AEON Biopharma, Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Jun 30, 2023

References to the “Company,” “Priveterra Acquisition Corp.,” “our,” “us” or “we” refer to Priveterra Acquisition Corp. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “continue,” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, those described in our other SEC filings.

Overview

We are a blank check company incorporated in Delaware on November 17, 2020. We were formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”).

Our Sponsor is Priveterra Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. The registration statement for the IPO was declared effective on February 8, 2021. On February 11, 2021, we consummated the IPO of 27,600,000 Units, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $276,000,000, and incurring offering costs of approximately $5,520,000, inclusive of approximately $9,660,000 in deferred underwriting commissions. On November 16, 2022, the Company and one of the underwriters executed a waiver letter confirming the underwriter’s waiver of its deferred fee under the terms of the underwriting agreement. As a result, the Company recognized income of $3,767,400 in relation to the waiver of the deferred underwriter fee allocated to the underwriter in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the deferred underwriting fee payable was $1,255,800 and 5,892,600, respectively. On January 23, 2023, the Company and a second underwriter executed a waiver letter confirming the underwriter’s waiver of its deferred fee under the terms of the underwriting agreement which represents an additional $4,636,800 of the deferred fee as waived.

Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, we consummated the Private Placement of 5,213,333 Private Placement Warrants, at a price of $1.50 per Private Placement Warrant to our Sponsor, generating gross proceeds to us of approximately $7,820,000.

Upon the closing of the IPO and the Private Placement, $276,000,000 ($10.00 per Unit) of the net proceeds of the IPO and certain of the proceeds of the Private Placement was placed in the Trust Account and was invested in permitted United States “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act that invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations.

Our management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination.

We will only have 30 months from the closing of the IPO, or August 11, 2023, (or such later date as may be approved by Priveterra stockholders in an amendment to the current charter) to complete our initial Business Combination (the “Combination Period”). If we do not complete a Business Combination within this period of time, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible, but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares for a per share pro rata portion of the Trust Account, including interest and not previously released to us to fund our working capital requirements (less taxes payable and up to $100,000 of such net interest to pay dissolution expenses) and (iii) as promptly as possible following such redemption, dissolve and liquidate the balance of our net assets to our remaining stockholders, as part of our plan of dissolution and liquidation. Our Sponsor and our executive officers and independent director nominees (the “initial stockholders”) entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have waived their rights to participate in any redemption with respect to their Founder Shares; however, if the initial stockholders or any of our officers, directors or affiliates acquire shares of common stock in or after the IPO, they will be entitled to a pro rata share of the Trust Account upon our redemption or liquidation in the event we do not complete a Business Combination within the required time period. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the residual assets remaining available for distribution (including Trust Account assets) will be less than the IPO price per Unit in the IPO.

On December 12, 2022, the Company entered into a Business Combination Agreement (the “Business Combination Agreement”) by and among the Company, Priveterra Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), and AEON Biopharma, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“AEON”). The Business Combination Agreement provides, among other things, that on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Merger Sub will merge with and into AEON, with AEON surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”). Upon the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”), the Company will change its name to “AEON Biopharma, Inc.” The date on which the Closing actually occurs is hereinafter referred to as the “Closing Date.”

Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger, each option, whether vested or unvested, exercisable for AEON equity that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger shall be assumed by the Company and continue in full force and effect on the same terms and conditions as are currently applicable to such options, subject to adjustments to exercise price and number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon exercise.

Under the Business Combination Agreement, the Company will acquire all of the outstanding equity interests of AEON (including equity interests issued upon conversion of the outstanding convertible notes of AEON) in exchange for shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), based on an implied AEON equity value of $165,000,000, to be paid to AEON stockholders at the effective time of the Merger, except that 809,000 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock otherwise issuable as merger consideration shall be held back to satisfy the exercise of certain of AEON’s convertible notes upon the maturity thereof.

The issuance of additional shares in connection with the Business Combination to the current owners of AEON or other investors:

• may significantly dilute the equity interest of Priveterra stockholders, which dilution would increase if the anti-dilution provisions in the Class B Common Stock resulted in the issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock on a greater than one-to-one basis upon conversion of the Class B Common Stock;
• may subordinate the rights of holders of Priveterra Common Stock if preferred stock is issued with rights senior to those afforded Priveterra Common Stock;
• could cause a change in control if a substantial number of shares of Priveterra Common Stock is issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors;
• may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of us by diluting the stock ownership or voting rights of a person seeking to obtain control of us; and
• may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our Class A Common Stock.

Similarly, if we issue debt securities or otherwise incur significant debt to bank or other lenders or the owners of AEON, it could result in:

• default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after the Business Combination are insufficient to repay our debt obligations;
• acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;
• our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt is payable on demand;
• our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt is outstanding;
• our inability to pay dividends on Priveterra Common Stock;
• using a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends on our common stock if declared, our ability to pay expenses, make capital expenditures and acquisitions, and fund other general corporate purposes;
• limitations on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate;
• increased vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation;
• limitations on our ability to borrow additional amounts for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, and execution of our strategy; and
• other purposes and other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt.

As indicated in the accompanying financial statements, as of June 30, 2023, the balance of the Trust Account was approximately $21,193,395 (excluding $1,255,800 of deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the income earned on the Trust Account). Further, we expect to incur significant costs in the pursuit of the Business Combination. We cannot assure you that our plans to raise capital or to complete the Business Combination will be successful.

Results of Operations

Our entire activity since inception through June 30, 2023 related to our formation, the preparation for the IPO, and since the closing of the IPO, the search for a prospective initial Business Combination. We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. We will not generate any operating revenues until after completion of our initial Business Combination. We will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income and dividends on investments held in Trust Account. Additionally, we will recognize unrealized gains or loss related to our Warrants. We expect to incur increased expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses.

For the three months ended June 30, 2023, we had net loss of $3,942,337, which is driven by an unrealized loss of $524,114 on our warrants, income tax provision of $91,662 and operating costs of $3,526,521. Partially offsetting our $199,960 in interest income from asset held in our Trust Account.

For the six months ended June 30, 2023, we had net loss of $4,330,852, which is driven by an unrealized loss of $666,966 on our warrants, income tax provision of $496,296 and operating costs of $5,270,006. Partially offsetting our loss are gain on forgiveness of underwriting fee payable of $200,087 and $1,902,329 in interest income from investments held in our Trust Account.

For the three months ended June 30, 2022, we had net income of $1,867,104, which is driven by an unrealized gain of $2,173,893 on our warrants and $137,380 in interest income from investments held in our Trust Account. Partially offsetting our income is operating costs and of $427,204 and provision for income tax of $16,965.

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, we had net income of $4,640,497, which is driven by an unrealized gain of $5,206,773 on our warrants and $266,966 in interest income from investments held in our Trust Account. Partially offsetting our income is operating costs and of $816,277 and provision for income tax of $16,965.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of June 30, 2023, we had $441,377 in our operating bank account and working capital deficit of $8,868,659 (excluding taxes payable which is funded by earnings from the Trust Account).

Prior to the completion of the IPO, our liquidity needs have been satisfied through a capital contribution from the Sponsor of $25,000 for the founder shares and loans under an unsecured promissory note from the Sponsor of $73,295. On February 15, 2021, we issued an unsecured convertible promissory note to our Sponsor, pursuant to which we may borrow up to $1,500,000 from our sponsor for ongoing expenses reasonably related to our business and the consummation of an initial business combination. All unpaid principal under the convertible note will be due and payable in full on the earlier of (i) August 11, 2023 and (ii) the effective date of our initial business combination. Our Sponsor will have the option, at any time on or prior to such maturity date, to convert any amounts outstanding under the convertible note into warrants to purchase shares of our Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, at a conversion price of $1.50 per warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one share of our Class A Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to the same adjustments applicable to the private placement warrants sold concurrently with our IPO. In June 2021 we had $100,000 of Working Capital Loans outstanding which were converted into 66,667 Working Capital Warrants. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were no borrowings under the Working Capital Loans.

Management continues to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and has concluded that the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of the balance sheets. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Going Concern

We have approximately $441,000 in cash and approximately $9,400,000 in current liabilities as of June 30, 2023 and have incurred and expect to incur additional significant costs in pursuit of financing and acquisition plans. Additionally, we have until August 11, 2023 to consummate a Business Combination. In connection with our assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 205-40, “Presentation of Financial Statements– Going Concern,” we have determined that the liquidity condition and mandatory liquidation, should a Business Combination not occur, and potential subsequent dissolution raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. We intend to complete a Business Combination before the mandatory liquidation date. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should we be required to liquidate after August 11, 2023 (or such later date as may be approved by Priveterra stockholders in an amendment to the current charter).

Off-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements

As of June 30, 2023, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

Inflation

We do not believe that inflation had a material impact on our business, revenues or operating results during the period presented.

JOBS Act

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. We qualify as an “emerging growth company” and under the JOBS Act are allowed to comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements based on the effective date for private (not publicly traded) companies. We are electing to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards, and as a result, we may not comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. As a result, the consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.

Additionally, we are in the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on the other reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, if, as an “emerging growth company,” we choose to rely on such exemptions we may not be required to, among other things, (i) provide an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404, (ii) provide all of the compensation disclosure that may be required of non-emerging growth public companies under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, (iii) comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the consolidated financial statements (auditor discussion and analysis) and (iv) disclose certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the CEO’s compensation to median employee compensation. These exemptions will apply for a period of five years following the completion of our IPO or until we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” whichever is earlier.

Contractual Obligations

Administrative Services Agreement

Commencing on the date that our securities are first listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, we agreed to pay the Sponsor up to $25,000 per month for administrative and other services, of which $10,000 per month will be paid to the Sponsor for office space and administrative services provided to members of the management team and up to $15,000 will be used to compensate the Company’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Secretary for a portion of their time spent on the Company’s affairs. Upon completion of the Business Combination or the Company’s liquidation, the Company will cease paying these monthly fees.

Registration Rights

The initial stockholders and holders of the Private Placement Warrants will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement. The initial stockholders and holders of the Private Placement Warrants will be entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form registration demands, that register such securities for sale under the Securities Act. In addition, these holders will have “piggy-back” registration rights to include their securities in other registration statements filed by us. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

Underwriting Agreement

We granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 3,600,000 additional Units to cover any over-allotments, at the IPO price less the underwriting discounts and commissions. The warrants that were issued in connection with the 3,600,000 over-allotment Units are identical to the public warrants and have no net cash settlement provisions.

We paid an underwriting discount of 2% of the per Unit offering price, or approximately $5,520,000 million in the aggregate at the closing of the IPO, and agreed to pay an additional fee (the “Deferred Underwriting Fees”) of 3.5% of the gross offering proceeds, or approximately $9,660,000 in the aggregate upon the Company’s completion of an Initial Business Combination. The Deferred Underwriting Fees will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event the Company completes its initial Business Combination. On November 16, 2022, the Company and one of the underwriters executed a waiver letter confirming the underwriter’s waiver of its deferred fee under the terms of the underwriting agreement. As a result, the Company recognized income of $3,767,400 in relation to the waiver of the deferred underwriter fee allocated to the underwriter in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the deferred underwriting fee payable was $1,255,800 and $5,892,600, respectively. On January 23, 2023, the Company and a second underwriter executed a waiver letter confirming the underwriter’s waiver of its deferred fee under the terms of the underwriting agreement which represents an additional $4,636,800 of the deferred fee as waived.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. We have not identified any critical accounting policies.

Derivative Financial Instruments

We evaluate our financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives in accordance with ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. Derivative instruments are recorded at fair value on the grant date and re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the statements of operations. Derivative assets and liabilities are classified in the balance sheets as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement or conversion of the instrument could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date. We have determined the warrants are a derivative instrument.

FASB ASC 470-20, Debt with Conversion and Other Options addresses the allocation of proceeds from the issuance of convertible debt into its equity and debt components. We apply this guidance to allocate IPO proceeds from the Units between Class A common stock and warrants, using the residual method by allocating IPO proceeds first to fair value of the warrants and then the Class A common stock.

Investments Held in the Trust Account

Our portfolio of investments held in the Trust Account is comprised of U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of 185 days or less, or investments in money market funds that invest in U.S. government securities, or a combination thereof. The investments held in the Trust Account are classified as trading securities. Trading securities are presented on the balance sheets at fair value at the end of each reporting period. Gains and losses resulting from the change in fair value of these securities is included in gain on marketable securities, dividends and interest held in Trust Account in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The estimated fair values of investments held in the Trust Account were determined using available market information.

Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption

We account for Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Class A common stock subject to mandatory redemption (if any) is classified as a liability instrument and is measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable Class A common stock (including Class A common stock that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) is classified as temporary equity. At all other times, Class A common stock is classified as stockholders’ equity. Our Class A common stock features certain redemption rights that is considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, Class A common stock subject to possible redemption is presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ deficit section of the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Net (Loss) Income Per Share

We have two classes of common shares, which are referred to as Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. Earnings and losses are shared pro rata between the two classes of stock. Private and public warrants to purchase 14,480,000 Class A Common Stock at $11.50 per share were issued on February 8, 2021. No warrants were exercised during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. The calculation of diluted (loss) income per common share does not consider the effect of the warrants issued in connection with the (i) IPO, (ii) exercise of over-allotment, and (iii) Private Placement since the exercise of the warrants are contingent upon the occurrence of future events. As a result, diluted net (loss) income per common share is the same as basic net (loss) income per common share for the periods. Accretion associated with the redeemable Class A Common Stock is excluded from (loss) income per share as the redemption value approximates fair value.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. ASU 2016-13 also requires additional disclosures regarding significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an entity’s portfolio. The Company adopted the provisions of this guidance on January 1, 2023. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Besides the above, the Company’s management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information otherwise required under this item.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

As required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2023. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective because of a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Specifically, the Company’s management has concluded that our control around the interpretation and accounting for extinguishment of a significant contingent obligation was not effectively designed or maintained. In light of this material weakness, we performed additional analysis as deemed necessary to ensure that our financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP. Accordingly, management believes that the financial statements included in this Form 10-Q present fairly in all material respects our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the period presented.

Remediation of a Material Weakness in Internal Control over Financial Report

We recognize the importance of the control environment as it sets the overall tone for the Company and is the foundation for all other components of internal control. Consequently, we designed and implemented remediation measures to address the material weakness previously identified and enhance our internal control over financial reporting. In light of the material weakness, we enhanced our processes to identify and appropriately apply applicable accounting requirements to better evaluate and understand the nuances of the complex accounting standards that apply to our condensed consolidated financial statements, including providing enhanced access to accounting literature, research materials and documents and increased communication among our personnel and third-party professionals with whom we consult regarding complex accounting applications.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Except as discussed above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, except as discussed above, (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are any of the risks described in our Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2022 as filed with the SEC on April 10, 2023. Any of these factors could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Additional risk factors not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business or results of operations.

In addition, on March 30, 2022, the SEC issued proposed rules relating to, among other items, enhancing disclosures in business combination transactions involving special purpose acquisition companies and private operating companies; amending the financial statement requirements applicable to transactions involving shell companies; enhancing disclosures regarding projections in SEC filings in connection with proposed business combination transactions; increasing the potential liability of certain participants in proposed business combination transactions; and the extent to which special purpose acquisition companies could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940. These rules, if adopted, whether in the form proposed or in revised form, may materially adversely affect our ability to engage financial and capital market advisors, negotiate and complete our initial business combination and may increase the costs and time relate thereto.