COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2025
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	NOTE G — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Operating Leases The Company leases office space under an operating lease in Stony Brook, New York for its corporate headquarters. The lease is for a 30,000 square foot building. The Company entered into an amended lease agreement on February 1, 2023. The initial term is for three years and expires on February 1, 2026. The lease for the corporate headquarters requires monthly payments of $48,861, which is adjusted annually based on the US Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) and was adjusted to monthly payments of $52,440 commencing on February 1, 2025. In lieu of a security deposit, the Company provided a standby letter of credit of $750,000. In addition, the Company also had 2,500 square feet of laboratory space, for which it entered into an amended lease agreement on February 1, 2023. The initial lease term for the laboratory space was one year from the commencement date and was extended until January 31, 2025. Effective February 1, 2025, the Company extended this lease for 2,000 square feet of laboratory space until January 31, 2026. On February 28, 2025, the Company vacated one of its laboratory suites and currently leases 1,000 square feet under this lease amendment. The base rent for the new lease term is monthly payments of $4,346 and the lease is terminable by the Company upon one month’s written notice to the landlord. The Company terminated the lease for the remaining 1,000 square fee, effective July 31, 2025. The total rent expense for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2025 was $157,320 and $498,416, respectively. Employment Agreement On June 16, 2025, Dr. James A. Hayward informed the Company of his intention to retire from the Company and that he would step down from his positions as Chief Executive Officer, member of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) and Chairman of the Board effective June 18, 2025. Dr. Hayward’s resignation was not the result of any dispute or disagreement with the Company or the Board on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices. In connection with Dr. Hayward’s retirement, Dr. Hayward and the Company entered into a separation agreement dated June 16, 2025 (the “Separation Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company shall pay to Dr. Hayward, contingent upon his compliance with the terms of the Separation Agreement, the total gross amount of $450,000 to be paid over a period of eight months from the date of first payment, with the first installment being paid on or before July 15, 2025. The Separation Agreement also provides for a customary general release of claims in favor of the Company and customary post-employment covenants, including with respect to confidentiality and non-disparagement. On June 17, 2025, the Board elected Judith Murrah, the Company’s current President, as Chief Executive Officer and as Chairperson and a member of the Board effective June 18, 2025. Effective June 30, 2025, Ms. Murrah voluntarily agreed to a fifteen percent (15%) temporary reduction in her annual base salary in connection with the Company’s efforts to reduce its ongoing operating expenses. Ms. Murrah’s reduced annual base salary is $340,000. The reduction is expected to end on a future date to be agreed by and between Ms. Murrah and the Compensation Committee of the Board. Litigation From time to time, the Company may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. When the Company is aware of a claim or potential claim, it assesses the likelihood of any loss or exposure. If it is probable that a loss will result and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, the Company will record a liability for the loss. In addition to the estimated loss, the recorded liability includes probable and estimable legal costs associated with the claim or potential claim. Litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm the Company’s business. There is no pending litigation involving the Company at this time.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2025

NOTE G — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Operating Leases

The Company leases office space under an operating lease in Stony Brook, New York for its corporate headquarters. The lease is for a 30,000 square foot building. The Company entered into an amended lease agreement on February 1, 2023. The initial term is for three years and expires on February 1, 2026. The lease for the corporate headquarters requires monthly payments of $48,861, which is adjusted annually based on the US Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) and was adjusted to monthly payments of $52,440 commencing on February 1, 2025. In lieu of a security deposit, the Company provided a standby letter of credit of $750,000. In addition, the Company also had 2,500 square feet of laboratory space, for which it entered into an amended lease agreement on February 1, 2023. The initial lease term for the laboratory space was one year from the commencement date and was extended until January 31, 2025. Effective February 1, 2025, the Company extended this lease for 2,000 square feet of laboratory space until January 31, 2026. On February 28, 2025, the Company vacated one of its laboratory suites and currently leases 1,000 square feet under this lease amendment. The base rent for the new lease term is monthly payments of $4,346 and the lease is terminable by the Company upon one month’s written notice to the landlord. The Company terminated the lease for the remaining 1,000 square fee, effective July 31, 2025. The total rent expense for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2025 was $157,320 and $498,416, respectively.

Employment Agreement

On June 16, 2025, Dr. James A. Hayward informed the Company of his intention to retire from the Company and that he would step down from his positions as Chief Executive Officer, member of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) and Chairman of the Board effective June 18, 2025. Dr. Hayward’s resignation was not the result of any dispute or disagreement with the Company or the Board on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.

In connection with Dr. Hayward’s retirement, Dr. Hayward and the Company entered into a separation agreement dated June 16, 2025 (the “Separation Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company shall pay to Dr. Hayward, contingent upon his compliance with the terms of the Separation Agreement, the total gross amount of $450,000 to be paid over a period of eight months from the date of first payment, with the first installment being paid on or before July 15, 2025. The Separation Agreement also provides for a customary general release of claims in favor of the Company and customary post-employment covenants, including with respect to confidentiality and non-disparagement.

On June 17, 2025, the Board elected Judith Murrah, the Company’s current President, as Chief Executive Officer and as Chairperson and a member of the Board effective June 18, 2025. Effective June 30, 2025, Ms. Murrah voluntarily agreed to a fifteen percent (15%) temporary reduction in her annual base salary in connection with the Company’s efforts to reduce its ongoing operating expenses. Ms. Murrah’s reduced annual base salary is $340,000. The reduction is expected to end on a future date to be agreed by and between Ms. Murrah and the Compensation Committee of the Board.

Litigation

From time to time, the Company may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. When the Company is aware of a claim or potential claim, it assesses the likelihood of any loss or exposure. If it is probable that a loss will result and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, the Company will record a liability for the loss. In addition to the estimated loss, the recorded liability includes probable and estimable legal costs associated with the claim or potential claim. Litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm the Company’s business. There is no pending litigation involving the Company at this time.