UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2017
OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from___________ to __________

Commission file number 1-37648

OncoCyte Corporation
 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

California
 
27-1041563
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1010 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 102
Alameda, California 94501
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
(510) 775-0515

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,”  “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer
 
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
     
Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).Yes No

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

As of August 7, 2017, there were outstanding 31,336,487 shares of common stock, no par value.
 


PART 1--FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Statements made in this Report that are not historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those discussed in this Report under Item 1 of the Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, and under Risk Factors in this Report. Words such as “expects,” “may,” “will,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

References to “OncoCyte,” “our” or “we” means OncoCyte Corporation.

The description or discussion, in this Form 10-Q, of any contract or agreement is a summary only and is qualified in all respects by reference to the full text of the applicable contract or agreement.

Item 1.
Financial Statements

ONCOCYTE CORPORATION
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS)

   
June 30,
2017
(unaudited)
   
December 31,
2016
 
ASSETS
           
CURRENT ASSETS
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
8,644
   
$
10,174
 
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value (Note 2)
   
1,113
     
2,237
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
512
     
285
 
Total current assets
   
10,269
     
12,696
 
                 
NONCURRENT ASSETS
               
Intangible assets, net
   
867
     
988
 
Equipment and furniture, net
   
895
     
688
 
Deposits
   
110
     
75
 
TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
12,141
   
$
14,447
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES
               
Amount due to BioTime and affiliates
 
$
2,540
   
$
2,854
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
1,316
     
1,219
 
Loan payable, current
   
533
     
-
 
Capital lease liability, current
   
297
     
202
 
Total current liabilities
   
4,686
     
4,275
 
                 
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
               
Loan payable, net of issuance costs, noncurrent
   
1,416
     
-
 
Capital lease liability, noncurrent
   
400
     
310
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES
   
6,502
     
4,585
 
                 
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 9)
               
                 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Preferred stock, no par value, 5,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding
   
-
     
-
 
Common stock, no par value, 50,000 shares authorized; 29,520 and 28,737 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively
   
49,985
     
45,818
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss on available-for-sale securities
   
(535
)
   
(654
)
Accumulated deficit
   
(43,811
)
   
(35,302
)
Total stockholders’ equity
   
5,639
     
9,862
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
$
12,141
   
$
14,447
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed interim financial statements.
 
1

ONCOCYTE CORPORATION
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
(UNAUDITED)

   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
EXPENSES:
                       
Research and development
 
$
(1,997
)
 
$
(1,195
)
 
$
(3,831
)
 
$
(2,884
)
General and administrative
   
(1,115
)
   
(1,067
)
   
(3,158
)
   
(2,081
)
Sales and marketing
   
(477
)
   
(270
)
   
(1,132
)
   
(499
)
Total operating expenses
   
(3,589
)
   
(2,532
)
   
(8,121
)
   
(5,464
)
                                 
Loss from operations
   
(3,589
)
   
(2,532
)
   
(8,121
)
   
(5,464
)
                                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES), NET
                               
Loss on sale of available-for-sale securities and other expenses, net
   
(150
)
   
-
     
(309
)
   
-
 
Interest expense, net
   
(65
)
   
(11
)
   
(79
)
   
(7
)
Total other expenses, net
   
(215
)
   
(11
)
   
(388
)
   
(7
)
                                 
NET LOSS
 
$
(3,804
)
 
$
(2,543
)
 
$
(8,509
)
 
$
(5,471
)
                                 
Basic and diluted net loss per share
 
$
(0.13
)
 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
(0.29
)
 
$
(0.22
)
                                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding: basic and diluted
   
29,398
     
25,427
     
29,183
     
25,411
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed interim financial statements.
 
2

ONCOCYTE CORPORATION
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(IN THOUSANDS)
(UNAUDITED)

   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
                         
NET LOSS
 
$
(3,804
)
 
$
(2,543
)
 
$
(8,509
)
 
$
(5,471
)
                                 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
                               
Realized loss on sale of available-for-sale securities
   
142
     
-
     
293
     
-
 
Unrealized loss available-for-sale securities
   
(97
)
   
(161
)
   
(174
)
   
(923
)
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
 
$
(3,759
)
 
$
(2,704
)
 
$
(8,390
)
 
$
(6,394
)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed interim financial statements.
 
3

ONCOCYTE CORPORATION
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS)

   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2017
   
2016
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
Net loss
 
$
(8,509
)
 
$
(5,471
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
               
Depreciation expense
   
144
     
54
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
121
     
121
 
Stock-based compensation
   
696
     
361
 
Loss on sale of available-for-sale securities, including selling commissions
   
309
     
-
 
Warrants issued to certain shareholders as inducement of exercise of warrants
   
1,084
     
-
 
Amortization of debt issuance costs
   
30
     
-
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Amount due to BioTime and affiliates
   
(313
)
   
992
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
(194
)
   
259
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
61
     
(290
)
Net cash used in operating activities
   
(6,571
)
   
(3,974
)
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities
   
934
     
-
 
Purchase of equipment
   
(55
)
   
(10
)
Security deposit
   
-
     
(54
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
   
879
     
(64
)
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Proceeds from exercise of options
   
257
     
82
 
Proceeds from exercise of warrants
   
2,031
     
-
 
Proceeds from issuance of loan payable, net of financing costs
   
1,982
     
-
 
Repayment of capital lease obligations
   
(108
)
   
(40
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
4,162
     
42
 
                 
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
   
(1,530
)
   
(3,996
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
               
At beginning of the period
   
10,174
     
7,996
 
At end of the period
 
$
8,644
   
$
4,000
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed interim financial statements.
 
4

ONCOCYTE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

1.
Organization, Basis of Presentation and Liquidity

OncoCyte Corporation (“OncoCyte”) is a developer of novel, non-invasive blood-based tests for the early detection of cancer. It is focused on developing molecular cancer diagnostics utilizing a discovery platform that focuses on identifying genetic markers that are differentially expressed in certain types of cancers. OncoCyte is presently focusing its efforts on developing diagnostic tests for use in detecting a variety of cancers including lung, bladder, and breast cancers.

OncoCyte was incorporated in 2009 in the state of California and at December 31, 2016 was a majority-owned subsidiary of BioTime, Inc. (“BioTime”), a publicly traded biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing products addressing degenerative diseases, primarily in the fields of ophthalmology, aesthetics and cell/drug delivery. Beginning on February 17, 2017, OncoCyte ceased to be a subsidiary of BioTime for financial reporting purposes when BioTime’s percentage ownership of outstanding OncoCyte common stock declined below 50% as a result of the issuance of additional OncoCyte common stock to certain investors who exercised OncoCyte stock purchase warrants (see Note 6).

Basis of presentation

The unaudited condensed interim financial statements presented herein, and discussed below, have been prepared on a stand-alone basis in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Exchange Commission. In accordance with those rules and regulations certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in comprehensive financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The condensed balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 was derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in OncoCyte’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

The accompanying interim condensed financial statements, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of OncoCyte’s financial condition and results of operations. The condensed results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any other interim period or for the entire year.

Prior to February 17, 2017, BioTime consolidated the results of OncoCyte into BioTime’s consolidated results based on BioTime’s ability to control OncoCyte’s operating and financial decisions and policies through its majority ownership of OncoCyte common stock. BioTime owned 51.1% of the outstanding common stock of OncoCyte at December 31, 2016. Beginning on February 17, 2017, BioTime’s percentage ownership of the outstanding OncoCyte common stock declined below 50%, resulting in a loss of “control” of OncoCyte under GAAP and, as a result, BioTime deconsolidated OncoCyte’s financial statements from BioTime’s consolidated financial statements. As a result of this deconsolidation, OncoCyte is no longer considered a subsidiary of BioTime under GAAP as of February 17, 2017. OncoCyte remains an affiliate of BioTime based on BioTime’s retained share ownership in OncoCyte, which is sufficient to allow BioTime to exert significant influence over the operations and management of OncoCyte.

To the extent OncoCyte does not have its own employees or human resources for its operations, BioTime provides certain employees for administrative or operational services, as necessary, for the benefit of OncoCyte (see Note 4). Accordingly, BioTime allocates expenses such as salaries and payroll related expenses incurred and paid on behalf of OncoCyte based on the amount of time that particular employees devote to OncoCyte affairs. Other expenses, such as legal, accounting, travel, and entertainment, are allocated to OncoCyte to the extent that those expenses are incurred by or on behalf of OncoCyte. BioTime also allocates certain overhead expenses, such as facilities, insurance, internet and telephone based on a percentage determined by management. These allocations are made based upon activity-based allocation drivers, as applicable, such as headcount, time spent, percentage of square feet of office or laboratory space used, and percentage of personnel devoted to OncoCyte’s operations or management. Management evaluates the appropriateness of the percentage allocations on a quarterly basis and believes that this basis for allocation is reasonable.

OncoCyte previously granted stock options to employees of BioTime, or employees of other BioTime subsidiaries that performed services for OncoCyte, and OncoCyte recorded stock-based compensation expense in the accompanying condensed statements of operations for these services performed in the periods presented.
 
Liquidity

For all periods presented, OncoCyte generated no revenues. Since inception, OncoCyte has financed its operations through the sale of its common stock and warrants, warrant exercises, a bank loan (see Note 5), and sales of BioTime common shares that OncoCyte holds as available-for-sale securities. BioTime has also provided OncoCyte with the use of BioTime facilities and services under a Shared Facilities and Services Agreement as described in Note 4. OncoCyte has incurred operating losses and negative cash flows since inception, and had an accumulated deficit of $43.8 million and $35.3 million as June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
 
5

OncoCyte plans to continue to invest significant resources in research and development in the field of molecular cancer diagnostics. OncoCyte expects to continue to incur operating losses and negative cash flows. If results of OncoCyte’s research and development efforts, including the results of CLIA and validation studies of its lung cancer test, are successful to the point where OncoCyte believes that a commercial product can be launched successfully, additional capital will be required to continue to develop a sales and marketing team to market OncoCyte’s first diagnostic test. OncoCyte will also need to raise additional capital in subsequent years to develop and launch additional diagnostic tests, for working capital, and for other expenses, until such time as it is able to generate sufficient revenues from the commercialization of its diagnostic tests to finance its operations. The unavailability or inadequacy of financing or revenues to meet future capital needs could force OncoCyte to modify, curtail, delay, or suspend some or all aspects of its planned operations. Sales of additional equity securities could result in the dilution of the interests of its shareholders. OncoCyte cannot assure that adequate financing will be available on favorable terms, if at all.

At June 30, 2017, OncoCyte had $8.6 million of cash and cash equivalents and held BioTime common shares as available-for-sale securities valued at $1.1 million (see Notes 2 and 5). Based on cash and cash equivalents currently on hand, including the warrant exercises discussed in Note 10, OncoCyte believes it has sufficient cash, cash equivalents, available-for-sale securities and working capital to carry out its current operations through at least twelve months from the issuance date of the financial statements included herein, but will need to raise additional capital if it determines to devote more resources to its initial commercialization efforts for its lung cancer test during that time frame.

2.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Research and development expenses

Research and development expenses include both direct expenses incurred by OncoCyte and indirect overhead costs allocated by BioTime that benefit or support research and development functions of OncoCyte.  Direct research and development expenses consist primarily of personnel costs and related benefits, including stock-based compensation, and expenses from outside consultants and suppliers.  Indirect research and development expenses allocated by BioTime, primarily based on OncoCyte headcount, include laboratory supplies, laboratory expenses, rent and utilities, common area maintenance, telecommunications, property taxes and insurance, incurred by BioTime and allocated to OncoCyte under the Shared Facilities Agreement (see Note 4). Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses include both direct expenses incurred by OncoCyte and indirect overhead costs allocated by BioTime that benefit or support general and administrative functions of OncoCyte.  Direct general and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation and related benefits, including stock-based compensation, for executive and corporate personnel, and professional and consulting fees. Indirect general and administrative expenses allocated by BioTime, primarily based on OncoCyte headcount, include costs for financial reporting and compliance, rent and utilities, common area maintenance, telecommunications, property taxes and insurance, incurred by BioTime and allocated to OncoCyte under the Shared Facilities Agreement (see Note 4).

Sales and marketing expenses

Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of personnel costs and related benefits, including stock-based compensation, trade shows and booths, branding and positioning, and expenses for outside consultants.
                                                
Accounting for BioTime shares
                                          
OncoCyte accounts for the BioTime shares it holds as available-for-sale equity securities in accordance with ASC 320-10-25, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities, as the shares have a readily determinable fair value quoted on the NYSE MKT and are held principally for sale to meet future working capital needs. These shares are measured at fair value and reported as current assets on OncoCyte’s condensed balance sheet based on the closing trading price of the shares as of the date being presented. Unrealized holding gains and losses are excluded from the condensed statements of operations and are reported in equity as part of other comprehensive income or loss, net of income taxes, until realized. Prior to February 17, 2017, realized gains and losses for shares sold were reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss and were included in equity, as an increase or decrease to equity in common stock consistent with, and pursuant to, ASC 805-50, transactions between entities under common control. As discussed in Note 1, on February 17, 2017 BioTime deconsolidated OncoCyte’s financial statements from its consolidated financial statements. Due to this deconsolidation, and based on BioTime no longer having “control” over OncoCyte under GAAP, any realized gains and losses OncoCyte generates from the sale of BioTime shares on or after February 17, 2017 will be included in its statements of operations.

During the six months ended June 30, 2017, OncoCyte sold 266,442 shares of BioTime stock for net proceeds of $934,000 and used those proceeds to pay down amounts owed to BioTime and affiliates (see Note 4). OncoCyte recognized a $155,000 and $309,000 loss from the sale of the BioTime shares for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, included in other income and expenses, net.

As of June 30, 2017, OncoCyte held 353,264 BioTime common shares as available-for-sale securities with a fair market value of $1.1 million. Under the terms of a bank loan, proceeds from the sale of BioTime shares may only be used to repay amounts owed to BioTime and affiliates (see Notes 4 and 5).

Net loss per common share

All potentially dilutive common stock is antidilutive because OncoCyte reported a net loss for all periods presented. The following common stock equivalents were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share of common stock for the periods presented because including them would have been antidilutive (in thousands):

    Six Months Ended June 30,
(Unaudited)
 
   
2017
 
2016
 
Stock options
   
3,302
       
2,803
   
Warrants
   
3,049
       
-
   
 
6

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications from general and administrative expenses have been made to present sales and marketing expenses shown on the condensed statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 to conform and be comparable to the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 presentation. These reclassifications have been made as OncoCyte’s sales and marketing expenses have increased in 2017 and are expected to continue to increase, thus making separate presentation of those category of expenses more meaningful to the readers of this report. The reclassifications had no impact to loss from operations or net loss as reported in the condensed statements of operations and had no impact to the condensed statement of cash flows or to the condensed balance sheets for any period presented.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

The recently issued accounting pronouncement discussed below should be read in conjunction with the other recently issued accounting pronouncements as applicable and disclosed in OncoCyte’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718) – Scope of Modification Accounting, to clarify existing guidance and reduce diversity in practice about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. ASU 2017-09 requires modification accounting to a share-based award unless all of the following are met: (1) the fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award immediately before the original award is modified, (2) the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified, and (3) the classification of the modified award, as equity or liability instrument, is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. ASU 2017-09 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. OncoCyte currently applies the three-step test to all modifications, if any, or as they occur, and if all the conditions are not met, applies modification accounting. OncoCyte believes the adoption of ASU 2017-09 will not have a material impact on its financial statements.
 
3.
Selected Balance Sheet Components

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, prepaid expenses and other current assets were comprised of the following (in thousands):

   
June 30, 2017
(Unaudited)
   
December 31,
2016
 
Insurance
 
$
192
     
$
182
   
Other prepaid expenses and current asset
   
320
       
103
   
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$
512
     
$
285
   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, accounts payable and accrued liabilities were comprised of the following (in thousands):

   
June 30, 2017
(Unaudited)
   
December 31,
2016
 
Accounts payable
 
$
187
     
$
422
   
Accrued compensation
   
414
       
549
   
Accrued vendor payables
   
528
       
236
   
Other accrued expenses
   
187
       
12
   
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
$
1,316
     
$
1,219
   

Intangible assets, net

As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, intangible assets, consisting primarily of acquired patents, patent applications, and licenses to use certain patents, were as follows (in thousands):
 
7

   
June 30, 2017
(Unaudited)
   
December 31,
2016
 
Intangible assets
 
$
2,419
     
$
2,419
   
Accumulated amortization
   
(1,552
)
   
(1,431
)
Intangible assets, net
 
$
867
     
$
988
   

Amortization expense amounted to $121,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Equipment and furniture, net

As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, equipment and furniture were comprised of the following (in thousands):

   
June 30, 2017
(Unaudited)
   
December 31,
2016
 
Equipment and furniture
 
$
1,358
     
$
1,007
   
Accumulated depreciation
   
(463
)
   
(319
)
Equipment and furniture, net
 
$
895
     
$
688
   

Depreciation expense amounted to $144,000 and $54,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

4.
Related Party Transactions

Shared Facilities and Services Agreement

On October 8, 2009, OncoCyte and BioTime entered into a Shared Facilities and Services Agreement (“Shared Facilities Agreement”). Under the terms of the Shared Facilities Agreement, BioTime allows OncoCyte to use BioTime’s premises and equipment located at Alameda, California for the sole purpose of conducting business. BioTime also provides accounting, billing, bookkeeping, payroll, treasury, payment of accounts payable, and other similar administrative services to OncoCyte. BioTime may also provide the services of attorneys, accountants, and other professionals who may also provide professional services to BioTime and its other subsidiaries. BioTime also has provided OncoCyte with the services of laboratory and research personnel, including BioTime employees and contractors, for the performance of research and development work for OncoCyte at the premises.

BioTime charges OncoCyte a “Use Fee” for services provided and usage of BioTime facilities, equipment, and supplies. For each billing period, BioTime prorates and allocates to OncoCyte costs incurred, including costs for services of Bio Time employees and use of equipment, insurance, leased space, professional services, software licenses, supplies and utilities. The allocation of costs depends on key cost drivers, including actual documented use, square footage of facilities used, time spent, costs incurred by BioTime for OncoCyte, or upon proportionate usage by BioTime and OncoCyte, as reasonably estimated by BioTime. BioTime, at its discretion, has the right to charge OncoCyte a 5% markup on such allocated costs although BioTime elected not to charge this markup from the inception of the Shared Facilities Agreement through December 31, 2015. For allocated costs incurred beginning on January 1, 2016, BioTime is charging the 5% markup. The allocated cost of BioTime employees and contractors who provide services is based upon records maintained of the number of hours of such personnel devoted to the performance of services.

The Use Fee is determined and invoiced to OncoCyte on a quarterly basis for each calendar quarter of each calendar year. If the Shared Facilities Agreement terminates prior to the last day of a billing period, the Use Fee will be determined for the number of days in the billing period elapsed prior to the termination of the Shared Facilities Agreement. Each invoice will be payable in full by OncoCyte within 30 days after receipt. Any invoice, or portion thereof, not paid in full when due will bear interest at the rate of 15% per annum until paid, unless the failure to make a payment is due to any inaction or delay in making a payment by BioTime employees from OncoCyte funds available for such purpose, rather than from the unavailability of sufficient funds legally available for payment or from an act, omission, or delay by any employee or agent of OncoCyte. Through June 30, 2017, BioTime has not charged OncoCyte any interest.

In addition to the Use Fees, OncoCyte will reimburse BioTime for any out of pocket costs incurred by BioTime for the purchase of office supplies, laboratory supplies, and other goods and materials and services for the account or use of OncoCyte, provided that invoices documenting such costs are delivered to OncoCyte with each invoice for the Use Fee. BioTime will have no obligation to purchase or acquire any office supplies or other goods and materials or any services for OncoCyte, and if any such supplies, goods, materials or services are obtained for OncoCyte, BioTime may arrange for the suppliers to invoice OncoCyte directly.

The Shared Facilities Agreement will remain in effect, unless either party gives the other party written notice stating that the Shared Facilities Agreement will terminate on December 31 of that year, or unless the agreement is otherwise terminated under another provision of the agreement.
 
8

For the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, Use Fees of approximately $78,000 and $203,000, respectively, are included in general and administrative expenses, and Use Fees of approximately $312,000 and $164,000, respectively, are included in research and development expenses in OncoCyte’s condensed statements of operations (see Note 2).

For the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, Use Fees of approximately $157,000 and $381,000, respectively, are included in general and administrative expenses, and Use Fees of approximately $629,000 and $393,000, respectively, are included in research and development expenses in OncoCyte’s condensed statements of operations (see Note 2).

As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, OncoCyte had $2.5 million and $2.9 million outstanding and payable to BioTime and affiliates included in current liabilities on account of Use Fees under the Shared Facilities Agreement. Since these amounts are due and payable within 30 days of being invoiced, the payables are classified as current liabilities for all periods presented.

5.
Loan Payable to Silicon Valley Bank

On February 21, 2017, OncoCyte entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Silicon Valley Bank (the “Bank”) pursuant to which OncoCyte borrowed $2 million, (the “First Tranche”) on March 23, 2017. The loan may be increased by $3 million (the “Contingent Tranche”) on or after May 1, 2017 if OncoCyte obtains at least $20 million of additional equity capital and launches its initial lung cancer diagnostic test, and is not in default under the Loan Agreement. Payments of interest only on the principal balance are due monthly from the draw date through October 31, 2017, and, beginning on November 1, 2017, monthly payments of principal of approximately $67,000 plus interest will be due and payable. The outstanding principal balance of the loan bears interest at a stated floating annual interest rate equal to the greater of (i) three-quarters of one percent (0.75%) above the prime rate or (ii) four and one-quarter percent (4.25%). As of June 30, 2017, the latest published prime rate plus 0.75% was 5.00% per annum.

The principal amount of the First Tranche plus accrued interest will be due and payable to the Bank at maturity on April 1, 2020. The principal amount of all draws under the Contingent Tranche, if any, plus accrued interest will be due and payable to the Bank at maturity on October 1, 2020. At maturity, OncoCyte will also pay the Bank an additional final payment fee of 5.8% of the original principal borrowed. OncoCyte accrued the $116,000 final payment fee included in the loan payable as a deferred financing cost on March 23, 2017 when it borrowed the First Tranche.

OncoCyte may prepay in full the outstanding principal balance at any time, subject to a prepayment fee equal to 3.0% of the outstanding principal balance if prepaid on or before February 21, 2018, 2.0% of the outstanding principal balance if prepaid after February 21, 2018 but not later than February 21, 2019, or 1.0% of the outstanding principal balance if prepaid after February 21, 2019. Any amounts borrowed and repaid may not be reborrowed.

The outstanding principal amount of the loan, with interest accrued, the final payment fee, and the prepayment fee may become due and payable prior to the applicable maturity date if an “Event of Default” as defined in the Loan Agreement occurs and is not cured within any applicable cure period. An Event of Default includes, among other events, failure to pay interest and principal when due, material adverse changes, which include a material adverse change in OncoCyte’s business, operations, or condition (financial or otherwise), failure to provide the bank with timely financial statements and copies of filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as required, legal judgments or pending or threatened legal actions of $50,000 or more, insolvency, and delisting from the NYSE MKT. OncoCyte’s obligations under the Loan Agreement are collateralized by substantially all of its assets other than intellectual property such as patents and trade secrets that OncoCyte owns. Accordingly, if an Event of Default were to occur and not be cured, the Bank could foreclose on its security interest in the collateral. OncoCyte was in compliance with the Loan Agreement as of the date of this report.

Under the provisions of the Loan Agreement, the proceeds received by OncoCyte from all sales of BioTime shares can only be used to pay the amounts due to BioTime and affiliates discussed in Note 4.

Bank Warrants

On February 21, 2017 and in conjunction with the $2 million First Tranche becoming available under the Loan Agreement, OncoCyte issued common stock purchase warrants to the Bank (the “Bank Warrants”) entitling the Bank to purchase shares of OncoCyte common stock in tranches related to the loan tranches under the Loan Agreement. In conjunction with the availability of the First Tranche, the Bank became entitled to purchase 8,247 shares of OncoCyte common stock at an exercise price of $4.85 per share, through February 21, 2027 (“Tranche 1 Warrant”). On March 23, 2017, in conjunction with borrowing the First Tranche, the Bank became entitled to purchase an additional 7,321 shares (“Tranche 2 Warrant”) at an exercise price of $5.46 per share, through March 23, 2027. The Bank will become entitled to purchase additional shares of OncoCyte common stock commencing on the date on which OncoCyte meets the conditions of the Contingent Tranche availability (“Tranche 3 Warrant”), and again on the date of the first draw, if any, on the Contingent Tranche (“Tranche 4 Warrant”). The number of additional shares issuable under the Tranche 3 and Tranche 4 Warrants, if any, will be equal to 2.0% of the Contingent Tranche divided by the then determined exercise price, as defined in the Bank Warrants. The exercise price will be determined with reference to the market price of OncoCyte common stock on the date the Contingent Tranche becomes available, or the date on which OncoCyte borrows funds under the Contingent Tranche, as applicable. The Bank may elect to exercise the Bank Warrants on a “cashless exercise” basis and receive a number of shares determined by multiplying the number of shares for which the applicable tranche is being exercised by (A) the excess of the fair market value of the common stock over the applicable exercise price, divided by (B) the fair market value of the common stock. The fair market value of the common stock will be last closing or sale price on a national securities exchange, interdealer quotation system, or over-the-counter market.
 
9

OncoCyte considers each warrant tranche, as issued or issuable, to be a separate unit of accounting. The Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 Warrants are classified as equity since, among other factors, they are not mandatorily redeemable, cannot be settled in cash or other assets and require settlement by issuing a fixed number of shares of common stock of OncoCyte. OncoCyte determined the fair value of the warrants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model approximating $61,000, which was recorded as a deferred financing cost against the loan payable balance. Aggregate deferred financing costs of $196,000, recorded against the loan payable balance, will be amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method.

6.
Shareholders’ Equity

Preferred Stock

OncoCyte is authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of no par value preferred stock. As of June 30, 2017, no preferred shares were issued or outstanding.

Issuance of common stock and warrants

On August 29, 2016, OncoCyte sold an aggregate of 3,246,153 immediately separable units, with each unit consisting of one share of OncoCyte common stock and one warrant to purchase one share of OncoCyte common stock (the “Offering Warrants”), at a price of $3.25 per unit (the “Offering”). The sales were made pursuant to the terms and conditions of certain Purchase Agreements between OncoCyte and the purchasers in the Offering. OncoCyte received $9.8 million in net proceeds after discounts, commissions and expenses from the Offering.

Offering Warrants and New Warrants

The Offering Warrants have an exercise price of $3.25 per Warrant Share, and may be exercised for five years from October 17, 2016, the date the Offering Warrants became exercisable. The Warrants may be exercised on a net “cashless exercise” basis, meaning that the value of a portion of shares of OncoCyte common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants (the “Warrant Shares”) may be used to pay the exercise price (rather than payment in cash), in certain circumstances, including if the resale registration statement is not effective when and as required by the Purchase Agreements. The exercise price and the number of Warrant Shares will be adjusted to account for certain transactions, including stock splits, dividends paid in common stock, combinations or reverse splits of common stock, or reclassifications of common stock.

Under certain provisions of the Offering Warrants, in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, as defined in the Offering Warrants, OncoCyte will use reasonable best efforts for the acquirer, or any successor entity other than OncoCyte, to assume the Offering Warrants. If the acquirer does not assume the OncoCyte Offering Warrant obligations, then the acquirer shall pay the holders of Offering Warrants an amount equal to the aggregate value equal to the Black Scholes Value, as defined in the Offering Warrants. The payment of the Black Scholes Value shall be made in cash or such other consideration as the acquirer paid to the other OncoCyte shareholders in the Fundamental Transaction.

OncoCyte is not required to net cash settle the Offering Warrants under any circumstance. OncoCyte considered the guidance in ASC 815-40, Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock, which states that contracts that require or may require the issuer to settle the contract for cash are liabilities recorded at fair value, irrespective of the likelihood of the transaction occurring that triggers the net cash settlement feature. Since solely an acquirer, and not OncoCyte itself, may be required to net cash settle the Offering Warrants in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, the Offering Warrants are classified as equity.

On February 17, 2017, certain OncoCyte investors exercised Offering Warrants to acquire 625,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.25 per warrant for total exercise cash proceeds of $2.0 million (the “Warrant exercise”). In order to induce the investors to complete the Warrant exercise and, in conjunction with the Warrant exercise, OncoCyte issued new warrants to those investors (the “New Warrants”). Certain investors received New Warrants to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $5.50 per share and the other investor received New Warrants to purchase 212,500 shares of common stock at an exercise of $3.25 per share. The New Warrants are exercisable at any time for five years from February 17, 2017. After the Warrant exercise and issuance of the New Warrants to those investors, OncoCyte had an aggregate of 3,033,653 warrants, including the Offering Warrants and New Warrants, outstanding at exercise prices ranging from $3.25 and $5.50 per warrant.
 
10

The New Warrants are classified as equity as their terms are consistent with the Offering Warrants. For financial reporting purposes, the issuance of the New Warrants was treated as an inducement offer to certain shareholders to exercise their Offering Warrants. Accordingly, the fair value of the New Warrants, determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, approximating $1.1 million was recognized by OncoCyte as a noncash charge to shareholder expense included in general and administrative expenses and a corresponding increase to equity on February 17, 2017, the issuance date.

Stock option exercises

During the six months ended June 30, 2017, 158,361 shares of common stock were issued upon the exercise of stock options, from which OncoCyte received $257,000 in cash proceeds and had a receivable of $33,000 from its broker at June 30, 2017 for exercises completed at, or near, June 30, 2017. Exercises that occur at or near month-end are recorded as a receivable from the broker due to the three business days required to pay the proceeds to OncoCyte.

7.
Stock-based Compensation

Options Granted

OncoCyte has adopted a Stock Option Plan, as amended (the “Plan”), under which 5,200,000 shares of common stock are authorized for the grant of stock options or the sale of restricted stock. The Plan also permits OncoCyte to issue such other securities as its Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee administering the Plan may determine.

A summary of OncoCyte stock option activity under the Plan and related information follows (in thousands except weighted average exercise price):

Options
 
Available
for Grant
   
Number
of Shares
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2016
   
880
       
3,017
     
$
2.52
   
Increase to the Plan option pool
   
1,200
       
-
       
-
   
Options granted
   
(624
)
   
624
       
4.92
   
Options exercised
   
-
       
(158
)
   
1.83
   
Options forfeited
   
181
       
(181
)
   
2.90
   
Outstanding at June 30, 2017
   
1,637
       
3,302
     
$
2.98
   
Exercisable at June 30, 2017
           
1,614
     
$
2.12
   

OncoCyte recorded stock-based compensation expense in the following categories on the accompanying condensed statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
Research and development
 
$
163
     
$
59
     
$
368
     
$
96
   
General and administrative
   
183
       
177
       
328
       
265
   
Total stock-based compensation expense
 
$
346
     
$
236
     
$
696
     
$
361
   

The assumptions that were used to calculate the grant date fair value of OncoCyte’s employee and non-employee stock option grants for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 were as follows.

   
2017
   
2016
 
Expected life (in years)
   
5.37
       
6.36
   
Risk-free interest rates
   
1.79
%
   
1.37
%
Volatility
   
73.39
%
   
70.42
%
 
Dividend yield
   
-
%
   
-
%
 
11

The determination of stock-based compensation is inherently uncertain and subjective and involves the application of valuation models and assumptions requiring the use of judgment. If OncoCyte had made different assumptions, its stock-based compensation expense and net loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 may have been significantly different.

OncoCyte does not recognize deferred income taxes for incentive stock option compensation expense, and records a tax deduction only when a disqualified disposition has occurred.

8.
Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes is determined using an estimated annual effective tax rate. The effective tax rate may be subject to fluctuations during the year as new information is obtained, which may affect the assumptions used to estimate the annual effective tax rate, including factors such as valuation allowances against deferred tax assets, the recognition or de-recognition of tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions, if any, and changes in or the interpretation of tax laws in jurisdictions where OncoCyte conducts business. Due to losses incurred for all periods presented, OncoCyte did not record any provision or benefit for income taxes.

A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. OncoCyte established a full valuation allowance for all periods presented due to the uncertainty of realizing future tax benefits from its net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets.

9.
Commitments and Contingencies

Master Lease Line Agreement – Capital Lease Obligations

On April 7, 2016, OncoCyte entered into a Master Lease Line Agreement (“Lease Agreement No. 1”) with an unrelated financing company for the purchase and financing of certain equipment. OncoCyte may use up to $881,000, as amended, for purchases of equipment financed under Lease Agreement 1 through April 2017. Each lease schedule OncoCyte enters into under Lease Agreement No. 1 must be in minimum increments of $50,000 each with a 36-month lease term, collateralized by the equipment financed under the lease schedule. Each lease schedule requires a deposit for the first and last payment under that schedule. Monthly payments will be determined using a lease factor approximating an interest rate of 10% per annum. At the end of each lease schedule under Lease Agreement No. 1, assuming no default has occurred, OncoCyte may either return the equipment financed under the schedule for a restocking fee of 7.5% of the original cost of the equipment or purchase the equipment from the financing company at a fair value not less than 12.5% of the original cost of the equipment.

On April 7, 2016, OncoCyte entered into a lease schedule under Lease Agreement No. 1 for certain equipment costing approximately $435,000 applied against the lease line, requiring payments of $14,442 per month over 36 months. In December 2016, OncoCyte entered into another lease schedule under the Lease Agreement No. 1 for certain equipment costing approximately $161,000, requiring payments of $5,342 per month over 36 months. In April 2017, OncoCyte entered into a third and final lease schedule under Lease Agreement No. 1 for certain equipment costing approximately $285,000, requiring payments of $9,462 per month over 36 months. After this last tranche, Lease Agreement No. 1 was closed and has no remaining financing available.

OncoCyte has accounted for these leases as a capital lease in accordance with ASC 840, Leases, due to the net present value of the payments under the lease approximating the fair value of the equipment at inception of the lease. The payments under the lease schedules will be amortized to capital lease obligations and interest expense using the interest method at an imputed rate of approximately 10% per annum.

On May 11, 2017, OncoCyte entered into another Master Lease Line Agreement (“Lease Agreement No. 2”) with the same finance company above and similar terms. OncoCyte may use up to $900,000 for purchases of equipment financed under Lease Agreement No. 2 through October 28, 2017. As of June 30, 2017, the full amount under Lease Agreement No. 2 was available to OncoCyte.

Litigation – General

OncoCyte will be subject to various claims and contingencies in the ordinary course of its business, including those related to litigation, business transactions, employee-related matters, and other matters. When OncoCyte is aware of a claim or potential claim, it assesses the likelihood of any loss or exposure. If it is probable that a loss will result and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, OncoCyte will record a liability for the loss. If the loss is not probable or the amount of the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, OncoCyte discloses the claim if the likelihood of a potential loss is reasonably possible and the amount involved could be material. OncoCyte is not aware of any claims likely to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.
 
12

Employment Contracts

OncoCyte has entered into employment contracts with certain executive officers. Under the provisions of the contracts, OncoCyte may be required to incur severance obligations for matters relating to changes in control, as defined, and involuntary terminations.

Indemnification

In the normal course of business, OncoCyte may provide indemnification of varying scope under OncoCyte’s agreements with other companies or consultants, typically OncoCyte’s clinical research organizations, investigators, clinical sites, suppliers and others. Pursuant to these agreements, OncoCyte will generally agree to indemnify, hold harmless, and reimburse the indemnified parties for losses and expenses suffered or incurred by the indemnified parties arising from claims of third parties in connection with the use or testing of OncoCyte’s diagnostic tests. Indemnification provisions could also cover third party infringement claims with respect to patent rights, copyrights, or other intellectual property pertaining to OncoCyte’s diagnostic tests. The term of these indemnification agreements will generally continue in effect after the termination or expiration of the particular research, development, services, or license agreement to which they relate. The potential future payments OncoCyte could be required to make under these indemnification agreements will generally not be subject to any specified maximum amounts. Historically, OncoCyte has not been subject to any claims or demands for indemnification. OncoCyte also maintains various liability insurance policies that limit OncoCyte’s financial exposure. As a result, OncoCyte management believes that the fair value of these indemnification agreements is minimal. Accordingly, OncoCyte has not recorded any liabilities for these agreements as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

10.
Subsequent Events

On July 21, 2017, OncoCyte entered into three forms of Warrant Exercise Agreement (each, the “Agreement”) with certain holders of the Offering Warrants (see Note 6) providing for the cash exercise of their Offering Warrants and the issuance of new warrants (the “July 2017 Warrants”) to such holders.

Pursuant to one form of the Agreement, two holders agreed to cash exercise Offering Warrants to purchase 226,923 shares of OncoCyte’s common stock at the exercise price of $3.25 per share, and OncoCyte agreed to issue to each such holder July 2017 Warrants expiring five years from the date of issue, to purchase an equal number of shares of common stock at an exercise price of $5.50 per share.

Pursuant to a second form of the Agreement, a holder agreed to cash exercise Offering Warrants to purchase 540,000 shares of common stock at the exercise price of $3.25 per share, and OncoCyte agreed to issue to such holder a July 2017 Warrant, expiring five years from the date of issue, to purchase one half of such number of shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.25 per share. In this alternative form of the Agreement, OncoCyte also agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a registration statement covering the resale of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the July 2017 Warrant and to keep it continuously effective for up to five years, subject to conditions set forth in the Agreement.

Pursuant to a third form of the Agreement, a holder agreed to cash exercise Offering Warrants to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock at the exercise price of $3.25 per share, and OncoCyte agreed to issue to such holder (i) a July 2017 Warrant, expiring two years from the date of issue, to purchase one half of such number of shares of common stock at an exercise price of $5.50 per share, and (ii) a July 2017 Warrant, expiring two years from the date of issue, to purchase one half of such number of shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.25 per share. OncoCyte has advised this holder that it intends to register the shares issuable upon exercise of these July 2017 Warrants for resale with the SEC.

In the aggregate, upon the exercise of Offering Warrants under the Agreement, OncoCyte received gross proceeds of approximately $5.74 million and issued July 2017 Warrants to purchase 1,496,923 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $4.34 per share.

The July 2017 Warrants will be classified as equity as their terms are consistent with the Offering Warrants. For financial reporting purposes, the issuance of the July 2017 Warrants will be treated as an inducement offer to certain investors to exercise their Offering Warrants. Accordingly, the fair value of the July 2017 Warrants will be determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and will be recognized by OncoCyte as a noncash charge to shareholder expense included in general and administrative expenses and a corresponding increase to equity on July 21, 2017, the issuance date.
 
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Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The matters addressed in this Item 2 that are not historical information constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements about any of the following: any projections of earnings, revenue, cash, effective tax rate, use of net operating losses, or any other financial items; the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations or prospects for achieving such plans, and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “seeks,” “estimates,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. While OncoCyte may elect to update forward-looking statements in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, even if the OncoCyte estimates change and readers should not rely on those forward-looking statements as representing OncoCyte views as of any date subsequent to the date of the filing of this Quarterly Report. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are inherently subject to risks and OncoCyte can give no assurances that its expectations will prove to be correct. Actual results could differ materially from those described in this report because of numerous factors, many of which are beyond the control of OncoCyte. A number of important factors could cause the results of the company to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including those detailed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of OncoCyte Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with OncoCyte’s interim condensed financial statements and the related notes provided under “Item 1- Financial Statements” above.

Critical Accounting Policies

This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discusses and analyzes data in our unaudited condensed interim financial statements, which we have prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Senior management has discussed the development, selection and disclosure of these estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. Actual conditions may differ from our assumptions and actual results may differ from our estimates.

An accounting policy is deemed critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made, if different estimates reasonably could have been used, or if changes in the estimate are reasonably likely to occur, that could materially impact the financial statements. Management believes that there have been no significant changes during the six months ended June 30, 2017 to the items that we disclosed as our critical accounting policies and estimates in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
 
Research and development expenses
 
Research and development expenses include both direct expenses incurred by OncoCyte and indirect overhead costs allocated to us by BioTime that benefit or support our research and development functions of OncoCyte.  Direct research and development expenses consist primarily of personnel costs and related benefits, including stock-based compensation, and expenses from outside consultants and suppliers.  Indirect research and development expenses allocated to us by BioTime under the Shared Facilities Agreement (see Note 4 to the condensed interim financial statements), are primarily based on OncoCyte headcount and include laboratory supplies, laboratory expenses, rent and utilities, common area maintenance, telecommunications, property taxes and insurance. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses include both direct expenses incurred by OncoCyte and indirect overhead costs allocated to us by BioTime that benefit or support our general and administrative functions.  Direct general and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation and related benefits, including stock-based compensation, for executive and corporate personnel, and professional and consulting fees. Indirect general and administrative expenses allocated to us by BioTime under the Shared Facilities Agreement (see Note 4 to the condensed interim financial statements) are primarily based on OncoCyte headcount and include costs for financial reporting and compliance, rent and utilities, common area maintenance, telecommunications, property taxes and insurance.

Sales and marketing expenses

Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of personnel costs and related benefits, including stock-based compensation, trade shows and booths, branding and positioning, and expenses for outside consultants.
 
14

Results of Operations

Comparison of three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

The following tables show our operating expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands).

   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
             
   
2017
   
2016
   
$ Increase
   
% Increase
 
Research and development expenses
 
$
1,997
     
$
1,195
     
$
802
       
67.1
%
General and administrative expenses
   
1,115
       
1,067
       
48
       
4.5
%
Sales and marketing expenses
   
477
       
270
       
207
       
76.7
%

   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
         
   
2017
   
2016
   
$ Increase
   
% Increase
 
Research and development expenses
 
$
3,831
     
$
2,884
     
$
947
       
32.8
%
General and administrative expenses
   
3,158
       
2,081
       
1,077
       
51.8
%
Sales and marketing expenses
   
1,132
       
499
       
633
       
126.9
%
                                                
The mix in the category of personnel we employ in research and development, in general and administrative and in sales and marketing functions can have an impact on those respective categories of expenses charged to us by BioTime under the Shared Facilities and Services Agreement.
 
Research and development expenses
 
The increase in research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2017 of $0.8 million compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 is primarily attributable to the following increases: $0.3 million in development expenses primarily for our lung cancer test, $0.1 million in amounts charged to us by BioTime for facilities and services, $0.1 million in salaries and payroll related expenses due to increased headcount, $0.1 million in stock-based compensation expenses, and $0.1 million in outside services and laboratory expenses.

The increase in research and development expenses of $0.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to six months ended June 30, 2016, is primarily attributable to the following increases: $0.3 million in development expenses primarily for our lung cancer test, $0.3 million in salaries and payroll related expenses, $0.3 million in stock-based compensation expenses, and $0.2 million in amounts charged to us by BioTime for facilities and services. Those increases were offset by a decrease of $0.5 million in outside services expenses and consulting fees.

We expect to continue to incur a significant amount of research and development expenses during the foreseeable future.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2017 were relatively unchanged from the amounts incurred during the same period of 2016.

General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased in comparison to the comparable period in 2016 by $1.1 million. The increase is mainly attributable to $1.1 million in shareholder noncash expense for the issuance of warrants to certain investors to exercise certain warrants as discussed in Note 6 to the condensed interim financial statements.

Sales and marketing expenses

Sales and marketing expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 increased by $0.2 million and $0.6 million from the respective periods in 2016, as we prepare for the commercial launch of our lung cancer diagnostic test. The increase during the six months of 2017 is attributable to increases of $0.3 million in consulting expenses for reimbursement and branding, $0.2 million in salaries and payroll related expenses, and $0.1 million in marketing expenses at medical conferences.
 
We expect that our sales and marketing expenses will increase significantly as we build a sales force for the commercialization of our cancer diagnostic tests. Our sales and marketing efforts, and the amount of related expenses that we will incur, will largely depend upon the amount of capital that we are able to raise to finance those efforts.  Our current cash resources will require us to limit our initial sales and marketing efforts until we are able to raise additional capital.  Our future expenditures on sales and marketing will also depend on the amount of revenue that those efforts are likely to generate.  Because physicians are more likely to prescribe a test for their patients if the cost is covered by Medicare or health insurance, demand for our diagnostic tests and our expenditures on sales and marketing are likely to increase if our diagnostic tests qualify for reimbursement by Medicare and private health insurance companies.

Income taxes

Due to our losses incurred for all periods presented, we did not record any provision or benefit for income taxes for any period presented.

A valuation allowance will be provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. OncoCyte established a full valuation allowance for all periods presented due to the uncertainty of realizing future tax benefits from its net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets.
 
15

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At June 30, 2017, we had $8.6 million of cash and cash equivalents and held BioTime common shares as available-for-sale securities valued at $1.1 million. On July 21, 2017, we received $5.74 million in cash proceeds from the exercise of warrants by certain investors.
 
Since inception, we have financed our operations through the sale of our common stock and warrants, warrant exercises, a bank loan, and sales of BioTime common shares that we hold as available-for-sale securities. BioTime also provided OncoCyte with the use of BioTime facilities and services under a Shared Facilities and Services Agreement as described in Note 4 to the condensed interim financial statements included elsewhere in this report. We have incurred operating losses and negative cash flows since inception, and had an accumulated deficit of $44 million at June 30, 2017.

We plan to continue to invest significant resources in research and development in the field of molecular cancer diagnostics. We expect to continue to incur operating losses and negative cash flows. If results of our research and development efforts, including the results of CLIA and validation studies of our lung cancer test, are successful to the point where we believe that a commercial product can be launched successfully, then additional capital will be required to continue to develop a sales and marketing team and to launch our first diagnostic test. OncoCyte will also need to raise additional capital in subsequent years to develop and launch additional diagnostic tests, for working capital, and for other expenses until such time as it is able to generate sufficient revenues from the commercialization of its diagnostic tests to finance its operations. The unavailability or inadequacy of financing or revenues to meet future capital needs could force us to modify, curtail, delay, or suspend some or all aspects of our planned operations. Sales of additional equity securities could result in the dilution of the interests of our shareholders. We cannot assure that adequate financing will be available on favorable terms, if at all.

We believe we have sufficient cash, cash equivalents, available-for-sale securities and working capital to carry out our current operations through at least twelve months from the issuance date of the financial statements included elsewhere in this report, but we will need to raise additional capital if we devote more resources to our initial commercialization efforts for our lung cancer test during that time frame.

Cash used in operations

During the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, our total operating expenses were $8.1 million and $5.5 million, respectively. Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2017 amounted to $8.5 million and net cash used in operating activities amounted to $6.6 million. The amount by which our net loss exceeded net cash used in our operating activities during the six months ended June 30, 2017 is primarily due to the following noncash items: a $1.1 million noncash charge related to warrants issued to certain investors as an inducement to exercise previously issued warrants, stock-based compensation of $696,000, a $309,000 loss on sales of BioTime shares held as available-for-sale securities, and $265,000 in depreciation and amortization expenses. Changes in working capital amounted to an approximate $446,000 of additional use of cash.

Cash provided by investing activities

During the six months ended June 30, 2017, cash provided by investing activities was $879,000 principally from the sale of 266,442 shares of BioTime common stock we held as available-for-sale securities, which netted us $934,000 in cash. We used these proceeds to pay down amounts owed to BioTime and affiliates. Under the provisions of the Loan Agreement discussed in Note 5 to our condensed interim financial statements, we can only use the proceeds from sale of BioTime shares to pay amounts owed to BioTime and affiliates.

Cash provided by financing activities

During the six months ended June 30, 2017, cash provided by financing activities was $4.2 million. During this period, certain investors exercised 625,000 warrants at an exercise price of $3.25 per warrant, providing us with total exercise proceeds of $2.0 million. We also received $257,000 in proceeds from exercise of stock options and we borrowed $2.0 million from a bank. These cash inflows were offset by $108,000 used to pay down capital lease obligations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of SEC Regulation S-K.

Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

There have been no material changes in our qualitative and quantitative market risk since the disclosure in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
 
16

Available for sale securities at fair value
 
As of June 30, 2017, we held 353,264 BioTime common shares at fair value as available-for-sale securities. Those shares are subject to changes in market value. BioTime common shares trade on the NYSE MKT under the ticker “BTX”. As of June 30, 2017, the 52-week high/low closing stock price per share range for BioTime was $3.97 to $2.70.

Item 4.
Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

It is management’s responsibility to establish and maintain adequate internal control over all financial reporting pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”). Our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Following this review and evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer determined that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer, and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Controls

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.
Legal Proceedings.

From time to time, we may be involved in routine litigation incidental to the conduct of our business. We are not presently involved in any material litigation or proceedings, and to our knowledge no such litigation or proceedings are contemplated.

Item 1A.
Risk Factors

Our business is subject to various risks, including those described below. You should consider the following risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this report and the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which could materially adversely affect our proposed operations, business prospects, and financial condition, and the value of an investment in our business. There may be other factors that are not mentioned here or of which we are not presently aware that could also affect our business operations and prospects.

We have incurred operating losses since inception and we do not know if we will attain profitability

Since our inception in September 2009, we have incurred operating losses and negative cash flows and we expect to continue to incur losses and negative cash flows in the future. Our net losses for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $8.5 million, $11.2 million and $8.7 million, respectively, and we had an accumulated deficit of $43.8 million and $35.3 million as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Since inception, we have financed our operations through the sale of our common stock and warrants, loans from BioTime and BioTime affiliates, warrant exercises, a bank loan and sale of BioTime common shares that we hold as available-for-sale securities. Although BioTime may continue to provide administrative support to us on a reimbursable basis, there is no assurance that BioTime will provide future financing. There is no assurance that we will be able to obtain any additional financing that we may need, or that any such financing that may become available will be on terms that are favorable to us and our shareholders. Ultimately, our ability to generate sufficient operating revenue to earn a profit depends upon our success in developing and marketing or licensing our diagnostic tests and technology.

Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 3
Default Upon Senior Securities

None.
 
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Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5
Other Information

None.

Item 6

Exhibit
Numbers
 
Exhibit Description
 
Articles of Incorporation with all amendments (1)
     
 
By-Laws, as amended (1)
     
 
Form of July 2017 Warrant, Exercise Price $5.50; five-year term (2)
     
 
Form of July 2017 Warrant, Exercise Price $3.25, five-year term (2)
     
 
Form of July 2017 Warrant, Exercise Price $3.25, two-year term (2)
     
 
Form of July 2017 Warrant, Exercise Price $5.50, two-year term (2)
     
 
2017 Amendment to 2010 Stock Option Plan (3)
     
 
Form of July 2017 Warrant Exercise Agreement (July 2017 Warrant for 100% of shares received on exercise of Original Warrant, at $5.50 exercise price with five-year term) (2)
     
 
Form of July 2017 Warrant Exercise Agreement (July 2017 Warrant for 50% of shares received on exercise of Original Warrant, at $3.25 exercise price with five-year term) (2)
     
 
Form of July 2017 Warrant Exercise Agreement (July 2017 Warrant for 50% of shares received on exercise of Original Warrant, at $3.25 exercise price with two-year term, and July 2017 Warrant for 50% of shares received on exercise of Original Warrant, at $5.50 exercise price with two-year term) (2)
     
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification*
     
 
Section 1350 Certification*
     
101
 
Interactive Data Files
     
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document*
     
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema*
     
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase*
     
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Document*
     
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase*
     
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase*

(1)
Incorporated by reference to OncoCyte Corporation’s Form 10 12(b) filed on November 23, 2015.

(2)
Incorporated by reference to OncoCyte Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 26, 2017.

(3)
Incorporated by reference to OncoCyte Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-219109) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 30, 2017.

*
Filed herewith
 
18

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
ONCOCYTE CORPORATION
 
     
Date: August 14, 2017
/s/ William Annett
 
 
William Annett
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 

Date: August 14, 2017
/s/ Russell L. Skibsted
 
 
Russell L. Skibsted
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
19