Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Related Party Agreements

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Related Party Agreements
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]
Note 4 - Related Party Agreements
 
Founders Agreement and Management Services Agreement with Fortress
 
Effective March 13, 2015, the Company entered a Founders Agreement with Fortress, which was amended and restated on May 17, 2016 and again on July 26, 2016 (the “Mustang Founders Agreement”). The Mustang Founders Agreement provides that, in exchange for the time and capital expended in the formation of Mustang and the identification of specific assets the acquisition of which result in the formation of a viable emerging growth life science company, Fortress loaned $2.0 million, representing the up-front fee required to acquire the Company’s license agreement with COH. The Mustang Founders Agreement has a term of 15 years, which upon expiration automatically renews for successive one-year periods unless terminated by Fortress and the Company or a Change in Control (as defined in the Mustang Founders Agreement) occurs. Concurrently with the second amendment on July 26, 2016, to the Mustang Founders Agreement, Fortress entered into an Exchange Agreement whereby Fortress exchanged its 7.25 million Class B Common shares for 7.0 million common shares and 250,000 Class A Preferred shares. Class A Preferred Stock is identical to common stock other than as to voting rights, conversion rights and the PIK Dividend right (as described below). Each share of Class A Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote 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 shares of outstanding Mustang common stock and (B) the whole shares of Mustang common stock into which the shares of outstanding Class A Common Stock and Class A Preferred Stock are convertible and the denominator of which is the number of shares of outstanding Class A Preferred Stock. Thus, the Class A Preferred Stock will at all times constitute a voting majority. Each share of Class A Preferred Stock is convertible, at Fortress’ option, into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Mustang common stock, subject to certain adjustments. As holders of Class A Preferred Stock, Fortress will receive on each March 13 (each a “PIK Dividend Payment Date”) 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 (“PIK Dividends”) such that the aggregate number of shares of common stock issued pursuant to such PIK Dividend is equal to two and one-half percent (2.5%) of Mustang’s fully-diluted outstanding capitalization on the date that is one (1) business day prior to any PIK Dividend Payment Date.
 
As additional consideration under the Mustang Founders Agreement, Mustang will also: (i) pay an equity fee in shares of common stock, payable within five (5) business days of the closing of any equity or debt financing for Mustang that occurs after the effective date of the Mustang Founders Agreement and ending on the date when Fortress no longer has majority voting control in the Company’s voting equity, equal to two and one-half (2.5%) of the gross amount of any such equity or debt financing; and (ii) pay a cash fee equal to four and one-half percent (4.5%) of the Company’s annual net sales, payable on an annual basis, within ninety (90) days of the end of each calendar year. In the event of a Change in Control, the Company will pay a one-time change in control fee equal to five (5x) times the product of (A) net sales for the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the change in control and (B) four and one-half percent (4.5%) (see Note 8)..
 
Effective as of March 13, 2015, the Company entered into a Management Services Agreement (the “MSA”) with Fortress. Pursuant to the terms of the MSA, for a period of five years, Fortress will render advisory and consulting services to the Company. Services provided under the MSA may include, without limitation, (i) advice and assistance concerning any and all aspects of the Company’s operations, clinical trials, financial planning and strategic transactions and financings and (ii) conducting relations on behalf of the Company with accountants, attorneys, financial advisors and other professionals (collectively, the “Services”). The Company is obligated to utilize clinical research services, medical education, communication and marketing services and investor relations/public relation services of companies or individuals designated by Fortress, provided those services are offered at market prices. However, the Company is not obligated to take or act upon any advice rendered from Fortress and Fortress shall not be liable for any of its actions or inactions based upon their advice. Fortress and its affiliates, including all members of the Company’s Board of Directors, have been contractually exempt from fiduciary duties to the Company relating to corporate opportunities. In consideration for the Services, the Company will pay Fortress an annual consulting fee of $0.5 million (the “Annual Consulting Fee”), payable in advance in equal quarterly installments on the first business day of each calendar quarter in each year, provided, however, that such Annual Consulting Fee shall be increased to $1.0 million for each calendar year in which the Company has net assets in excess of $100 million at the beginning of the calendar year.
 
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for the period from March 13, 2015 (Inception) to December 31, 2015, the Company recorded approximately $0.5 million, $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively, as expense related to this agreement. 
 
Consulting Agreement with Chord Advisors, LLC (“Chord”)
 
On April 8, 2016, the Company entered into a full-service consulting agreement with Chord to provide advisory accounting services to the Company. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company paid Chord up to $5,000 per month to perform back office accounting functions, accounting analysis and financial reporting prior to the Company’s filing of its Registration Statement on Form 10 on July 27, 2016, and $7,500 per month following that date. Either party upon 30-days written notice can terminate the agreement. In addition to these services, Mr. David Horin, a Managing Partner of Chord, serves as the Company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer. Chord also provides advisory accounting services to Fortress under a separate agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company recognized approximately $92,000 and $48,000, respectively, in general and administrative expenses on the Statements of Operations, related to this agreement.
 
Effective as of December 15, 2017, Mr. Horin stepped down as the Interim Chief Financial Officer of the company. Mr. Horin had served, on a part-time and temporary basis, as the Company’s interim Chief Financial Officer under an agreement with Chord Advisors, LLC for back office accounting support, accounting policy and financial reporting services.
 
City of Hope
 
COH owns 1,000,000 Class A common shares and 293,588 common shares, representing approximately 5.0% of ownership, and has the right to appoint a director to the Board of Directors (the “Board”). As such, the Company considers COH to be a related party, due to the foregoing rights and ownership, as well as the high proportion of the Company’s assets that are licensed from COH.
 
Payable and Accrued Expenses Related Party
 
The Company had a working capital promissory note with Fortress, which was paid in full in 2016. In 2017, in the normal course of business Fortress pays for certain expenses on behalf of the Company. Such expenses are recorded as Payable and accrued expenses - related party and are reimbursed to Fortress in the normal course of business.
 
National Securities Inc.
 
Fortress owns approximately 56.6% of National Holdings Corporation (“NHLD”). National Securities Inc. (“NSC”), a subsidiary of NHLD, acted as placement agent for the Company’s third-party financings (see Note 5). For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company paid NSC placement agent fees of $5.6 million and issued to NSC 861,077 warrants to purchase the Company’s common stock. The warrants have a five-year term and an exercise price of $8.50 per share. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company paid NSC placement agent fees of $4.0 million and issued to NSC 601,486 warrants to purchase the Company’s common stock. The warrants have a five-year term and an exercise price of $8.50 per share. No fees were incurred for the period from March 13, 2015 (inception) to December 31, 2015.
 
NSC Note and Financings
 
In September 2016, Fortress acquired through a tender offer 56.6% of National Holdings, Inc. (“National” or “NHLD”). Prior to its full repayment in December 2016, the Company held a $3.6 million note in favor of NSC Biotech Venture Fund I, LLC for which National Securities, Inc. (“NSC”), a subsidiary of National, received a 10% placement fee upon issuance of the Note to Fortress (see Note 5).
 
In September 2016, the Company entered into a Placement Agent Agreement with National in connection with financing in which the Company agreed to pay NSC a cash fee of 10.0% of the gross proceeds and warrants equal to 10% of the total offering (see Note 8).
 
Director Compensation
 
Dr. Rosenwald
 
Pursuant to the terms of the Director Compensation Plan, Dr. Rosenwald will receive a cash fee of $50,000 per year paid quarterly and an annual stock award of the greater of (i) a number of shares of common stock having a fair market value on the grant date of $50,000 or (ii) 10,000 shares of common stock, which shares shall vest and become non-forfeitable on the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to continued service on the Board on such date. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized $25,052 in expense in its Statements of Operations related to the director compensation, including approximately $10,000 in expense related to an annual equity incentive grant of 10,000 restricted shares. No expense was recorded in 2016 or 2015.
 
Mr. Weiss - Advisory Agreement with Caribe BioAdvisors, LLC
 
The Board of the Company by unanimous written consent approved and authorized the execution of an advisory agreement dated January 1, 2017 (the “Advisory Agreement”), with Caribe BioAdvisors, LLC (the “Advisor”), owned by Michael S. Weiss, the Chairman of the Board, to provide the board advisory services of Mr. Weiss as Chairman of the Board. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor will be paid an annual cash fee of $60,000, paid quarterly and an annual stock award of the greater of (i) a number of shares of common stock having a fair market value on the grant date of $50,000 or (ii) 10,000 shares of common stock, which shares shall vest and become non-forfeitable on the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to continued service on the Board on such date. For year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized $70,800 in expense in its Statements of Operations related to the advisory agreement, including approximately $10,800 in expense related to an annual equity incentive grant of 10,000 restricted shares. No expense was recorded in 2016 or 2015.
 
Stock Awards Made to Fortress Employees
 
In April 2017, the Company made an option award to two employees of Fortress (see Note 8).