Operating Expenses
Overview
Total operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were $2,921,941 as compared to $3,282,532 for the three months ended March 31, 2022, a decrease of approximately 11%. The decrease in total operating expenses is due to the decrease in research and development activities partially offset by an increase in general and administrative expenses.
Research and Development Expenses
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, we incurred $877,717 in research and development expenses as compared to $1,486,074 for the three months ended March 31, 2022, a decrease of approximately 41%. These expenses were incurred primarily pursuant to developing the potential AD therapeutic product, specifically expenses relating to our ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial for AD. Of these expenses, for the three months ended March 31, 2023, $675,262 was incurred principally relating to our current confirmatory clinical trial and our Phase 2 dose ranging study and related storage of drug product, $81,746 for clinical consulting services, $5,261 of amortization of prepaid licensing fees relating to the Stanford License Agreement and Mount Sinai Agreement, $15,722 for development of alternative drug supply with Stanford University and $99,726 of non-cash stock options compensation expense; comparatively, for the three months ended March 31, 2022, $1,262,483 was incurred principally relating to our confirmatory clinical trial and related storage of drug product, $79,546 for clinical consulting services, $7,452 of amortization of prepaid licensing fees relating to the Stanford License Agreement and Mount Sinai Agreement, $15,543 for development of alternative drug supply with Stanford University and $121,050 of non-cash stock options compensation expense.
Our research and development expenses are leveling off as our current Phase 2 clinical trial for AD was materially concluded by the end of 2022 and our Phase 2 dose ranging study was discontinued. Other development expenses might increase, as our resources permit, in order to advance our potential products. We are continuing to determine how to proceed with respect to our other current development programs for Bryostatin-1.
General and Administrative Expenses
We incurred $2,044,224 and $1,796,458 of general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, an increase of approximately 14%. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, $319,762 was incurred primarily for wages, bonuses, vacation pay, severance, taxes and insurance, versus $293,904 for the three months ended March 31, 2022; $281,681 was incurred for legal expenses versus $129,216 for the 2022 comparable period. The increase in legal fees for 2023 is based upon the prior year’s increased fees for special stockholder vote requirements and for regulatory compliance; $250,300 was incurred for outside operations consulting services during the three months ended March 31, 2023, versus $396,204 for the comparable period in 2022. The decrease for the 2023 period is based upon a decrease in non-cash compensation paid; $22,897 was incurred for travel expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2023, versus $14,652 for the comparable period in 2022 as post-COVID travel has increased; $184,661 was incurred for investor relations services during the three months ended March 31, 2023, versus $72,214 for the comparable period in 2022, with the increase for the current period based upon engaging additional consultants to assist with Company communications; $121,324 was incurred for professional fees associated with auditing, financial, accounting and tax advisory services during the three months ended March 31, 2023, versus $22,048 for the comparable period in 2022. The increase for the current period is primary attributable to additional audit work for the November Private Placement and auditor change; $193,723 was incurred for insurance during the three months ended March 31, 2023, versus $184,308 for the comparable period in 2022; $124,821 was incurred for utilities, supplies, license fees, filing costs, rent, advertising and other during the three months ended March 31, 2023, versus $93,404 for the comparable period in 2022, with the increase for 2023 primary attributable to recognizing Delaware franchise tax quarterly; and $545,055 was recorded as non-cash stock options compensation expense during the three months ended March 31, 2023, versus $590,508 for the comparable period in 2022.
Other Income / Expense
We recognized total other income of $1,210,157 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to $4,610 for the three months ended March 31, 2022, which consisted, for 2023, of interest income on funds deposited in interest bearing money market accounts and changes in fair value of warrant liability and derivative liability versus interest income only for 2022. The increase in interest income of $391,747 is primarily attributable to the increase in money market interest income rates. The remainder of the increase is attributable to the change in fair value of warrant liability of $588,000 and change in fair value of derivative liability of $225,800.