CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In addition to the executive officer and director compensation arrangements discussed above under “Executive Compensation” and “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance,” respectively, since January 1, 2020, the following are the only transactions or series of similar transactions to which we were or will be a party in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which any director, nominee for director, executive officer, beneficial holder of more than 5% of our capital stock or any member of their immediate family or any entity affiliated with any of the foregoing persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than equity and other compensation, termination, change of control and other arrangements, which are described under “Executive Compensation.”
Employment Arrangements
We have entered into employment agreements with each of our executive officers. See “Executive Compensation—Executive Employment Agreements” for a further discussion of these arrangements.
We employe the daughter of Ms. Lee-Sepsick, our President, Chief Executive Officer and director. In 2023, Ms. Lee-Sepsick’s daughter’s total compensation and benefits were less than $150,000, which was consistent with the compensation and benefits provided to our other employees with equivalent qualifications, experience and responsibilities. Ms. Lee-Sepsick’s daughter is not an officer under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
November 2023 Financing
In November 2023, the Company issued unsecured convertible notes and accompanying Series A and Series B Warrants in an aggregate principal amount of $6,850,000. The transaction included issuance of a $5 million convertible note and Series A and Series B Warrants to PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. The interim CEO, President and Director of PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc., Joshua Silverman, was appointed to the Company’s board of directors following the November 2023 financing and, as a result of the November 2023 financing, PharmaCycte Biotech, Inc. beneficially owned 19.99% of the outstanding common stock of the Company.
Director and Officer Indemnification and Insurance
We have agreed to indemnify each of our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities, costs and expenses, and have purchased directors' and officers' liability insurance.
Stock Option Grants to Executive Officers and Directors
We have granted options to our executive officers and our directors as more fully described in the section entitled “Executive Compensation.”
Policies and Procedures for Transactions with Related Persons
Our Board has adopted a written related person transaction policy setting forth the policies and procedures for the review and approval or ratification of related person transactions. This policy covers, with certain exceptions set forth in Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, any transaction, arrangement or relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships, in which we were or are to be a participant, where the amount involved exceeds $120,000 in any fiscal year and a related person had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest, including without limitation, purchases of goods or services by or from the related person or entities in which the related person has a material interest, indebtedness, guarantees of indebtedness and employment by us of a related person. In reviewing and approving any such transactions, our audit committee is tasked to consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including, but not limited to, whether the transaction is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in an arm's length transaction and the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction. All of the transactions described in this section occurred prior to the adoption of this policy.