in thousands)  Statements of Operations Classification  For the Three
Months Ended
July 31, 2020
   For the Nine Months Ended
July 31, 2020
 
Operating lease cost  General and administrative   290    869 
Short-term lease cost  General and administrative   83    249 
Variable lease cost  General and administrative  $108   $282 
Total lease expense     $481   $1,400 

 

Other information related to leases where the Company is the lessee is as follows:

 

   For the Nine
Months Ended
July 31, 2020
 
Weighted-average remaining lease term   5.3 years 
Weighted-average discount rate   6.5%

 

Supplemental cash flow information related to operating leases was as follows:

 

   For the Three
Months Ended
July 31, 2020
   For the Nine
Months Ended
July 31, 2020
 
Cash paid for operating lease liabilities  $311   $922 

 

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of July 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

Fiscal Year ending October 31,    
2020 (Remaining)  $311 
2021   1,318 
2022   1,369 
2023   1,395 
2024   1,419 
Thereafter   1,564 
Total minimum lease payments   7,376 
Less: Imputed interest   (1,146)
Total  $6,230 

 

Under ASC 840, future minimum payments under the Company’s operating lease were as follows (in thousands):

 

Fiscal Year ending October 31,    
2020  $1,233 
2021   1,318 
2022   1,369 
2023   1,395 
2024   1,419 
Thereafter   1,564 
Total  $8,298 

 

Under ASC 840, rent expense for each of the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018 was approximately $1.2 million.

 

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11. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

A summary of the changes in stockholders’ equity for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019 is presented below (in thousands, except share data):

 

   Preferred Stock   Common Stock   Additional
Paid-In
   Accumulated   Total
Shareholders’
 
   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   Capital   Deficit   Equity 
Balance at November 1, 2018   -   $-    4,634,189   $5   $391,703   $(367,657)  $  24,051 
Stock based compensation   -    -    9,811    -    622    -    622 
Tax withholdings paid on equity awards   -    -    -    -    (11)   -    (11)
Tax shares sold to pay for tax withholdings on equity awards   -    -    -    -    11    -    11 
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan   -    -    2,007    -    9    -    9 
ESPP Expense   -    -    -    -    1         1 
Net Income   -      -    -         -    12,817    12,817 
Balance at January 31, 2019   -   $-    4,646,007   $5   $392,335   $(354,840)  $37,500 
Stock based compensation   -    -    693    -    479    -    479 
Tax withholdings paid on equity awards   -    -    -    -    (3)   -    (3)
Tax shares sold to pay for tax withholdings on equity awards   -    -    -    -    3    -    3 
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan   -    -    1,505    -    7    -    7 
Warrant exercises   -    -    15,300    -    68    -    68 
Warrant liability reclassified into equity   -    -    -    -    53    -    53 
ESPP Expense   -    -    -    -    1         1 
Shares issued in settlement of warrants   -    -    856,865    1    5,462    -    5,463 
Advaxis public offerings, net of offering costs   -    -    2,500,000    2    8,980    -    8,982 
Net Loss   -    -    -    -    -    (9,383)   (9,383)
Balance at April 30, 2019       -   $     -    8,020,370   $      8   $407,385   $(364,223)  $43,170 
Stock based compensation             408    -    464    -    464 
Tax withholdings paid on equity awards   -    -    -    -    1    -    (1)
Tax shares sold to pay for tax withholdings on equity awards   -    -    -    -    (1)   -    1 
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan   -    -    1,073    -    3    -    3 
Shares issued in settlement of warrants   -    -    577,000    1    -    -    1 
Advaxis public offerings, net of offering costs   -    -    10,650,000    11    15,478    -    15,489 
Net Loss   -    -    -    -    -    (9,858)   (9,858)
Balance at July 31, 2019   -   $-    19,248,851   $20   $423,330   $(374,081)  $49,269 

 

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   Preferred Stock   Common Stock   Additional
Paid-In
   Accumulated   Total
Shareholders’
 
   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   Capital   Deficit   Equity 
Balance at November 1, 2019   -   $-    50,201,671   $50   $423,750   $(384,269)  $  39,531 
Stock based compensation   -    -    2,957    -    242    -    242 
Advaxis public offerings, net of offering costs   -    -    10,000,000    10    9,618    -    9,628 
Warrant exercises   -    -    26,416    -    2    -    2 
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan   -    -    5,555    -    2    -    2 
Net Income   -    -    -    -    -    (7,857)   (7,857)
Balance at January 31, 2020   -   $-    60,236,599   $60   $433,614   $(392,126)  $41,548 
Stock based compensation   -    -    5,651    -    210    -    210 
Warrant exercises   -    -    7,500    -    -    -    - 
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan   -    -    2,694    -    2    -    2 
Net Income   -    -    -    -    -    (6,323)   (6,323)
Balance at April 30, 2020   -   $-    60,252,444   $60   $433,826   $(398,449)  $35,437 
Stock based compensation   -    -    -    -    255    -    255 
Tax withholdings paid on equity awards   -    -    -    -    (1)   -    (1)
Tax shares sold to pay for tax withholdings on equity awards   -    -    -    -    1    -    1 
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan   -    -    2,899    -    2    -    2 
At-the-market shares issued, net of offering costs   -    -    1,375,337    1    956    -    957 
Commitment fee shares issued for equity line   -    -    1,084,266    1    643    -    644 
Net Income   -    -    -    -    -    (5,829)   (5,829)
Balance at July 31, 2020       -   $       -    62,714,946   $    62   $435,682   $(404,278)  $31,466 

 

On February 21, 2019, the Company’s stockholders voted to approve an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 95,000,000 to 170,000,000 and also voted to approve an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation allow the Company to execute a reverse stock split of common stock at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The amendment to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock became effective upon filing of the amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 28, 2019. Additionally, on March 29, 2019, the Company executed a 1 for 15 reverse stock split.

 

In April 2019, the Company issued 2,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in a public offering at $4.00 per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The net proceeds to the Company from the transaction was approximately $9 million.

 

In July 2019, the Company closed on an underwritten public offering of 10,650,000 shares of its common stock, pre-funded warrants to purchase 13,656,000 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to 17,142,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $1.20, for gross proceeds of $17.0 million. Each share of common stock or pre-funded warrant was sold together in a fixed combination with a warrant to purchase 0.75 shares of common stock. The pre-funded warrants are exercisable immediately, do not expire and have an exercise price of $0.001 per share. The warrants are exercisable immediately, expire five years from the date of issuance, have an exercise price of $2.80 per share and are subject to anti-dilution and other adjustments for certain stock splits, stock dividends, or recapitalizations. The warrants also provide that if during the period of time between the date that is the earlier of (i) 30 days after issuance and (ii) if the common stock trades an aggregate of more than 35,000,000 shares after the pricing of the offering, and ending 15 months after issuance, the weighted-average price of common stock immediately prior to the exercise date is lower than the then-applicable exercise price per share, each Common Warrant may be exercised, at the option of the holder, on a cashless basis for one share of Common Stock. After deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, the net proceeds from the offering were approximately $15.5 million.

 

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In January 2020, the Company closed on a public offering of 10,000,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $1.05, for gross proceeds of $10.5 million. In addition, the Company also undertook a concurrent private placement of warrants to purchase up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock. The warrants have an exercise price per share of $1.25, are exercisable during the period beginning on the six-month anniversary of the date of its issuance (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and will expire on the fifth anniversary of the Initial Exercise Date. The warrants contain a change of control provision whereby if the change of control is within the Company’s control, the warrants could be settled in cash based on the Black-Scholes value of the warrants at the option of the warrant holder. The warrants also provide that if there is no effective registration statement registering, or no current prospectus available for, the issuance or resale of the warrant shares, the warrants may be exercised via a cashless exercise. After deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, the net proceeds from the offering were approximately $9.6 million.

 

At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company held on May 4, 2020, the stockholders ratified and approved an amendment to the Company’s 2015 Incentive Plan to increase the aggregate number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under such Plan from 877,744 shares to 6,000,000 shares.

 

In May 2020, the Company entered into a sales agreement related to an ATM equity offering program pursuant to which the Company may sell, from time to time, common stock with an aggregate offering price of up to $40 million through A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners, as sales agent. From May 2020 to July 2020, the Company sold 1,375,337 shares of its common stock under the ATM program for $1.085 million, or an average of $0.79 per share, and received net proceeds of $0.957 million, net of commissions of $35,000.

 

Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement

 

On July 30, 2020, the Company entered into a Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) and a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (“Lincoln Park”). Over the 36-month term of the Purchase Agreement, the Company has the right, but not the obligation, from time to time, to sell to Lincoln Park up to an aggregate amount of $20,000,000 of shares of common stock, in its sole discretion and subject to certain conditions, including that the closing price of its common stock is not below $0.10 per share, to direct Lincoln Park to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares (the “Regular Purchase Share Limit”) of its Common Stock (each such purchase, a “Regular Purchase”). Lincoln Park’s maximum obligation under any single Regular Purchase will not exceed $1,000,000, unless the parties mutually agree to increase the maximum amount of such Regular Purchase. The purchase price for shares of Common Stock to be purchased by Lincoln Park under a Regular Purchase will be the equal to the lower of (in each case, subject to the adjustments described in the Purchase Agreement): (i) the lowest sale price for the Company’s common stock on the applicable purchase date, and (ii) the arithmetic average of the three lowest sale prices for the Company’s common stock during the ten trading days prior to the purchase date.

 

As consideration for entering into the Purchase Agreement, the Company issued 1,084,266 shares of common stock to Lincoln Park as a commitment fee. The shares were valued at approximately $0.6 million and were recorded as deferred offering expenses in the condensed balance sheet. The deferred charges will be charged against paid-in capital upon future proceeds from the sale of common stock under the Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement.

 

12. FAIR VALUE

 

The authoritative guidance for fair value measurements defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or the most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Market participants are buyers and sellers in the principal market that are (i) independent, (ii) knowledgeable, (iii) able to transact, and (iv) willing to transact. The guidance describes a fair value hierarchy based on the levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value which are the following:

 

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● Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

● Level 2— Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or corroborated by observable market data or substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

 

● Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the value of the assets or liabilities.

 

The following table provides the assets and liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis as of July 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019 (in thousands):

 

July 31, 2020  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Common stock warrant liability, warrants exercisable at $0.372 through September 2024   -    -   $33   $33 

 

October 31, 2019  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Common stock warrant liability, warrants exercisable at $0.372 through September 2024   -    -   $19   $19 

 

The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in the fair value of the Company’s warrant liabilities:

 

  

For the
Nine Months

Ended
July 31, 2020

 
Beginning balance  $19 
Warrant exercises   (2)
Change in fair value   16 
Ending Balance  $33 

 

13. Subsequent Events

 

On August 3, 2020, Lincoln Park purchased 3,510,527 shares of common stock for gross proceeds of approximately $2 million. The net proceeds to the Company from the transaction was approximately $1.9 million.

 

On September 4, 2020, the Company and Molly Henderson, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, announced that Ms. Henderson is stepping down as Chief Financial Officer effective September 25, 2020.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements about our plans and expectations of what may happen in the future. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and our results could differ materially from the results anticipated by our forward-looking statements as a result of many known or unknown factors, including, but not limited to, those factors discussed below in Part II Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of this Form 10-Q. See also the “Special Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” set forth at the beginning of this report.

 

You should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with the unaudited financial statements, and the related footnotes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this report, and in conjunction with management’s discussion and analysis and the audited financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, as filed with the SEC on December 20, 2019, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto on Form 10-K/A filed on January 21, 2020 and by Amendment No. 2 thereto on Form 10-K/A filed on February 28, 2020 (the “2019 Form 10-K/A”). In addition, we intend to use our media and investor relations website (www.advaxis.com/investor-relations), SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts to communicate with the public about Advaxis, its services and other issues.

 

Overview

 

Advaxis, Inc. (“we” or “Advaxis”) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of proprietary Listeria monocytogenes (“Lm”)-based antigen delivery products. We are using our Lm platform directed against tumor-specific targets in order to engage the patient’s immune system to destroy tumor cells. Through a license from the University of Pennsylvania, we have exclusive access to this proprietary formulation of attenuated Lm called Lm TechnologyTM. Our proprietary approach is designed to deploy a unique mechanism of action that redirects the immune system to attack cancer in three distinct ways:

 

  Alerting and training the immune system by activating multiple pathways in Antigen-Presenting Cells (“APCs”) with the equivalent of multiple adjuvants;
     
  Attacking the tumor by generating a strong, cancer-specific T cell response; and
     
  Breaking down tumor protection through suppression of the protective cells in the tumor microenvironment (“TME”) that shields the tumor from the immune system. This enables the activated T cells to begin working to attack the tumor cells.

 

Our proprietary Lm platform technology has demonstrated clinical activity in several of our programs and has been dosed in over 470 patients across multiple clinical trials and in various tumor types. We believe that Lm Technology immunotherapies can complement and address significant unmet needs in the current oncology treatment landscape. Specifically, our product candidates have the potential to work synergistically with other immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibitors, while having a generally well-tolerated safety profile.

 

Recent Developments

 

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus (COVID-19) a pandemic, and on March 13, 2020, the United States declared a national emergency with respect to COVID-19. The pandemic has resulted in government-imposed quarantines, travel restrictions, business and school closures and other public health safety measures, many of which remain in effect to varying degrees. We continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and take steps intended to mitigate the potential risks to our workforce and our operations. The COVID-19 pandemic has, and may continue to, directly or indirectly affect the pace of enrollment in our clinical trials as patients may avoid or may not be able to travel to healthcare facilities and physicians’ offices unless due to a health emergency and clinical trial staff can no longer get to the clinic. Nonetheless, thus far, the COVID-19 pandemic has not had a significant impact on the business. However, we remain in contact with the clinical sites in our study and are in discussion with additional sites to combat any potential impact in enrollment. We are unable to determine or predict the extent, duration or scope of the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, operations, financial condition or liquidity.

 

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Strategic Transactions

 

As a matter of course, we are reviewing strategic transactions and alternatives and there can be no assurance that we will be successful in identifying or completing any strategic transactions, that any such strategic transaction will result in additional value for our stockholders or that the process will not have an adverse impact on our business. These transactions could include, but are not limited to, collaboration agreements, co-development agreements, strategic mergers, reverse mergers, the issuance or buyback of public shares, or the purchase or sale of specific assets, in addition to other potential actions aimed at increasing stockholder value. There can be no assurance that the review of strategic transactions will result in the identification or consummation of any transaction. Our Board of Directors may also determine that our most effective strategy is to continue to effectuate our current business plan. Any potential transaction would be dependent upon a number of factors that may be beyond our control, including, but not limited to, market conditions, industry trends, the interest of third parties in our business and the availability of financing to potential buyers on reasonable terms. No decision has been made with respect to any transaction.

 

The Advaxis Corporate Strategy

 

Our strategy is to advance the Lm Technology platform and leverage its unique capabilities to design and develop an array of cancer treatments. We are currently conducting or have conducted clinical studies of Lm Technology immunotherapies in HPV-associated cancers (including cervical and head and neck), prostate cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and other solid tumor types. We are working with, or are in the process of identifying, collaborators for our programs.

 

Moving forward, we expect that we will continue to invest in our core clinical program areas and will also remain opportunistic in evaluating Investigator Sponsored Trials (“ISTs”) as well as licensing opportunities. The Lm Technology platform is protected by a range of patents, covering both product and process, some of which we believe can be maintained into 2040.

 

Advaxis Pipeline of Product Candidates

 

 

Disease focused hotspot/ ‘off the shelf’ neoantigen therapies (ADXS-HOT)

 

We are creating a new group of immunotherapy constructs for major solid tumor cancers that combines our optimized Lm Technology vector with promising targets designed to generate potent anti-cancer immunity. The ADXS-HOT program is a series of novel cancer immunotherapies that will target somatic mutations, or hotspots, cancer testis antigens, or CTAs, and oncofetal antigens, or OFAs. These three types of targets form the basis of the ADXS-HOT program because they are designed to be more capable of generating potent, tumor specific, and high strength killer T cells, versus more traditional over-expressed native sequence tumor associated antigens. Most hotspot mutations and OFA/CTA proteins play critical roles in oncogenesis; targeting both at once could significantly impair cancer proliferation. The ADXS-HOT products will combine many of the potential high avidity targets that are expressed in all patients with the target disease into one “off-the-shelf,” ready to administer treatment. We believe the ADXS-HOT technology has a strong intellectual property, or IP, position, with potential protection into 2040, and an IP filing strategy providing for broad coverage opportunities across multiple disease platforms and combination therapies.

 

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In July 2018, we announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, allowed our investigational new drug, or IND, application for our ADXS-HOT drug candidate (ADXS-503) for non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC. The Phase 1/2 clinical trial of ADXS-503 is seeking to establish the recommended dose, safety, tolerability and clinical activity of ADXS-503 administered alone and in combination with a KEYTRUDA® in approximately 50 patients with NSCLC, in at least five sites across the U.S. The two dose levels with monotherapy in Part A, (1x108 and 5x108 CFU) and Part B with ADXS-503 (1x108 CFU) in combination with KEYTRUDA® have been completed. Based on the results reported to date, including an observed stable disease and a partial response in the first two patients in Part B who previously progressed on KEYTRUDA®, we have expanded Part B to additional patients at dose level 1 (1x108 CFU + KEYTRUDA®) with the potential to proceed to dose level 2 (5x108 CFU + KEYTRUDA®) at a later date. In addition, we have begun enrolling patients in Part C of the study, which evaluates ADXS-503 in combination with KEYTRUDA® (1x108 CFU + KEYTRUDA®) as a first line treatment for patients that are unsuitable to receive the standard of care regimen with KEYTRUDA® in combination with chemotherapy.

 

Additionally, in January 2020, we announced that the FDA has allowed our IND for the initiation for a Phase 1 clinical study of ADXS-504, our ADXS-HOT drug candidate for prostate cancer, which we anticipate to begin enrolling patients by the end of 2020.

 

Prostate Cancer (ADXS-PSA)

 

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer found in American men and is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, behind only lung cancer. More than 191,000 men are estimated to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2020, with approximately 33,000 deaths each year. Unfortunately, in about 10-20% of cases, men with prostate cancer will go on to develop castration-resistant prostate cancer, or CRPC, which refers to prostate cancer that progresses despite androgen deprivation therapy. Metastatic CRPC, or mCRPC, occurs when the cancer spreads to other parts of the body and there is a rising prostate-specific antigen, PSA, level. This stage of prostate cancer has an average survival of 9-13 months, is associated with deterioration in quality of life, and has few therapeutic options available.

 

We have entered into a clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with Merck & Co., or Merck, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ADXS-PSA as monotherapy and in combination with KEYTRUDA®, Merck’s anti PD-1 antibody, in a Phase 1/2, open-label, multicenter, dose determination and expansion trial in patients with previously treated metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer (KEYNOTE-046). ADXS-PSA was tested alone or in combination with KEYTRUDA in an advanced and heavily pretreated patient population who had progressed on androgen deprivation therapy. A total of 13 and 37 patients were evaluated on monotherapy and combination therapy, respectively. For the ADXS-PSA monotherapy dose escalation and determination portion of the trial, cohorts were started at a dose of 1 x 109 cfu (n=7) and successfully escalated to higher dose levels of 5x109 cfu (n=3) and 1x1010 cfu (n=3) without achieving a maximum tolerated dose. Treatment-related adverse events, or TRAEs, noted at these higher dose levels were generally consistent with those observed at the lower dose level (1 x 109 cfu) other than a higher occurrence rate of Grade 2/3 hypotension. The Recommended Phase II Dose of ADXS-PSA monotherapy was determined to be 1x 109 cfu based on a review of the totality of the clinical data. This dose was used in combination with 200mg of pembrolizumab in a cohort of six patients to evaluate the safety of the combination before moving into an expanded cohort of patients. The safety of the combination was confirmed and enrollment in the expansion cohort phase was initiated. Enrollment in the study was completed in January 2017.

 

Data regarding checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy (KEYNOTE-199) has shown some antitumor activity that provides disease control in a subset of patients with bone-predominant mCRPC previously treated with next generation hormonal agents and docetaxel. Data from the KEYNOTE-199 trial in bone-predominant mCRPC patients treated with KEYTRUDA®, or pembrolizumab, was presented at the ASCO GU meeting in 2019. In this trial, the total stable disease/disease stabilization rate was 39% with no responses reported so far, and only one patient with ≥50% decrease in the post-baseline PSA value. It is hypothesized that the limited activity in mCRPC may be due to 1) the inability of the checkpoint inhibitor to infiltrate the tumor microenvironment and 2) the presence of an immunosuppressive tumor micro-environment, or TME. The combination therapy with agents—like Lm constructs—that induce T cell infiltration within the tumor and decrease negative regulators in the TME may improve performance of checkpoints in prostate cancer.

 

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For KEYNOTE-046, as of the final data cutoff, September 16, 2019, the median overall survival (mOS) for 37 patients in the combination arm was 33.7 months (95% CI, range 15.4-33.7 months) and the median overall survival (95% CI) of 16.4 months (4.0-NR) for patients with prior visceral metastasis (n=11; 10 pts with prior docetaxel). This updated median overall survival is an increase from the previous data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting in April 2019, where median overall survival was 21.1 months in the combination arm. The majority of TRAEs consisted of transient and reversible Grade 1-2 chills/rigors, fever, hypotension, nausea and fatigue. The combination of ADXS-PSA and KEYTRUDA® has appeared to be well-tolerated to date, with no additive toxicity observed. We are in discussions with potential partners regarding opportunities to expand or advance this mCRPC program.

 

HPV-Related Cancers

 

We conducted several studies evaluating axalimogene filolisbac, or AXAL, for HPV-related cancers. Axalimogene filolisbac (AXAL) is an Lm-based antigen delivery product directed against HPV and designed to target cells expressing HPV.

 

In June 2019, we announced the closing of our AIM2CERV Phase 3 clinical trial with AXAL in high-risk locally advanced cervical cancer. The decision to close the study was based on the estimated remaining cost to complete the AIM2CERV trial of $80 million to $90 million, in addition to the timing to complete the study. The initial efficacy data was not anticipated for at least three years. No results from the clinical trial were to be available for at least three more years and therefore, results of the study were not the basis for the decision to close the study, nor was safety as the trial recently underwent its third Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) review with no safety issues noted. We are in the process of winding down the study and plan to publish the results in a medical journal in the future. We have no plans to further fund studies using AXAL.

 

In 2014, Advaxis granted Global BioPharma, or GBP, an exclusive license for the development and commercialization of AXAL in Asia, Africa, and the former Soviet Union territory, exclusive of India and certain other countries. GBP is responsible for all development and commercial costs and activities associated with the development in their territories. GBP anticipates initiating its Phase 2, open-label controlled trial in HPV-associated NSCLC in patients following first-line chemotherapy by the end of 2019. The study will be assessing the effects of AXAL when combined with pemetrexed in patients with HPV+ NSCLC, following first line induction therapy.

 

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended July 31, 2020 and 2019

 

Revenue

 

Revenue decreased approximately $6,000 to $0 for the three months ended July 31, 2020 compared to $6,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2019. In the prior period, we received royalty payments from Elanco.

 

Research and Development Expenses

 

We invest in research and development to advance our Lm technology through our pre-clinical and clinical development programs. Research and development expenses for the three months ended July 31, 2020 and July 31, 2019 were categorized as follows (in thousands):

 

   Three Months Ended
July 31,
   Increase
(Decrease)
 
   2020   2019   $   % 
                 
Hotspot/Off-the-Shelf therapies  $768   $569   $199    35%
Prostate cancer   338    330    8    2 
HPV-associated cancers   786    2,836    (2,050)   (72)
Personalized neoantigen-directed therapies   103    912    (809)   (89)
Other expenses   1,463    2,413    (950)   (39)
Total research & development expense  $3,458   $7,060   $(3,602)   (51)%
                     
Stock-based compensation expense included in research and development expense  $79   $241   $(162)   (67)%

 

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Hotspot/Off-the-Shelf Therapies (ADXS-HOT)

 

Research and development costs associated with our hotspot mutation-based therapies for the three months ended July 31, 2020 increased approximately $0.2 million to $0.8 million compared to the same period in 2019. The increase is attributable to the site activation and patient enrollment costs with the Phase 1/2 clinical trial. We have completed enrollment in Part A, in monotherapy, and Part B, in combination with pembrolizumab at five sites across the U.S. In February 2020, and further updated in May 2020, we announced the initial clinical data from the study which showed that ADXS-503 has been safe and tolerable with potential signs of clinical activity in four out of the seven evaluable patients achieving stable disease in the refractory setting. In addition, the first two patients evaluated in Part B who previously progressed on pembrolizumab showed stable disease with a 25% reduction in a site lesion in the first patient and a sustained partial response observed in the second patient. We anticipate reporting additional information from this study as it becomes available throughout 2020.

 

Prostate Cancer Therapy (ADXS-PSA)

 

Research and development costs associated with our prostate cancer therapy for the three months ended July 31, 2020 were consistent compared to the same period in 2019. The Phase 1/2 study of our ADXS-PSA compound is in combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), Merck’s humanized monoclonal antibody. During 2020, we presented updated data from this study which demonstrated an increase in the median overall survival, or mOS, to 33.7 months for patients in the combination arm of this study and mOS of 16.4 for patients with visceral metasteses (n=11). We are in discussions with potential partners on next steps for this therapy.

 

HPV-Associated Cancers

 

The majority of the HPV-associated research and development costs include clinical trial and other related costs associated with our AXAL programs in cervical and head and neck cancers. HPV-associated costs for the three months ended July 31, 2020 decreased approximately $2.1 million, or 72%, compared to the same period in 2019. The decrease resulted from the announcement made in June 2019 regarding the closing of our Phase 3 AIM2CERV study in high-risk locally advanced cervical cancer. We anticipate that we will continue to incur costs associated with the wind down of the study. Additionally, a winding down of several studies, including our Fawcett study in anal cancer and our MEDI4736 study in combination with MedImmune’s investigational anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, durvalumab, drove further reduction in costs as compared to the prior period. We anticipate that our costs surrounding HPV-associated studies will continue to decline as we wrap up the remaining clinical and regulatory obligations of the program. We currently do not anticipate funding any new AXAL studies.

 

Personalized Neoantigen-Directed Therapies

 

Research and development costs associated with personalized neoantigen-directed therapies for the three months ended July 31, 2020 decreased approximately $0.8 million, or 89%, compared to the same period in 2019. In October 2019, we announced that we have enrolled our last patient in the ADXS-NEO program in monotherapy and will not continue into Part B of this study. As a result, the costs incurred for ADXS-NEO during the three months ended July 31, 2020 consisted of wind down costs associated with terminating the study. We anticipate that we will incur wind down costs for this study until and plan to publish the results of this program in a future medical journal.

 

Other Expenses

 

Other expenses include salary and benefit costs, stock-based compensation expense, professional fees, laboratory costs and other internal and external costs associated with our research & development activities. Other expenses for the three months ended July 31, 2020 decreased approximately $1.0 million, or 39%, compared to the same period in 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in salary related expenses, including stock compensation, and travel expenses resulting from cost control measures put in place beginning in June 2018. In addition, there were decreases in laboratory and manufacturing costs, as we are focused on the clinical development of our HOT program and less on early research programs. Additionally, we announced in October 2019 that we are winding down ADXS-NEO and therefore no longer incurring costs to manufacture ADXS-NEO.

 

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General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses primarily include salary and benefit costs and stock-based compensation expense for employees included in our finance, legal and administrative organizations, outside legal and professional services, and facilities costs. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended July 31, 2020 and July 31, 2019 were as follows (in thousands):

 

   Three Months Ended
July 31,
   Increase
(Decrease)
 
   2020   2019   $   % 
                 
General and administrative expense  $2,384   $3,076   $(692)   (22)%
                     
Stock-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expense  $176   $223   $(47)   (21)%

 

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended July 31, 2020 decreased approximately $0.7 million, or 22%, compared to the same period in 2019. The decrease is attributable to lower legal fees and business development costs.

 

Changes in Fair Values

 

For the three months ended July 31, 2020, we recorded non-cash income from changes in the fair value of the warrant liability of approximately $7,000. The decrease in the fair value of liability warrants resulted from a decrease in our share price from $0.67 at April 30, 2020 to $0.58 at July 31, 2020.

 

For the three months ended July 31, 2019, we recorded non-cash income from changes in the fair value of the warrant liability of approximately $0.2 million. The decrease in the fair value of liability warrants resulted from a decrease in our share price from $3.54 at April 30, 2019 to $0.56 at July 31, 2019.

 

Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended July 31, 2020 and 2019

 

Revenue

 

Revenue decreased approximately $20.6 million to $0.3 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 compared to $20.9 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2019. The decrease was due to a change in the estimated performance period associated with upfront fees received from Amgen in conjunction with the collaboration agreement signed in August 2016. On December 10, 2018, we received a written notice of termination from Amgen with respect to the Amgen Agreement. The termination was effective as of February 8, 2019. As of the notification date, we adjusted revenue on a cumulative catch-up basis considering the revised measure of progress for the combined performance obligation based on the modified service period up to and through the contract termination date of February 8, 2019 resulting in total revenue of $18.7 million in the prior period. In addition, the reimbursement of research and development costs of approximately $2.0 million by Amgen was included in revenue in the prior period.

 

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Research and Development Expenses

 

We invest in research and development to advance our Lm technology through our pre-clinical and clinical development programs. Research and development expenses for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 and July 31, 2019 were categorized as follows (in thousands):

 

   Nine months ended
July 31,
   Increase
(Decrease)
 
   2020   2019   $   % 
                 
Hotspot/Off-the-Shelf therapies  $2,230    2,246   $(16)   (1)%
Prostate cancer   872    694    178    26 
HPV-associated cancers   3,310    5,997    (2,687)   (45)
Personalized neoantigen-directed therapies   1,011    2,221    (1,210)   (54)
Other expenses   4,816    8,577    (3,761)   (44)
Total research & development expense  $12,239    19,735   $(7,496)   (38)%
                     
Stock-based compensation expense included in research and development expense  $233    822   $(589)   (72)%

 

Hotspot/Off-the-Shelf Therapies (ADXS-HOT)

 

Research and development costs associated with our hotspot mutation-based therapies for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 were consistent compared to the same period in 2019.

 

Prostate Cancer Therapy (ADXS-PSA)

 

Research and development costs associated with our prostate cancer therapy for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 increased approximately $0.2 million, or 26%, compared to the same period in 2019. The increase is attributable to a change order from the contract research organization during the current period.

 

HPV-Associated Cancers

 

The majority of the HPV-associated research and development costs include clinical trial and other related costs associated with our AXA, programs in cervical and head and neck cancers. HPV-associated costs for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 decreased approximately $2.7 million, or 45%, compared to the same period in 2019. The decrease resulted from the announcement made in June 2019 regarding the closing of our Phase 3 AIM2CERV study in high-risk locally advanced cervical cancer.

 

Personalized Neoantigen-Directed Therapies

 

Research and development costs associated with personalized neoantigen-directed therapies for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 decreased approximately $1.2 million, or 54%, compared to the same period in 2019. In October 2019, we announced that we have enrolled our last patient in the ADXS-NEO program in monotherapy and will not continue into Part B of this study. As a result, the costs incurred for ADXS-NEO during the nine months ended July 31, 2020 consisted of wind down costs associated with terminating the study. We anticipate that we will incur wind down costs for this study and plan to publish the results of this program in a future medical journal.

 

Other Expenses

 

Other expenses include salary and benefit costs, stock-based compensation expense, professional fees, laboratory costs and other internal and external costs associated with our research & development activities. Other expenses for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 decreased approximately $3.8 million, or 44%, compared to the same period in 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in salary related expenses, including stock compensation, and travel expenses resulting from cost control measures put in place beginning in June 2018. In addition, there were decreases in laboratory and manufacturing costs, as we are focused on the clinical development of our HOT program and less on early research programs. Additionally, we announced in October 2019 that we are winding down ADXS-NEO and therefore no longer incurring costs to manufacture ADXS-NEO.

 

28

 

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses primarily include salary and benefit costs and stock-based compensation expense for employees included in our finance, legal and administrative organizations, outside legal and professional services, and facilities costs. General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 and July 31, 2019 were as follows (in thousands):

 

   Nine months ended
July 31,
   Increase
(Decrease)
 
   2020   2019   $   % 
                 
General and administrative expense  $8,063   $8,834   $(771)   (9)%
                     
Stock-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expense  $475   $743   $(268)   (36)%

 

General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 decreased approximately $0.8 million, or 9%, compared to the same period in 2019. The decrease is attributable to lower legal fees and business development costs.

 

Changes in Fair Values

 

For the nine months ended July 31, 2020, we recorded non-cash expense from changes in the fair value of the warrant liability of approximately $16,000. The increase in the fair value of liability warrants resulted from an increase in our share price from $0.32 at October 31, 2019 to $0.58 at July 31, 2020.

 

For the nine months ended July 31, 2019, we recorded non-cash income from changes in the fair value of the warrant liability of approximately $2.6 million. The decrease in the fair value of liability warrants resulted from a decrease in our share price from $8.42 at October 31, 2018 to $0.56 at July 31, 2019.

 

Loss on shares issued in settlement of warrants

 

On March 14, 2019, we entered into private exchange agreements with certain holders of warrants issued in connection with our September 2018 public offering of common stock and warrants. Pursuant to such exchange agreements, we issued 856,865 shares of common stock to the investors in exchange for such warrants on a 1:1 basis. In connection with the warrant exchange, we recorded a loss of approximately $1.6 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2019.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Going Concern and Management’s Plans

 

Similar to other development stage biotechnology companies, our products that are being developed have not generated significant revenue. As a result, we have suffered recurring losses and we require significant cash resources to execute our business plans. These losses are expected to continue for an extended period of time. The aforementioned factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying condensed financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The condensed financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of asset amounts or the classification of liabilities that might be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued.

 

Historically, our major sources of cash have comprised proceeds from various public and private offerings of our common stock, debt financings, clinical collaborations, option and warrant exercises, NOL tax sales, income earned on investments and grants, and interest income. From October 2013 through July 31, 2020, we raised approximately $305.8 million in gross proceeds ($13.6 million in fiscal year 2020) from various public and private offerings of our common stock. We have sustained losses from operations in each fiscal year since our inception, and we expect losses to continue for the indefinite future. As of July 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $404.3 million and $384.3 million, respectively, and stockholders’ equity of approximately $31.5 million and $39.5 million, respectively.

 

29

 

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the global economy and created significant volatility and disruption of financial markets. An extended period of economic disruption could negatively affect our business, financial condition, and access to sources of liquidity. As of July 31, 2020, we had approximately $23.8 million in cash and cash equivalents. The actual amount of cash that we will need to continue operating is subject to many factors. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could use available capital resources sooner than currently expected. The Company has reduced its operating expenses to $20.3 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 as compared to $28.6 million during the comparable prior period. Based on this, we expect to have sufficient capital to fund our obligations as they become due in the ordinary course of business until at least July 2021. In addition, we expect to adjust spending accordingly based on the budgeted cash flow requirements developed and the excess cash on hand.

 

We recognize that we will need to raise additional capital in order to continue to execute our business plan in the future. There is no assurance that additional financing will be available when needed or that we will be able to obtain financing on terms acceptable to us or whether we will become profitable and generate positive operating cash flow. If we are unable to raise sufficient additional funds, we will have to scale back our operations.

 

On May 8, 2020, the Company entered into a sales agreement related to an at-the-market equity offering program pursuant to which the Company may sell, from time to time, common stock with an aggregate offering price of up to $40 million through A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners, as sales agent, for general corporate purposes.

 

On July 30, 2020, the Company entered into a purchase agreement with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (“Lincoln Park”). Over the 36-month term of the purchase agreement, the Company has the right, but not the obligation, from time to time, in its sole discretion and subject to certain conditions, to direct Lincoln Park to purchase up to an aggregate amount of $20,000,000 of its common stock, subject to certain limitations.

 

Due to the current state of the Company’s stock price and general market conditions, these programs have not been utilized to their fullest extent, thereby resulting in lower capital availability than anticipated. Management’s plans to mitigate an expected shortfall of capital and to support future operations include obtaining additional funds through partnerships or strategic or financing investors.

 

Cash Flows

 

Operating Activities

 

Net cash used in operating activities was approximately $18.7 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 compared to $27.0 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2019. Net cash used in operating activities includes reduced spending associated with our clinical trial programs and general and administrative activities. The decrease was due to measures to control costs for non-essential items in areas that did not support our strategic direction, and as a result, we have continued to reduce non-strategic operating expenditures over the past several quarters.

 

Investing Activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $0.4 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 compared to $0.9 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2019. The reduction is a result of the abandonment of certain non-strategic intellectual property.

 

Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $10.6 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 as compared to $24.6 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2019. In January 2020, we completed a public offering of 10,000,000 shares of our common stock, which resulted in net proceeds of approximately $9.7 million. Additionally, during the first nine months of fiscal year 2020, we sold 1,375,337 shares under the ATM program for net proceeds of $0.957 million. In fiscal year 2019, we received net proceeds of approximately $24.5 million from the sales of 13,150,000 shares of our common stock and 13,656,000 pre-funded warrants in public offerings.

 

30

 

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of July 31, 2020, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and related disclosures in the financial statements. Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if:

 

  it requires assumptions to be made that were uncertain at the time the estimate was made, and
     
  changes in the estimate of difference estimates that could have been selected could have material impact in our results of operations or financial condition.

 

While we base our estimates and judgments on our experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, actual results could differ from those estimates and the differences could be material. The most significant estimates impact the following transactions or account balances: stock compensation, warrant liability valuation and impairment of intangibles.

 

See Note 2 to our condensed financial statements that discusses significant accounting policies.

 

New Accounting Standards

 

See Note 2 to our condensed financial statements that discusses new accounting pronouncements.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

At July 31, 2020, we had approximately $23.8 million in cash and cash equivalents, which consisted primarily of bank deposits and money market funds. Our investment policy and strategy are focused on preservation of capital and supporting our liquidity requirements. We use a combination of internal and external management to execute our investment strategy and achieve our investment objectives. We typically invest in highly-rated securities, and our investment policy generally limits the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer. The policy requires investments generally to be investment grade, with the primary objective of minimizing the potential risk of principal loss. Such interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk; however, historical fluctuations of interest income have not been significant.

 

We have not been exposed nor do we anticipate being exposed to material risks due to changes in interest rates. A hypothetical 10% change in interest rates during any of the periods presented would not have had a material impact on our financial statements.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and principal financial officer of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“the Exchange Act”). Based upon this evaluation, our chief executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is: (1) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure; and (2) recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

 

31

 

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

During the quarter ended July 31, 2020, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls

 

Our management, including our Principal Executive, Financial and Accounting Officers, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been detected.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

The Company is from time to time involved in legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our business. The Company does not believe that any of these claims or proceedings against us is likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations. Refer to Note 10 to our condensed financial statements for more information on legal proceedings.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

Our business and financial results are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. As a result, the risks and uncertainties discussed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our 2019 Form 10-K/A should be carefully considered.

 

The information presented below updates, and should be read in conjunction with, the risk factors identified in our 2019 Form 10-K/A. The risks described in our 2019 Form 10-K/A, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the information in the section of this document entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also affect our business operations. If any of the risks described in our 2019 Form 10-K/A actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

 

Risks Related to our Business and Operations

 

A global health crisis such as a pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of an infectious disease, such as COVID-19, may materially and adversely affect our business and operations.

 

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the United States and global economies and has affected, and may continue to affect, our operations and those of third parties on which we rely, including by causing disruptions in our raw material supply and the manufacturing of our product candidates. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the operations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) and other health authorities, which can result in delays of reviews and approvals, including with respect to our product candidates. The COVID-19 pandemic has, and may continue to, directly or indirectly affect the pace of enrollment in our clinical trials as patients may avoid or may not be able to travel to healthcare facilities and physicians’ offices unless due to a health emergency and clinical trial staff can no longer get to the clinic. Additionally, such facilities and offices have been and may continue to be required to focus limited resources on non-clinical trial matters, including treatment of COVID-19 patients, thereby decreasing availability, in whole or in part, for clinical trial services. In addition, employee disruptions and remote working environments related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the federal, state and local responses to such virus, could materially affect the efficiency and pace with which we work and develop our product candidates and the manufacturing of our product candidates. In addition, COVID-19 infection of our workforce could result in a temporary disruption in our business activities, including manufacturing and other functions. Further, while the potential economic impact brought by, and the duration of, the COVID-19 pandemic is difficult to assess or predict, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global financial markets may reduce our ability to access capital, which could negatively affect our short-term and long-term liquidity. Additionally, the stock market has been unusually volatile during the COVID-19 pandemic and such volatility may continue. The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is highly uncertain and subject to change. We do not yet know the full extent of potential delays or impacts on our business, financing or clinical trial activities, or on healthcare systems or the global economy as a whole. However, these effects could have a material impact on our liquidity, capital resources, operations and business and those of the third parties on which we rely.

 

32

 

 

As a matter of course, we explore and evaluate strategic transactions for our company. We may not be successful in identifying or completing any strategic transaction and any such strategic transaction completed may not yield additional value for stockholders.

 

As a matter of course, we are reviewing strategic transactions and alternatives and there can be no assurance that we will be successful in identifying or completing any strategic transactions, that any such strategic transaction will result in additional value for our stockholders or that the process will not have an adverse impact on our business. These transactions could include, but are not limited to, collaboration agreements, co-development agreements, strategic mergers, reverse mergers, the issuance or buyback of public shares, or the purchase or sale of specific assets, in addition to other potential actions aimed at increasing stockholder value. There can be no assurance that the review of strategic transactions will result in the identification or consummation of any transaction. Our Board of Directors may also determine that our most effective strategy is to continue to effectuate our current business plan. The process of reviewing strategic transactions may be time consuming and disruptive to our business operations and, if we are unable to effectively manage the process, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. We could incur substantial expenses associated with identifying and evaluating potential strategic alternatives. No decision has been made with respect to any transaction and we cannot assure you that we will be able to identify and undertake any transaction that allows our shareholders to realize an increase in the value of their common stock or provide any guidance on the timing of such action, if any.

 

We also cannot assure you that any potential strategic transaction or other alternative transaction, if identified, evaluated and consummated, will provide greater value to our stockholders than that reflected in the current price of our common stock. Any potential transaction would be dependent upon a number of factors that may be beyond our control, including, but not limited to, market conditions, industry trends, the interest of third parties in our business and the availability of financing to potential buyers on reasonable terms. We do not intend to comment regarding the evaluation of strategic alternatives until such time as our Board of Directors has determined the outcome of the process or otherwise has deemed that disclosure is appropriate or required by applicable law. As a consequence, perceived uncertainties related to our future may result in the loss of potential business opportunities and volatility in the market price of our common stock and may make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified personnel and business partners.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

4.1   Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 30, 2020, by and between Advaxis, Inc. and Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 3, 2020)
     
10.1   Sales Agreement, dated May 8, 2020, by and between Advaxis, Inc. and A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 8, 2020)
     
10.2   Purchase Agreement, dated July 30, 2020, by and between Advaxis, Inc. and Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 3, 2020)
     
31.1*   Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
31.2*   Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
32.1*   Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
32.2*   Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
101.INS   XBRL INSTANCE DOCUMENT
     
101.SCH   XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA DOCUMENT
     
101.CAL   XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
     
101.DEF   XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
     
101.LAB   XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE DOCUMENT
     
101.PRE   XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT

 

* Filed herewith.

 

33

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  ADVAXIS, INC.
  Registrant
     
Date: September 10, 2020 By: /s/ Kenneth A. Berlin
    Kenneth A. Berlin
   

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

     
  By: /s/ Molly Henderson
    Molly Henderson
   

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

34

 

 

EXHIBIT 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Kenneth A. Berlin, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2020 of Advaxis, 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. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are 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 our 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 our 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 our 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. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our 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.

 

September 10, 2020

 

By: /s/ Kenneth A. Berlin  
Name: Kenneth A. Berlin  
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer  

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Molly Henderson, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2020 of Advaxis, 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. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are 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 our 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 our 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 our 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. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our 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.

 

September 10, 2020

 

By: /s/ Molly Henderson  
Name: Molly Henderson  
Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer  

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION-PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

The undersigned as Chief Executive Officer of Advaxis, Inc. (the “Company”), does hereby certify that the foregoing Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarter ended July 31, 2020:

 

  (1) Fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
     
  (2) Fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.

 

September 10, 2020

 

/s/ Kenneth A. Berlin  
Kenneth A. Berlin  
President and Chief Executive Officer  

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION-PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

The undersigned as Chief Financial Officer of Advaxis, Inc. (the “Company”), does hereby certify that the foregoing Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarter ended July 31, 2020:

 

  (1) Fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
     
  (2) Fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.

 

September 10, 2020

 

/s/ Molly Henderson  
Molly Henderson  
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer  

 

 

 

v3.20.2
Document and Entity Information - shares
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Sep. 02, 2020
Cover [Abstract]    
Entity Registrant Name Advaxis, Inc.  
Entity Central Index Key 0001100397  
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Period End Date Jul. 31, 2020  
Amendment Flag false  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --10-31  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes  
Entity Filer Category Non-accelerated Filer  
Entity Small Business Flag true  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Shell Company false  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   66,227,473
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2020  
v3.20.2
Condensed Balance Sheets - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jul. 31, 2020
Oct. 31, 2019
Current Assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 23,846 $ 32,363
Deferred expenses 1,518 2,353
Deferred offering costs 644
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,291 1,433
Total current assets 27,299 36,149
Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation) 3,667 4,350
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization) 3,841 4,575
Operating right-of-use asset (net of accumulated amortization) 5,030
Other assets 182 183
Total assets 40,019 45,257
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable 414 976
Accrued expenses 1,826 3,478
Common stock warrant liability 33 19
Current portion of operating lease liability 926
Other current liabilities 50 48
Total current liabilities 3,249 4,521
Operating lease liability, net of current portion 5,304
Other liabilities 1,205
Total liabilities 8,553 5,726
Commitments and contingencies - Note 9
Stockholders' equity:    
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; Series B Preferred Stock; 0 shares issued and outstanding at July 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019; Liquidation preference of $0 at July 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019
Common stock - $0.001 par value; 170,000,000 shares authorized, 62,714,946 and 50,201,671 shares issued and outstanding at July 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019, respectively 62 50
Additional paid-in capital 435,682 423,750
Accumulated deficit (404,278) (384,269)
Total stockholders' equity 31,466 39,531
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 40,019 $ 45,257
v3.20.2
Condensed Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jul. 31, 2020
Oct. 31, 2019
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]    
Preferred stock, par value $ 0.001 $ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized 5,000,000 5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued 0 0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding 0 0
Preferred stock, liquidation preference value $ 0 $ 0
Common stock, par value $ 0.001 $ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized 170,000,000 170,000,000
Common stock, shares issued 62,714,946 50,201,671
Common stock, shares outstanding 62,714,946 50,201,671
v3.20.2
Condensed Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
Jul. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]        
Revenue $ 6 $ 253 $ 20,883
Operating expenses:        
Research and development expenses 3,458 7,060 12,239 19,735
General and administrative expenses 2,384 3,076 8,063 8,834
Total operating expenses 5,842 10,136 20,302 28,569
Loss from operations (5,842) (10,130) (20,049) (7,686)
Other income (expense):        
Interest income, net 7 95 108 354
Net changes in fair value of derivative liabilities 7 177 (16) 2,572
Loss on shares issued in settlement of warrants (1,607)
Other expense (1) (2) (7)
Net loss before benefit for income taxes (5,829) (9,858) (19,959) (6,374)
Income tax expense 50 50
Net loss $ (5,829) $ (9,858) $ (20,009) $ (6,424)
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted $ (0.09) $ (1.00) $ (0.35) $ (0.94)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted 61,634,031 9,870,461 57,963,228 6,813,494
v3.20.2
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
OPERATING ACTIVITIES    
Net loss $ (20,009) $ (6,424)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:    
Stock compensation 708 1,565
Employee stock purchase plan expense 1 3
Loss (gain) on change in value of warrants 16 (2,572)
Loss on shares issued in settlement of warrants 1,607
Loss on disposal of property and equipment 290
Abandonment of intangible assets 892 625
Depreciation expense 683 848
Amortization expense of intangible assets 263 290
Amortization of right-of-use asset 553  
Change in operating assets and liabilities:    
Accounts receivable 1,664
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 977 (54)
Other assets 1
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (2,251) (6,245)
Deferred revenue 50 (18,665)
Operating lease liabilities (606)
Other liabilities 39
Net cash used in operating activities (18,722) (27,029)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES    
Purchase of property and equipment (54)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment 8
Cost of intangible assets (421) (845)
Net cash used in investing activities (421) (891)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES    
Net proceeds of issuance of common stock 10,621 24,471
Warrant exercise 68
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan 5 19
Employee tax withholdings paid on equity awards (2) (15)
Tax shares sold to pay for employee tax withholdings on equity awards 2 14
Net cash provided by financing activities 10,626 24,557
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (8,517) (3,363)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 32,363 45,118
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 23,846 41,755
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION    
Cash paid for taxes 50 50
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES    
Shares issued in settlement of warrants 5,462
Warrant liability reclassified into equity 2 53
Pre-funded warrant exercises 1
Commitment fee shares issued for equity line 644
Amounts accrued for offering costs $ 37
v3.20.2
Nature of Operations
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Nature of Operations

1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS

 

Advaxis, Inc. (“Advaxis” or the “Company”) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of proprietary Listeria monocytogenes (“Lm”)-based antigen delivery products. The Company is using its Lm platform directed against tumor-specific targets in order to engage the patient’s immune system to destroy tumor cells. Through a license from the University of Pennsylvania, Advaxis has exclusive access to this proprietary formulation of attenuated Lm called Lm TechnologyTM. Advaxis’ proprietary approach is designed to deploy a unique mechanism of action that redirects the immune system to attack cancer in three distinct ways:

 

  Alerting and training the immune system by activating multiple pathways in Antigen-Presenting Cells (“APCs”) with the equivalent of multiple adjuvants;
     
  Attacking the tumor by generating a strong, cancer-specific T cell response; and
     
  Breaking down tumor protection through suppression of the protective cells in the tumor microenvironment (“TME”) that shields the tumor from the immune system. This enables the activated T cells to begin working to attack the tumor cells.

 

Advaxis’ proprietary Lm platform technology has demonstrated clinical activity in several of its programs and has been dosed in over 470 patients across multiple clinical trials and in various tumor types. The Company believes that Lm Technology immunotherapies can complement and address significant unmet needs in the current oncology treatment landscape. Specifically, its product candidates have the potential to work synergistically with other immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibitors, while having a generally well-tolerated safety profile.

 

Going Concern and Management’s Plans 

 

The Company has not yet commercialized any human products and the products that are being developed have not generated significant revenue. As a result, the Company has suffered recurring losses and requires significant cash resources to execute its business plans. These losses are expected to continue for an extended period of time. The aforementioned factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the date of filing. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of asset amounts or the classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued.

 

Historically, the Company’s major sources of cash have been comprised of proceeds from various public and private offerings of its common stock, debt financings, clinical collaborations, option and warrant exercises, NOL tax sales, income earned on investments and grants and interest income. From October 2013 through July 31, 2020, the Company raised approximately $305.8 million in gross proceeds ($13.6 million in fiscal year 2020) from various public and private offerings of its common stock. 

 

As of July 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $23.8 million in cash and cash equivalents. Although the Company expects to have sufficient capital to fund its obligations, as they become due, in the ordinary course of business until at least July 2021, the actual amount of cash that it will need to operate is subject to many factors. Over the past several months, the Company has taken steps to obtain additional financing, including the at-the-market (“ATM”) program and the equity line with Lincoln Park Capital. Due to the current state of the Company’s stock price and general market conditions, these programs have not been utilized to the fullest extent, thereby resulting in lower capital availability than anticipated. Management’s plans to mitigate an expected shortfall of capital and to support future operations include obtaining additional funds through partnerships or strategic or financing investors. The Company has reduced its operating expenses to $20.3 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 as compared to $28.6 million during the comparable prior period.

 

The Company recognizes it will need to raise additional capital in order to continue to execute its business plan in the future. There is no assurance that additional financing will be available when needed or that management will be able to obtain financing on terms acceptable to the Company or whether the Company will become profitable and generate positive operating cash flow. If the Company is unable to raise sufficient additional funds, it will have to scale back its operations.

v3.20.2
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Basis of Presentation/Estimates

 

The accompanying unaudited interim condensed financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information, and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) with respect to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements and the accompanying unaudited interim condensed balance sheet as of July 31, 2020 has been derived from the Company’s October 31, 2019 audited financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed financial statements furnished include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented.

 

Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and the related disclosures at the date of the financial statements and during the reporting period. Significant estimates include the timelines associated with revenue recognition on upfront payments received, fair value and recoverability of the carrying value of property and equipment and intangible assets, fair value of warrant liability, grant date fair value of options, deferred tax assets and any related valuation allowance and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates. 

 

These unaudited interim condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the Company as of and for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 and notes thereto contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on December 20, 2019, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto on Form 10-K/A filed on January 21, 2020 and by Amendment No. 2 thereto on Form 10-K/A filed on February 28, 2020.

 

Net Income (Loss) per Share

 

Basic net income or loss per common share is computed by dividing net income or loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share give effect to dilutive options, warrants, restricted stock units and other potential common stock outstanding during the period. In the case of a net loss, the impact of the potential common stock resulting from warrants, outstanding stock options and convertible debt are not included in the computation of diluted loss per share, as the effect would be anti-dilutive. In the case of net income, the impact of the potential common stock resulting from these instruments that have intrinsic value are included in the diluted earnings per share. The table sets forth the number of potential shares of common stock that have been excluded from diluted net loss per share (as of July 31, 2020, 327,338 warrants are included in the basic earnings per share computation because the exercise price is $0, and as of July 31, 2019, 13,079,000 pre-funded warrants are included in the basic earnings per share computation because the exercise price is nominal):

 

    As of July 31,  
    2020     2019  
Warrants     5,070,888       18,301,804  
Stock options     914,577       405,372  
Restricted stock units     5,818       16,204  
Total     5,991,283       18,723,380  

 

Leases

 

Effective November 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASC Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842”) using the modified retrospective transition approach by applying the new standard to all leases existing as of the date of initial application. Results and disclosure requirements for reporting periods beginning after November 1, 2019 are presented under ASC 842, while prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the previous guidance in ASC 840, Leases.

 

At the inception of an arrangement, the Company determines whether an arrangement is or contains a lease based on the facts and circumstances present in the arrangement. An arrangement is or contains a lease if the arrangement conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Most leases with a term greater than one year are recognized on the balance sheet as operating lease right-of-use assets and current and long-term operating lease liabilities, as applicable. The Company has elected not to recognize on the balance sheet leases with terms of 12 months or less. The Company typically only includes the initial lease term in its assessment of a lease arrangement. Options to extend a lease are not included in the Company’s assessment unless there is reasonable certainty that the Company will renew.

 

Operating lease liabilities and their corresponding right-of-use assets are recorded based on the present value of lease payments over the expected remaining lease term. Certain adjustments to the right-of-use asset may be required for items such as prepaid or accrued rent. The interest rate implicit in the Company’s leases is typically not readily determinable. As a result, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate, which reflects the fixed rate at which the Company could borrow on a collateralized basis the amount of the lease payments in the same currency, for a similar term, in a similar economic environment. In transition to ASC 842, the Company utilized the remaining lease term of its leases in determining the appropriate incremental borrowing rates.

 

Recent Accounting Standards

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

 

On November 1, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (ASU 2016-02), as amended, which establishes ASC 842 and supersedes the lease accounting guidance under ASC 840, and generally requires lessees to recognize operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use (ROU) assets on the balance sheet and to provide enhanced disclosures surrounding the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leasing arrangements. We adopted the new guidance using the modified retrospective transition approach by applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application and not restating comparative periods.

 

In adopting the new standard, the Company elected to utilize the available package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which does not require the reassessment of the following: (i) whether existing or expired arrangements are or contain a lease, (ii) the lease classification of existing or expired leases, and (iii) whether previous initial direct costs would qualify for capitalization under the new lease standard. Additionally, the Company elected to combine lease and non-lease components and to exclude leases with a term of 12 months or less.

 

As of the November 1, 2019 effective date, the Company had identified one operating lease arrangement and one short-term lease in which it is a lessee. The adoption of ASC 842 resulted in the recognition of an operating lease liability and a right-of-use asset of approximately $6.8 million and $5.6 million, respectively, on the Company’s balance sheet relating to its leases, with the difference relating to reclassifications of the current accrued rent liability and the current lease incentive obligation of approximately $0.9 million and $0.3 million, respectively, as reductions to the right-of-use-asset for its operating lease. The adoption of the standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s condensed statements of operations or condensed statements of cash flows.

 

Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective accounting pronouncements, if adopted, would have a material impact on the accompanying condensed financial statements.

v3.20.2
Property and Equipment
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]  
Property and Equipment

3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property and equipment, net consists of the following (in thousands):

 

    July 31, 2020     October 31, 2019  
             
Leasehold improvements   $ 2,335     $ 2,335  
Laboratory equipment     3,405       3,405  
Furniture and fixtures     744       744  
Computer equipment     409       409  
Construction in progress     83       83  
Total property and equipment     6,976       6,976  
Accumulated depreciation and amortization     (3,309 )     (2,626 )
Net property and equipment   $ 3,667     $ 4,350  

 

Depreciation expense for the three months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019 was $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Depreciation expense for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019 was $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

v3.20.2
Intangible Assets
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Intangible Assets

4. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Intangible assets, net consist of the following (in thousands):

 

    July 31, 2020     October 31, 2019  
             
Patents   $ 5,208     $ 5,833  
Licenses     777       777  
Software     117       117  
Total intangibles     6,102       6,727  
Accumulated amortization     (2,261 )     (2,152 )
Intangible assets   $ 3,841     $ 4,575  

 

The expirations of the existing patents range from 2020 to 2040 but the expirations can be extended based on market approval if granted and/or based on existing laws and regulations. Capitalized costs associated with patent applications that are abandoned without future value are charged to expense when the determination is made not to pursue the application. Patent applications having a net book value of $0.3 million were abandoned and were charged to research and development expenses in the statement of operations for each of the three months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Patent applications having a net book value of $0.9 million and $0.6 million were abandoned and were charged to research and development expenses in the statement of operations for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Amortization expense for intangible assets that was charged to general and administrative expense in the statement of operations aggregated $0.1 million for each of the three months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Amortization expense for intangible assets that was charged to general and administrative expense in the statement of operations aggregated $0.3 million for each of the nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

Management has reviewed its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset might not be recoverable. Net assets are recorded on the balance sheet for patents and licenses related to axalimogene filolisbac (AXAL), ADXS-HOT, ADXS-PSA and ADXS-HER2 and other products that are in development. However, if a competitor were to gain FDA approval for a treatment before us or if future clinical trials fail to meet the targeted endpoints, the Company would likely record an impairment related to these assets. In addition, if an application is rejected or fails to be issued, the Company would record an impairment of its estimated book value. Lastly, if the Company is unable to raise enough capital to continue funding its studies and developing its intellectual property, the Company would likely record an impairment to these assets.

 

At July 31, 2020, the estimated amortization expense by fiscal year based on the current carrying value of intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):

 

    Fiscal year ending October 31,  
       
2020 (Remaining)   $ 79  
2021     309  
2022     309  
2023     309  
2024     309  
Thereafter     2,526  
Total   $ 3,841  
v3.20.2
Accrued Expenses
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]  
Accrued Expenses

5. ACCRUED EXPENSES:

 

    July 31, 2020     October 31, 2019  
             
Salaries and other compensation   $ 743     $ 158  
Vendors     604       3,194  
Professional fees     479       126  
Total accrued expenses   $ 1,826     $ 3,478  

v3.20.2
Common Stock Purchase Warrants and Warrant Liability
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Common Stock Purchase Warrants And Warrant Liability  
Common Stock Purchase Warrants and Warrant Liability

6. COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANTS AND WARRANT LIABILITY

 

Warrants

 

As of July 31, 2020, there were outstanding warrants to purchase 5,398,226 shares of our common stock with exercise prices ranging from $0 to $281.25 per share. Information on the outstanding warrants is as follows:

 

Exercise
Price
    Number of Shares
Underlying Warrants
    Expiration Date   Type of Financing
$ -       327,338     July 2024   July 2019 Public Offering
$ 281.25       25     N/A   Other warrants
$ 0.372       70,863     September 2024   September 2018 Public Offering
$ 1.25       5,000,000     July 2025   January 2020 Public Offering
  Grand Total       5,398,226          

 

As of October 31, 2019, there were outstanding warrants to purchase 432,142 shares of our common stock with exercise prices ranging from $0 to $281.25 per share. Information on the outstanding warrants is as follows:

 

Exercise
Price
    Number of Shares
Underlying Warrants
    Expiration Date   Type of Financing
$ -       359,838     July 2024   July 2019 Public Offering
$ 281.25       25     N/A   Other Warrants
$ 0.372       72,279     September 2024   September 2018 Public Offering
  Grand Total       432,142          

 

A summary of warrant activity was as follows (in thousands, except share and per share data):

 

    Shares     Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
    Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
In Years
    Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
 
Outstanding and exercisable warrants at October 31, 2019     432,142     $ 0.08       4.76     $ 114,069  
Issued     5,000,000       1.25                  
Exercised *     (33,916 )     0.02                  
Outstanding and exercisable warrants at July 31, 2020     5,398,226     $ 1.16       4.90     $ 204,596  

 

* Includes the cashless exercise of 32,500 warrants that resulted in the issuance of 32,500 shares of common stock.

 

As of July 31, 2020, the Company had 5,327,363 of its total 5,398,226 outstanding warrants classified as equity (equity warrants). At October 31, 2019, the Company had 359,863 of its total 432,142 outstanding warrants classified as equity (equity warrants). At issuance, equity warrants are recorded at their relative fair values, using the relative fair value method, in the stockholders’ equity section of the balance sheet.

 

Warrant Liability

 

As of July 31, 2020, the Company had 70,863 of its total 5,398,226 outstanding warrants classified as liabilities (liability warrants). At October 31, 2019, the Company had 72,279 of its total 432,142 outstanding warrants classified as liabilities (liability warrants). These warrants contain a down round feature, except for exempt issuances as defined in the warrant agreement, in which the exercise price would immediately be reduced to match a dilutive issuance of common stock, options, convertible securities and changes in option price or rate of conversion. As of July 31, 2020, the down round feature was triggered three times and the exercise price of the warrants were reduced from $22.50 to $0.372. The warrants require liability classification as the warrant agreement requires the Company to maintain an effective registration statement and does not specify any circumstances under which settlement in other than cash would be permitted or required. As a result, net cash settlement is assumed and liability classification is warranted. For these liability warrants, the Company utilized the Monte Carlo simulation model to calculate the fair value of these warrants at issuance and at each subsequent reporting date.

 

In measuring the warrant liability at July 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019, the Company used the following inputs in its Monte Carlo simulation model:

 

    July 31, 2020     October 31, 2019  
Exercise Price   $ 0.372     $ 0.372  
Stock Price   $ 0.58     $ 0.32  
Expected Term     4.12 years       4.87 years  
Volatility %     104.47 %     100.99 %
Risk Free Rate     0.16 %     1.51 %

v3.20.2
Share Based Compensation
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Share Based Compensation

7. SHARE BASED COMPENSATION

 

The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense included in the condensed statement of operations (in thousands):

 

    Three Months Ended July 31,     Nine Months Ended July 31,  
    2020     2019     2020     2019  
Research and development   $ 79     $ 241     $ 233     $ 822  
General and administrative     176       223       475       743  
Total   $ 255     $ 464     $ 708     $ 1,565  

 

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

 

A summary of the Company’s RSU activity and related information for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 is as follows:

 

    Number of
RSUs
    Weighted-Average
Grant
Date Fair Value
 
             
Balance at October 31, 2019     14,706     $ 47.62  
Vested     (8,608 )     59.61  
Cancelled     (280 )     98.80  
Balance at July 31, 2020     5,818     $ 27.40  

 

As of July 31, 2020, there was approximately $0.1 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested RSUs, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted average vesting period of approximately 0.72 years.

 

As of July 31, 2020, the aggregate intrinsic value of non-vested RSU’s was approximately $3,000.

 

Employee Stock Awards

 

Common Stock issued to executives and employees related to vested incentive retention awards, employment inducements, management purchases and employee excellence awards totaled 0 shares and 408 shares during the three months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Total stock compensation expense associated with employee awards for the three months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019 was approximately $40,000 and $0.2 million, respectively

 

Common Stock issued to executives and employees related to vested incentive retention awards, employment inducements, management purchases and employee excellence awards totaled 8,608 shares and 10,947 shares during the nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Total stock compensation expense associated with employee awards for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019 was approximately $0.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively.

 

Stock Options

 

A summary of changes in the stock option plan for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 is as follows:

 

    Number of
Options
    Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
 
Outstanding at October 31, 2019:     560,490     $ 71.56  
Granted     450,000       0.66  
Canceled or expired     (95,913 )     58.21  
Outstanding at July 31, 2020     914,577       38.08  
Vested and Exercisable at July 31, 2020     266,380     $ 125.14  

 

During the nine months end July 31, 2020, the Company granted options to purchase 385,000 and 65,000 shares of its common stock to employees and directors, respectively. The stock options have a ten-year term, vest over three years, and have an exercise price of $0.66.

 

Total compensation cost related to the Company’s outstanding stock options, recognized in the statement of operations for the three months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019 was approximately $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. For the nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, compensation cost related to the Company’s outstanding stock options was approximately $0.6 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

 

As of July 31, 2020, there was approximately $0.8 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option awards, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted average vesting period of 1.37 years.

 

As of July 31, 2020, the aggregate intrinsic value of vested and exercisable options was $0 and the aggregate intrinsic value of non-vested options was approximately $42,000.

 

In determining the fair value of the stock options granted during the nine months ended July 31, 2020, the Company used the following inputs in its Black Scholes Merton model:

 

   

Nine Months

Ended
July 31, 2020

 
       
Expected Term     5.50-6.50 years  
Expected Volatility     100.27-105.21 %
Expected Dividends     0 %
Risk Free Interest Rate     0.36-0.52 %

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

During the nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company issued 11,148 and 4,585 shares, respectively, that were purchased under the 2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”).

v3.20.2
Collaboration and Licensing Agreements
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Business Combinations [Abstract]  
Collaboration and Licensing Agreements

8. COLLABORATION AND LICENSING AGREEMENTS

 

OS Therapies LLC

 

On September 4, 2018, the Company entered into a development, license and supply agreement with OS Therapies (“OST”) for the use of ADXS31-164, also known as ADXS-HER2, for evaluation in the treatment of osteosarcoma in humans. Under the terms of the license agreement, as amended, OST will be responsible for the conduct and funding of a clinical study evaluating ADXS-HER2 in recurrent, completely resected osteosarcoma. Under the most recent amendment to the licensing agreement, OST agrees to pay Advaxis $25,000 per month (“Monthly Payment”) starting on April 30, 2020 until it achieves its funding milestone of $2,337,500. Upon receipt of the first Monthly Payment, Advaxis will initiate the transfer of the intellectual property and licensing rights of ADXS31-164, which were licensed pursuant to the Penn Agreement, back to the University of Pennsylvania. Contemporaneously, OST will enter negotiations with the University of Pennsylvania to establish a licensing agreement for ADXS31-164 to OST for clinical and commercial development of the ADXS31-164 technology.

 

Provided that OST meets its ongoing obligation to make its Monthly Payments to Advaxis for six consecutive months, Advaxis agrees to transfer, and OST agrees to take full ownership of, the IND application for ADXS31-164 in its entirety to OST, along with agreements and promises contained therein, as well as all obligations associated with this IND or any HER2 product/program development. Until OST makes its Monthly Payments to Advaxis for six consecutive months, Advaxis will continue to bear the costs of the regulatory filing services related to the IND application for ADXS31-164.

 

Within five business days of achieving the funding milestone of $2,337,500 for the performance of the Children’s Oncology Group study (knowns as the “License Commencement Date”), OST will make a non-refundable and non-creditable payment to Advaxis of $1,550,000 less the cumulative Monthly Payments previously made (the “License Commencement Payment”). Within five days following the License Commencement Date, Advaxis will provide existing drug supply “as is” to OST, and until the drug supply is supplied to OST, Advaxis will bear the storage costs for the drug product. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company is also to receive sales-based milestone payments and royalties on future product sales. In addition, the Company and OST will establish a Joint Steering Committee to oversee the R&D activities.

 

The promises to (1) Maintain the HER2 product until transfer to OST, (2) Provide the IND application ownership for ADX321-164 to OST, (3) Participate in the Joint Steering Committee, (4) Transfer of IP & licensing rights of ADXS31-164 and related Patents, and (5) Provide Clinical Drug Supply represent one combined performance obligation for revenue recognition purposes. The Company concluded that the transfer of the IP and licensing rights provides OST with a functional, or “right to use,” license, and thus the Company will recognize the upfront fees of $1,550,000 from the license at a point in time. The revenue from the transfer of the license cannot be recognized until the transfer of the corresponding IP to OST has occurred and OST has the ability to benefit from the right to use the license. As the right to use the license begins when OST makes the upfront payment within five days of the License Commencement Date and the IP transfers to OST at that time, the upfront fees from the license will be recognized upon the transfer of the intellectual property to OST.

 

Since OST is making $25,000 monthly payments that will be creditable against the $1,550,000, the Company will receive payments prior to the performance of the single distinct performance obligation. Due to this, the Company will defer any of the monthly payments until the IP and licensing rights are transferred to OST. However, if OST terminates the contract, which they are able to do with 60-day notice, the Company would recognize any of the $25,000 monthly payments received when the contract terminates. As of July 31, 2020, OST has made payments totaling $50,000 and this has been recorded as other liabilities in the condensed balance sheet.

 

Elanco Animal Health (formerly Aratana Therapeutics)

 

During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, the USDA’s Center for Veterinary Biologics granted Aratana conditional approval for its canine osteosarcoma vaccine using Advaxis’ technology. During the three months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, Advaxis recognized royalty revenue totaling $0 and $6,000, respectively, from Aratana’s sales of the canine osteosarcoma vaccine. During the nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, Advaxis recognized royalty revenue totaling approximately $3,000 and $8,000, respectively, from Aratana’s sales of the canine osteosarcoma vaccine. On July 16, 2019, Aratana announced their shareholders approved a merger agreement with Elanco Animal Health (“Elanco”) whereby Elanco will be the majority shareholder of Aratana. All of the terms of the Aratana Agreement remain in effect.

 

Global BioPharma Inc.

 

On December 9, 2013, the Company entered into an exclusive licensing agreement for the development and commercialization of axalimogene filolisbac with Global BioPharma, Inc. (“GBP”), a Taiwanese based biotech company funded by a group of investors led by Taiwan Biotech Co., Ltd (TBC). During each of the nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded $0.3 million in revenue for the annual license fee renewal. Since Advaxis has no significant obligation to perform after the license transfer and has provided GBP with the right to use its intellectual property, performance is satisfied when the license renews.

v3.20.2
Commitments and Contingencies
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Legal Proceedings

 

Stendhal

 

On September 19, 2018, Stendhal filed a Demand for Arbitration before the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (Case No. 01-18-0003-5013) relating to the Co-development and Commercialization Agreement with Especificos Stendhal SA de CV (the “Stendhal Agreement”). In the demand, Stendhal alleged that (i) the Company breached the Stendhal Agreement when it made certain statements regarding its AIM2CERV program, (ii) that Stendhal was subsequently entitled to terminate the Agreement for cause, which it did so at the time and (iii) that the Company owes Stendhal damages pursuant to the terms of the Stendhal Agreement. Stendhal is seeking to recover $3 million paid to the Company in 2017 as support payments for the AIM2CERV clinical trial along with approximately $0.3 million in expenses incurred. Stendhal is also seeking fees associated with the arbitration and interest. The Company has answered Stendhal’s Demand for Arbitration and denied that it breached the Stendhal Agreement. The Company also alleges that Stendhal breached its obligations to the Company by, among other things, failing to make support payments that became due in 2018 and that Stendhal therefore owes the Company $3 million. Advaxis is also seeking fees associated with the arbitration and interest.

 

From October 21-23, 2019, an evidentiary hearing for the arbitration was conducted. On April 1, 2020, the Arbitrator issued a final award denying Stendhal’s claim in full. The Arbitrator found that the Company had not repudiated the Agreement and did not owe Stendhal damages, fees, or interest associated with the arbitration. The Arbitrator also denied the Company’s claim that Stendhal breached its obligations to the Company. The parties were ordered to bear their own attorneys’ fees and evenly split administrative fees and expenses for the arbitration.

v3.20.2
Leases
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]  
Leases

10. LEASES

 

Operating Leases

 

The Company leases its corporate office and manufacturing facility in Princeton, New Jersey under an operating lease that expires in November 2025. The Company has the option to renew the lease term for two additional five-year terms. The renewal periods were not included the lease term for purposes of determining the lease liability or right-of-use asset. The Company has provided a security deposit of approximately $182,000, which is recorded as Other Assets in the condensed balance sheet.

 

The Company identified and assessed the following significant assumptions in recognizing its right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities:

 

  As the Company does not have sufficient insight to determine an implicit rate, the Company estimated the incremental borrowing rate in calculating the present value of the lease payments. The Company utilized a synthetic credit rating model to determine a benchmark for its incremental borrowing rate for its leases. The benchmark rate was adjusted to arrive at an appropriate discount rate for the lease.
     
  Since the Company elected to account for each lease component and its associated non-lease components as a single combined component, all contract consideration was allocated to the combined lease component.
     
  Renewal option periods have not been included in the determination of the lease terms as they are not deemed reasonably certain of exercise.
     
  Variable lease payments, such as common area maintenance, real estate taxes, and property insurance are not included in the determination of the lease’s right-of-use asset or lease liability.

 

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases as of July 31, 2020 was as follows (in thousands):

 

Operating Leases:         
Operating lease right-of-use assets   $ 5,030  
         
Operating lease liability   $ 926  
Operating lease liability, net of current portion     5,304  
Total operating lease liabilities   $ 6,230  

 

Supplemental lease expense related to leases was as follows (in thousands):

 

Lease Cost (in thousands)   Statements of Operations Classification   For the Three
Months Ended
July 31, 2020
    For the Nine Months Ended
July 31, 2020
 
Operating lease cost   General and administrative     290       869  
Short-term lease cost   General and administrative     83       249  
Variable lease cost   General and administrative   $ 108     $ 282  
Total lease expense       $ 481     $ 1,400  

 

Other information related to leases where the Company is the lessee is as follows:

 

    For the Nine
Months Ended
July 31, 2020
 
Weighted-average remaining lease term     5.3 years  
Weighted-average discount rate     6.5 %

 

Supplemental cash flow information related to operating leases was as follows:

 

    For the Three
Months Ended
July 31, 2020
    For the Nine
Months Ended
July 31, 2020
 
Cash paid for operating lease liabilities   $ 311     $ 922  
                 

 

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of July 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

Fiscal Year ending October 31,      
2020 (Remaining)   $ 311  
2021     1,318  
2022     1,369  
2023     1,395  
2024     1,419  
Thereafter     1,564  
Total minimum lease payments     7,376  
Less: Imputed interest     (1,146 )
Total   $ 6,230  

 

Under ASC 840, future minimum payments under the Company’s operating lease were as follows (in thousands):

 

Fiscal Year ending October 31,      
2020   $ 1,233  
2021     1,318  
2022     1,369  
2023     1,395  
2024     1,419  
Thereafter     1,564  
Total   $ 8,298  

 

Under ASC 840, rent expense for each of the years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018 was approximately $1.2 million.

v3.20.2
Stockholders' Equity
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Equity [Abstract]  
Stockholders' Equity

11. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

A summary of the changes in stockholders’ equity for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019 is presented below (in thousands, except share data):

 

    Preferred Stock     Common Stock     Additional
Paid-In
    Accumulated     Total
Shareholders’
 
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Deficit     Equity  
Balance at November 1, 2018     -     $ -       4,634,189     $ 5     $ 391,703     $ (367,657 )   $   24,051  
Stock based compensation     -       -       9,811       -       622       -       622  
Tax withholdings paid on equity awards     -       -       -       -       (11 )     -       (11 )
Tax shares sold to pay for tax withholdings on equity awards     -       -       -       -       11       -       11  
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan     -       -       2,007       -       9       -       9  
ESPP Expense     -       -       -       -       1               1  
Net Income     -         -       -               -       12,817       12,817  
Balance at January 31, 2019     -     $ -       4,646,007     $ 5     $ 392,335     $ (354,840 )   $ 37,500  
Stock based compensation     -       -       693       -       479       -       479  
Tax withholdings paid on equity awards     -       -       -       -       (3 )     -       (3 )
Tax shares sold to pay for tax withholdings on equity awards     -       -       -       -       3       -       3  
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan     -       -       1,505       -       7       -       7  
Warrant exercises     -       -       15,300       -       68       -       68  
Warrant liability reclassified into equity     -       -       -       -       53       -       53  
ESPP Expense     -       -       -       -       1               1  
Shares issued in settlement of warrants     -       -       856,865       1       5,462       -       5,463  
Advaxis public offerings, net of offering costs     -       -       2,500,000       2       8,980       -       8,982  
Net Loss     -       -       -       -       -       (9,383 )     (9,383 )
Balance at April 30, 2019         -     $      -       8,020,370     $       8     $ 407,385     $ (364,223 )   $ 43,170  
Stock based compensation                     408       -       464       -       464  
Tax withholdings paid on equity awards     -       -       -       -       1       -       (1 )
Tax shares sold to pay for tax withholdings on equity awards     -       -       -       -       (1 )     -       1  
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan     -       -       1,073       -       3       -       3  
Shares issued in settlement of warrants     -       -       577,000       1       -       -       1  
Advaxis public offerings, net of offering costs     -       -       10,650,000       11       15,478       -       15,489  
Net Loss     -       -       -       -       -       (9,858 )     (9,858 )
Balance at July 31, 2019     -     $ -       19,248,851     $ 20     $ 423,330     $ (374,081 )   $ 49,269  

 

    Preferred Stock     Common Stock     Additional
Paid-In
    Accumulated     Total
Shareholders’
 
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Deficit     Equity  
Balance at November 1, 2019     -     $ -       50,201,671     $ 50     $ 423,750     $ (384,269 )   $   39,531  
Stock based compensation     -       -       2,957       -       242       -       242  
Advaxis public offerings, net of offering costs     -       -       10,000,000       10       9,618       -       9,628  
Warrant exercises     -       -       26,416       -       2       -       2  
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan     -       -       5,555       -       2       -       2  
Net Income     -       -       -       -       -       (7,857 )     (7,857 )
Balance at January 31, 2020     -     $ -       60,236,599     $ 60     $ 433,614     $ (392,126 )   $ 41,548  
Stock based compensation     -       -       5,651       -       210       -       210  
Warrant exercises     -       -       7,500       -       -       -       -  
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan     -       -       2,694       -       2       -       2  
Net Income     -       -       -       -       -       (6,323 )     (6,323 )
Balance at April 30, 2020     -     $ -       60,252,444     $ 60     $ 433,826     $ (398,449 )   $ 35,437  
Stock based compensation     -       -       -       -       255       -       255  
Tax withholdings paid on equity awards     -       -       -       -       (1 )     -       (1 )
Tax shares sold to pay for tax withholdings on equity awards     -       -       -       -       1       -       1  
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan     -       -       2,899       -       2       -       2  
At-the-market shares issued, net of offering costs     -       -       1,375,337       1       956       -       957  
Commitment fee shares issued for equity line     -       -       1,084,266       1       643       -       644  
Net Income     -       -       -       -       -       (5,829 )     (5,829 )
Balance at July 31, 2020         -     $        -       62,714,946     $     62     $ 435,682     $ (404,278 )   $ 31,466  

 

On February 21, 2019, the Company’s stockholders voted to approve an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 95,000,000 to 170,000,000 and also voted to approve an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation allow the Company to execute a reverse stock split of common stock at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The amendment to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock became effective upon filing of the amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 28, 2019. Additionally, on March 29, 2019, the Company executed a 1 for 15 reverse stock split.

 

In April 2019, the Company issued 2,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in a public offering at $4.00 per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The net proceeds to the Company from the transaction was approximately $9 million.

 

In July 2019, the Company closed on an underwritten public offering of 10,650,000 shares of its common stock, pre-funded warrants to purchase 13,656,000 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to 17,142,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $1.20, for gross proceeds of $17.0 million. Each share of common stock or pre-funded warrant was sold together in a fixed combination with a warrant to purchase 0.75 shares of common stock. The pre-funded warrants are exercisable immediately, do not expire and have an exercise price of $0.001 per share. The warrants are exercisable immediately, expire five years from the date of issuance, have an exercise price of $2.80 per share and are subject to anti-dilution and other adjustments for certain stock splits, stock dividends, or recapitalizations. The warrants also provide that if during the period of time between the date that is the earlier of (i) 30 days after issuance and (ii) if the common stock trades an aggregate of more than 35,000,000 shares after the pricing of the offering, and ending 15 months after issuance, the weighted-average price of common stock immediately prior to the exercise date is lower than the then-applicable exercise price per share, each Common Warrant may be exercised, at the option of the holder, on a cashless basis for one share of Common Stock. After deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, the net proceeds from the offering were approximately $15.5 million.

 

In January 2020, the Company closed on a public offering of 10,000,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $1.05, for gross proceeds of $10.5 million. In addition, the Company also undertook a concurrent private placement of warrants to purchase up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock. The warrants have an exercise price per share of $1.25, are exercisable during the period beginning on the six-month anniversary of the date of its issuance (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and will expire on the fifth anniversary of the Initial Exercise Date. The warrants contain a change of control provision whereby if the change of control is within the Company’s control, the warrants could be settled in cash based on the Black-Scholes value of the warrants at the option of the warrant holder. The warrants also provide that if there is no effective registration statement registering, or no current prospectus available for, the issuance or resale of the warrant shares, the warrants may be exercised via a cashless exercise. After deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, the net proceeds from the offering were approximately $9.6 million.

 

At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company held on May 4, 2020, the stockholders ratified and approved an amendment to the Company’s 2015 Incentive Plan to increase the aggregate number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under such Plan from 877,744 shares to 6,000,000 shares.

 

In May 2020, the Company entered into a sales agreement related to an ATM equity offering program pursuant to which the Company may sell, from time to time, common stock with an aggregate offering price of up to $40 million through A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners, as sales agent. From May 2020 to July 2020, the Company sold 1,375,337 shares of its common stock under the ATM program for $1.085 million, or an average of $0.79 per share, and received net proceeds of $0.957 million, net of commissions of $35,000.

 

Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement

 

On July 30, 2020, the Company entered into a Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) and a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (“Lincoln Park”). Over the 36-month term of the Purchase Agreement, the Company has the right, but not the obligation, from time to time, to sell to Lincoln Park up to an aggregate amount of $20,000,000 of shares of common stock, in its sole discretion and subject to certain conditions, including that the closing price of its common stock is not below $0.10 per share, to direct Lincoln Park to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares (the “Regular Purchase Share Limit”) of its Common Stock (each such purchase, a “Regular Purchase”). Lincoln Park’s maximum obligation under any single Regular Purchase will not exceed $1,000,000, unless the parties mutually agree to increase the maximum amount of such Regular Purchase. The purchase price for shares of Common Stock to be purchased by Lincoln Park under a Regular Purchase will be the equal to the lower of (in each case, subject to the adjustments described in the Purchase Agreement): (i) the lowest sale price for the Company’s common stock on the applicable purchase date, and (ii) the arithmetic average of the three lowest sale prices for the Company’s common stock during the ten trading days prior to the purchase date.

 

As consideration for entering into the Purchase Agreement, the Company issued 1,084,266 shares of common stock to Lincoln Park as a commitment fee. The shares were valued at approximately $0.6 million and were recorded as deferred offering expenses in the condensed balance sheet. The deferred charges will be charged against paid-in capital upon future proceeds from the sale of common stock under the Lincoln Park Purchase Agreement.

v3.20.2
Fair Value
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value

12. FAIR VALUE

 

The authoritative guidance for fair value measurements defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or the most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Market participants are buyers and sellers in the principal market that are (i) independent, (ii) knowledgeable, (iii) able to transact, and (iv) willing to transact. The guidance describes a fair value hierarchy based on the levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value which are the following:

 

● Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

● Level 2— Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or corroborated by observable market data or substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

 

● Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the value of the assets or liabilities.

 

The following table provides the assets and liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis as of July 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019 (in thousands):

 

July 31, 2020   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Common stock warrant liability, warrants exercisable at $0.372 through September 2024     -       -     $ 33     $ 33  
                                 

 

October 31, 2019   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Common stock warrant liability, warrants exercisable at $0.372 through September 2024     -       -     $ 19     $ 19  
                                 

 

The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in the fair value of the Company’s warrant liabilities:

 

   

For the
Nine Months

Ended
July 31, 2020

 
Beginning balance   $ 19  
Warrant exercises     (2 )
Change in fair value     16  
Ending Balance   $ 33  

v3.20.2
Subsequent Events
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Subsequent Events [Abstract]  
Subsequent Events

13. Subsequent Events

 

On August 3, 2020, Lincoln Park purchased 3,510,527 shares of common stock for gross proceeds of approximately $2 million. The net proceeds to the Company from the transaction was approximately $1.9 million.

 

On September 4, 2020, the Company and Molly Henderson, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, announced that Ms. Henderson is stepping down as Chief Financial Officer effective September 25, 2020.

v3.20.2
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation/Estimates

Basis of Presentation/Estimates

 

The accompanying unaudited interim condensed financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information, and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) with respect to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements and the accompanying unaudited interim condensed balance sheet as of July 31, 2020 has been derived from the Company’s October 31, 2019 audited financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed financial statements furnished include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented.

 

Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and the related disclosures at the date of the financial statements and during the reporting period. Significant estimates include the timelines associated with revenue recognition on upfront payments received, fair value and recoverability of the carrying value of property and equipment and intangible assets, fair value of warrant liability, grant date fair value of options, deferred tax assets and any related valuation allowance and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates. 

 

These unaudited interim condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the Company as of and for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 and notes thereto contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on December 20, 2019, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto on Form 10-K/A filed on January 21, 2020 and by Amendment No. 2 thereto on Form 10-K/A filed on February 28, 2020.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Net Income (Loss) per Share

 

Basic net income or loss per common share is computed by dividing net income or loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share give effect to dilutive options, warrants, restricted stock units and other potential common stock outstanding during the period. In the case of a net loss, the impact of the potential common stock resulting from warrants, outstanding stock options and convertible debt are not included in the computation of diluted loss per share, as the effect would be anti-dilutive. In the case of net income, the impact of the potential common stock resulting from these instruments that have intrinsic value are included in the diluted earnings per share. The table sets forth the number of potential shares of common stock that have been excluded from diluted net loss per share (as of July 31, 2020, 327,338 warrants are included in the basic earnings per share computation because the exercise price is $0, and as of July 31, 2019, 13,079,000 pre-funded warrants are included in the basic earnings per share computation because the exercise price is nominal):

 

    As of July 31,  
    2020     2019  
Warrants     5,070,888       18,301,804  
Stock options     914,577       405,372  
Restricted stock units     5,818       16,204  
Total     5,991,283       18,723,380  

Leases

Leases

 

Effective November 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASC Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842”) using the modified retrospective transition approach by applying the new standard to all leases existing as of the date of initial application. Results and disclosure requirements for reporting periods beginning after November 1, 2019 are presented under ASC 842, while prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the previous guidance in ASC 840, Leases.

 

At the inception of an arrangement, the Company determines whether an arrangement is or contains a lease based on the facts and circumstances present in the arrangement. An arrangement is or contains a lease if the arrangement conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Most leases with a term greater than one year are recognized on the balance sheet as operating lease right-of-use assets and current and long-term operating lease liabilities, as applicable. The Company has elected not to recognize on the balance sheet leases with terms of 12 months or less. The Company typically only includes the initial lease term in its assessment of a lease arrangement. Options to extend a lease are not included in the Company’s assessment unless there is reasonable certainty that the Company will renew.

 

Operating lease liabilities and their corresponding right-of-use assets are recorded based on the present value of lease payments over the expected remaining lease term. Certain adjustments to the right-of-use asset may be required for items such as prepaid or accrued rent. The interest rate implicit in the Company’s leases is typically not readily determinable. As a result, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate, which reflects the fixed rate at which the Company could borrow on a collateralized basis the amount of the lease payments in the same currency, for a similar term, in a similar economic environment. In transition to ASC 842, the Company utilized the remaining lease term of its leases in determining the appropriate incremental borrowing rates.

Recent Accounting Standards

Recent Accounting Standards

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

 

On November 1, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (ASU 2016-02), as amended, which establishes ASC 842 and supersedes the lease accounting guidance under ASC 840, and generally requires lessees to recognize operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use (ROU) assets on the balance sheet and to provide enhanced disclosures surrounding the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leasing arrangements. We adopted the new guidance using the modified retrospective transition approach by applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application and not restating comparative periods.

 

In adopting the new standard, the Company elected to utilize the available package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which does not require the reassessment of the following: (i) whether existing or expired arrangements are or contain a lease, (ii) the lease classification of existing or expired leases, and (iii) whether previous initial direct costs would qualify for capitalization under the new lease standard. Additionally, the Company elected to combine lease and non-lease components and to exclude leases with a term of 12 months or less.

 

As of the November 1, 2019 effective date, the Company had identified one operating lease arrangement and one short-term lease in which it is a lessee. The adoption of ASC 842 resulted in the recognition of an operating lease liability and a right-of-use asset of approximately $6.8 million and $5.6 million, respectively, on the Company’s balance sheet relating to its leases, with the difference relating to reclassifications of the current accrued rent liability and the current lease incentive obligation of approximately $0.9 million and $0.3 million, respectively, as reductions to the right-of-use-asset for its operating lease. The adoption of the standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s condensed statements of operations or condensed statements of cash flows.

 

Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective accounting pronouncements, if adopted, would have a material impact on the accompanying condensed financial statements.

v3.20.2
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Schedule of Anti-dilutive Securities Excluded from Diluted Net Loss Per Share

The table sets forth the number of potential shares of common stock that have been excluded from diluted net loss per share (as of July 31, 2020, 327,338 warrants are included in the basic earnings per share computation because the exercise price is $0, and as of July 31, 2019, 13,079,000 pre-funded warrants are included in the basic earnings per share computation because the exercise price is nominal):

 

    As of July 31,  
    2020     2019  
Warrants     5,070,888       18,301,804  
Stock options     914,577       405,372  
Restricted stock units     5,818       16,204  
Total     5,991,283       18,723,380  

v3.20.2
Property and Equipment (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]  
Schedule of Property and Equipment

Property and equipment, net consists of the following (in thousands):

 

    July 31, 2020     October 31, 2019  
             
Leasehold improvements   $ 2,335     $ 2,335  
Laboratory equipment     3,405       3,405  
Furniture and fixtures     744       744  
Computer equipment     409       409  
Construction in progress     83       83  
Total property and equipment     6,976       6,976  
Accumulated depreciation and amortization     (3,309 )     (2,626 )
Net property and equipment   $ 3,667     $ 4,350  

v3.20.2
Intangible Assets (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Summary of Intangible Assets

Intangible assets, net consist of the following (in thousands):

 

    July 31, 2020     October 31, 2019  
             
Patents   $ 5,208     $ 5,833  
Licenses     777       777  
Software     117       117  
Total intangibles     6,102       6,727  
Accumulated amortization     (2,261 )     (2,152 )
Intangible assets   $ 3,841     $ 4,575  

Schedule of Carrying Value of Intangible Assets

At July 31, 2020, the estimated amortization expense by fiscal year based on the current carrying value of intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):

 

    Fiscal year ending October 31,  
       
2020 (Remaining)   $ 79  
2021     309  
2022     309  
2023     309  
2024     309  
Thereafter     2,526  
Total   $ 3,841  

v3.20.2
Accrued Expenses (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]  
Schedule of Accrued Expenses
    July 31, 2020     October 31, 2019  
             
Salaries and other compensation   $ 743     $ 158  
Vendors     604       3,194  
Professional fees     479       126  
Total accrued expenses   $ 1,826     $ 3,478
v3.20.2
Common Stock Purchase Warrants and Warrant Liability (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Common Stock Purchase Warrants And Warrant Liability  
Schedule of Outstanding Warrants

As of July 31, 2020, there were outstanding warrants to purchase 5,398,226 shares of our common stock with exercise prices ranging from $0 to $281.25 per share. Information on the outstanding warrants is as follows:

 

Exercise
Price
    Number of Shares
Underlying Warrants
    Expiration Date   Type of Financing
$ -       327,338     July 2024   July 2019 Public Offering
$ 281.25       25     N/A   Other warrants
$ 0.372       70,863     September 2024   September 2018 Public Offering
$ 1.25       5,000,000     July 2025   January 2020 Public Offering
  Grand Total       5,398,226          

 

As of October 31, 2019, there were outstanding warrants to purchase 432,142 shares of our common stock with exercise prices ranging from $0 to $281.25 per share. Information on the outstanding warrants is as follows:

 

Exercise
Price
    Number of Shares
Underlying Warrants
    Expiration Date   Type of Financing
$ -       359,838     July 2024   July 2019 Public Offering
$ 281.25       25     N/A   Other Warrants
$ 0.372       72,279     September 2024   September 2018 Public Offering
  Grand Total       432,142          

Schedule of Warrants Activity

A summary of warrant activity was as follows (in thousands, except share and per share data):

 

    Shares     Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
    Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
In Years
    Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
 
Outstanding and exercisable warrants at October 31, 2019     432,142     $ 0.08       4.76     $ 114,069  
Issued     5,000,000       1.25                  
Exercised *     (33,916 )     0.02                  
Outstanding and exercisable warrants at July 31, 2020     5,398,226     $ 1.16       4.90     $ 204,596  

 

* Includes the cashless exercise of 32,500 warrants that resulted in the issuance of 32,500 shares of common stock.

Schedule of Assumptions Used in Warrant Liability

In measuring the warrant liability at July 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019, the Company used the following inputs in its Monte Carlo simulation model:

 

    July 31, 2020     October 31, 2019  
Exercise Price   $ 0.372     $ 0.372  
Stock Price   $ 0.58     $ 0.32  
Expected Term     4.12 years       4.87 years  
Volatility %     104.47 %     100.99 %
Risk Free Rate     0.16 %     1.51 %

v3.20.2
Share Based Compensation (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Summary of Share Based Compensation Expense

The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense included in the condensed statement of operations (in thousands):

 

    Three Months Ended July 31,     Nine Months Ended July 31,  
    2020     2019     2020     2019  
Research and development   $ 79     $ 241     $ 233     $ 822  
General and administrative     176       223       475       743  
Total   $ 255     $ 464     $ 708     $ 1,565  

Summary of RSU Activity and Related Information

A summary of the Company’s RSU activity and related information for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 is as follows:

 

    Number of
RSUs
    Weighted-Average
Grant
Date Fair Value
 
             
Balance at October 31, 2019     14,706     $ 47.62  
Vested     (8,608 )     59.61  
Cancelled     (280 )     98.80  
Balance at July 31, 2020     5,818     $ 27.40  

Summary of Changes in Stock Option Plan

A summary of changes in the stock option plan for the nine months ended July 31, 2020 is as follows:

 

    Number of
Options
    Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
 
Outstanding at October 31, 2019:     560,490     $ 71.56  
Granted     450,000       0.66  
Canceled or expired     (95,913 )     58.21  
Outstanding at July 31, 2020     914,577       38.08  
Vested and Exercisable at July 31, 2020     266,380     $ 125.14  

Summary of Fair Value of Stock Options Granted of BSM

In determining the fair value of the stock options granted during the nine months ended July 31, 2020, the Company used the following inputs in its Black Scholes Merton model:

 

   

Nine Months

Ended
July 31, 2020

 
       
Expected Term     5.50-6.50 years  
Expected Volatility     100.27-105.21 %
Expected Dividends     0 %
Risk Free Interest Rate     0.36-0.52 %

v3.20.2
Leases (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]  
Schedule of Supplemental Balance Sheet Related to Leases

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases as of July 31, 2020 was as follows (in thousands):

 

Operating Leases:         
Operating lease right-of-use assets   $ 5,030  
         
Operating lease liability   $ 926  
Operating lease liability, net of current portion     5,304  
Total operating lease liabilities   $ 6,230  

Schedule of Lease Expenses

Supplemental lease expense related to leases was as follows (in thousands):

 

Lease Cost (in thousands)   Statements of Operations Classification   For the Three
Months Ended
July 31, 2020
    For the Nine Months Ended
July 31, 2020
 
Operating lease cost   General and administrative     290       869  
Short-term lease cost   General and administrative     83       249  
Variable lease cost   General and administrative   $ 108     $ 282  
Total lease expense       $ 481     $ 1,400  

Schedule of Other Information Related to Leases

Other information related to leases where the Company is the lessee is as follows:

 

    For the Nine
Months Ended
July 31, 2020
 
Weighted-average remaining lease term     5.3 years  
Weighted-average discount rate     6.5 %

Schedule of Cash Flow Information Related to Leases

Supplemental cash flow information related to operating leases was as follows:

 

    For the Three
Months Ended
July 31, 2020
    For the Nine
Months Ended
July 31, 2020
 
Cash paid for operating lease liabilities   $ 311     $ 922  
                 

Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Non-Cancellable Leases

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of July 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

Fiscal Year ending October 31,      
2020 (Remaining)   $ 311  
2021     1,318  
2022     1,369  
2023     1,395  
2024     1,419  
Thereafter     1,564  
Total minimum lease payments     7,376  
Less: Imputed interest     (1,146 )
Total   $ 6,230  

Schedule of Future Minimum Payments Under Operating Lease

Under ASC 840, future minimum payments under the Company’s operating lease were as follows (in thousands):

 

Fiscal Year ending October 31,      
2020   $ 1,233  
2021     1,318  
2022     1,369  
2023     1,395  
2024     1,419  
Thereafter     1,564  
Total   $ 8,298  

v3.20.2
Stockholders' Equity (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Equity [Abstract]  
Summary of Stockholders Equity

A summary of the changes in stockholders’ equity for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019 is presented below (in thousands, except share data):

 

    Preferred Stock     Common Stock     Additional
Paid-In
    Accumulated     Total
Shareholders’
 
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Deficit     Equity  
Balance at November 1, 2018     -     $ -       4,634,189     $ 5     $ 391,703     $ (367,657 )   $   24,051  
Stock based compensation     -       -       9,811       -       622       -       622  
Tax withholdings paid on equity awards     -       -       -       -       (11 )     -       (11 )
Tax shares sold to pay for tax withholdings on equity awards     -       -       -       -       11       -       11  
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan     -       -       2,007       -       9       -       9  
ESPP Expense     -       -       -       -       1               1  
Net Income     -         -       -               -       12,817       12,817  
Balance at January 31, 2019     -     $ -       4,646,007     $ 5     $ 392,335     $ (354,840 )   $ 37,500  
Stock based compensation     -       -       693       -       479       -       479  
Tax withholdings paid on equity awards     -       -       -       -       (3 )     -       (3 )
Tax shares sold to pay for tax withholdings on equity awards     -       -       -       -       3       -       3  
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan     -       -       1,505       -       7       -       7  
Warrant exercises     -       -       15,300       -       68       -       68  
Warrant liability reclassified into equity     -       -       -       -       53       -       53  
ESPP Expense     -       -       -       -       1               1  
Shares issued in settlement of warrants     -       -       856,865       1       5,462       -       5,463  
Advaxis public offerings, net of offering costs     -       -       2,500,000       2       8,980       -       8,982  
Net Loss     -       -       -       -       -       (9,383 )     (9,383 )
Balance at April 30, 2019         -     $      -       8,020,370     $       8     $ 407,385     $ (364,223 )   $ 43,170  
Stock based compensation                     408       -       464       -       464  
Tax withholdings paid on equity awards     -       -       -       -       1       -       (1 )
Tax shares sold to pay for tax withholdings on equity awards     -       -       -       -       (1 )     -       1  
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan     -       -       1,073       -       3       -       3  
Shares issued in settlement of warrants     -       -       577,000       1       -       -       1  
Advaxis public offerings, net of offering costs     -       -       10,650,000       11       15,478       -       15,489  
Net Loss     -       -       -       -       -       (9,858 )     (9,858 )
Balance at July 31, 2019     -     $ -       19,248,851     $ 20     $ 423,330     $ (374,081 )   $ 49,269  

 

    Preferred Stock     Common Stock     Additional
Paid-In
    Accumulated     Total
Shareholders’
 
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Deficit     Equity  
Balance at November 1, 2019     -     $ -       50,201,671     $ 50     $ 423,750     $ (384,269 )   $   39,531  
Stock based compensation     -       -       2,957       -       242       -       242  
Advaxis public offerings, net of offering costs     -       -       10,000,000       10       9,618       -       9,628  
Warrant exercises     -       -       26,416       -       2       -       2  
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan     -       -       5,555       -       2       -       2  
Net Income     -       -       -       -       -       (7,857 )     (7,857 )
Balance at January 31, 2020     -     $ -       60,236,599     $ 60     $ 433,614     $ (392,126 )   $ 41,548  
Stock based compensation     -       -       5,651       -       210       -       210  
Warrant exercises     -       -       7,500       -       -       -       -  
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan     -       -       2,694       -       2       -       2  
Net Income     -       -       -       -       -       (6,323 )     (6,323 )
Balance at April 30, 2020     -     $ -       60,252,444     $ 60     $ 433,826     $ (398,449 )   $ 35,437  
Stock based compensation     -       -       -       -       255       -       255  
Tax withholdings paid on equity awards     -       -       -       -       (1 )     -       (1 )
Tax shares sold to pay for tax withholdings on equity awards     -       -       -       -       1       -       1  
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan     -       -       2,899       -       2       -       2  
At-the-market shares issued, net of offering costs     -       -       1,375,337       1       956       -       957  
Commitment fee shares issued for equity line     -       -       1,084,266       1       643       -       644  
Net Income     -       -       -       -       -       (5,829 )     (5,829 )
Balance at July 31, 2020         -     $        -       62,714,946     $     62     $ 435,682     $ (404,278 )   $ 31,466  

v3.20.2
Fair Value (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis

The following table provides the assets and liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis as of July 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019 (in thousands):

 

July 31, 2020   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Common stock warrant liability, warrants exercisable at $0.372 through September 2024     -       -     $ 33     $ 33  
                                 

 

October 31, 2019   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Common stock warrant liability, warrants exercisable at $0.372 through September 2024     -       -     $ 19     $ 19  
                                 

Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Warrant Liabilities

The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in the fair value of the Company’s warrant liabilities:

 

   

For the
Nine Months

Ended
July 31, 2020

 
Beginning balance   $ 19  
Warrant exercises     (2 )
Change in fair value     16  
Ending Balance   $ 33  

v3.20.2
Nature of Operations (Details Narrative) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 91 Months Ended
May 31, 2020
Jan. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
Jul. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
Jul. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
Jul. 31, 2020
Oct. 31, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]                  
Proceeds from public offering $ 40,000 $ 9,600 $ 15,500 $ 1,085   $ 13,600 $ 17,000 $ 305,800  
Cash and cash equivalents       23,846   23,846   $ 23,846 $ 32,363
Operating expenses       $ 5,842 $ 10,136 $ 20,302 $ 28,569    
v3.20.2
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation (Details Narrative) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Nov. 02, 2019
Oct. 31, 2019
Jul. 31, 2019
Exercise price $ 0      
Pre-funded warrants       $ 13,079,000
Operating lease liability $ 926    
Right to use asset $ 5,030    
ASC 842 [Member]        
Operating lease liability   $ 6,800    
Right to use asset   5,600    
Accrued rent liability, current   900    
Lease incentive obligation, current   $ 300    
Warrants [Member]        
Number of securities included in computation of basic earnings per share $ 327,338      
v3.20.2
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation - Schedule of Anti-dilutive Securities Excluded from Diluted Net Loss Per Share (Details) - shares
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
Total 5,991,283 18,723,380
Warrants [Member]    
Total 5,070,888 18,301,804
Stock Options [Member]    
Total 914,577 405,372
Restricted Stock Units [Member]    
Total 5,818 16,204
v3.20.2
Property and Equipment (Details Narrative) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
Jul. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]        
Depreciation expense $ 200 $ 300 $ 683 $ 848
v3.20.2
Property and Equipment - Schedule of Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jul. 31, 2020
Oct. 31, 2019
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]    
Leasehold improvements $ 2,335 $ 2,335
Laboratory equipment 3,405 3,405
Furniture and fixtures 744 744
Computer equipment 409 409
Construction in progress 83 83
Total property and equipment 6,976 6,976
Accumulated depreciation and amortization (3,309) (2,626)
Net property and equipment $ 3,667 $ 4,350
v3.20.2
Intangible Assets (Details Narrative) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
Jul. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
Finite lived patents expirations year     The expirations of the existing patents range from 2020 to 2040  
Book value patent applications, net     $ 892 $ 625
Intangible asset amortization expense     263 290
Research and Development [Member]        
Book value patent applications, net $ 300 $ 300 900 600
General and Administrative [Member]        
Intangible asset amortization expense $ 100 $ 100 $ 300 $ 300
v3.20.2
Intangible Assets - Summary of Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jul. 31, 2020
Oct. 31, 2019
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]    
Patents $ 5,208 $ 5,833
Licenses 777 777
Software 117 117
Total intangibles 6,102 6,727
Accumulated amortization (2,261) (2,152)
Intangible assets $ 3,841 $ 4,575
v3.20.2
Intangible Assets - Schedule of Carrying Value of Intangible Assets (Details)
$ in Thousands
Jul. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
2020 (Remaining) $ 79
2021 309
2022 309
2023 309
2024 309
Thereafter 2,526
Total $ 3,841
v3.20.2
Accrued Expenses - Schedule of Accrued Expenses (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jul. 31, 2020
Oct. 31, 2019
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]    
Salaries and other compensation $ 743 $ 158
Vendors 604 3,194
Professional fees 479 126
Total accrued expenses $ 1,826 $ 3,478
v3.20.2
Common Stock Purchase Warrants and Warrant Liability (Details Narrative) - $ / shares
Jul. 31, 2020
May 31, 2020
Oct. 31, 2019
Jul. 31, 2019
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]        
Number of warrants to purchase common stock 5,398,226   432,142  
Warrant exercise price per share $ 0.372 $ 0.79 $ 0.372 $ 1.20
Equity Warrants [Member]        
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]        
Number of warrants to purchase common stock 5,327,363   359,863  
Warrants outstanding 5,398,226   432,142  
Warrant Liability [Member]        
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]        
Number of warrants to purchase common stock 70,863   72,279  
Warrants outstanding 5,398,226   432,142  
Minimum [Member]        
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]        
Warrant exercise price per share $ 0   $ 0  
Minimum [Member] | Warrant Liability [Member]        
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]        
Warrant exercise price per share 0.372      
Maximum [Member]        
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]        
Number of warrants to purchase common stock       17,142,000
Warrant exercise price per share 281.25   $ 281.25  
Maximum [Member] | Warrant Liability [Member]        
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]        
Warrant exercise price per share $ 22.50      
v3.20.2
Common Stock Purchase Warrants and Warrant Liability - Schedule of Outstanding Warrants (Details) - $ / shares
9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Oct. 31, 2019
May 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]        
Exercise Price $ 0.372 $ 0.372 $ 0.79 $ 1.20
Number of Shares Underlying Warrants 5,398,226 432,142    
Exercise Price Range One [Member]        
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]        
Exercise Price    
Number of Shares Underlying Warrants 327,338 359,838    
Expiration Date Jul. 31, 2024 Jul. 31, 2024    
Type of Financing July 2019 Public Offering July 2019 Public Offering    
Exercise Price Range Two [Member]        
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]        
Exercise Price $ 281.25 $ 281.25    
Number of Shares Underlying Warrants 25 25    
Type of Financing Other Warrants Other Warrants    
Exercise Price Range Three [Member]        
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]        
Exercise Price $ 0.372 $ 0.372    
Number of Shares Underlying Warrants 70,863 72,279    
Expiration Date Sep. 30, 2024 Sep. 30, 2024    
Type of Financing September 2018 Public Offering September 2018 Public Offering    
Exercise Price Range Four [Member]        
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]        
Exercise Price $ 1.25      
Number of Shares Underlying Warrants 5,000,000      
Expiration Date Jul. 31, 2025      
Type of Financing January 2020 Public Offering      
v3.20.2
Common Stock Purchase Warrants and Warrant Liability - Schedule of Warrants Activity (Details)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
USD ($)
$ / shares
shares
Common Stock Purchase Warrants And Warrant Liability  
Number of Warrants, Outstanding and exercisable warrants, Beginning balance | shares 432,142
Number of Warrants, Issued | shares 5,000,000
Number of Warrants, Exercised | shares (33,916) [1]
Number of Warrants, Outstanding and exercisable warrants, Ending balance | shares 5,398,226
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding and exercisable warrants, Beginning | $ / shares $ 0.08
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Issued | $ / shares 1.25
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised | $ / shares 0.02 [1]
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding and exercisable warrants, Ending | $ / shares $ 1.16
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life In Years, Outstanding and exercisable warrants, Beginning 4 years 9 months 3 days
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life In Years, Outstanding and exercisable warrants, Ending balance 4 years 10 months 25 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Beginning | $ $ 114,069
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Ending | $ $ 204,596
[1] Includes the cashless exercise of 32,500 warrants that resulted in the issuance of 32,500 shares of common stock.
v3.20.2
Common Stock Purchase Warrants and Warrant Liability - Schedule of Warrants Activity (Details) (Parenthetical)
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
shares
Common Stock Purchase Warrants And Warrant Liability  
Cashless warrant exercise 32,500
Number of common stock shares issued 32,500
v3.20.2
Common Stock Purchase Warrants and Warrant Liability - Schedule of Assumptions Used in Warrant Liability (Details)
Jul. 31, 2020
$ / shares
May 31, 2020
$ / shares
Oct. 31, 2019
$ / shares
Jul. 31, 2019
$ / shares
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]        
Warrants exercise price $ 0.372 $ 0.79 $ 0.372 $ 1.20
Warrant stock price 0      
Warrant Liability [Member] | Exercise Price [Member]        
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]        
Warrants exercise price 0.372   0.372  
Warrant Liability [Member] | Stock Price [Member]        
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]        
Warrant stock price $ 0.58   $ 0.32  
Warrant Liability [Member] | Expected Term [Member]        
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]        
Warrants, term 4 years 1 month 13 days   4 years 10 months 14 days  
Warrant Liability [Member] | Volatility [Member]        
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]        
Warrants, measurement input 104.47   100.99  
Warrant Liability [Member] | Risk Free Interest Rate [Member]        
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]        
Warrants, measurement input 0.16   1.51  
v3.20.2
Share Based Compensation (Details Narrative) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
Jul. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
Oct. 31, 2019
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option awards $ 800   $ 800    
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested remaining weighted average vesting period     1 year 4 months 13 days    
Aggregate intrinsic value of non-vested RSU 0   $ 0    
Stock compensation expense $ 255 $ 464 $ 708 $ 1,565  
Stock granted options to purchase     450,000    
Stock option exercise price $ 38.08   $ 38.08   $ 71.56
Aggregate intrinsic value of vested and exercisable options $ 0   $ 0    
Aggregate intrinsic value of non-vested options 42   42    
Compensation cost related to outstanding stock options $ 200 $ 300 $ 600 $ 900  
Employees [Member]          
Stock granted options to purchase     385,000    
Directors [Member]          
Stock granted options to purchase     65,000    
Employees and Directors [Member]          
Stock option term     10 years    
Stock option vesting period     3 years    
Stock option exercise price $ 0.66   $ 0.66    
2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]          
Number of shares issued under employee stock purchase plan     11,148 4,585  
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]          
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option awards $ 100   $ 100    
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested remaining weighted average vesting period     8 months 19 days    
Aggregate intrinsic value of non-vested RSU $ 3   $ 3    
Employee Stock Awards [Member]          
Share-based compensation, common stock, shares 0 408 8,608 10,947  
Stock compensation expense $ 40 $ 200 $ 100 $ 700  
v3.20.2
Share Based Compensation - Summary of Share Based Compensation Expense (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
Jul. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
Share-based compensation expense $ 255 $ 464 $ 708 $ 1,565
Research and Development [Member]        
Share-based compensation expense 79 241 233 822
General and Administrative [Member]        
Share-based compensation expense $ 176 $ 223 $ 475 $ 743
v3.20.2
Share Based Compensation - Summary of RSU Activity and Related Information (Details) - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
$ / shares
shares
Number of RSUs, Unvested Beginning Balance | shares 14,706
Number of RSUs, Vested | shares (8,608)
Number of RSUs, Cancelled | shares (280)
Number of RSUs, Unvested Ending Balance | shares 5,818
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Unvested Beginning Balance | $ / shares $ 47.62
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested | $ / shares 59.61
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Cancelled | $ / shares 98.80
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Unvested Ending Balance | $ / shares $ 27.40
v3.20.2
Share Based Compensation - Summary of Changes in Stock Option Plan (Details)
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
$ / shares
shares
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Number of Options, Beginning Balance | shares 560,490
Number of Options, Granted | shares 450,000
Number of Options, Cancelled or Expired | shares (95,913)
Number of Options, Ending Balance | shares 914,577
Number of Options, Vested and Exercisable | shares 266,380
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, Beginning | $ / shares $ 71.56
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Granted | $ / shares 0.66
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Cancelled or Expired | $ / shares 58.21
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, Ending | $ / shares 38.08
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Vested and Exercisable | $ / shares $ 125.14
v3.20.2
Share Based Compensation - Summary of Fair Value of Stock Options Granted of BSM (Details)
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Expected Dividends 0.00%
Minimum [Member]  
Expected Term 5 years 6 months
Expected Volatility 100.27%
Risk Free Interest Rate 0.36%
Maximum [Member]  
Expected Term 6 years 6 months
Expected Volatility 105.21%
Risk Free Interest Rate 0.52%
v3.20.2
Collaboration and Licensing Agreements (Details Narrative) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 04, 2018
Jul. 31, 2020
Apr. 30, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
Jul. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
Revenue     $ 6,000 $ 253,000 $ 20,883,000
OS Therapies [Member]            
Deferred revenue   50,000     50,000  
OS Therapies [Member] | Within Five Business Days [Member]            
Funding milestone payment $ 2,337,500          
Non-refundable and non-creditable payment 1,550,000          
Upfront fees, amount 1,550,000          
OS Therapies [Member] | Creditable [Member]            
Funding milestone payment 25,000          
Non-refundable and non-creditable payment 1,550,000          
OS Therapies [Member] | Within 60-Day Notice [Member]            
Funding milestone payment $ 25,000          
Development, License and Supply Agreement [Member] | OS Therapies [Member]            
Revenue     $ 25,000      
Funding milestone payment     $ 2,337,500      
Aratana Agreement [Member] | Royalty [Member]            
Revenue   $ 0   $ 6,000 3,000 8,000
Exclusive Licensing Agreement [Member] | License [Member]            
Revenue         $ 300,000 $ 300,000
v3.20.2
Commitments and Contingencies (Details Narrative) - Especificos Stendhal SA de CV [Member]
$ in Thousands
Sep. 19, 2018
USD ($)
Damages sought value by plaintiff $ 3,000
Litigation expense 300
Due from related party $ 3,000
v3.20.2
Leases (Details Narrative) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Oct. 31, 2019
Oct. 31, 2018
Leases [Abstract]      
Operating lease expiration Nov. 30, 2025    
Security deposit $ 182    
Rent expense   $ 1,200 $ 1,200
v3.20.2
Leases - Schedule of Supplemental Balance Sheet Related to Leases (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jul. 31, 2020
Oct. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]    
Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 5,030
Operating lease liability 926
Operating lease liability, net of current portion 5,304
Total operating lease liabilities $ 6,230  
v3.20.2
Leases - Schedule of Lease Expenses (Details) - General and Administrative [Member] - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2020
Operating lease cost $ 290 $ 869
Short-term lease cost 83 249
Variable lease cost 108 282
Total lease expense $ 481 $ 1,400
v3.20.2
Leases - Schedule of Other Information Related to Leases (Details)
Jul. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]  
Weighted-average remaining lease term 5 years 3 months 19 days
Weighted-average discount rate 6.50%
v3.20.2
Leases - Schedule of Cash Flow Information Related to Leases (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]    
Cash paid for operating lease liabilities $ 311 $ 922
v3.20.2
Leases - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Non-Cancellable Leases (Details)
$ in Thousands
Jul. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]  
2020 (Remaining) $ 311
2021 1,318
2022 1,369
2023 1,395
2024 1,419
Thereafter 1,564
Total minimum lease payments 7,376
Less: Imputed interest (1,146)
Total $ 6,230
v3.20.2
Leases - Schedule of Future Minimum Payments Under Operating Lease (Details)
$ in Thousands
Jul. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]  
2020 $ 1,233
2021 1,318
2022 1,369
2023 1,395
2024 1,419
Thereafter 1,564
Total $ 8,298
v3.20.2
Stockholders' Equity (Details Narrative) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 91 Months Ended
Jul. 30, 2020
Mar. 29, 2019
May 31, 2020
Jan. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
Apr. 30, 2019
Jul. 31, 2020
Jan. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
Apr. 30, 2019
Jul. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
Jul. 31, 2020
May 04, 2020
Apr. 30, 2020
Oct. 31, 2019
Feb. 21, 2019
Common stock, shares authorized             170,000,000       170,000,000   170,000,000     170,000,000 95,000,000
Reverse stock split, description   1 for 15 reverse stock split.                              
Proceeds from sale of common shares             $ 1,375,337                    
Pre-funded warrants to purchase common shares         13,656,000       13,656,000     13,656,000          
Number of warrants to purchase common stock             5,398,226       5,398,226   5,398,226     432,142  
Warrant exercise price per share     $ 0.79   $ 1.20   $ 0.372   $ 1.20   $ 0.372 $ 1.20 $ 0.372     $ 0.372  
Net proceeds from offering     $ 40,000 $ 9,600 $ 15,500   $ 1,085       $ 13,600 $ 17,000 $ 305,800        
Warrant description                       Each share of common stock or pre-funded warrant was sold together in a fixed combination with a warrant to purchase 0.75 shares of common stock. The pre-funded warrants are exercisable immediately, do not expire and have an exercise price of $0.001 per share. The warrants are exercisable immediately, expire five years from the date of issuance, have an exercise price of $2.80 per share and are subject to anti-dilution and other adjustments for certain stock splits, stock dividends, or recapitalizations. The warrants also provide that if during the period of time between the date that is the earlier of (i) 30 days after issuance and (ii) if the common stock trades an aggregate of more than 35,000,000 shares after the pricing of the offering, and ending 15 months after issuance, the weighted-average price of common stock immediately prior to the exercise date is lower than the then-applicable exercise price per share, each Common Warrant may be exercised, at the option of the holder, on a cashless basis for one share of Common Stock. After deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, the net proceeds from the offering were approximately $15.5 million.          
Number of common stock shares                     32,500            
Number of common stock values               $ 9,628 $ 15,489 $ 8,982              
Purchase Agreement [Member] | Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC [Member]                                  
Common stock, shares authorized 20,000,000                                
Share price per share $ 0.10                                
Net proceeds from offering $ 1,000                                
Number of common stock shares 1,084,266                                
Number of common stock values $ 600                                
Agreement description Over the 36-month term of the Purchase Agreement, the Company has the right, but not the obligation, from time to time, to sell to Lincoln Park up to an aggregate amount of $20,000,000 of shares of common stock, in its sole discretion and subject to certain conditions, including that the closing price of its common stock is not below $0.10 per share, to direct Lincoln Park to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares (the "Regular Purchase Share Limit") of its Common Stock (each such purchase, a "Regular Purchase"). Lincoln Park's maximum obligation under any single Regular Purchase will not exceed $1,000,000, unless the parties mutually agree to increase the maximum amount of such Regular Purchase. The purchase price for shares of Common Stock to be purchased by Lincoln Park under a Regular Purchase will be the equal to the lower of (in each case, subject to the adjustments described in the Purchase Agreement): (i) the lowest sale price for the Company's common stock on the applicable purchase date, and (ii) the arithmetic average of the three lowest sale prices for the Company's common stock during the ten trading days prior to the purchase date.                                
Pre-funded Warrants [Member]                                  
Number of warrants to purchase common stock         1       1     1          
Warrant exercise price per share         $ 0.75       $ 0.75     $ 0.75          
ATM Program [Member]                                  
Net proceeds from offering     957                            
Proceeds from commission     $ 35                            
Maximum [Member]                                  
Number of warrants to purchase common stock         17,142,000       17,142,000     17,142,000          
Warrant exercise price per share             $ 281.25       $ 281.25   $ 281.25     281.25  
Maximum [Member] | Purchase Agreement [Member] | Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC [Member]                                  
Number of warrants to purchase common stock 1,000,000                                
Maximum [Member] | 2015 Incentive Plan [Member]                                  
Common stock, shares authorized                           6,000,000      
Minimum [Member]                                  
Warrant exercise price per share             $ 0       $ 0   $ 0     $ 0  
Minimum [Member] | 2015 Incentive Plan [Member]                                  
Common stock, shares authorized                           877,744      
Public Offering [Member]                                  
Number of common stock shares sold       10,000,000   2,500,000                      
Share price per share           $ 4.00       $ 4.00         $ 1.05    
Proceeds from sale of common shares       $ 10,500   $ 9,000                      
Pre-funded warrants to purchase common shares         10,650,000       10,650,000     10,650,000          
Private Placement [Member]                                  
Number of warrants to purchase common stock                             5,000,000    
Warrant exercise price per share                             $ 1.25    
v3.20.2
Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Stockholders Equity (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Apr. 30, 2020
Jan. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
Apr. 30, 2019
Jan. 31, 2019
Jul. 31, 2020
Jul. 31, 2019
Beginning balance $ 35,437 $ 41,548 $ 39,531 $ 43,170 $ 37,500 $ 24,051 $ 39,531 $ 24,051
Stock based compensation 255 210 242 464 479 622    
Tax withholdings paid on equity awards (1)     (1) (3) (11)    
Tax shares sold to pay for tax withholdings on equity awards 1     1 3 11    
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan 2 2 2 3 7 9    
ESPP Expense         1 1    
Advaxis public offerings, net of offering costs     9,628 15,489 8,982      
Advaxis public offerings, net of offering costs, shares             32,500  
Warrant exercises   2   68      
Warrant liability reclassified into equity         53   $ 2 53
Shares issued in settlement of warrants       1 5,463      
At-the-market shares issued 957              
Commitment fee shares issued for equity line 644           644
Net Income (5,829) (6,323) (7,857) (9,858) (9,383) 12,817 (20,009) (6,424)
Ending balance 31,466 35,437 41,548 49,269 43,170 37,500 31,466 49,269
Preferred Stock [Member]                
Beginning balance
Beginning balance, shares
Stock based compensation    
Stock based compensation, shares    
Tax withholdings paid on equity awards        
Tax shares sold to pay for tax withholdings on equity awards        
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan    
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan, shares    
ESPP Expense            
Advaxis public offerings, net of offering costs          
Advaxis public offerings, net of offering costs, shares          
Warrant exercises          
Warrant exercises, shares          
Warrant liability reclassified into equity              
Shares issued in settlement of warrants            
Shares issued in settlement of warrants, shares            
At-the-market shares issued              
At-the-market shares issued, shares              
Commitment fee shares issued for equity line              
Commitment fee shares issued for equity line, shares              
Net Income    
Ending balance
Ending balance, shares
Common Stock [Member]                
Beginning balance $ 60 $ 60 $ 50 $ 8 $ 5 $ 5 $ 50 $ 5
Beginning balance, shares 60,252,444 60,236,599 50,201,671 8,020,370 4,646,007 4,634,189 50,201,671 4,634,189
Stock based compensation    
Stock based compensation, shares 5,651 2,957 408 693 9,811    
Tax withholdings paid on equity awards        
Tax shares sold to pay for tax withholdings on equity awards        
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan    
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan, shares 2,899 2,694 5,555 1,073 1,505 2,007    
ESPP Expense            
Advaxis public offerings, net of offering costs     $ 10 $ 11 $ 2      
Advaxis public offerings, net of offering costs, shares     10,000,000 10,650,000 2,500,000      
Warrant exercises          
Warrant exercises, shares   7,500 26,416   15,300      
Warrant liability reclassified into equity              
Shares issued in settlement of warrants       $ 1 $ 1      
Shares issued in settlement of warrants, shares       577,000 856,865      
At-the-market shares issued $ 1              
At-the-market shares issued, shares 1,375,337              
Commitment fee shares issued for equity line $ 1              
Commitment fee shares issued for equity line, shares 1,084,266              
Net Income    
Ending balance $ 62 $ 60 $ 60 $ 20 $ 8 $ 5 $ 62 $ 20
Ending balance, shares 62,714,946 60,252,444 60,236,599 19,248,851 8,020,370 4,646,007 62,714,946 19,248,851
Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]                
Beginning balance $ 433,826 $ 433,614 $ 423,750 $ 407,385 $ 392,335 $ 391,703 $ 423,750 $ 391,703
Stock based compensation 255 210 242 464 479 622    
Tax withholdings paid on equity awards (1)     1 (3) (11)    
Tax shares sold to pay for tax withholdings on equity awards 1     (1) 3 11    
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan 2 2 2 3 7 9    
ESPP Expense         1 1    
Advaxis public offerings, net of offering costs     9,618 15,478 8,980      
Warrant exercises   2   68      
Warrant liability reclassified into equity         53      
Shares issued in settlement of warrants       5,462      
At-the-market shares issued 956              
Commitment fee shares issued for equity line 643              
Net Income    
Ending balance 435,682 433,826 433,614 423,330 407,385 392,335 435,682 423,330
Accumulated Deficit [Member]                
Beginning balance (398,449) (392,126) (384,269) (364,223) (354,840) (367,657) (384,269) (367,657)
Stock based compensation    
Tax withholdings paid on equity awards        
Tax shares sold to pay for tax withholdings on equity awards        
Issuance of shares to employees under ESPP Plan    
ESPP Expense            
Advaxis public offerings, net of offering costs          
Warrant exercises          
Warrant liability reclassified into equity              
Shares issued in settlement of warrants            
At-the-market shares issued              
Commitment fee shares issued for equity line              
Net Income (5,829) (6,323) (7,857) (9,858) (9,383) 12,817    
Ending balance $ (404,278) $ (398,449) $ (392,126) $ (374,081) $ (364,223) $ (354,840) $ (404,278) $ (374,081)
v3.20.2
Fair Value - Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jul. 31, 2020
Oct. 31, 2019
Common stock warrant liability, warrants exercisable $ 33 $ 19
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]    
Common stock warrant liability, warrants exercisable
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]    
Common stock warrant liability, warrants exercisable
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]    
Common stock warrant liability, warrants exercisable $ 33 $ 19
v3.20.2
Fair Value - Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Details) (Parenthetical) - $ / shares
Jul. 31, 2020
May 31, 2020
Oct. 31, 2019
Jul. 31, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]        
Warrant exercise price per share $ 0.372 $ 0.79 $ 0.372 $ 1.20
v3.20.2
Fair Value - Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Warrant Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2020
Jan. 31, 2020
Apr. 30, 2019
Jul. 31, 2020
Beginning balance   $ 19   $ 19
Warrant exercises 2 $ 68  
Ending Balance       33
Warrant Liability [Member]        
Beginning balance   $ 19   19
Warrant exercises       (2)
Change in fair value       16
Ending Balance       $ 33
v3.20.2
Subsequent Events (Details Narrative) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Aug. 03, 2020
Jul. 31, 2020
Proceeds from sale of common shares   $ 1,375,337
Subsequent Event [Member] | Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC [Member]    
Number of common stock shares sold 3,510,527  
Gross proceeds from attorney fees and expenses $ 2,000  
Proceeds from sale of common shares $ 1,900