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Commitments and Contingencies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies  
Commitments and Contingencies

6.    Commitments and Contingencies

Oregon Health & Science University Agreement

On February 20, 2013, Fennec entered into a new exclusive license agreement with Oregon Health & Science University (“OHSU”) for exclusive worldwide license rights to intellectual property directed to thiol-based compounds, including PEDMARKTM, and their use in oncology (the “OHSU Agreement”). OHSU will receive certain milestone payments, royalty on net sales for licensed products and a royalty on any consideration received from sublicensing of the licensed technology.

On May 18, 2015, Fennec negotiated an amendment (“Amendment 1”) to the OHSU Agreement, which expands Fennec’s exclusive license to include the use of N-acetylcysteine as a standalone therapy and/or in combination with sodium thiosulfate for the prevention of ototoxicity induced by chemotherapeutic agents to treat cancers. Further, Amendment 1 adjusts select milestone payments entered in the OHSU Agreement including but not limited to the royalty rate on net sales for licensed products, royalty rate from sublicensing of the licensed technology and the fee payable upon the regulatory approval of a licensed product.

The term of the OHSU Agreement as amended by Amendment 1 expires on the date of the last to expire claim(s) covered in the patents licensed to Fennec or 8 years, whichever is later. In the event a licensed product obtains regulatory approval and is covered by the Orphan Drug Designation, the parties will in good faith amend the term of the agreement. Sodium thiosulfate is currently protected by methods of use patents that the Company exclusively licensed from OHSU that expire in Europe in 2021 and that expire in the United States in 2038. The OHSU Agreement is terminable by either Fennec or OHSU in the event of a material breach of the agreement by either party after 45 days prior written notice. Fennec also has the right to terminate the OHSU Agreement at any time upon 60 days prior written notice and payment of all fees due to OHSU under the OHSU Agreement.

Securities Class Action Suit

Following the FDA’s CRL regarding our NDA for PEDMARKTM as described in Note 1, a putative lawsuit was filed against us purportedly on behalf of purchasers of the Company’s securities between December 20, 2018 and August 10, 2020.  The lawsuit seeks to recover damages for Fennec investors under federal securities laws. While we believe that the lawsuit is without merit and intend to vigorously defend against it, the lawsuit is in its early stages and  no assessment can be made as to its likely outcome or whether the outcome will be material to us. This litigation, and any other securities class actions that may be brought against us, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.

Executive Severance

In the event of his termination with us other than for cause, we will be obligated to pay Mr. Raykov a one-time severance payment equal to twelve months of salary ($442 as of September 30, 2021). In the event of his termination with us other than for cause, we will be obligated to pay Mr. Andrade a one-time severance payment equal to six months of salary ($160 as of September 30, 2021). In the event of her termination with us other than for cause, we will be obligated to pay Ms. Goel a one-time severance payment equal to six months of salary ($184 as of September 30, 2021).

Leases

We have an operating lease in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina utilizing small space within a commercial building. The operating lease has payments of $0.4 per month with no scheduled increases. This operating lease is terminable with 30 days’ notice and has no penalties or contingent payments due.

On January 23, 2020, the Company entered into an Office Service Agreement (the “Office Service Agreement”) with Regus to lease office space at in Hoboken, New Jersey. Per the terms of the Office Service Agreement, the monthly rent payments are $1. The Company was required to pay a security deposit of $2, which is the equivalent to two months of rent. The Office Service Agreement commenced on January 27, 2020, and terminates on July 31, 2020, thereafter the lease may continue on a month-to-month basis with either party being able to terminate the agreement by providing one months’ advance written notice of termination.

COVID-19

Our operations may be affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The ultimate disruption which may be caused by the outbreak is uncertain; however, it may result in a material adverse impact on our financial position, operations and cash flows. Possible effects may include, but are not limited to, disruption to our product launch which includes the ability of sales reps to communicate with oncologists, absenteeism in our labor workforce, unavailability of products and supplies used in operations, and a decline in value of our assets, including inventories, property and equipment, and marketable securities. COVID-19 has not had a material effect on our operations to date as we have historically had a workforce which works remotely, preparations for product launch have been under the assumption of a virtual launch, and product supplies have not been impacted.