University of Mississippi ("UM") Agreements |
6 Months Ended |
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Jun. 30, 2016 | |
University Of Mississippi Agreements [Abstract] | |
University of Mississippi ("UM") Agreements |
2. University of Mississippi ("UM") Agreements
In July 2013, the Company entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UM to engage in joint research of extracting, manipulating, and studying cannabis in certain forms to develop intellectual property (IP) with the intention to create and commercialize therapeutic medicines. Nemus will own all IP developed solely by its employees and will jointly own all IP developed jointly between Nemus and UM employees. The term of the MOU agreement is five years and the parties agree to negotiate separate research agreements upon the identification of patentable technologies as well as any deemed to be a trade secret. The agreement may be terminated by either party with three months written notice to the other party.
UM 5050 pro-drug agreements:
On September 29, 2014, the Company executed three license agreements with UM pursuant to which UM granted us exclusive, perpetual, worldwide licenses, including the right to sublicense, to intellectual property related to UM 5050, a pro-drug formulation of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC for products administered through each of ocular, oral or rectal delivery. The license agreement for the field of oral delivery also includes rights to UM 1250, a bio-adhesive hot melt extruded film for topical and mucosal adhesion application and drug delivery. The license agreements contain certain milestone and royalty payments, as defined therein. The aggregate milestone payments under the license agreements if the milestones are achieved is $2.1 million. These licenses also require the Company to reimburse UM for patent costs incurred related to these products under license. The agreements will terminate upon expiration of the patents, breach or default of the license agreements, or upon 60 days written notice by the Company to UM.
On October 15, 2014, we signed a renewable option agreement for the rights to explore other routes of delivery of UM5050 not yet agreed upon and/or in combination with other cannabinoids or other compatible compounds. There was a one-time up-front option payment of $10,000 for a six-month option period that has subsequently been renewed under the same financial terms and conditions. The most recent renewal occurred for the six month period beginning April 1, 2016 under the same financial terms and conditions.
UM 8930 pro-drug agreements:
On December 14, 2015, the Company executed two license agreements with UM pursuant to which UM granted us exclusive, perpetual, worldwide licenses, including the right to sublicense, to intellectual property related to UM 8930, a pro-drug formulation of cannabidiol ("CBD") for products administered through each of ocular or rectal delivery. The license agreements contain certain milestone and royalty payments, as defined therein. There is a one-time upfront payment of $65,000 per license agreement, payable in four equal monthly installments that started on December 15, 2015. There is an annual fee of $25,000 per license agreement, payable on the anniversary of each effective date. The aggregate milestone payments under the license agreements if the milestones are achieved is $1.4 million. These licenses also require the Company to reimburse UM for patent costs incurred related to these products under license. These license agreements will terminate upon expiration of the patents, breach or default of the license agreements, or upon 60 days written notice by the Company to UM.
On December 14, 2015, we signed a renewable option agreement for the rights to explore other routes of delivery of UM8930 not yet agreed upon and/or in combination with other cannabinoids or other compatible compounds. There was a one-time up-front option payment of $10,000 for an option period ending March 31, 2016. This option was subsequently renewed for a six month period ending September 30, 2016, under the same financial terms and conditions.
Other pro-drugs and potential formulations:
On December 19, 2015, the Company entered into a research agreement with UM to advance specialized cannabinoid derivatives of cannabidiol for the treatment of chemo-therapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). The fee payable to UM is based on the achievement of certain milestones in the project. The Company recognized $27,804 and $46,340 as research and development expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 for work completed under this contract. The agreement also grants an exclusive option to license the technology from the University within 180 days from the commencement of the agreement. However, the studies have been extended through the end of the year to better understand the pharmacokinetics of the CBD derivative relative to different routes of administration. Either party may terminate the agreement with 30 days' written notice.
On April 11, 2016, the Company entered into a research agreement with UM that examines the efficacy of cannabinoids at the genetic level of pathological organisms such as MRSA. The fee payable is based on the achievement of certain milestones in the project. The Company recognized $52,380 of research and development expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 for work completed under this contract. Testing is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2016.
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