Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Note 16 - Material Agreements

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Note 16 - Material Agreements
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Notes to Financial Statements  
Significant Agreements Disclosure [Text Block]

16.

Material Agreements

 

 

a.

Research and Development Agreements: In January 2002, we completed a license agreement with UCSD for the exclusive world-wide rights to Tc99m tilmanocept for use in lymphatic mapping. The license agreement was effective until the later of the expiration date of the longest-lived underlying patent. In July 2014, we amended the license agreement to extend the agreement until the third anniversary of the expiration date of the longest-lived underlying patent. Under the terms of the license agreement, UCSD granted us the exclusive rights to make, use, sell, offer for sale and import licensed products as defined in the agreement and to practice the defined licensed methods during the term of the agreement. We could also sublicense the patent rights, subject to certain sublicense terms as defined in the agreement. In consideration for the license rights, we agreed to pay UCSD a license issue fee of $25,000 and license maintenance fees of $25,000 per year. We also agreed to make payments to UCSD upon successfully reaching certain clinical, regulatory and cumulative sales milestones, and a royalty on net sales of licensed products subject to a $25,000 minimum annual royalty. In addition, we agreed to reimburse UCSD for all patent-related costs and to meet certain diligence requirements.

 

In connection with the sale of the rights to sell Tc99m tilmanocept in the United States, Canada and Mexico to Cardinal Health 414, LLC (“Cardinal Health 414”), the Company amended and restated its Tc99m tilmanocept license agreement with UCSD pursuant to which UCSD granted a license to the Company to exploit certain intellectual property rights owned by UCSD and, separately, Cardinal Health 414 entered into a license agreement with UCSD pursuant to which UCSD granted a license to Cardinal Health 414 to exploit certain intellectual property rights owned by UCSD for Cardinal Health 414 to sell Tc99m tilmanocept in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Total costs related to the UCSD license agreement for net sales and royalties of Tc99m tilmanocept outside the United States, Canada and Mexico were $868 and $4,339 in 2022 and 2021, respectively, and were recorded in cost of revenue and as a reduction in license revenue, respectively. Total costs related to the UCSD license agreement for annual maintenance fees, milestones and patent-related costs were $(101,409) and $20,702 in 2022 and 2021, respectively, and were recorded in R&D expenses. Changes in regulatory strategy resulted in the reversal of certain previously recorded expenses related to the Tc99m Tilmanocept license agreement during the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

In July 2014, the Company executed an expanded license agreement for the exclusive world-wide rights to all diagnostic and therapeutic uses of tilmanocept (other than Tc99m tilmanocept used in lymphatic mapping). The license agreement is effective until the third anniversary of the expiration date of the longest-lived underlying patent. Under the terms of the license agreement, UCSD has granted us the exclusive rights to make, use, sell, offer for sale and import licensed products as defined in the agreement and to practice the defined licensed methods during the term of the agreement. We may also sublicense the patent rights, subject to certain sublicense terms as defined in the agreement. As consideration for the license rights, we agreed to pay UCSD a license issue fee of $25,000 and license maintenance fees of $25,000 per year. We also agreed to make payments to UCSD upon successfully reaching certain clinical, regulatory and cumulative sales milestones, and a royalty on net sales of licensed products subject to a $25,000 minimum annual royalty. In addition, we agreed to reimburse UCSD for all patent-related costs and to meet certain diligence requirements. Total costs related to the UCSD license agreement for tilmanocept were $25,000 in both 2022 and 2021, and were recorded in R&D expenses. See Note 19(a).

 

 

b.

Separation Agreement: Effective July 27, 2020 through October 24, 2021, Jed A. Latkin was employed under an employment agreement that provided for an annual base salary of $490,000. On November 23, 2021, Mr. Latkin signed a Separation Agreement and General Release (the “Separation Agreement”) in connection with his resignation from his positions as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and as a director, on October 24, 2021 (the “Separation Date”). Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, among other things, the Company agreed to provide Mr. Latkin with certain separation benefits, commencing on the “Effective Date,” defined as the eighth day after Mr. Latkin signs, without revoking, the Separation Agreement. These separation benefits include continued payment of Mr. Latkin’s base salary of $490,000, less all relevant taxes and other withholdings, on the following basis: (i) for 12 months, 100% of his base salary, minus an aggregate $24,000 deducted monthly pro rata for reimbursement of Mr. Latkin’s attorney fees which were paid by the Company, and (ii) for 10 months following the expiration of the first 12-month period, 50% of his base salary. On the Effective Date, each of Mr. Latkin’s unvested stock options vested, and all of his vested stock options (covering 69,918 shares) and previously unvested options (covering 333,332 shares) may be exercised by Mr. Latkin on or before the earlier of the fifth anniversary of the Separation Date and the original expiration date. On the Effective Date, each of Mr. Latkin’s 33,333 outstanding unvested restricted stock units became fully vested, and all of such restricted stock units were settled within thirty days after the Separation Date, less applicable withholding in shares of common stock. The Company also agreed to reimburse Mr. Latkin for expenses incurred pursuant to Company policy. For purposes of assistance provided in certain litigation matters, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Latkin $250 per hour, subject to certain limitations. Mr. Latkin will also be entitled to receive, subject to his timely execution and non-revocation of the Separation Agreement, a payment equal to up to one percent of total capital raised during the twenty-two months following the Separation Date through one of two investment banking firms introduced to the Company by Mr. Latkin, less relevant taxes and withholdings and subject to certain payment terms. In addition, Mr. Latkin and the Company generally released each other from any and all claims each may have against the other. Costs related to the Separation Agreement were accrued on the Effective Date.