Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Jun 30, 2024

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with (i) our unaudited interim financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and (ii) our audited financial statements and notes thereto and management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 29, 2024. Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

We own various U.S. federal trademark applications and unregistered trademarks, including our company name and YCANTH. All other trademarks or trade names referred to in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, the trademarks and trade names in this report are referred to without the symbols ® and ™, but such references should not be construed as an indication that their respective owners will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, their rights thereto.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), including, without limitation, statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or future strategies that are signified by the words “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “may,” “plan,” “seek” or similar language. All forward-looking statements included in this document are based on information available to us on the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Our business and financial performance are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. In evaluating our business, you should carefully consider the information set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024, in this Quarterly Report under Part II - Item 1A “Risk Factors,” and in our other filings with the SEC.

Overview

We are a dermatology therapeutics company developing and selling medications for skin diseases requiring medical intervention. We are primarily focused on developing clinician administered therapies in areas of high unmet need. Our current product portfolio consists of one approved product with several potential follow-on indications, as well as two additional pipeline products. Our commercial product, YCANTH (VP102) (formerly referred to as VP-102), was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, in July 2023 for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in adult and pediatric patients two years of age and older. YCANTH (VP-102) is a proprietary drug-device combination that contains a GMP-controlled formulation of cantharidin. We are also developing YCANTH (VP-102) for potential follow-on indications for the treatment of common warts and external genital warts. Our two additional product candidates are: (i) VP-315 an oncolytic peptide-based injectable therapy for the potential treatment of dermatology oncologic conditions, including basal cell carcinoma, and (ii) VP-103, a second cantharidin based drug device combination for the potential treatment of plantar warts.

On July 21, 2023, YCANTH (cantharidin) 0.7% topical solution was the first product approved by the FDA for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in adult and pediatric patients two years of age and older. We commercially launched YCANTH (VP-102) in August 2023 in the United States for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum. We have built a specialized sales organization consisting of 77 sales representatives in the United States focused on pediatric dermatologists, dermatologists, and select pediatricians. We also plan to advance YCANTH (VP-102) for common warts and external genital warts through a separate regulatory approval process. In the future, we also intend to pursue commercialization for YCANTH (VP-102) for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum, as well as YCANTH (VP-102) for common warts and genital warts if approved, in additional geographic regions, either alone or together with a strategic partner.

We are also developing YCANTH (VP-102) for the treatment of common warts. In June 2019, we announced positive topline results from our COVE-1 Phase 2 open label clinical trial of YCANTH (VP-102) for the treatment of common warts. COVE-1 included two cohorts that evaluated the safety and efficacy of YCANTH (VP-102) in subjects with up to six warts. We held a Type C meeting with FDA on clinical development plan for YCANTH (VP-102) common warts indication on November 6, 2023. The meeting resulted in gaining alignment on the design of a pivotal Phase 3 clinical development plan to evaluate YCANTH (VP-102) for the treatment of common warts.

On May 14, 2024, we entered into the First Amendment to the Collaboration and License Agreement, or the First Amendment, with Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., or Torii. Pursuant to the First Amendment, we and Torii will equally split the cost of a global Phase 3 clinical trial of YCANTH (VP-102) for the treatment of common warts, or the Trial, with Torii paying all of the costs when due and we will repay Torii half of the costs, or the Company Portion. The Company Portion accrues interest annually at the greater of (i) the one-month SOFR plus 2% and (ii) 6%. Torii has the right to offset the Company Portion plus applicable interest against certain of the milestone-based payments that would otherwise be due to us under the terms of the Collaboration and License Agreement. In addition, if Torii has not received payment or other recoupment in full of the Company Portion plus applicable interest within 60 months after the date on which Torii made its first payment for the Trial costs, Torii may invoice us for the remained Company Portion plus applicable interest. Payment of our share of the costs may be offset by any development milestone payments in the Torii Agreement. No costs were incurred during the six month period ended June 30, 2024. We anticipate the Trial will begin in the first half of 2025.

In conjunction with the First Amendment, we issued Torii a warrant to purchase up to 500,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price per share of $9.56. The warrant has a term of ten years and is exercisable only with respect to the shares that have vested as of the date of exercise. The shares underlying the warrant will vest as follows: one-third on the date the first patient is dosed in the Trial, one-third on the date that the database lock with respect to the Trial occurs, and one-third on the date the Company submits a new drug application to the FDA for YCANTH (VP-102) for the treatment of common warts.

In addition, we are also developing YCANTH (VP-102) for the treatment of external genital warts. We initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the optimal dose regimen, efficacy, safety and tolerability of YCANTH (VP-102) in patients with external genital warts in June 2019. In November 2020, we announced positive topline results from our Phase 2 clinical trial of YCANTH (VP-102) for the treatment of external genital warts. An end of Phase 2 meeting was held with the FDA in May 2021. Based on results of the Phase 2 trial, we are evaluating the timing and design of a Phase 3 trial of YCANTH (VP-102) for the treatment of external genital warts, or BCC. BCC is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and incidence is rising worldwide. There are approximately 3.6 million diagnoses of BCCs in the United States each year, with a high unmet need for new treatment options. More than one out of every three new cancers are skin cancers, and the vast majority are BCCs. In 2021, the estimated global BCC market was $6.7 billion, which is expected to grow to $11.5 billion in 2028. Mohs micrographic surgery is considered the most effective technique for treating BCCs with over 700,000 procedures in the United States annually. We believe VP-315 has the potential to be a non-surgical alternative for the treatment of BCC.

We also intend to develop our product candidate, VP-315, for basal cell carcinoma and potentially additional dermatological oncology indications. The FDA accepted our investigational new drug application in November 2021. In April 2022, we dosed the first patient in Part 1 of a three-part Phase 2, multicenter, open-label, dose-escalation proof-of-concept trial with a safety run-in designed to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy in subjects with biopsy proven basal cell carcinoma.

In Part 1 of the trial, VP-315 demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile with no reported serious adverse events. We initiated Part 2 of the trial in April 2023. In June 2023, the protocol was amended to remove Part 3 of the trial and to expand Part 2. The trial enrolled 92 adult subjects with a histological diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma in at least one eligible target lesion. The last patient in Part 2 of the trial was dosed in December 2023. We announced preliminary positive results in August 2024 based on 93 confirmed basal cell carcinoma lesions that were treated during Part 2 of the trial; however, for histologic reduction in tumor size and overall reduction in tumor size, data from three of the 93 lesions are pending. Based on the preliminary results, VP-315 was well tolerated with no reported treatment-related serious adverse events or dose-limiting toxicities (n=93). Most treatment-related adverse events were mild to moderate cutaneous reactions. The overall reduction in tumor size of 90 of the lesions treated in Part 2 of the trial was approximately 86%. Approximately 51% of all lesions treated in Part 2 of the trial achieved complete histological clearance, with no residual tumor cells (n=93), and patients with residual tumor on average achieved an approximate 71% reduction in tumor size (n=90).We expect genomic and T-cell (immune response) data from the trial in the first quarter of 2025 and plan to request an End-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA to determine next steps for the development of VP-315 for the treatment of BCC in the first half of 2025.

In addition, we have conducted necessary drug development activities for VP-103, our second cantharidin-based product candidate, and are evaluating when to initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of plantar warts.

Since our inception in 2013, our operations have focused on developing YCANTH (VP-102), organizing and staffing our company, business planning, raising capital, establishing our intellectual property portfolio and conducting clinical trials. We have funded our operations primarily through the sale of equity and equity-linked securities and through borrowings under loan agreements.

On July 26, 2023, we entered into a Credit Agreement with OrbiMed, or the Initial Lender, and each other lender that may from time to time become a party thereto, or the Lenders. The Credit Agreement provides for a five-year senior secured credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $125.0 million, or the Loan Facility, of which we borrowed $50.0 million on July 26, 2023, resulting in net proceeds to us of approximately $44.1 million after payment of certain fees and transaction related expenses. The additional borrowings would potentially be available to the us subject to achievement of certain revenue targets, up to $25.0 million could have been available on or prior to June 30, 2024, up to $30.0 million would be made available on or prior to December 31, 2024, up to $10.0 million would be made available on or prior to March 31, 2025, and up to $10.0 million would be made available on or prior to June 30, 2025. We did not achieve the revenue target as of June 30, 2024 and were not be able to borrow the first additional tranche of $25.0 million. In addition, we do not believe we will be able to borrow, and we do not intend to borrow, additional tranches under the Credit Agreement. Amounts borrowed under the Loan Facility will mature on July 26, 2028. As part of the Loan Facility, we issued the Initial Lender a warrant to purchase up to 518,551 shares of our common stock, at an exercise price of $6.0264 per share, which have a term of 10 years from the issuance date.

In February 2023, we closed an underwritten offering of 750,000 shares of our common stock and pre-funded warrants to purchase 4,064,814 shares of common stock. The shares of common stock were sold at a price of $6.75 per share and the pre-funded warrants were sold at a price of $6.7499 per pre-funded warrant, resulting in total net proceeds of $30.3 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions, and offering expenses.

Since inception, we have incurred significant operating losses. For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, our net loss was $37.5 million and $17.6 million, respectively. The increase in loss is primarily due to significant commercial expenditures to support the launch and future growth of YCANTH (VP-102) compounded by slower than expected revenue growth. As of June 30, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $268.0 million. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and operating losses for the foreseeable future. We anticipate that our expenses will increase significantly in connection with our ongoing activities, as we:

• continue commercialization of YCANTH (VP-102) for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum;
• continue our ongoing clinical program evaluating VP-315 for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma and potentially additional dermatological oncology indications;
• continue our ongoing clinical programs evaluating YCANTH (VP-102) for the treatment of common warts and external genital warts, as well as initiate and complete additional clinical trials, as needed;
• initiate clinical trials evaluating VP-103 for the treatment of plantar warts;
• pursue regulatory approvals for YCANTH (VP-102) for the treatment of common warts, external genital warts, or any other indications we may pursue for YCANTH (VP-102), VP-315 or VP-103;
• seek to discover and develop additional product candidates;
• further establish a commercialization infrastructure and scale up external manufacturing and distribution capabilities to commercialize YCANTH (VP-102) for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum and any other product candidates for which we may obtain regulatory approval, including YCANTH for external genital warts and common warts,VP-315 and VP-103;
• seek to in-license or acquire additional product candidates for other dermatological conditions;
• adapt our regulatory compliance efforts to incorporate requirements applicable to marketed products;
• maintain, expand and protect our intellectual property portfolio;
• hire additional commercial, administrative, clinical, manufacturing and scientific personnel;
• add operational, financial and management information systems and personnel, including personnel to support our product development and planned commercialization efforts; and
• incur additional legal, accounting and other expenses while operating as a public company.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the dates of the balance sheets and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting periods. In accordance with GAAP, we evaluate our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis.

A summary of our significant accounting policies are disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. However, we believe that the additional accounting policies disclosed in Note 2 to our financial statements are important to understanding and evaluating our reported financial results.

Components of Results of Operations

Product Revenue, Net

We recognize revenue from sales of YCANTH (VP-102), or the Product, in accordance with ASC Topic 606 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers. YCANTH (VP-102) became available for commercial sale and shipment for the treatment of patients by a healthcare provider in the United States in the year ended December 31, 2023. We sell the Product to several pharmaceutical wholesaler/distributors, or the Customers, who in turn sell the Product directly to clinics, hospitals, and federal healthcare programs. Revenue is recognized as the Product is physically delivered to the Customers.

Gross product sales are reduced by corresponding gross-to-net, or GTN, estimates using the expected value method, resulting in our reported “Product revenue, net” in the accompanying statements of operations. Product revenue, net reflects the amount we ultimately expect to realize in net cash proceeds, taking into account the current period gross sales and related cash receipts and the subsequent cash disbursements on these sales that we estimate for the various GTN categories. The GTN estimates are based upon information received from external sources, such as written or oral information obtained from our customers with respect to their period-end inventory levels and sales to end-users during the period, in combination with management’s informed judgments. Due to the inherent uncertainty of these estimates, the actual amount of product returns, government chargebacks, prompt pay discounts, commercial rebates, Medicaid rebates, co-pay assistance and distribution, data, and group purchasing organizations, or GPOs, administrative fees may be materially above or below the amount estimated. Variance between actual amounts and estimated amounts may result in prospective adjustments to reported net product revenue.

YCANTH (VP-102) may fail to achieve the degree of market acceptance by physicians, patients, third-party payors and others in the medical community necessary for commercial success. At this time, we cannot reasonably estimate or know the nature, timing and costs of the efforts that will be necessary to achieve our revenue forecasts in the near future, if ever.

Collaboration Revenue

Collaboration revenue represents revenue from the Torii Agreement pursuant to which we granted Torii an exclusive license to develop and commercialize our product candidates that contain a topical formulation of cantharidin for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum and common warts in Japan, including YCANTH (VP-102).

Operating Expenses

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses consist principally of salaries and related costs for personnel in sales, executive and administrative functions, including stock-based compensation, travel expenses and recruiting expenses. Other selling, general and administrative expenses include cost of samples, sponsorships, consumer and health care professional marketing and advertising expense, insurance costs, and professional fees for audit, tax and legal services.

We anticipate that our selling, general and administrative expenses, including payroll and related expenses, will increase in the future as we continue to increase our headcount to support the expected growth in our business, expand our operations and organizational capabilities, and continue to commercialize YCANTH (VP-102). We also anticipate increased expenses associated with general operations, including costs related to audit, tax and legal services, director and officer insurance premiums, and investor relations costs.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses consist of expenses incurred in connection with the discovery and development of YCANTH (VP-102) for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum, potential follow-on indications for YCANTH (VP-102), including common warts and external genital warts, VP-315, and our other product candidates. We expense research and development costs as incurred. These expenses include:

• expenses incurred under agreements with contract research organizations, or CROs, as well as investigative sites and consultants that conduct our clinical trials and preclinical studies;
• manufacturing and supply scale-up expenses and the cost of acquiring and manufacturing preclinical and clinical trial supply and commercial supply, including manufacturing validation batches;
• outsourced professional scientific development services;
• employee-related expenses, which include salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation;
• expenses relating to regulatory activities; and
• laboratory materials and supplies used to support our research activities.

Research and development activities are central to our business model. Product candidates in later stages of clinical development generally have higher development costs than those in earlier stages of clinical development, primarily due to the increased size and duration of later-stage clinical trials. We expect our research and development expenses to increase over the next several years as we increase personnel costs, including stock-based compensation, initiate and conduct clinical trials of YCANTH (VP-102) in patients with common warts, YCANTH (VP-102) in patients with external genital warts, VP-315 for basal cell carcinoma and potentially additional dermatological oncology indications,VP-103 in patients with plantar warts, and conduct other clinical trials and prepare regulatory filings for our product candidates.

The successful development of our product candidates is highly uncertain. At this time, we cannot reasonably estimate or know the nature, timing and costs of the efforts that will be necessary to complete the remainder of the development of, or when, if ever, material net cash inflows may commence from YCANTH (VP-102) or our other product candidates. This uncertainty is due to the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with the duration and cost of clinical trials, which vary significantly over the life of a project as a result of many factors, including:

• the number of clinical sites included in the trials;
• the length of time required to enroll suitable patients;
• the number of patients that ultimately participate in the trials;
• the number of doses patients receive;
• the duration of patient follow-up; and
• the results of our clinical trials.

Our expenditures are subject to additional uncertainties, including the manufacturing process for our product candidates, the terms and timing of regulatory approvals, and the expense of filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing any patent claims or other intellectual property rights. We may never succeed in achieving regulatory approval for our product candidates. We may obtain unexpected results from our clinical trials. We may elect to discontinue, delay or modify clinical trials of our product candidates. A change in the outcome of any of these variables with respect to the development of a product candidate could mean a significant change in the costs and timing associated with the development of that product candidate. For example, if the FDA or other regulatory authorities were to require us to conduct clinical trials beyond those that we currently anticipate, or if we experience significant delays in enrollment in any of our clinical trials, we could be required to expend significant additional financial resources and time on the completion of clinical development.

Cost of Product Revenue

Cost of product revenue includes the cost of inventory sold, which includes direct manufacturing and supply chain costs. Prior to FDA approval, all product purchased from such suppliers was included as a component of research and development expense, as we were unable to assert that the inventory had future economic benefit until YCANTH (VP-102)received FDA approval. We purchased and included in research and development expenses approximately $4.5 million of raw cantharidin and processed active pharmaceutical ingredient, or API. The raw cantharidin and processed API is sufficient to produce approximately 14 million finished drug product applicators to be used for commercially saleable product and other product candidates. In addition, we purchased other components and services related to YCANTH (VP-102) for commercially saleable product and included approximately $1.2 million in research and development expenses prior to FDA approval. As a result, cost of product revenue related to YCANTH (VP-102) will initially reflect a lower average per unit cost of materials over approximately the next ten months as previously expensed inventory is utilized for commercial production and sold to customers. If we included those costs previously expensed as a component of cost of product revenue, our cost of product revenue for three and six months ended June 30, 2024 would have been $0.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively, including $0.2 million of obsolete inventory costs for each period.

Cost of Collaboration Revenue

The costs of collaboration revenue consists of payments for manufacturing supply to support development and testing services pursuant to the Torii Clinical Supply Agreement.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):

Product Revenue, Net

Product revenue, net was $4.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and relates to the delivery of YCANTH (VP-102) to FFF, our primary distributor, related to demand pull through, as well as the expansion of our specialty distribution network to bring-on an additional specialty distributor and the related impact of a one-time stock-in order from that distributor, which represented approximately 54% of net revenue in the period. YCANTH (VP-102), our first FDA approved product, became available for commercial sale in August 2023.

Collaboration Revenue

Collaboration revenue was $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. During both of the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, collaboration revenue consisted of supplies and development activity with Torii.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $16.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $5.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase of $10.6 million was primarily due to higher expenses related to commercial activities for YCANTH (VP-102), including increased compensation, recruiting fees, benefits and travel due to ramp-up of sales force of $7.2 million, other commercial activity of $1.7 million, increased legal costs of $1.1 million and increased marketing and sponsorship costs of $0.4 million.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses were $3.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $5.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The decrease of $2.4 million was primarily related to reduction of costs related to YCANTH (VP-102) pre-launch activity of $2.3 million and decrease in VP-315 clinical trial costs of $0.5 million partially offset by increased headcount related costs of $0.5 million.

The following table summarizes our research and development expense by product candidate or, for unallocated expenses, by type, for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. We did not incur any research and development expense for VP-103 during the three months ended June 30, 2024 or 2023. Unallocated expenses include compensation and other personnel related costs.

Cost of Product Revenue

Cost of product revenue of $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 consisted of product costs related to the sale of YCANTH (VP-102) of $0.3 million and other indirect costs of $0.1 million.

Cost of Collaboration Revenue

Cost of collaboration revenue was $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase of $0.1 million was primarily due to increased manufacturing supply required to support development and testing services pursuant to the Torii Clinical Supply Agreement.

Interest Income

Interest income was $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $0.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to lower cash balance for the period ended June 30, 2024.

Interest Expense

Interest expense of $2.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 consisted of interest expense on the OrbiMed Credit Agreement as described in Note 10 to our financial statements.

Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):

Product Revenue, Net

Product revenue, net was $8.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and relates to the delivery of YCANTH (VP-102) to FFF, our primary distributor, related to demand pull through, as well as the expansion of our specialty distribution network to bring-on an additional specialty distributor and the related impact of an initial one-time stock-in order from that distributor, which represented approximately 32% of net revenue in the period. YCANTH (VP-102), our first FDA approved product, became available for commercial sale in August 2023.

Collaboration Revenue

Collaboration revenue was $0.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 which consisted of supplies and development activity with Torii for each period.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $32.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $10.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase of $22.6 million was primarily due to higher expenses related to commercial activities for YCANTH (VP-102), including increased compensation, recruiting fees, benefits and travel due to ramp-up of sales force of $12.5 million, increased marketing and sponsorship costs of $3.4 million, other commercial activity of $3.9 million, increased legal costs of $1.6 million and finance costs of $0.6 million.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses were $8.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $8.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The decrease of $0.2 million was primarily due to a reduction of costs related to YCANTH (VP-102) pre-launch activity of $2.5 million partially offset by an increase in clinical trial costs for VP-315 of $1.6 million and increased headcount related costs of $0.7 million.

The following table summarizes our research and development expense by product candidate or, for unallocated expenses, by type for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. We did not incur any research and development expense for VP-103 during the three months ended June 30, 2024 or 2023. Unallocated expenses include compensation and other personnel related costs.

Cost of Product Revenue

Cost of product revenue of $0.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 consisted of product costs related to the sale of YCANTH (VP-102) of $0.4 million, obsolete inventory write-off of $0.4 million and other indirect costs of $0.1 million.

Cost of Collaboration Revenue

Cost of collaboration revenue was $0.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase of $0.6 million was primarily due to increased manufacturing supply required to support development and testing services pursuant to the Torii Clinical Supply Agreement.

Interest Income

Interest income was $1.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $1.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 primarily due to lower cash as of June 30, 2024.

Interest Expense

Interest expense of $4.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 consisted of interest expense on the OrbiMed Credit Agreement as described in Note 10 to our financial statements.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Since our inception, we have incurred net losses and negative cash flows from our operations. We have financed our operations since inception primarily through sales of our convertible preferred stock, the sale of our common stock, the issuance of debt and $20.0 million from the Torii Agreement.

As of June 30, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $31.9 million. Cash in excess of immediate requirements is invested in accordance with our investment policy, primarily with a view to liquidity and capital preservation.

On July 21, 2023, the FDA approved YCANTH (VP-102) topical solution for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in adult and pediatric patients two years of age and older. Our first commercial sale of YCANTH (VP-102) occurred in August 2023 to FFF, our primary specialty pharmacy distributor.

On July 26, 2023, we entered into the Credit Agreement which provides for a $125.0 million Loan Facility. We borrowed $50.0 million on July 26, 2023, resulting in net proceeds to us of approximately $44.1 million after payment of certain fees and transaction related expenses. The additional borrowings would potentially be available to the us subject to achievement of certain revenue targets, up to $25.0 million could have been available on or prior to June 30, 2024, up to $30.0 million would be made available on or prior to December 31, 2024, up to $10.0 million would be made available on or prior to March 31, 2025, and up to $10.0 million would be made available on or prior to June 30, 2025. We did not achieve the revenue target as of June 30, 2024 and were not be able to borrow the first additional tranche of $25.0 million. In addition, we do not believe we will be able to borrow, and we do not intend to borrow, additional tranches under the Credit Agreement.

Amounts borrowed under the Loan Facility will mature on July 26, 2028. Payments of the principal amount of borrowings under the Credit Agreement, together with a repayment premium and other fees, are not required under the Credit Agreement unless our net revenue attributable to YCANTH on a trailing 12-month basis does not equal or exceed specified amounts for specified test periods as set forth in the Credit Agreement beginning on December 31, 2024. If, on a test date, we do not achieve the specified amount of revenue on a trailing 12-month basis,then, beginning on the last day of the next full month immediately following the such test date, the Company would be required to repay the outstanding principal amount of the loans on the last day of each month in equal monthly installments through the maturity date, together with the applicable repayment premium and the exit fee. If we do not achieve the specified amount of revenue on a trailing 12-month basis to meet the revenue test requirements as of December 31, 2024, we would begin making principal payments on the outstanding debt balance starting in January 2025.

During the term of the Loan Facility, interest payable in cash by us will accrue on any outstanding balance due under the Loan Facility at a rate per annum equal to the higher of (x) the SOFR rate (which is the forward-looking term rate for a one-month tenor based on the secured overnight financing rate administered by the CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited) and (y) 4.00% plus, in either case, 8.00%. During an event of default, any outstanding amount under the Loan Facility will bear interest at a rate of 4.00% in excess of the otherwise applicable rate of interest. We will pay certain fees with respect to the Loan Facility, including an upfront fee, an unused fee on the undrawn portion of the Loan Facility, an administration fee, a prepayment premium and an exit fee, as well as certain other fees and expenses of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):

Operating Activities

During the six months ended June 30, 2024, operating activities used $36.3 million of cash, primarily resulting from a net loss of $37.5 million partially offset by non-cash stock-based compensation of $4.3 million and non-cash interest expense of $1.0 million. Net cash used by changes in operating assets and liabilities consisted primarily of increases in accounts receivable of $5.8 million and prepaid expenses and other assets of $1.6 million partially offset by a net increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $2.7 million.

During the six months ended June 30, 2023, operating activities used $9.3 million of cash, primarily resulting from a net loss of $17.6 million partially offset by non-cash stock-based compensation of $2.6 million. Net cash used in changes in operating assets and liabilities consisted primarily of an decrease in prepaid and other assets of $2.9 million and an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $2.2 million.

Investing Activities

During the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, net cash used in investing activities of $11,000 and $70,000, respectively, was for the purchase of property and equipment.

Financing Activities

During the six months ended June 30, 2024, net cash used by financing activities of $1.3 million was primarily due to $1.1 million of debt amendment costs related to the OrbiMed Credit Agreement.

During the six months ended June 30, 2023, net cash provided by financing activities of $30.2 million was primarily related to the proceeds of $30.3 million, net of issuance costs from the issuance of common stock and pre-funded warrants.

Funding Requirements

Our first commercial sale of YCANTH (VP-102) occurred in August 2023 to FFF, our primary specialty pharmacy distributor. While we expect to continue to generate revenue from the sale of YCANTH (VP-102), we expect our expenses to increase in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we continue commercialization of YCANTH (VP-102) and continue the research and development of, continue or initiate clinical trials of, and seek marketing approval for, our product candidates. We expect to incur significant commercialization expenses related to sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution. Furthermore, we expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company. We will need substantial additional financing to fund our operations. If we are unable to raise capital when needed or on attractive terms, we would be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our research and development programs or continued and future commercialization efforts.

We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2024 will be sufficient to support our planned operations only into the first quarter of 2025. These factors cause substantial doubt to exist about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date these financial statements are issued. The Company’s financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might result should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could exhaust our capital resources sooner than we expect. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:

• the level of sales achieved, and costs related to the commercialization of YCANTH (VP-102) for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum;
• the costs, timing and outcome of regulatory review of our product candidates;
• the scope, progress, results and costs of our clinical trials;
• the scope, prioritization and number of our research and development programs;
• the costs of preparing, filing and prosecuting patent applications, maintaining and enforcing our intellectual property rights and defending intellectual property-related claims;
• our ability to maintain compliance with covenants under our loan agreements;
• the extent to which we acquire or in-license other product candidates and technologies;
• the impact on the timing of our clinical trials and our business;
• the costs to scale up and secure manufacturing arrangements for commercial production of YCANTH (VP 102) for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum and any product candidate we successfully commercialize; and
• the costs of establishing and maintaining sales and marketing capabilities for YCANTH (VP 102) for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum and any product candidate that obtains regulatory approval.

Identifying potential product candidates and conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials is a time-consuming, expensive and uncertain process that takes many years to complete, and we may never generate the necessary data or results required to obtain marketing approval and achieve product sales. In addition, YCANTH (VP-102), and our other product candidates, if approved, may not achieve commercial success. Our commercial revenues will be derived solely from sales of YCANTH (VP-102) in the near term. We may need to continue to rely on additional financing to achieve our business objectives. Adequate additional financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all.

Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial product revenues, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements. Our ability to raise additional capital may be adversely impacted by potential worsening global economic conditions and the disruptions to, and volatility in, the credit and financial markets in the United States and worldwide. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, ownership interests of existing stockholders may be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect our existing stockholders’ rights. Debt financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends.

If we raise funds through additional collaborations, strategic alliances or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams, research programs or product candidates or to grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our product development or future commercialization efforts or grant rights to develop and market product candidates that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

As of June 30, 2024, there have been no material changes to our contractual obligations and commitments as previously discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

There have been no material changes to our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk as previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of June 30, 2024.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b) of the Exchange Act that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2024, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item. 1 Legal Proceedings

On June 6, 2022, plaintiff Kranthi Gorlamari (“Plaintiff”) filed a putative class action complaint captioned Gorlamari v. Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc., et al., in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against us and certain of our current and former officers and directors (“Defendants”). On January 12, 2023, the Plaintiff filed an amended complaint alleging that Defendants violated federal securities laws by, among other things, failing to disclose certain manufacturing deficiencies at the facility where our contract manufacturer produced bulk solution for the YCANTH (VP-102) drug device and that such deficiencies posed a risk to the prospects for regulatory approval of YCANTH (VP-102) for the treatment of molluscum. The amended complaint seeks unspecified compensatory damages and other relief on behalf of Plaintiff and all other persons and entities which purchased or otherwise acquired our securities between May 19, 2021 and May 24, 2022 (the “Putative Class Period”).

On January 12, 2024, the Court granted in part and denied in part Defendants’ motion to dismiss the amended complaint. The Court held that Plaintiff’s claims relating to statements made in May and June 2021 were sufficiently pled, but dismissed Plaintiff’s claims relating to all other statements made during the Putative Class Period. On January 26, 2024, Plaintiff filed a second amended complaint in an attempt to cure certain of the deficiencies identified in the January 12, 2024 ruling. Defendants’ motion to dismiss the second amended complaint was fully briefed as of April 22, 2024, and is pending before the Court.

We are involved in ordinary, routine legal proceedings that are not considered by management to be material. We believe the ultimate liabilities resulting from such legal proceedings will not materially affect our financial position or our results of operations or cash flows.

Our business is subject to risks and events that, if they occur, could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and the trading price of our securities. In addition to the other information set forth in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the factors described in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2024. Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes to the risk factors described in that report.

Our financial statements have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern.

We have incurred recurring losses from operations since inception and we believe our existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to support our planned operations only into the first quarter of 2025. These factors cause substantial doubt to exist about our ability to continue as a going concern. If we are unable to obtain sufficient funding, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations will be materially and adversely affected, and we may be unable to continue as a going concern. If we are unable to continue as a going concern, we may have to liquidate our assets and may receive less than the value at which those assets are carried on our financial statements, and it is likely that investors will lose all or a part of their investment. In addition, if there remains substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, investors or other financing sources may be unwilling to provide additional funding to us on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service our indebtedness, we may be required to begin paying principal prior to the maturity date, and we believe we will be unable to borrow additional funds pursuant to our Loan Facility.

We have entered into a Credit Agreement with OrbiMed, pursuant to which we borrowed $50.0 million in July 2023. Our obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by all or substantially all of our assets.

The Credit Agreement provided for up to $25.0 million could have been made available on or prior to June 30, 2024, up to $30.0 million would be made available on or prior to December 31, 2024, up to $10.0 million would be made available on or prior to March 31, 2025, and up to $10.0 million would be made available on or prior to June 30, 2025, in each case, subject to certain revenue requirements. We did not achieve the revenue target as of June 30, 2024 and were not able to borrow the first additional tranche of $25.0 million. In addition, we do not believe we will be able to borrow, and do not intend to borrow, additional tranches under the Credit Agreement.

We are subject to a number of affirmative and restrictive covenants pursuant to the Credit Agreement, which limit or restrict our ability to (subject to certain qualifications and exceptions): create liens and encumbrances; incur additional indebtedness; merge, dissolve, liquidate or consolidate; make acquisitions, investments, advances or loans; dispose of or transfer assets; pay dividends or make other payments in respect of their capital stock; amend certain material documents; redeem or repurchase certain debt; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and enter into certain restrictive agreements. In addition, the Credit Agreement contains a financial covenant that the Company must maintain a liquidity of at least $10.0 million and that the Company’s quarterly and annual financial statements not be subject to any qualification or statement which is of a “going concern” or similar nature beginning with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2024. Our obligations under the Credit Agreement are subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of an event of default (subject to notice and grace periods). We are currently in compliance with the Credit Agreement covenants.

Payments of the principal amount of borrowings under the Credit Agreement, together with a repayment premium and other fees, are not required under the Credit Agreement unless our net revenue attributable to YCANTH on a trailing 12-month basis does not equal or exceed specified amounts for specified test periods as set forth in the Credit Agreement beginning on December 31, 2024. If, on a test date, we do not achieve the specified amount of revenue on a trailing 12-month basis, then, beginning on the last day of the next full month immediately following the such test date, we would be required to repay the outstanding principal amount of the loans on the last day of each month in equal monthly installments through the maturity date, together with the applicable repayment premium and the exit fee.

If we are unable to achieve certain milestones, generate sufficient revenue and raise additional capital through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings and license and collaboration agreements, we will no longer be in compliance with these covenants. We may also enter into other debt agreements in the future which may contain similar or more restrictive terms.

Our ability to make scheduled monthly payments or to refinance our debt obligations depends on numerous factors, including the amount of our cash reserves and our actual and projected financial and operating performance. These amounts and our performance are subject to certain financial and business factors, as well as prevailing economic and competitive conditions, some of which may be beyond our control. We cannot assure you that we will maintain a level of cash reserves or cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our existing or future indebtedness. If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets or operations, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. We cannot assure you that we would be able to take any of these actions, or that these actions would permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. Failure to comply with the conditions of the Credit Agreement could result in an event of default, which could result in an acceleration of amounts due under the Credit Agreement. We may not have sufficient funds or may be unable to arrange for additional financing to repay our indebtedness or to make any accelerated payments, and OrbiMed could seek to enforce security interests in the collateral securing such indebtedness, which would harm our business.