Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies

v3.22.1
Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

NOTE 4 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Consulting Agreement – Yassine Bendiabdallah

 

Effective November 1, 2021, the Company entered into a Consulting Agreement with Yassine Bendiabdallah to act as the Head of Pasithea Therapeutic U.K., manage all Pasithea U.K. clinics and aid in E.U. expansion. The Consulting Agreement provides an annual salary of $120,000 to be paid on a monthly basis, includes three weeks of vacation for each year and provides for reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the services provided. The Consulting Agreement continues indefinitely until either party decides to terminate the contract.

 

Service Agreement – The University of Texas at Austin

 

On September 21, 2021, the Company entered into a Service Agreement with the University of Texas at Austin (“UTA”), a university of higher education in the State of Texas, to act as the Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board, holding three scientific advisory board meetings per year and providing incidental monthly consults. The Company pays UTA $50,000 annually for services billed on a quarterly basis and any costs incurred by UTA are reimbursed only after prior written consent of the Company. The Service Agreement will terminate on September 21, 2024 unless terminated earlier or extended by mutual agreement.

 

Collaboration Agreement – Zen Baker Street Clinic (U.K.)

 

On August 4, 2021, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Collaboration Agreement with Portman Health Ltd (“Portman”), whereby both parties have agreed to collaborate on the provision of ketamine infusion treatments and any other treatments agreed to by the parties from time to time (the “Treatments”) at Portman’s London based clinic. The Company has agreed, among other things, market the Treatments to the extent permitted under law, arrange and pay for the fit-out of the consulting room, provide equipment necessary for the Treatments, develop, operate and maintain a booking website for the Treatments, make bookings and take payments, and employ or engage customer services advisers to liaise with clinical staff and pay certain staff costs. Portman has agreed provide consulting and treatment rooms, apply for and maintain CQC registrations, employ or engage licensed and qualified staff, assess patient and, if appropriate, administer the Treatments, maintain equipment and provide all ketamine and other pharmaceuticals necessary for the Treatments. All revenues from such Treatments (less certain staff costs) shall be allocated 30% to the Company and 70% to Portman.

 

Collaboration Agreement – Zen Knightsbridge Clinic (U.K.)

 

On August 4, 2021, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Collaboration Agreement with Purecare Limited (“Purecare”), whereby both parties have agreed to collaborate on the provision of Treatments at Purecare’s London based clinic. The Company has agreed, among other things, market the Treatments to the extent permitted under law, arrange and pay for the fit-out of the consulting room, provide equipment necessary for the Treatments, develop, operate and maintain a booking website for the Treatments, make bookings and take payments, and employ or engage customer services advisers to liaise with clinical staff and pay certain staff costs. Purecare has agreed provide consulting and treatment rooms, apply for and maintain CQC registrations, employ or engage licensed and qualified staff, assess patient and, if appropriate, administer the Treatments, maintain equipment and provide all ketamine and other pharmaceuticals necessary for the Treatments. All revenues from such Treatments (less certain staff costs) shall be allocated 30% to the Company and 70% to Purecare. 

 

Business Support Services Subcontract – The IV Doc

 

On April 9, 2021, Pasithea Clinics, an affiliate of the Company, entered into a Business Support Services Subcontract (the “Subcontract”) with The IV Doc, pursuant to which The IV Doc provides certain non-clinical administrative, back office, and other business support services to one or more professional medical practices in the State of New York provided under a BSSA with Pasithea Clinics. During the term of the Subcontract, which shall be effective for 15 years from the effective date, Pasithea Clinics pays The IV Doc monthly subcontract fees in consideration of the subcontract services rendered by The IV Doc. The subcontract fees, which are equal to $22,500 per month, represents fair market value for the subcontract services and are commensurate with the subcontract services to be provided, and does not constitute an illegal fee-splitting or impermissible profit-sharing arrangement in violation of any applicable laws. In addition to the subcontract fees, Pasithea Clinics reimburses The IV Doc for all reasonable expenses, including travel, meals and lodging expenses, incurred by The IV Doc in connection with the provision of the subcontract services, provided that such expenses are otherwise commercially reasonable and necessary. See Note 7 for details of the Amendment to this Subcontract.

 

Employment Agreement – Dr. Tiago Reis Marques

 

On July 13, 2020, we entered into an employment agreement with Dr. Tiago Reis Marques to serve as our Chief Executive Officer. The initial term of Dr. Marques’ employment commenced on the closing of our initial business combination and ends on the first anniversary of the commencement date. After the initial term, the employment agreement will automatically renew for additional one-year periods, unless the Company or Dr. Marques provides the other party with at least 60 days’ prior written notice of its desire not to renew. The employment agreement shall automatically terminate without any action on the part of any person and be void ab initio if a business combination agreement to be entered into between us and a prospective target Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, and neither the Company nor any other person shall have any liability to Dr. Marques under the employment agreement if the closing does not occur. Pursuant to the employment agreement, we agreed to pay Dr. Marques an annual base salary of $120,000. Upon the completion of the next qualified financing of over $5,000,000, the terms of the employment agreement will be renegotiated. Dr. Marques will also be eligible to receive equity awards, benefits including but not limited to health insurance, retirement, and fringe benefits of the Company, and 20 vacation days per year. We have also agreed to reimburse Dr. Marques for all expenses associated with the Company’s business.

 

In December 2021, we entered into a new executive employment agreement (the “2021 Employment Agreement”) with Dr. Marques to serve as our Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2022. The agreement includes a base salary of $450,000 per year, Sign-on bonus of $100,000, paid in a lump sum after January 1, 2022, and eligibility for an annual discretionary bonus of up to 75% of the base salary. The 2021 Employment Agreement also includes an option to purchase 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to approval by the Board, which include a three year vesting schedule, under which 33% of the total shares subject to the Option will vest 12 months after the vesting commencement date (which will be grant date), and the remainder shall vest in equal tranches quarterly thereinafter until either the Option is fully vested or Executive’s Continuous Service (as defined in the Plan) terminates, whichever occurs first.

 

Subject to the approval by the Board, Dr. Marques shall be eligible to receive an equity grant of 200,000 Restricted Stock Units (the “RSU”s) of the Parent, all in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan. The RSU’s shall vest over 3 years with 33 and 1/3% vesting on the employees first anniversary and then quarterly then after over the remaining vesting period. The anticipated RSUs will be governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and Executive’s grant agreement (the “RSU Agreement”), and will include a three year vesting schedule, under which 33% of the RSUs will vest 12 months after the vesting commencement date (which will be grant date), and the remainder shall vest in equal tranches quarterly thereinafter until either the RSUs are fully vested or Executive’s Continuous Service (as defined in the Plan) terminates, whichever occurs first.

 

2021 Incentive Plan 

 

On July 15, 2021, our board of directors adopted the 2021 Incentive Plan, which plan was approved by our stockholders on July 15, 2021. Under the 2021 Incentive Plan, we may grant cash and equity incentive awards to eligible service providers in order to attract, motivate and retain the talent for which we compete. The material terms of the 2021 Incentive Plan are summarized below.

 

Types of Awards. The 2021 Incentive Plan provides for the grant of non-qualified stock options (“NQSOs”), incentive stock options (“ISOs”), restricted stock awards, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), unrestricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights and other forms of stock-based compensation.

 

Eligibility and Administration. Employees, officers, consultants, directors, and other service providers of the Company and its affiliates are eligible to receive awards under the 2021 Incentive Plan. The 2021 Incentive Plan is administered by the board with respect to awards to non-employee directors and by the Compensation Committee with respect to other participants, each of which may delegate its duties and responsibilities to committees of the company’s directors and/or officers (all such bodies and delegates referred to collectively as the plan administrator), subject to certain limitations that may be imposed under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and/or other applicable law or stock exchange rules, as applicable. The plan administrator has the authority to make all determinations and interpretations under, prescribe all forms for use with, and adopt rules for the administration of, the 2021 Incentive Plan, subject to its express terms and conditions. The plan administrator also sets the terms and conditions of all awards under the 2021 Incentive Plan, including any vesting and vesting acceleration conditions.

 

Share Reserve. Pursuant to the 2021 Incentive Plan, we have reserved 1,280,732 shares of the Common Stock for issuance thereunder, which reserve shall be increased annually beginning on January 1, 2022 and ending on and including January 1, 2031, equal to the lesser of (A) 3% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year or (B) such smaller number of shares as is determined by our board. The share reserve is subject to the following adjustments:

 

The share limit is increased by the number of shares subject to awards granted that later are forfeited, expire or otherwise terminate without issuance of shares, or that are settled for cash or otherwise do not result in the issuance of shares.

 

Shares that are withheld upon exercise to pay the exercise price of a stock option or satisfy any tax withholding requirements are added back to the share reserve and again are available for issuance under the 2021 Incentive Plan.

 

Awards issued in substitution for awards previously granted by a company that merges with, or is acquired by, the Company do not reduce the share reserve limit under the 2021 Incentive Plan.

 

Director Compensation. The 2021 Incentive Plan provides for an annual limit on non-employee director compensation of $500,000, increased to $750,000 in the fiscal year of a non-employee director’s initial service as a non-employee member of the board of directors of the Company. This limit applies to the sum of both equity grants that could be awarded to non-employee directors during a fiscal year (based on their value under ASC Topic 718 on the grant date) and cash compensation, such as cash retainers and meeting fees earned during a fiscal year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the board reserves the right to make an exception to these limits due to extraordinary circumstances without the participation of the affected director receiving the additional compensation.

 

Stock Options. ISOs may be granted only to employees of the Company, or to employees of a parent or subsidiary of the Company, determined as of the date of grant of such options. An ISO granted to a prospective employee upon the condition that such person becomes an employee shall be deemed granted effective on the date such person commences employment. The exercise price of an ISO shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares covered by the awards on the date of grant of such option or such other price as may be determined pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (the “Code”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, an ISO may be granted with an exercise price lower than the minimum exercise price set forth above if such award is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner that complies with the provisions of Section 424(a) of the Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of the 2021 Incentive Plan to the contrary, no ISO may be granted under the 2021 Incentive Plan after 10 years from the date that the 2021 Incentive Plan was adopted. No ISO shall be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years after the effective date of grant of such award, subject to the following sentence. In the case of an ISO granted to a ten percent stockholder, (i) the exercise price shall not be less than 110% of the fair market value of a share on the date of grant of such ISO, and (ii) the exercise period shall not exceed 5 years from the effective date of grant of such ISO.

 

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. The committee may award restricted stock and RSUs under the 2021 Incentive Plan. Restricted stock awards consist of shares of stock that are transferred to the participant subject to restrictions that may result in forfeiture if specified vesting conditions are not satisfied. RSU awards result in the transfer of shares of stock to the participant only after specified vesting conditions are satisfied. A holder of restricted stock is treated as a current stockholder and shall be entitled to dividend and voting rights, whereas the holder of a restricted stock unit is treated as a stockholder with respect to the award only when the shares are delivered in the future. RSUs may include dividend equivalents. Specified vesting conditions may include performance goals to be achieved during any performance period and the length of the performance period. The committee may, in its discretion, make adjustments to performance goals based on certain changes in the Company’s business operations, corporate or capital structure or other circumstances. When the participant satisfies the conditions of an RSU award, the Company may settle the award (including any related dividend equivalent rights) in shares, cash or other property, as determined by the committee, in its sole discretion.

 

Other Shares or Share-Based Awards. The committee may grant other forms of equity-based or equity-related awards other than stock options, restricted stock or restricted stock units. The terms and conditions of each stock-based award shall be determined by the committee.

 

Clawback Rights. Awards granted under the 2021 Incentive Plan are subject to recoupment or clawback under the Company’s clawback policy or applicable law, both as in effect from time to time.

 

Sale of the Company. Awards granted under the 2021 Incentive Plan do not automatically accelerate and vest, become exercisable (with respect to stock options), or have performance targets deemed earned at target level if there is a sale of the Company. The Company does not use a “liberal” definition of change in control as defined in Institutional Shareholder Services’ proxy voting guidelines. The 2021 Incentive Plan provides flexibility to the committee to determine how to adjust awards at the time of a sale of the Company.

 

No Repricing. The 2021 Incentive Plan prohibits the amendment of the terms of any outstanding award, and any other action taken in a manner to achieve (i) the reduction of the exercise price of NQSOs, ISOs or stock appreciation rights (collectively, “Stock Rights”); (ii) the cancellation of outstanding Stock Rights in exchange for cash or other awards with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price or base price of the original award; (iii) the cancellation of outstanding Stock Rights with an exercise price or base price that is less than the then current fair market value of a share of Common Stock in exchange for other awards, cash or other property; or (iv) otherwise effect a transaction that would be considered a “repricing” for the purposes of the stockholder approval rules of the applicable securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted without stockholder approval.

 

Transferability of Awards. Except as described below, awards under the 2021 Incentive Plan generally are not transferable by the recipient other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any amounts payable or shares issuable pursuant to an award generally will be paid only to the recipient or the recipient’s beneficiary or representative. The committee has discretion, however, to permit certain transfer of awards to other persons or entities.

 

Adjustments. As is customary in incentive plans of this nature, each share limit and the number and kind of shares available under the 2021 Incentive Plan and any outstanding awards, as well as the exercise price or base price of awards, and performance targets under certain types of performance-based awards, are subject to adjustment in the event of certain reorganizations, mergers, combinations, recapitalizations, stock splits, stock dividends, or other similar events that change the number or kind of shares outstanding, and extraordinary dividends or distributions of property to the stockholders.

 

Amendment and Termination. The board of directors may amend, modify or terminate the 2021 Incentive Plan without stockholder approval, except that stockholder approval must be obtained for any amendment that, in the reasonable opinion of the board or the committee, constitute a material change requiring stockholder approval under applicable laws, policies or regulations or the applicable listing or other requirements of a stock exchange on which shares of Common Stock are then listed. The 2021 Incentive Plan terminates upon the earliest of (1) termination of the 2021 Incentive Plan by the board of directors, or (2) the tenth anniversary of the board adoption of the 2021 Incentive Plan. Awards outstanding upon expiration of the 2021 Incentive Plan shall remain in effect until they have been exercised or terminated, or have expired.

 

Stock Options

 

As of December 31, 2021, there are 400,000 stock options granted, with 100,000 stock options vesting in full as of December 31, 2021, and vesting primarily as follows: 50% of the shares underlying the options shall vest on the first and second anniversary of the option grant.

 

Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2021 are as follows:

 

          Weighted-
average
 
    Number of     Exercise
Price per
 
    Options     Share  
Outstanding, January 1, 2021    
-
    $
-
 
Granted     400,000       5.00  
Expired    
-
     
-
 
Exercised    
-
     
-
 
Outstanding, December 31, 2021     400,000     $ 5.00  
                 
Exercisable, December 31, 2021     100,000     $ 5.00  

 

These options had a weighted average remaining life of 9.6 years and an aggregate intrinsic value of $0 as of December 31, 2021.

 

The fair value of the 400,000 stock options granted was $964,287, of which $426,250 was expensed during the period from inception through December 31, 2021, with unamortized stock compensation remaining as of December 31, 2021 of $538,037. The fair value was determined by the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model with the following assumptions: stock price of $5.00, exercise price of $5.00 per share, dividend yield of 0%, term of 10 years, volatility of 45.20% to 47.07%, and risk-free rate of 0.96 to 1.29%.