UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

or

Commission File Number: 000-55136

_____________________________________________

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. x Yes     o 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). x Yes     ☐ No

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

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. o

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

As of May 7, 2020, there were 183,207,747 shares of the issuer’s $0.001 par value common stock issued and outstanding.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not descriptions of historical facts are forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price could be materially negatively affected. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology including “anticipates,” “believes,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “should,” “will,” “would” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated include those set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors” including, without limitation, risks relating to:

We operate in a rapidly-changing environment and new risks emerge from time to time. As a result, it is not possible for our management to predict all risks, such as the COVID-19 outbreak and associated business disruptions including delayed clinical trials and laboratory resources, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this report may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this report speak only as of the date hereof, and except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this report to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations.

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

EMERALD BIOSCIENCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(UNAUDITED)

EMERALD BIOSCIENCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

EMERALD BIOSCIENCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

1. Nature of Operations and Business Activities

Nature of Operations

Emerald Bioscience, Inc. (the “Company”) was initially incorporated in Nevada on March 16, 2011 as Load Guard Logistics, Inc. On October 31, 2014, the Company closed a reverse merger transaction (the “Merger”) pursuant to which Nemus, a California corporation (“Nemus Sub”), became the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, and the Company assumed the operations of Nemus Sub. Nemus Sub was incorporated in the State of California on July 17, 2012. On November 3, 2014, the Company changed its name to Nemus Bioscience, Inc. by merging with Nemus Sub.

In January 2018, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Emerald Health Sciences, Inc. (“Emerald Health Sciences”), pursuant to which Emerald Health Sciences purchased a majority of the equity interest in the Company, resulting in a change in control (the “Emerald Financing”). As part of the transaction, the Company’s Board members, with the exception of Dr. Brian Murphy, the Company’s CEO/CMO, tendered their resignation and Emerald Health Sciences appointed two new nominees to the Board. Later, in October 2018, the Board appointed Dr. Avtar Dhillon, the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Emerald Health Sciences, as the Executive Chairman of the Company’s Board.

On February 11, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and majority stockholder unanimously approved an amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation to change the name of the Company to Emerald Bioscience, Inc. Effective March 25, 2019, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment with the Nevada Secretary of State changing the Company’s name to Emerald Bioscience, Inc.

In August 2019, the Company formed a new subsidiary in Australia, EMBI Australia Pty Ltd., an Australian proprietary limited company (“EMBI Australia”), in order to qualify for the Australian government’s research and development tax credit for research and development dollars spent in Australia. The primary purpose of EMBI Australia is to conduct clinical trials for the Company’s product candidates.

On December 17, 2019, Dr. Avtar Dhillon resigned as the Chairman of the Company’s Board and the Company entered into a Board Observer Agreement with Emerald Health Sciences. Refer to Note 7 - Related Party Matters for additional information.

The Company is a biopharmaceutical company located in Long Beach, California that plans to research, develop and commercialize therapeutics derived from cannabinoids through several license agreements with the University of Mississippi (“UM”). UM is the only entity federally permitted and licensed to cultivate cannabis for research purposes in the United States.

As of March 31, 2020, the Company has devoted substantially all its efforts to securing product licenses, carrying out research and development, building infrastructure and raising capital. The Company has not yet realized revenue from its planned principal operations and is a number of years from potentially being able to do so.

Liquidity and Going Concern

The Company has incurred operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since inception and as of March 31, 2020, had an accumulated deficit of $34,514,942, a stockholders’ deficit of $1,702,897 and a working capital deficit of $995,853. The Company anticipates that it will continue to incur operating losses and negative cash flows from operations into the foreseeable future in order to advance and develop a number of potential drug candidates into preclinical and clinical development activities and support its corporate infrastructure which includes the costs associated with being a public company. As of March 31, 2020, the Company had unrestricted cash in the amount of $563,864 as compared to $1,829,977 as of December 31, 2019. As of the date of this filing the Company’s unrestricted cash position has decreased further to $228,000 plus an additional $87,000 of restricted cash including $82,000 of remaining funds from a recently funded Paycheck Protection Program Promissory Note (the “PPP Note”) as discussed below.

As the Company approaches its first clinical trial, it expects to ramp up research and development spending and projects to increase cash used in operating activities. However, based on the Company’s current cash position and expected cash requirements, without obtaining additional funding during the second quarter of 2020, management believes that the Company will not have enough funds to meet its current obligations or commence clinical studies. These conditions give rise to substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

The Company’s continued existence is dependent on its ability to raise sufficient additional funding to cover operating expenses and to invest in research and development activities. On October 5, 2018, the Company entered into a Multi-Draw Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Emerald Health Sciences (See Note 4).

On April 29, 2020, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Multi-Draw Credit Agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”) with Emerald Health Sciences, which amends and restates the Credit Agreement. The Amended Credit Agreement provides for a credit facility in the principal amount of up to $20,000,000, which includes, without limitation, the advances totaling $6,000,000 that were granted prior to the amendment and advances of at least $150,000 for each of May, June and July 2020.

Prior to the date of the Amended Credit Agreement, the Company had made three drawdowns in an aggregate principal amount of $6,000,000, and had issued to Emerald Health Sciences warrants to purchase an aggregate of 7,500,000 shares of common stock of the Company at an exercise price of $0.50 per share of Common Stock, in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement.

Immediately upon entering into the Amended Credit Agreement, the Company effected a fourth advance in the amount of $150,000. The advance bears an interest at 7% per annum and matures on October 5, 2022. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the advance for general corporate and working capital purposes. The Lender has elected that the fourth advance will not be convertible into shares of Common Stock and gave notice to the Company that no warrant will be issued in connection with the advance at this time.

On April 22, 2020, the Company entered into a Paycheck Protection Program Promissory Note (the “PPP Note”) in the principal amount of $116,700 (the “PPP Loan”) from City National Bank (the “PPP Loan Lender”). The PPP Loan was obtained pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”). Funds from the PPP Loan may only be used by the Company for payroll costs, costs for continuing group healthcare benefits, mortgage interest payments, rent, utility and interest on any other debt obligations that were incurred before February 15, 2020. All or a portion of principal of the PPP Loan may be forgiven by the SBA and the PPP Loan Lender upon application by the Company within 60 days but not later than 120 days after loan approval and upon documentation of expenditures in accordance with the SBA requirements.

The Company plans to continue to pursue funding through public or private equity or debt financings, licensing arrangements, asset sales, government grants or other arrangements. However, the Company cannot provide any assurances that such additional funds will be available on reasonable terms, or at all. If the Company raises additional funds by issuing equity securities, substantial dilution to existing stockholders would result.

Effective March 23, 2020, the Company approved a plan to defer up to 50% of the members of senior management’s compensation indefinitely. Certain members of senior management have accepted the plan and the aggregate deferred compensation, together with a retention bonus of 10% of the amount being deferred will be payable to senior management when decided by the Board. Effective March 30, 2020, the Directors of the Company entered into agreements to defer payment of 100% of their Board of Director and committee fees indefinitely. The accrued fees, plus a 10% bonus of such accrued fees will be payable to the members of the Board within 30 days of the Board of Directors determining that the Company has been sufficiently financed to make such payments. These measures, in conjunction with management’s plan to negotiate extended payment terms with its vendors and service providers and delay development work in conjunction with pushing back the initiation of its first-in-human studies of the lead drug candidate, NB1111, to the 2021 timeframe, is intended to slow cash burn. The Company’s Board plans on further assessing the financial condition of the Company to determine what additional measures, if any, will be implemented. If the Company is unable to secure adequate additional funding, the Company may be forced to reduce spending further, liquidate assets where possible, suspend or curtail planned programs or cease operations.

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) emerged in Wuhan, China. Since then, it has spread to the United States and infections have been reported around the world. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, which continues to spread throughout the United States, Australia and around the world, where the Company has operations and conducts laboratory research and clinical studies. In response to the outbreak, federal and state authorities in the United States have introduced various recommendations and measures to try to limit the pandemic, including travel restrictions, border closures, nonessential business closures, quarantines, self-isolations, shelters-in-place and social distancing. The COVID-19 outbreak and the response of governmental authorities to try to limit it are having a significant impact on the private sector and individuals, including unprecedented business, employment and significant economic disruptions to the global financial markets. These disruptions are likely to impact the Company’s ability to raise additional capital and obtain the necessary funds.

Notably, the Company relies on third-party manufacturers to produce its product candidates. The manufacturing of the active pharmaceutical ingredient of NB1111 is conducted in the United States. Formulation of the eye drop for testing is also performed in the United States but can rely on regulatory-accepted excipients that can be sourced from countries outside the United States, such as China. In lieu of the recent pandemic of a COVID-19, there could possibly be an impact on sourcing materials that are part of the eye drop formulation, as well as impacting volunteer and/or patient recruitment in Australia for clinical studies. Therefore, the Company has shifted its first-in-human studies of NB1111 from the second half of 2020, to the 2021 timeframe.

After considering the plans to alleviate substantial doubt, management has concluded that there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

In the opinion of management, the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared on a consistent basis with the Company’s Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, and include all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary to fairly state the information set forth herein. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and therefore, omit certain information and footnote disclosure necessary to present the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”).

The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2020 or any future periods. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2019 was derived from the Company’s audited financial statements as of December 31, 2019, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 20, 2020. The unaudited financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, which includes a broader discussion of the Company’s business and the risks inherent therein.

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current period’s presentation. Such reclassifications had no net effect on total assets, total liabilities, total stockholders’ equity, net losses and cash flows.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant accounting estimates inherent in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements include estimates as to the appropriate carrying value of certain assets and liabilities, which are not readily apparent from other sources. Such estimates and judgments are utilized for stock-based compensation expense, equity securities, derivative liabilities, and debt with embedded features.

Risks and Uncertainties

The Company’s operations are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, changes in the general economy, the size and growth of the potential markets for any of the Company’s product candidates, results of research and development activities, uncertainties surrounding regulatory developments in the United States and Australia, and the Company’s ability to attract new funding.

Fair Value Measurements

Certain assets and liabilities are carried at fair value under GAAP. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (the “exit price”) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. A fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable, and the last is considered unobservable, is used to measure fair value:

The carrying values of the Company’s financial instruments, with the exception of the Credit Agreement and derivative liabilities, including, cash, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, and other current liabilities approximate their fair value due to the short maturities of these financial instruments. The derivative liabilities are valued on a recurring basis utilizing Level 3 inputs.

Advances under the Credit Agreement are not recorded at fair value. However, fair value can be approximated and disclosed utilizing Level 3 inputs and independent third-party valuation techniques (See Note 3). As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of the advances under the Credit Agreement was $1,639,245 and $1,877,938, respectively. The carrying amount of the liability at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, was $517,780 and $387,070, respectively, and is included in Convertible multi-draw credit agreement - related party, net of discount in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Convertible Instruments

The Company accounts for hybrid contracts with embedded conversion features in accordance with GAAP. ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging Activities (“ASC 815”) requires companies to bifurcate conversion options from their host instruments and account for them as free-standing derivative financial instruments according to certain criteria. The criteria includes circumstances in which (a) the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative instrument are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract, (b) the hybrid instrument that embodies both the embedded derivative instrument and the host contract is not re-measured at fair value under otherwise applicable generally accepted accounting principles with changes in fair value reported in earnings as they occur and (c) a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative instrument would be considered a derivative instrument.

The Company accounts for convertible debt instruments with embedded conversion features in accordance with ASC 470-20, Debt with Conversion and Other Options (“ASC 470-20”) if it is determined that the conversion feature should not be bifurcated from their host instruments. Under ASC 470-20, the Company records, when necessary, discounts to convertible notes for the intrinsic value of conversion options embedded in debt instruments based upon the difference between the fair value of the underlying common stock at the commitment date and the embedded effective conversion price. When the Company determines that the embedded conversion option should be bifurcated from its host instrument, the embedded feature is accounted for in accordance with ASC 815. Under ASC 815, a portion of the proceeds received upon the issuance of the hybrid contract is allocated to the fair value of the derivative. The derivative is subsequently marked to market at each reporting date based on current fair value, with the changes in fair value reported in the results of operations.

The Company also follows ASC 480-10, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480-10”) when evaluating the accounting for its hybrid instruments. A financial instrument that embodies an unconditional obligation, or a financial instrument other than an outstanding share that embodies a conditional obligation, that the issuer must or may settle by issuing a variable number of its equity shares shall be classified as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances) if, at inception, the monetary value of the obligation is based solely or predominantly on any one of the following: (a) a fixed monetary amount known at inception (for example, a payable settled with a variable number of the issuer’s equity shares); (b) variations in something other than the fair value of the issuer’s equity shares (for example, a financial instrument indexed to the Standard and Poor’s S&P 500 Index and settled with a variable number of the issuer’s equity shares); or (c) variations inversely related to changes in the fair value of the issuer’s equity shares (for example, a written put option that could be net share settled). Hybrid instruments meeting these criteria are not further evaluated for any embedded derivatives and are carried as a liability at fair value at each balance sheet date with a re-measurement reported in other expense (income) in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.

When determining the short-term vs. long-term classification of derivative liabilities, the Company first evaluates the instruments’ exercise provisions. Generally, if a derivative is a liability and exercisable within one year, it will be classified as short-term. However, because of the unique provisions and circumstances that may impact the accounting for derivative instruments, the Company carefully evaluates all factors that could potentially restrict the instrument from being exercised or create a situation where exercise would be considered remote. The Company re-evaluates its derivative liabilities at each reporting period end and makes updates for any changes in facts and circumstances that may impact classification.

Warrants Issued in Connection with Financings

The Company generally accounts for warrants issued in connection with debt and equity financings as a component of equity, unless the warrants include a conditional obligation to issue a variable number of shares or there is a deemed possibility that the Company may need to settle the warrants in cash. For warrants issued with a conditional obligation to issue a variable number of shares or the deemed possibility of a cash settlement, the Company records the fair value of the warrants as a liability at each balance sheet date and records changes in fair value in other expense (income) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.

Debt Issuance Costs and Interest

Discounts related to bifurcated derivatives, freestanding instruments issued in bundled transactions, and issuance costs are recorded as a reduction to the carrying value of the debt and amortized over the life of the debt using the effective interest method. The Company makes changes to the effective interest rate, as necessary, on a prospective basis. For debt facilities that provide for multiple advances, the Company initially defers any issuance costs until the first advance is made and then amortizes the costs over the life of the facility.

Research and Development Expenses and Licensed Technology

Research and development costs are expensed when incurred. These costs may consist of external research and development expenses incurred under agreements with third-party contract research organizations and investigative sites, third-party manufacturing organizations and consultants; license fees; employee-related expenses, which include salaries and benefits for the personnel involved in the Company’s preclinical and clinical drug development activities; facilities expense, depreciation and other allocated expenses; and equipment and laboratory supplies.

Costs incurred for the rights to use licensed technologies in the research and development process, including licensing fees and milestone payments, are charged to research and development expense as incurred in situations where the Company has not identified an alternative future use for the acquired rights, and are capitalized in situations where there is an identified alternative future use. No cost associated with the use of licensed technologies has been capitalized to date.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

Stock-based compensation expense is estimated at the grant date based on the fair value of the award, and the cost is recognized as expense ratably over the vesting period with forfeitures accounted for as they occur. The Company uses the Black-Scholes Merton option pricing model for estimating the grant date fair value of stock options using the following assumptions:

Net Income (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock

The Company applies FASB ASC No. 260, Earnings per Share in calculating its basic and diluted net income (loss) per share. Basic net income (loss) per share of common stock is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. The diluted net loss per share of common stock is computed by giving effect to all potential common stock equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury stock method. For purposes of this calculation, options to purchase common stock, restricted stock subject to vesting, warrants to purchase common stock and common shares underlying convertible debt instruments are considered to be common stock equivalents. The following outstanding shares of common stock equivalents were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share of common stock for the periods presented because including them would have been anti-dilutive:

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12 Income Taxes (Topic 740) simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The Board issued this update as part of its Simplification Initiative to improve areas of GAAP and reduce cost and complexity while maintaining usefulness of the financial statements. The main provisions remove certain exceptions, including the exception to the general methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period when a year-to-date loss exceeds the anticipated loss for the year. In addition, the amendments simplify income tax accounting in the areas such as income-based franchise taxes, eliminating the requirements to allocate consolidated current and deferred tax expense in certain instances and a requirement that an entity reflects the effect of enacted changes in tax laws or rates in the annual effective tax rate computation in the interim period that includes the enactment date. For public companies, the standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods therein, with early adoption permitted. The Company plans to adopt this ASU on the effective date of January 1, 2021. However, it may adopt the update earlier if circumstances arise making early adoption favorable to the Company. The amendments in the update related to foreign subsidiaries will be applied on a modified retrospective basis, the amendments to franchise taxes will be applied on either a retrospective or modified retrospective basis and all other amendments will be applied on a prospective basis. The Company is still evaluating the impact from adopting this standard. However, because the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are fully reserved, it does not expect a material impact from the adoption of this standard.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-08 Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808) intended to improve financial reporting around collaborative arrangements and align the current guidance under ASC 808 with ASC 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The ASU affects all companies that enter into collaborative arrangements. The ASU clarifies when certain transactions between collaborative arrangement participants should be accounted for as revenue under Topic 606 and changes certain presentation requirements for transactions with collaborative arrangement participants that are not directly related to sales to third parties. The Company has adopted this ASU on the effective date of January 1, 2020. Upon adoption, the Company utilized the retrospective transition approach, as prescribed within this ASU, however, the Company does not currently have any collaborative arrangements as such, there was no impact to its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements from adoption.

3. Warrants and Derivative Liabilities

Warrants

There are significant judgments and estimates inherent in the determination of the fair value of the Company’s warrants. These judgments and estimates include assumptions regarding the Company’s future operating performance, the time to completing a liquidity event and the determination of the appropriate valuation methods. If the Company had made different assumptions, the fair value of the warrants could have been significantly different (See Note 2).

Warrants vested and outstanding as of March 31, 2020 are summarized as follows:

Emerald Multi-Draw Credit Agreement Warrants

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company issued 5,000,000 fully vested common stock warrants to Emerald Health Sciences, in conjunction with advances under the Credit Agreement discussed below (See Note 4). The warrants are equity classified at issuance and the Company allocated an aggregate of $716,110 of the gross proceeds to the warrants on a relative fair value basis. The proceeds allocated to the warrants were recorded as discounts to each advance and are being amortized over the term of the debt. The warrants vested immediately and had an estimated aggregate fair value of $1,830,573 utilizing the Black-Scholes Merton option pricing model with the following assumptions:

Derivative Liabilities

The following tables summarize the activity of derivative liabilities for the periods indicated:

Emerald Multi-Draw Credit Agreement Compound Derivative Liability (1)

In connection with the advances under the Credit Agreement (See Note 4), the Company bifurcated a compound derivative liability related to a contingent interest feature and acceleration upon default provision (contingent put option) provided to Emerald Health Sciences. The Company’s estimate of fair value of the compound derivative liability was determined by using a differential cash flows valuation model, wherein the fair value of the underlying debt facility and its conversion right are estimated both with and without the presence of the contingent interest feature, holding all other assumptions constant. The resulting difference between the estimated fair values in both scenarios is the estimated fair value of the compound derivative. The fair value of the underlying debt facility is estimated by calculating the expected cash flows with consideration of the estimated probability of a change in control transaction, defined as an event of default by the agreement, and applying the expected default interest rate from the date of such default through maturity. The expected cash flows are then discounted back to the reporting date using a benchmark market yield. The conversion right component of the compound derivative is measured using a standard Black-Scholes model for each payment period. Because Emerald Health Sciences would forgo the contingent interest if the contingent put option was exercised upon an event of default, the value ascribed to the contingent put option within the compound derivative is de minimis.

In determining the fair value of the debt and contingent interest feature the Company used the following assumptions at the balance sheet date:

Emerald Financing Warrant Liability (2)

In January and February 2018, the Company issued 44,200,000 warrants to purchase common stock in conjunction with the Emerald Financing. The warrants vest immediately and have an exercise price of $0.10 per share with a term of five years and are exercisable in cash or through a cashless exercise provision. The warrants contain an anti-dilution protection feature provided to the investors if the Company subsequently issues or sells any shares of common stock, stock options, or convertible securities at a price less than the exercise price of $0.10. The exercise price is automatically adjusted down to the price of the instrument being issued. In addition, the warrants contain a contingent put option if the Company undergoes a subsequent financing that results in a change in control. The warrant holders also have the right to participate in subsequent financing transactions on an as-if converted basis.

In December 2019, Emerald Health Sciences paid the aggregate exercise price of $4,080,000 in the form of a reduction of the corresponding amount of obligations outstanding under the Credit Agreement to exercise 40,800,000 Emerald Financing Warrants. Under the Warrant Exercise Agreement between the Company and Emerald Health Sciences, the proceeds from the warrants were first applied directly to the accrued interest balance at the exercise date with the remainder applied to the oldest outstanding principal balances under the Credit Agreement. Immediately prior to exercise, the warrants were adjusted to fair value which considered the closing trading price on the exercise date (See Note 4).

The Company reviewed the warrants for liability or equity classification under the guidance of ASC 480-10, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, and concluded that the warrants should be classified as a liability and re-measured to fair value at the end of each reporting period. The Company also reviewed the warrants under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging/Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity, and determined that the warrants also meet the definition of a derivative. With the assistance of a third-party valuation specialist, the Company valued the warrant liabilities utilizing the Monte Carlo valuation method pursuant to the accounting guidance of ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements.

The warrant liabilities were valued using Monte Carlo simulations conducted at the balance sheet dates using the following assumptions:

Series B Warrant Liability (3)

In conjunction with the Redeemable Convertible Series B Preferred Stock financing, the Company issued the 2015 Series B Financing Warrants originally exercisable at a price of $1.15 per share. The warrants are exercisable in cash or through a cashless exercise provision and contain certain cash redemption rights. The Series B warrants also had a “down-round” protection feature if the Company subsequently issued or sold any shares of common stock, stock options, or convertible securities at a price less than the current exercise price. The down round provision was triggered and automatically adjusted down to $0.10 on December 28, 2017, after the Company entered into the Convertible Promissory Note (See Note 4) and again to $0.00 on January 19, 2018, as a result of the Emerald Financing. The strike price for these warrants is now permanently reset. However, because the remaining warrant holders still have certain cash redemption rights upon the occurrence of certain fundamental transactions, as defined in the Series B warrant agreements, the warrants continue to require liability classification. Subsequent to the repricing that occurred as a result of the Emerald Financing, the warrants have been valued using a Black Scholes Merton Option Pricing Model.

To compute the fair value of the warrants, the Company utilized the following assumptions in the Black Scholes Merton Option Pricing Model for the periods indicated:

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, 312,500 Series B Common Stock Warrants with an intrinsic value of $26,563 were exercised for no consideration per share, which resulted in the issuance of 312,500 shares of common stock. Prior to exercise, these Series B Warrants were adjusted to fair value using a Black Scholes Merton Option Pricing Model which considered the closing trading price on the exercise dates. Because the exercise price of these options had been reset to $0.00, the fair value derived from the valuation model approximated the market value of the Company’s common stock on the exercise dates.

4. Convertible Debt - Related Party

The Company’s Convertible Debt with Emerald Health Sciences consists of the following:

The Company’s interest expense consists of the following:

Multi-Draw Credit Agreement

On October 5, 2018, the Company entered into the Credit Agreement with Emerald Health Sciences, a related party (See Note 7). The Credit Agreement provides for a credit facility to the Company of up to $20,000,000 and is unsecured. Advances under the Credit Agreement bear interest at an annual rate of 7% (payable quarterly in arrears) and mature on October 5, 2022. At Emerald Health Sciences’ election, advances and unpaid interest may be converted into common stock at a fixed conversion price of $0.40, subject to customary adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations, etc. As of March 31, 2020, the unused portion of the credit facility is $14,000,000. The drawdowns are subject to approval by the Company’s Board, which is controlled by the directors of Emerald Health Sciences. As such, we do not consider the facility available until advance requests are approved, drawn down and funded. The Credit Agreement is still in place, however, there is no guarantee of continued funding.

The Credit Agreement provides for customary events of default which may result in the acceleration of the maturity of the advances in addition to, but not limited to, cross acceleration to certain other indebtedness of the Company or a change in control. In the case of an event of default arising from specified events of bankruptcy or insolvency or reorganization, all outstanding advances will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other event of default under the Credit Agreement occurs or is continuing, Emerald Health Sciences may, by written notice, terminate its commitment to make any advances and/or declare all the advances with any other amounts payable due immediately. If any amount under the Credit Agreement is not paid when due, such overdue amount shall bear interest at an annual default interest rate of the applicable rate plus 10%, until such amount is paid in full.

In connection with each advance under the Credit Agreement, the Company agreed to issue to Emerald Health Sciences warrants to purchase shares of common stock in an amount equal to 50% of the number of shares of common stock that each advance may be converted into. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.50 per share, a term of five years and are immediately exercisable upon issuance. The exercise price is subject to adjustment in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events or upon any distributions of assets, including cash, stock or other property to the Company’s stockholders (See Note 3).

In accounting for each convertible advance and the warrants issued under the Credit Agreement, the Company allocates the proceeds between the debt host and the freestanding warrants on a relative fair value basis for each advance. On the date of each advance, if the effective conversion rate of the debt is less than the market value of the Company’s common stock, the Company records a beneficial conversion feature as a discount to the debt and an increase to additional paid-in capital. The debt discounts related to the warrants, beneficial conversion features and compound derivatives, if any, are being amortized over the term of the Credit Agreement using the effective interest rate method. Amortization of the debt discount is recognized as non-cash interest expense and the compound derivatives related to the contingent interest feature and acceleration upon default provision are remeasured at fair value in subsequent periods in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

On November 1, 2018, the initial advance under Credit Agreement was made for $2,000,000 and the Company issued 2,500,000 warrants (See Note 3). In accounting for the convertible advances and warrants under the Credit Agreement, $1,684,920 of the proceeds was allocated to the debt and $315,080 was allocated to equity classified warrants. A beneficial conversion feature of $90,080 and a compound derivative liability of $204,102 were also recorded.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company initiated two advances under Credit Agreement, each in the amount of $2,000,000, for an aggregate principal amount of $4,000,000, and the Company issued an aggregate of 5,000,000 warrants to Emerald Health Sciences (See Note 3). In accounting for the convertible advances and warrants issued under the Credit Agreement, an aggregate amount of $3,283,890 was allocated to the debt and $716,110 was allocated to equity classified warrants. A beneficial conversion feature of $1,584,850 and compound derivative liabilities of an aggregate of $516,058 have been recorded (See Note 3). Of the $516,058 in compound derivatives, $322,644 was recorded as other expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as the value of the beneficial conversion feature exceeded the proceeds allocated to the third draw.

Aggregate financing costs of $63,007 incurred in connection with the Credit Agreement have been recorded as a discount to the debt host and are being amortized using the effective interest rate method and recognized as non-cash interest expense over the term of the Credit Agreement.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company used $3,985,500 in proceeds from the exercise of the 2018 Emerald Financing Warrants to prepay a portion of the principal balance on the Credit Agreement. In connection with the prepayment, the Company recorded an extinguishment loss of $725,425 in the fourth quarter of 2019. The extinguishment loss was calculated as the difference between the fair value of the consideration paid to extinguish the debt and carrying value of the debt host plus the related compound derivative liability.

As of March 31, 2020, the unamortized debt discount will be amortized over a remaining period of approximately 2.52 years. The fair value of the underlying shares of the convertible multi draw credit agreement was $377,719 at March 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2020, the if-converted value did not exceed the principal balance.

5. Stock-Based Compensation

Stock Incentive Plan

On October 31, 2014, after the closing of the Merger, the Board approved the Company’s 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”). The 2014 Plan initially reserved 3,200,000 shares for future grants. In October 2018, the Company increased the share reserve under the 2014 Plan to equal 10% of the number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company. The 2014 Plan authorizes the issuance of awards including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, stock units and performance units to employees, directors, and consultants of the Company. As of March 31, 2020, the Company had 13,159,631 shares available for future grant under the 2014 Plan.

Stock Options

There was no option activity under the Company’s 2014 Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Restricted Stock Awards

There was no restricted stock award (“RSA”) activity under the Company’s 2014 Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Awards Granted Outside the 2014 Plan

Options

There was no option activity outside of the 2014 Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2020. 

Restricted Stock Awards

The following is a summary of RSA activity outside of the Company’s 2014 Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2020:

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The Company recognizes compensation expense using the straight-line method over the requisite service period. For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $64,142 and $171,493, respectively (including compensation expense for RSAs discussed above), which was recorded as a general and administrative expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. The total amount of unrecognized compensation cost was $248,264 as of March 31, 2020. This amount will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.74 years.

6. Significant Contracts - University of Mississippi

UM 5050 Pro-Drug and UM 8930 Analog Agreements

In July 2018, the Company renewed its ocular licenses for UM 5050, related to the pro-drug formulation of tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”), and UM 8930, related to an analog formulation of cannabidiol (“CBD”). On May 24, 2019, the ocular delivery licenses were replaced by “all fields of use” licenses for both UM 5050 and UM 8930 (collectively, the “License Agreements”). Pursuant to the License Agreements, UM granted the Company an exclusive, perpetual license, including, with the prior written consent of UM, the right to sublicense, to intellectual property related to UM 5050 and UM 8930 for all fields of use.

The License Agreements contain certain milestone payments, royalty and sublicensing fees payable by the Company, as defined therein. Each License Agreement provides for an annual maintenance fee of $75,000 payable on the anniversary of the effective date. The upfront payment for UM 5050 is $100,000 and the upfront payment for UM 8930 is $200,000. In addition, in March 2020, the Company was notified by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, that a notice of allowance was issued for the proprietary analog of cannabidiol, CBDVHS, under the UM 8930 License Agreement. As a result, the Company was required to pay UM a fee of $200,000. The milestone payments payable for each license are as follows:

The royalty percentage due on net sales under each License Agreement is in the mid-single digits. The Company must also pay to UM a portion of all licensing fees received from any sublicensees, subject to a minimum royalty on net sales, and the Company is required to reimburse patent costs incurred by UM related to the licensed products. The royalty obligations apply by country and by licensed product, and end upon the later of the date that no valid claim of a licensed patent covers a licensed product in a given country, or ten years after the first commercial sale of such licensed product in such country.

Each License Agreement continues, unless terminated, until the later of the expiration of the last to expire of the patents or patent applications within the licensed technology or the expiration of the Company’s payment obligations under such License Agreement. UM may terminate each License Agreement, by giving written notice of termination, upon the Company’s material breach of such License Agreement, including failure to make payments or satisfy covenants, representations or warranties without cure, noncompliance, a bankruptcy event, the Company’s dissolution or cessation of operations, the Company’s failure to make reasonable efforts to commercialize at least one product or failure to keep at least one product on the market after the first commercial sale for a continuous period of one year, other than for reasons outside the Company’s control, or the Company’s failure to meet certain pre-established development milestones. The Company may terminate each License Agreement upon 60 days’ written notice to UM.

As of March 31, 2020, with the exception of the fee due for the notice of allowance for CBDVHS, none of the other milestones under these license agreements have been met.

UM 5070 License Agreement

In January 2017, the Company entered into a license agreement with UM pursuant to which UM granted us an exclusive, perpetual license, including the right to sublicense, to intellectual property related to a platform of cannabinoid-based molecules (“UM 5070”), to research, develop and commercialize products for the treatment of infectious diseases. The license agreement culminates roughly one year of screening and target molecule identification studies especially focused on therapy-resistant infectious organisms like Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (“MRSA”).

The Company paid UM an upfront license fee under the license agreement. Under the license agreement, the Company is also responsible for annual maintenance fees that will be credited against royalties in the current fiscal year, contingent milestone payments upon achievement of development and regulatory milestones, and royalties on net sales of licensed products sold for commercial use. The aggregate milestone payments due under the license agreement if all the milestones are achieved is $700,000 and the royalty percentage due on net sales is in the mid-single digits. The Company must also pay to UM a percentage of all licensing fees we receive from any sublicensees, subject to a minimum royalty on net sales by such sublicensees. The Company’s royalty obligations apply on a country by country and licensed product by licensed product basis, and end upon the later of the date that no valid claim of a licensed patent covers a licensed product in a given country, or ten years after first commercial sale of such licensed product in such country.

The license agreement continues, unless terminated, until the later of the expiration of the last to expire of the patents or patent applications within the licensed technology or expiration of the Company’s payment obligations under the license. UM may terminate the license agreement, effective with the giving of notice, if: (a) the Company fails to pay any material amount payable to UM under the license agreement and do not cure such failure within 60 days after UM notifies us of such failure, (b) the Company materially breaches any covenant, representation or warranty in the license agreement and do not cure such breach within 60 days after UM notifies the Company of such breach, (c) the Company fails to comply in any material respect with the terms of the license and do not cure such noncompliance within 60 days after UM notifies us of such failure, (d) the Company is subject to a bankruptcy event, (e) the Company dissolves or ceases operations or (f) if after the first commercial sale of a product during the term of the license agreement, the Company materially fails to make reasonable efforts to commercialize at least one product or fail to keep at least one product on the market after the first commercial sale for a continuous period of one year, other than for reasons outside of the Company’s control. The Company may terminate the license agreement upon 60 days’ written notice to UM.

As of March 31, 2020, none of the milestones under this license agreement have been met.

7. Related Party Matters

Emerald Health Sciences

On February 1, 2018, the Company entered into an Independent Contractor Agreement with Emerald Health Sciences, pursuant to which Emerald Health Sciences agreed to provide such services as are mutually agreed between the Company and Emerald Health Sciences, including reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of the Independent Contractor Agreement. These services included, but were not limited to, corporate advisory services and technical expertise in the areas of business development, marketing, investor relations, information technology and product development. The Independent Contractor Agreement had an initial term of 10 years and specified compensation which was agreed upon between the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Emerald Health Sciences’ Chairman, CEO and President on a month-to-month basis. The fee due under this agreement was payable on a monthly basis. Effective December 31, 2019, the Independent Contractor Agreement was terminated. As of March 31, 2020, the Company maintains an accrual of $7,032 in expenses under the Independent Contractor Agreement which have yet to be paid. Under this agreement, no expenses were incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2020. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company incurred expenses of $150,000.

On December 17, 2019, Dr. Avtar Dhillon resigned as the Chairman of the Board and the position of Chairman of the Finance and Business Development Committee of the Board. Concurrently, the Company entered into a Board Observer Agreement with Emerald Health Sciences to allow Dr. Dhillon to continue as a representative of Emerald Health Sciences as a non-voting observer in future meetings of the Board.

On December 19, 2019, the Company entered into an Independent Contractor Services Agreement with Dr. Avtar Dhillon, pursuant to which Dr. Dhillon will provide ongoing corporate finance and strategic business advisory services to the Company. In exchange for his services, Dr. Dhillon will receive a monthly fee of $10,000, with (i) $5,000 paid each month and (ii) $5,000 accruing from the effective date and payable upon the Company’s completion of a material financing. The Board will review the monthly rate paid to Dr. Dhillon within 90 days of the end of each fiscal year. The Independent Contractor Services Agreement has an initial term of one year and will renew automatically thereafter unless terminated earlier by either party. The Independent Contractor Services Agreement may be terminated by either party for cause upon written notice to the other party if the other party defaults in the performance of the agreement in any material respect or materially breaches the terms of the agreement, or without cause upon 30 days’ prior written notice to the other party. On March 30, 2020, the Company and Dr. Dhillon amended the Independent Contractor Services Agreement by agreeing to accrue 100% of Dr. Dhillon’s consulting fees until the Board of Directors determines that the Company has been sufficiently financed to make such payments at which point the Company agrees to pay Dr. Dhillon all of his accrued consulting fees, and a bonus of 10% of his accrued consulting fees, less applicable tax and other withholdings. As of March 31, 2020, the Company has accrued $33,871 in expense related to the Independent Contractor Services Agreement.

8. Subsequent Events

Amended and Restated Multi-Draw Credit Agreement

On April 29, 2020, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Multi-Draw Credit Agreement with Emerald Health Sciences, which amends and restates the Credit Agreement, dated October 5, 2018. The Amended Credit Agreement provides for a credit facility in the principal amount of up to $20,000,000, which includes, without limitation, the advances totaling $6,000,000 that were granted prior to the amendment and advances of at least $150,000 for each of May, June and July 2020.

In connection with each advance under the Amended Credit Agreement, the Company shall, absent the Lender’s notice not to issue any warrant, continue to issue to Emerald Health Sciences, a warrant to purchase up to the number of shares of the Common Stock of the Company equal to the dollar amount of such advance divided by 0.50. However, warrants issued under the Amended Credit Agreement will have an exercise price of $0.35 per share of Common Stock. Warrants issued prior to the date of the Amended Credit Agreement shall not be modified, amended or altered by the terms of the Amended Credit Agreement and shall remain in full force and effect.

Emerald Health Science will, in its sole discretion, at the time of an advance, determine as to whether such advance will or will not be convertible into shares of Common Stock in the future. Advances under the Amended Credit Agreement are convertible into shares of Common Stock at a reduced fixed conversion price of $0.25 per share of Common Stock. However, the conversion price of all advances outstanding under the Credit Agreement as of the date of the Amended Credit Agreement shall be deemed convertible by the Lender at a conversion price of $0.40 per share of Common Stock as set forth in the Existing Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to the Amended Credit Agreement, the Company and the Lender have agreed to terminate that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 5, 2018, by and between the Company and the Lender, and the Lender has agreed to defer all interest accrued and/or due under the Amended Credit Agreement, beginning the quarter ended June 30, 2020, until the Company completes a capital raise of at least $5,000,000. All other material terms of the Credit Agreement, including, without limitation, the maturity date and interest rate, remain the same in the Amended Credit Agreement.

Immediately upon entering into the Amended Credit Agreement, the Company effected a fourth advance in the amount of $150,000. The advance bears an interest at 7% per annum and matures on October 5, 2022. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the advance for general corporate and working capital purposes. The Lender has elected that the fourth advance will not be convertible into shares of Common Stock and gave notice to the Company that no warrant will be issued in connection with the advance at this time.

Paycheck Protection Program Promissory Note

On April 22, 2020, the Company entered into a PPP Note in the principal amount of $116,700 from the PPP Loan Lender. The PPP Loan was obtained pursuant to the PPP of the CARES Act administered by the SBA.

The PPP Loan was disbursed by the PPP Loan Lender to the Company on April 24, 2020 and will mature two years from the Disbursement Date. The PPP Loan bears an interest at 1.00% per annum and is payable monthly commencing seven months from the Disbursement Date. The PPP Loan may be prepaid at any time prior to maturity with no prepayment penalties. Funds from the PPP Loan may only be used by the Company for payroll costs, costs for continuing group healthcare benefits, mortgage interest payments, rent, utility and interest on any other debt obligations that were incurred before February 15, 2020.

All or a portion of principal of the PPP Loan may be forgiven by the SBA and the PPP Loan Lender upon application by the Company within 60 days but not later than 120 days after loan approval and upon documentation of expenditures in accordance with the SBA requirements. Under the CARES Act, loan forgiveness is available for the sum of documented payroll costs, covered rent payments, and covered utilities during the eight-week period commencing on the date of loan approval. For purposes of the CARES Act, payroll costs exclude compensation of an individual employee in excess of $100,000, prorated annually. Not more than 25% of the forgiveness amount may be for non-payroll costs. Forgiveness is reduced if full-time headcount declines, or if salaries and wages of employees with salaries of $100,000 or less annually are reduced by more than 25%. After approval of the forgiveness amount and six month deferral period, the PPP Loan Lender will provide the Company with written notification of re-amortization of the PPP Loan and the remaining balance.

Separation of Chief Financial Officer

On April 29, 2020, the Company entered into a separation and release agreement (the “Separation Agreement”) with Douglas Cesario, Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Cesario’s separation will be effective May 15, 2020 (the “Separation Date”), and he will remain the Company’s principal financial officer until the Separation Date.

Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, Mr. Cesario has agreed to certain ongoing cooperation obligations and to provide certain releases and waivers as contained in the Separation Agreement. As consideration under the Separation Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide Mr. Cesario compensation and benefits as follows: (i) through the Separation Date, an annualized base salary at the rate in effect for him as of the date of the Separation Agreement; (ii) a gross payment of $125,000 in consideration for the restrictive covenants contained in the Separation Agreement; and (iii) a continuation of health insurance benefits for a period of six months following the Separation Date.

 In connection with the termination of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer 325,929 unvested stock options will be cancelled on May 15, 2020.

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

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 (unaudited) and the year ended December 31, 2019 together with the notes thereto. In addition to historical information, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited, to those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Unless otherwise provided in this Quarterly Report, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” ”the Company,” and “Emerald Bioscience” in this discussion and analysis refer to Emerald Bioscience, Inc., a Nevada corporation formerly known as Nemus Bioscience, Inc. and Load Guard Logistics, Inc., together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Nemus, a California corporation, and EMBI Australia Pty Ltd., an Australian proprietary limited company.

Overview

We are a biopharmaceutical company targeting the discovery, development, and commercialization of cannabinoid-based therapeutics, through a number of license agreements with the University of Mississippi (“UM”). UM holds the only contract to cultivate cannabis for research purposes on behalf of the Federal Government of the United States and has held that federal license since 1968, and it has significant expertise in cannabis cultivation and the extraction, separation, processing and manufacture of cannabis extracts as well as the chemistry and physiology of cannabinoid molecules. We strive to serve as UM’s partner for the development and commercialization of cannabinoid-based therapeutics, and the realization of this partnership will depend on the successful development of these compounds through the regulatory requirements of drug approval agencies, like the Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) in the United States and the European Medicines Agency in the European Union.

Effective March 25, 2019, we changed our name from Nemus Bioscience, Inc. to Emerald Bioscience, Inc.

In August 2019, we formed a new subsidiary in Australia, EMBI Australia Pty Ltd, in order to qualify for the Australian government’s research and development tax credit for research and development dollars spent in Australia. The primary purpose of EMBI Australia is to conduct clinical trials for our product candidates.

Recent Events and Significant Contracts.

Expansion of UM 5050 and UM 8930 Licenses from Ocular Delivery Only to All Fields of Use

On May 24, 2019, we executed two restated and amended license agreements with UM which expanded our use of UM 5050, a pro-drug of tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”), and UM 8930, an analog of cannabidiol (“CBD”), from ocular delivery only to all fields of use. Pursuant to these license agreements, we have exclusive, perpetual, worldwide licenses related to UM 5050 and UM 8930. Additionally, with the prior written consent of UM, we have the right to sublicense the licensed intellectual property.

The all fields use for tetrahydrocannabinol-valine-hemisuccinate (“THCVHS”), the proprietary prodrug of THC, is expected to allow us to explore related uses for the active moiety of the prodrug, namely THC. Independent in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the potential use of THC in a variety of potential indications based on the ability of the cannabinoid to act as an anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and/or inhibitor of neovascularization. The Company has generated data related to these effects using an ex vivo human tissue model of the eye. The prodrug technology employed in THCVHS is designed to enhance the bioavailability and pharmacokinetic predictability of the active part of the molecule, once introduced into the body through routes of administration currently being considered by the development team. Given the positive data accumulated to date in studies of the eye, we could explore additional central nervous system applications for THCVHS. We expect to develop strategic collaborations to identify and advance these applications.

The all fields use of cannabidiol-valine-hemisuccinate (“CBDVHS”), the analog of CBD, is expected to permit us to expand research and development into organ systems outside of the current ocular space. Potential disease targets over time could involve the central nervous system, the gastrointestinal tract, the endocrine/metabolic system, reproductive system diseases, or as yet unrecognized opportunities. This bioengineered version of CBD is expected to enlarge the disease target pool by virtue of new routes of administration into the body, thereby enhancing bioavailability. The determination by the DEA that CBDVHS is not a controlled substance permits us to enlarge the potential pool of clinical test sites and a more diverse patient pool in the study of disease. We expect to develop strategic collaborations to identify and advance these applications.

NB1111

NB1111, our lead ocular compound, is a prodrug of THC. We have delayed our first-in-human studies of NB1111, from the second-half of 2020, to the 2021 timeframe. The first-in-human studies are expected to be conducted in both normal controls and patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension in Australia (the “Clinical Trial”). The manufacturing of the active pharmaceutical ingredient of NB1111 is conducted in the United States. Formulation of the eye drop for testing is also performed in the United States but can rely on regulatory-accepted excipients that can be sourced from countries outside the United States, such as China. In lieu of the recent pandemic of COVID-19 there could possibly be an impact on sourcing materials that are part of the eye drop formulation, as well as impacting volunteer and/or patient recruitment in Australia for clinical studies.

During 2019 and the three months ended March 31, 2020, we achieved various milestones related to the research and development of NB1111, including the following:

NB2222

NB2222 is the ocular formulation of our proprietary CBD analog. We have embarked on studies with UM exploring the utility of our drug candidate NB2222 as an eye drop nanoemulsion for the potential treatment and management of several eye diseases, including but not limited to, uveitis, dry eye syndrome, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

In July 2019, we engaged Glauconix to conduct research as to whether CBD or CBDVHS is associated with an increase in IOP and, if so, what the potential mechanism of action would be by exposing the 3D-human trabecular meshwork tissue constructs to these molecules. In December 2019, we announced that data generated by Glauconix Biosciences, Inc. showed significant anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic activity in ocular tissue with CBDVHS when compared to CBD, indicating therapeutic potential as a neuroprotectant, especially in diseases of the retina. Additionally, CBD was associated with biomarkers related to the elevation of IOP while CBDVHS was not associated with elevating IOP at anti-fibrotic concentrations.

In the second quarter of 2019, UM also completed pre-clinical experiments showing that NB2222 exhibited an ability to penetrate multiple chambers of the eye and reach the optic nerve. These findings support the therapeutic potential to provide ocular neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells, an important goal in treating diseases that lead to vision loss. The data were published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics in a paper titled, “Analog Derivatization of Cannabidiol for Improved Ocular Permeation” (2019; volume 35 (5): 1-10).

In February 2019, we entered into the Noramco Agreement to provide manufacturing and product development services for our analog formulation of CBD. We paid $146,386 upfront and additional payments will be made upon Noramco’s shipping of the active pharmaceutical ingredient to us.

NB3111

NB3111 is a proprietary cannabinoid cocktail currently undergoing testing as an anti-infective agent against multiple strains of antibiotic resistant bacteria, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (“MRSA”). These studies look to examine the utility of cannabinoid-based therapies against a variety of MRSA strains and other gram-positive bacterial infections. We plan to continue to present data from these studies at an upcoming peer-reviewed scientific meeting focused on infectious diseases.

Other Development Programs

We plan to continue to work with UM to explore other potential indications and associated routes of administration based on the expanded UM5050 and UM 8930 licenses. Our decision to advance a potential therapeutic candidate will be influenced by a number of criteria, including but not limited to, pre-clinical data, synthesis and formulation capability as well as prevailing market conditions.

In July 2019, we engaged StemoniX to evaluate CBD and CBDVHS (and possibly additional CBD-derivatives) in a human in vitro neural model with an application to epilepsy. The series of experiments are designed to provide insight into how these cannabinoids stabilize neuronal cells. In November and December 2019, we also executed additional pre-clinical research agreements with StemoniX related to CBDVHS.

In December 2019, we announced data generated by StemoniX, that CBDVHS was both pharmacologically and therapeutically distinct from CBD when studied in an in vitro human neural tissue model mimicking chemically-induced seizure-like hyperactivity. Additionally, CBDVHS was observed to gain potency in anti-seizure-like activity over the seven-day observation period whereas the suppressive effect afforded by CBD dissipated by day three. In assessing safety parameters of CBDVHS, the molecule was not found to be toxic to the neurologic cells tested in multiple assays, both in acute and longer-term exposure.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section discusses our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to accrued expenses, financing operations, and contingencies and litigation. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The most significant accounting estimates inherent in the preparation of our financial statements include estimates as to the appropriate carrying value of certain assets and liabilities which are not readily apparent from other sources. We consider certain accounting policies related to fair value measurements, convertible instruments, warrants issued in connection with financings, stock-based compensation expense, and earnings per share to be critical accounting policies that require the use of significant judgments and estimates relating to matters that are inherently uncertain and may result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions.

Management assessed the critical accounting policies as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and determined that there were no changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for information on recently issued accounting pronouncements and recently adopted accounting pronouncements. While we expect certain recently adopted accounting pronouncements to impact our estimates in future periods, the impact upon adoption was not significant to our current estimates and operations.

Results of Operations

For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019

Revenues. To date, we have not generated any revenues, and do not expect to generate any revenue from the sale of products in the near future.

Operating expenses. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, our total operating expenses were $2,211,208 as compared to $1,515,067 for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase in operating expenses was due to the items noted below:

Research and development. Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 were $799,612, which consisted of expenses including salaries and benefits and consulting fees for the staff involved in our preclinical and clinical drug development activities, contract research and development fees paid to UM, fees related to contract manufacturing paid to Noramco, fees related to contract formulation work paid to PII, a $200,000 license fee incurred under the UM 8930 Analog Agreement for the receipt for the first United States Patent and Trademark Office notice of allowance and the annual license maintenance fee for UM 5070. Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were $320,986, which consisted of the annual license maintenance fee for UM 5070, contract research and development fees paid to UM and Glauconix, regulatory consulting fees paid to RRD, and fees related contract manufacturing paid to AMRI and ElSohly Laboratories. The increase in research and development expenses was primarily due to increases in license fees and contract manufacturing and formulation expenses.

General and administrative. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 were $1,411,596, which primarily consisted of salaries, stock compensation expense, general legal and patent related fees, consulting fees and professional fees related to the Company’s capital raising efforts and regulatory filings. By comparison, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were $1,194,081, which primarily consisted of the same components. General and administrative expenses increased period over period primarily due to increased legal fees, higher accounting expenses related to the Company’s increased fundraising efforts and additional investor relations fees.

Other expense (income). For the three months ended March 31, 2020, we had other expense of $130,452 related primarily to interest expense of $166,355 which was offset by a decrease in the fair value of our derivative liabilities of $35,903 which was driven by the decrease in our stock price. The additional interest expense that we recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019 was related to the amortization of the debt discount and accrued interest associated with the outstanding balance under the Credit Agreement.

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, we had other expense of $13,259,325 related primarily to the increase in fair value of our derivative liabilities which was driven by the increase in our stock price. In addition, we initiated drawdowns under the Credit Agreement which required us to bifurcate compound embedded derivatives and record an additional charge for the fair value of such instruments in excess of proceeds.

Net loss and comprehensive loss. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, we had a net loss of $2,341,660 as compared to a net loss of $14,774,392 for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The change was primarily attributable to a decrease in other expense which was partially offset by an increase in our operating expenses. We expect to incur net losses for the foreseeable future.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have incurred operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception and as of March 31, 2020, had an accumulated deficit of $34,514,942, a stockholders’ deficit of $1,702,897 and a working capital deficit of $995,853. We anticipate that we will continue to incur net losses into the foreseeable future in order to advance and develop several potential drug candidates into preclinical and clinical development activities and support our corporate infrastructure, which includes the costs associated with being a public company. We had cash of $563,864 as of March 31, 2020, as compared to $1,829,977 as of December 31, 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in financing activities during the quarter as compared to the three month period ended March 31, 2019, when the Company received $3,990,699 in net proceeds from the Credit Agreement (as defined below). Without additional funding, management believes that we will not have enough funds to meet our obligations beyond one year after the date the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are issued. These conditions give rise to substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern.

On October 5, 2018, we secured a Credit Agreement with Emerald Health Sciences (the “Credit Agreement”), providing us with a credit facility of up to $20,000,000. Under the Credit Agreement, we may draw a remaining amount of up to $14,000,000 in advances from Emerald Health Sciences from time to time, each in a principal amount of at least $250,000. The advances are subject to approval by our Board, which is controlled by the directors of Emerald Health Sciences. As such, we do not consider the facility available until advance requests are approved, drawn down and funded. As of March 31, 2020, we have effected three drawdowns under the Credit Agreement, each in the amount of $2,000,000, for an aggregate principal amount of $6,000,000 in advances, and have issued to Emerald Health Sciences warrants to purchase an aggregate of 7,500,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.50 per share. On December 20, 2019, we entered into a Warrant Exercise Agreement with Emerald Health Sciences, pursuant to which Emerald Health Sciences has exercised 40,800,000 of such warrants and paid the aggregate exercise price of approximately $4,080,000 for the related warrant shares in the form of a reduction of the corresponding amount of obligations outstanding under the Credit Agreement. Upon consummation of the transactions under the Warrant Exercise Agreement, the total outstanding principal amount excluding discounts under the Credit Agreement was $2,014,500.

On April 22, 2020, we entered into a Paycheck Protection Program Promissory Note (the “PPP Note”) in the principal amount of $116,700 (the “PPP Loan”) from City National Bank (the “PPP Loan Lender”). The PPP Loan was obtained pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”).

On April 29, 2020, we entered into an Amended and Restated Multi-Draw Credit Agreement with Emerald Health Sciences, which amends and restates the Credit Agreement, as reported in the current report on the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 29, 2020. The Amended Credit Agreement provides for a credit facility to us in the principal amount of up to $20,000,000, which includes, without limitation, the advances totaling $6,000,000 that were granted prior to the amendment and advances of at least $150,000 for each of May, June and July 2020. Immediately upon entering into of the Amended Credit Agreement, we effected a fourth drawdown in the amount of $150,000 (the “Drawdown”) pursuant to the Amended Credit Agreement. The Drawdown bears an interest at 7% per annum and matures on October 5, 2022. We intend to use the net proceeds of the Drawdown for general corporate and working capital purposes.

We intend to continue working toward identifying and obtaining new sources of financing. No assurances can be given that we will be successful in obtaining additional financing in the future. Any future financing that we may obtain may cause significant dilution to existing stockholders. Any debt financing or other financing of securities senior to common stock that we are able to obtain will likely include financial and other covenants that will restrict our flexibility. Any failure to comply with these covenants would have a negative impact on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

If adequate funds are not available, we may be required to delay, scale back or eliminate portions of our operations, cease operations or obtain funds through arrangements with strategic partners or others that may require us to relinquish rights to certain of our assets. Accordingly, the inability to obtain such financing could result in a significant loss of ownership and/or control of our assets and could also adversely affect our ability to fund our continued operations and our expansion efforts.

During the next twelve months, we expect to incur significant research and development expenses with respect to our products. The majority of our research and development activity is focused on the development of potential drug candidates, preclinical studies and preparing for clinical trials.

We also expect to incur significant legal and accounting costs in connection with being a public company. We expect those fees will be significant and will continue to impact our liquidity. Those fees will be higher as our business volume and activity increases.

We also anticipate that we will need to hire additional employees or independent contractors as we prepare to enter clinical studies.

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) emerged in Wuhan, China. Since then, it has spread to the United States and infections have been reported around the world. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, which continues to spread throughout the United States, Australia and around the world, where the Company has operations and conducts laboratory research and clinical studies. In response to the outbreak, federal and state authorities in the United States have introduced various recommendations and measures to try to limit the pandemic, including travel restrictions, border closures, nonessential business closures, quarantines, self-isolations, shelters-in-place and social distancing. The COVID-19 outbreak and the response of governmental authorities to try to limit it are having a significant impact on the private sector and individuals, including unprecedented business, employment and significant economic disruptions to the global financial markets. These disruptions could impact our ability to raise additional capital and obtain the necessary funds.

Notably, we rely on third-party manufacturers to produce our product candidates. The manufacturing of the active pharmaceutical ingredient of NB1111 is conducted in the United States. Formulation of the eye drop for testing is also performed in the United States but can rely on regulatory-accepted excipients that can be sourced from countries outside the United States, such as China. In lieu of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, there could possibly be an impact on sourcing materials that are part of the eye drop formulation, as well as impacting volunteer and/or patient recruitment in Australia for clinical studies. Therefore, we have shifted the expected start of our first-in-human studies of the lead drug candidate, NB1111, from the second half of 2020, to the 2021 timeframe.

The ultimate impact on us and overall delay in our drug product research and development is unknown, but our operations and financial condition will suffer in the event of business interruptions, delayed clinical trials, production or a lack of laboratory resources due to the pandemic. As of the date of this filing, we are aware of the impact on our business as a result of COVID-19 but uncertain as to the extent of this impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. There is uncertainty as to the duration and hence the potential impact. As a result, we are unable to estimate the potential impact on our business as of the date of this filing.

Going Concern

Our independent registered public accounting firm has issued a report on our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 that included an explanatory paragraph referring to our recurring operating losses and expressing substantial doubt in our ability to continue as a going concern. Our condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes the realization of assets and settlement of liabilities in the normal course of business. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon our ability to generate profitable operations in the future and/or to obtain the necessary financing to meet our obligations and repay our liabilities arising from normal business operations when they become due. The outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with any certainty at this time and raise substantial doubt that we will be able to continue as a going concern. Our condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to the amount and classification of assets and liabilities that may be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

There are no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

Not applicable.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. We maintain controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any control and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and in reaching a reasonable level of assurance, management necessarily is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

We conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive and financial officers, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2020. Based upon their evaluation and subject to the foregoing, the principal executive and financial officers have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level.

Changes in internal controls. Management determined there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

There have been no other material developments with respect to previously reported legal proceedings discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 includes a detailed discussion of our risk factors under the heading “Part I, Item 1A-Risk Factors.” There are no changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. You should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the other information in this report before deciding whether to invest in shares of our common stock. The occurrence of any of the risks discussed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations or growth prospects. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

None.

Item 6. Exhibits.

________

(*) Filed herewith.

SIGNATURES

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