Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Stockholders' Equity

v3.8.0.1
Stockholders' Equity
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]  
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]
Note 8 - Stockholders’ Equity
 
Common Stock
 
The Company, in accordance with its certificate of incorporation, as amended in July 2016, which was retroactively applied, is authorized to issue 50,000,000 common shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share, of which 1,000,000 shares are designated as “Class A Common Stock” and 15,000,000 shares are designated as “Class B Common Stock” see below Fortress Issuances and Note 4.
   
In connection with the Company’s formation, Fortress subscribed for 7,000,000 shares of the Class B Common Stock and 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, pursuant to the Founders Agreement. Fortress paid the par value of $900 in 2016. The fair value of the Company’s common shares approximated par value as no licenses had been transferred at that time. Dividends, if and when declared, are to be distributed pro-rata to the Class A, B and Common Stock holders.
 
The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share of Common Stock held. The holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of whole shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Class A Common Stock held by such holder are convertible and for a period of ten years from its issuance, the holders of the Class A Common Stock have the right to appoint one member of the board of directors of Mustang; to date, the holders of Class A Common Stock have not yet appointed such director.
 
The Class B Common Stockholders are entitled, for each share of Class B Common Stock held, to a number of votes equal to 1.1 times a fraction, the numerator of which is the sum of (A) the shares of outstanding Common Stock and (B) the whole shares of Common Stock into which the shares of outstanding Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock are convertible and the denominator of which is the number of shares of outstanding Class B common shares.
 
Pursuant to the Founders Agreement, on March 13, 2016 the Company issued 250,000 shares of Class B Common Stock to Fortress, which equaled 2.5% of the fully diluted outstanding equity of Mustang at the time of issuance for the annual equity fee (see Note 4).
 
In February 2017, COH executed a waiver and acknowledgement agreement permitting issuance of the COH Anti-Dilution Shares in the form of Mustang common stock rather than Class A common shares as originally required, and such shares were issued. Therefore, in February 2017, the Company reclassed $1.7 million of common shares issuable liability to additional paid-in capital and issued 293,588 common shares to COH. As of December 31, 2017, COH owns 1,000,000 Class A common shares and 293,588 common shares. The shares were valued utilizing a weighted market model at approximately $5.73 per share or approximately $1.7 million.
 
On March 13, 2017, the Company issued to Fortress 767,264 shares of common stock at $5.73 per share representing the stock dividend payable in connection with Fortress’ ownership of Class A Preferred Stock. Pursuant to this issuance, the Company recorded a $4.4 million decrease in common shares issuable and a corresponding increase in additional paid in capital to account for the issuance of the PIK Dividend.
   
The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share of common stock held.
 
Class A Common Stock
 
The holders of Class A common shares are entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of whole shares of common stock into which the shares of Class A common shares held by such holder are convertible and for a period of ten years from its issuance, the holders of the Class A common shares have the right to appoint one member of the board of directors of Mustang; to date, the holders of Class A common shares have not yet appointed such director.
 
On March 17, 2015, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement with COH to acquire intellectual property rights pertaining to CAR T. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company paid COH an upfront fee of $2.0 million, in April 2015 (included in research and development-licenses acquired expenses on the Statements of Operations), and granted 1,000,000 shares of Mustang’s Class A Common Stock, representing 10% ownership of Mustang, as of such date. As of December 31, 2017, the COH owns 1,000,000 Class A common shares.
 
Exchange of Class B Common Shares and Class A Preferred Shares
 
In accordance with the amended and restated certificate of incorporation filed on July 27, 2016, the Company issued 250,000 shares of Class A Preferred Stock, 7.0 million common shares and cancelled 7.2 million Class B common shares. This exchange was recorded as an equity transaction and therefore no gain or loss was recorded.
 
Offerings and Issuances of Common Stock and Warrants
 
In September 2016, the Company entered into a Placement Agent Agreement with NSC relating to the Company’s offering of shares of Common Stock in a private placement. Pursuant to the Placement Agent Agreement, the Company agreed to pay the Placement Agent a cash fee of 10.0% of the gross proceeds from the offering and granted a warrant exercisable for shares of Common Stock equal to 10% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock sold in the offering (the “Placement Agent Warrants”). In addition, the Company and the investors entered into a unit purchase agreement (the “Unit Purchase Agreement”). The Common Stock and Warrants were sold in units, with each unit consisting of 10,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock and Warrants exercisable for 2,500 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $8.50 per share. The purchase price was $65,000 per Unit. The warrants have a five-year term and are only exercisable for cash.
 
On September 30, 2016, the Company had an initial closing in which the Company issued 1,914,833 unregistered shares of Common Stock and 478,708 Warrants. NSC received 191,483 Placement Agent Warrants. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company received gross proceeds of $12.4 million, before commissions and expenses of $1.4 million, in the offering of which $1.3 million was the fee paid to NSC.
 
On October 25, 2016, the Company closed a second round of financing totaling gross proceeds of $7.1 million, before expenses, in a private placement of shares and warrants for which NSC was the placement agent and received a fee of $710,000 or approximately 10% of the gross proceeds. The financing involved the sale of units, each consisting of 10,000 shares of common stock and a warrant exercisable for 2,500 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $8.50 per share, for a total price of $65,000 per unit. The warrants have a five-year term and are only exercisable for cash. The Company issued 1,090,580 unregistered shares of Common Stock and 272,645 warrants in connection with this transaction. In addition, the placement agent received 109,058 warrants or approximately 10% of the shares issued.
 
On November 30, 2016, the Company closed a third round of financing totaling gross proceeds of $12.4 million, before expenses, in a private placement of shares and warrants for which NSC was the placement agent and received a fee of $1.2 million or approximately 10% of the gross proceeds. The financing involved the sale of units, each consisting of 10,000 shares of common stock and a warrant exercisable for 2,500 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $8.50 per share, for a total price of $65,000 per unit. The warrants have a five-year term and are only exercisable for cash. The Company issued 1,900,215 unregistered shares of Common Stock and 475,053 warrants in connection with this transaction. In addition, the placement agent received 190,021 warrants or approximately 10% of the shares issued.
 
On December 12, 2016, the Company closed a fourth round of financing totaling gross proceeds of $3.1 million, before expenses, in a private placement of shares and warrants for which NSC was the placement agent and received a fee of $310,000 or approximately 10% of the gross proceeds. The financing involved the sale of units, each consisting of 10,000 shares of common stock and a warrant exercisable for 2,500 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $8.50 per share, for a total price of $65,000 per unit. The warrants have a five-year term and are only exercisable for cash. The Company issued 477,000 unregistered shares of Common Stock and 119,250 warrants in connection with this transaction. In addition, the placement agent received 47,700 warrants or approximately 10% of the shares issued.
 
On December 29, 2016, the Company closed a fifth round of financing totaling gross proceeds of $4.1 million, before expenses, in a private placement of shares and warrants for which NSC was the placement agent and received a fee of $410,000 or approximately 10% of the gross proceeds. The financing involved the sale of units, each consisting of 10,000 shares of common stock and a warrant exercisable for 2,500 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $8.50 per share, for a total price of $65,000 per unit. The warrants have a five-year term and are only exercisable for cash. The Company issued 632,246 unregistered shares of Common Stock and 158,062 warrants in connection with this transaction. In addition, the placement agent received 63,224 warrants or approximately 10% of the shares issued.
 
Pursuant to the Founders Agreement, the Company issued 150,370 shares to Fortress, representing 2.5% of the aggregate number of shares of common stock issued in the offerings noted above. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded expense of approximately $862,000, related to this issuance (based upon the fair value of common shares on the date of issuance), which is included in general and administrative expenses in the Company’s Statements of Operations.
 
On January 31, 2017, the Company closed the sixth round of financing totaling gross proceeds of $55.5 million, before expenses, in a private placement of shares and warrants for which NSC was the placement agent and received a fee of $5.5 million or approximately 10% of the gross proceeds. The Company issued 8,536,774 unregistered shares of common stock and 2,134,193 warrants in connection with this transaction. In addition, NSC received 853,677 warrants or approximately 10% of the shares issued.
 
On March 31, 2017, the Company closed the seventh round of financing totaling gross proceeds of $0.4 million, before expenses, in a private placement of shares and warrants for which NSC was the placement agent and received a fee of approximately $42,000 or approximately 10% of the gross proceeds. The Company issued 64,000 unregistered shares of common stock and 16,000 warrants in connection with this transaction. In addition, NSC received 6,400 warrants or approximately 10% of the shares issued.
 
On August 3, 2017, the Company closed the final round of financing totaling gross proceeds of $65,000. The Company issued 10,000 unregistered shares of common stock and 2,500 warrants in connection with this transaction. In addition, NSC received 1,000 warrants or approximately 10% of the shares issued.
 
Pursuant to the Founders Agreement, the Company issued 982,533 shares to Fortress, representing 2.5% of the aggregate number of shares of common stock issued in the offerings noted above. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded expense of approximately $1.2 million, related to this issuance (based upon the fair value of common shares on the date of issuance), which is included in general and administrative expenses in the Company’s Statements of Operations. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded in research and development license acquired expenses on the Statement of Operations of $9.6 million or 834,756 shares of common stock issuable to Fortress on the anniversary of the A&R Founders Agreement, representing 2.5% of the Company’s outstanding shares at March 12, 2018, at $11.45 per share (fair value of common shares on March 12, 2018).
 
Class A Preferred Shares
 
Pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, filed on July 26, 2016, Class B Common Stock was eliminated and 2,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock were authorized, of which 250,000 have been designated as Class A Preferred Stock and the remainder are undesignated preferred stock. The Class A Preferred Stock is identical to undesignated Common Stock other than as to voting rights, conversion rights, and the PIK Dividend right (as described below). The undesignated Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Company’s Board of Directors is authorized to determine or alter the dividend rights, dividend rate, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions, if any), the redemption price or prices, the liquidation preferences and other designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions granted to or imposed upon any wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock, and to fix the number of shares of any series of Preferred Stock (but not below the number of shares of any such series then outstanding).
 
The holders of the outstanding shares of Class A Preferred Stock shall receive on each March 13 (each a “PIK Dividend Payment Date”) after the original issuance date of the Class A Preferred Stock until the date all outstanding Class A Preferred Stock is converted into Common Stock or redeemed (and the purchase price is paid in full), pro rata per share dividends paid in additional fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock (such dividend being herein called “PIK Dividends”) such that the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to such PIK Dividend is equal to 2.5% of the Corporation’s fully-diluted outstanding capitalization on the date that is one business day prior to any PIK Dividend Payment Date (“PIK Record Date”). In the event the Class A Preferred Stock converts into Common Stock, the holders shall receive all PIK Dividends accrued through the date of such conversion. No dividend or other distribution shall be paid, or declared and set apart for payment (other than dividends payable solely in capital stock on the capital stock of the Company) on the shares of Common Stock until all PIK Dividends on the Class A Preferred Stock shall have been paid or declared and set apart for payment. All dividends are non-cumulative.
 
On any matter presented to the stockholders of the Company for their action or consideration at any meeting of stockholders of the Company (or by written consent of stockholders in lieu of meeting), each holder of outstanding shares of Class A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to cast for each share of Class A Preferred Stock held by such holder as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote on such matter, the number of votes that is equal to one and one-tenth (1.1) times a fraction, the numerator of which is the sum of (A) the number of shares of outstanding Common Stock and (B) the whole shares of Common Stock in to which the shares of outstanding Class A Common Stock and the Class A Preferred Stock are convertible, and the denominator of which is number of shares of outstanding Class A Preferred Stock (the “Class A Preferred Stock Ratio”). Thus, the Class A Preferred Stock will at all times constitute a voting majority.
  
Each share of Class A Preferred Stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Common Stock (the “Conversion Ratio”), subject to certain adjustments. If the Company, at any time effects a subdivision or combination of the outstanding Common Stock (by any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, reverse stock split or otherwise), the applicable Conversion Ratio in effect immediately before that subdivision is proportionately decreased or increased, as applicable, so that the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on conversion of each share of Class A Preferred Stock shall be increased or decreased, a applicable, in proportion to such increase or decrease in the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Additionally, if any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, consolidation or merger involving the Company occurs in which the Common Stock (but not the Class A Preferred Stock) is converted into or exchanged for securities, cash or other property, then each share of Class A Preferred Stock becomes convertible into the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company issuable upon conversion of one share of the Class A Preferred Stock immediately prior to such reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, consolidation or merger would have been entitled to receive pursuant to such transaction.
 
Stock Issuances to Fortress
 
On March 13, 2016, pursuant to the then in effect Mustang Founders Agreement, on the anniversary date of the Founders’ Agreement, the Company issued 250,000 shares of its Class B Common Stock to Fortress representing 2.5% of the fully diluted outstanding shares of the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the Mustang Founders Agreement, as amended in July 2016, this equity fee is no longer payable. The Company recorded an expense of approximately $37,000, in research and development licenses-acquired related to this stock grant during the year ended December 31, 2015.
 
Pursuant to the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, on March 13, 2017, the Company issued 767,264 shares of common stock to Fortress, which equaled to 2.5% of the fully diluted outstanding equity of the Company at the time of issuance, for the annual stock dividend. The Company recorded an expense of approximately $4.4 million in research and development licenses-acquired related to this stock grant during the year ended December 31, 2016.
 
Pursuant to the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation for the annual stock dividend that will be due on March 13, 2018, the Company reserved 834,756 shares of common stock to Fortress as common shares issuable, which equaled to 2.5% of the fully diluted outstanding equity of the Company at the time of issuance for the annual stock dividend. The Company recorded an expense of approximately $9.6 million or 834,756 shares of common stock at $11.45 per share (fair value of common shares on March 12, 2018) in research and development licenses-acquired related to these issuable shares during the year ended December 31, 2017.
 
In connection with the Mustang Founders Agreement, the Company issued 365,639 shares of common stock to Fortress representing 2.5% of the total shares issued in it’s Offering which commenced September 16, 2016 and ended in August 2017. See description of Offering above.
 
Stock Awards
 
Stock Options 
 
The Company has in effect the 2016 Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”). The Incentive Plan was adopted in 2016 by our stockholders and the compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors and is authorized to grant stock-based awards to directors, officers, employees and consultants. The plan authorizes grants to issue up to 2,000,000 shares of authorized but unissued common stock and expires 10 years from adoption and limits the term of each option to no more than 10 years from the date of grant. Total shares available for the issuance of stock-based awards under the Incentive Plan was 444,325 shares at December 31, 2017.
 
On April 24, 2017, the Company announced that Manuel Litchman, M.D., had been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Litchman was also appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors.
 
The employment agreement grants Dr. Litchman an option to purchase 1,041,675 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Option”). The Option has an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value of a share the Company’s common stock, $5.73 on the date of the grant of the stock option, subject to the conditions and vesting schedule set forth in his Employment Agreement.
  
On April 7, 2017, the Company granted 200,000 options to two employees of Fortress, who provide services to the Company in connection with our research and development. These options have an exercise price of $5.73, representing the fair market value of a share the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant of the stock option.
 
Both grants have the following vesting schedule: 50% of the options vest over-time (“Time Based Option”) with 25% vesting over 12 months of continued service and the remaining shares vesting in 12 equal quarterly installments thereafter, subject to continued employment. The remaining 50% (the “Performance Options”) vest and become exercisable upon the occurrence of the following milestones being achieved: (i) 25% of the Performance Options vest upon the dosing of the first patient in the first Phase 2 clinical trial of any Company product candidate, (ii) 25% of the Performance Options vest upon the dosing of the first patient in the first Phase 2 clinical trial of a second Company product candidate, (iii) 25% of the Performance Options vest upon the Company’s achievement of a fully-diluted market capitalization of $500,000,000 and (iv) 25% of the Performance Options vest upon the Company’s achievement of a fully-diluted market capitalization of $1,000,000,000.
 
The value of the stock options granted approximated $5.5 million and was determined on the grant date using assumptions for risk free interest rate, the expected term, expected volatility, expected dividend yield, and an exercise price of $5.73. Mustang does not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. As a result, the expected dividend yield is 0%. The fair value associated with the market award vesting was determined utilizing a binomial valuation methodology and the following assumptions:
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
Risk-free interest rate
 
 
1.81% - 2.38
%
Exercise Price
 
$
5.73
 
Expected term in years
 
 
5.5 - 10.0
 
Expected volatility
 
 
77.30% - 96.65
%
 
The following table summarizes stock option activities for the year ended December 31, 2017:
 
 
 
Stock Options
 
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
 
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Life (in
years)
 
Nonvested at December 31, 2016
 
 
-
 
$
-
 
 
-
 
Options granted
 
 
1,241,675
 
 
5.73
 
 
9.31
 
Options outstanding
 
 
1,241,675
 
 
5.73
 
 
9.31
 
Options vested and exercisable at December 31, 2017
 
 
-
 
$
-
 
 
-
 
 
As of December 31, 2017, the Company had unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to options of $1.9 million with a weighted average vesting period of 1.43 years. The weighted average grant date fair value (per share) of options granted during the period was $10.98. Effective on January 1, 2017, the Company elected to account for forfeited awards as they occur as permitted by ASU 2016-09. Ultimately, the actual expenses recognized over the vesting period will be for those shares that vested. Prior to making this election, the Company estimated a forfeiture rate for awards at 0%, as the Company did not have a significant history of forfeitures.
 
Restricted Stock
 
In accordance with the Company’s Director Compensation Plan, the Company granted an aggregate 180,000 restricted shares to members of its board of directors, these shares commence vesting three years from the grant date of June 8, 2017. Annual grants to each director of 10,000 shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant with continuous service, while the initial grant of 50,000 vests in three equal tranches commencing on the third anniversary date of the grant and on each date thereafter so long as continuous service exists. See Note 4 for grants made to Dr. Rosenwald and Mr. Weiss for their service as Directors to the Company.
    
The following table summarizes restricted stock award activities for the year ended December 31, 2017:
 
 
 
Number of Shares
 
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value
 
Nonvested at December 31, 2016
 
 
-
 
$
-
 
Granted
 
 
180,000
 
 
5.73
 
Nonvested at December 31, 2017
 
 
180,000
 
$
5.73
 
 
As of December 31, 2017, the Company had unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock of $0.9 million with a weighted average vesting period of 3.28 years.
 
Restricted Stock Units
 
During 2017, the Company granted an aggregate of 134,000 restricted stock units to three employees. These grants vest over 4 years on the anniversary date of the grant.
 
The following table summarizes restricted stock units activities for the year ended December 31, 2017:
  
 
 
Number of Units
 
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value
 
Nonvested at December 31, 2016
 
 
-
 
$
-
 
Granted
 
 
134,000
 
 
6.53
 
Nonvested at December 31, 2017
 
 
134,000
 
$
6.53
 
 
As of December 31, 2017, the Company had unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock units of approximately $0.5 million with a weighted average vesting period of 2.0 years.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized stock-based compensation of $2.0 million, no expense was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
 
Warrants
 
In connection with the Company’s offering of shares of common stock in a private placement, each investor received a warrant equal to 25% of the common shares purchased in connection with the offering. Further, NSC received Placement Agent Warrants.
 
A summary of warrant activities for years ended December 31, 2017 is presented below:
 
 
 
Warrants
 
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
 
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Life (in
years)
 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2016
 
 
2,243,664
 
$
7.98
 
 
5.16
 
Granted
 
 
3,013,770
 
 
8.50
 
 
4.09
 
Exercised
 
 
(4,116)
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2017
 
 
5,253,318
 
$
8.28
 
 
3.89
 
 
Upon the exercise of warrants, the Company will issue new shares of Common Stock.