Note 13 – Share-based compensation

During the three months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, the Company recognized $0.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively, of share-based compensation expense. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, the Company recognized $0.8 million and $1.6 million, respectively, of share-based compensation expense.

On November 11, 2019, the Company received shareholder approval for the Amended and Restated 2019 Incentive Award Plan (the “Amended 2019 Plan”). The Amended 2019 Plan provides for the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, other stock or cash-based awards or a dividend equivalent award. On July 16, 2021, the Company registered 61,364 shares of its common stock issuable under the Amended 2019 Plan in a registration statement on Form S-8. The Amended 2019 Plan provides for an annual increase on the first day of each calendar year beginning on January 1, 2021 and ending on and including January 1, 2029, equal to the lesser of (A) 10% of the shares of common stock outstanding (on an as-converted basis) on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (B) such smaller number of shares of common stock as determined by the Board; provided, however, not more than 204,546 shares of common stock shall be authorized for issuance. The number of shares eligible for issuance increased to 127,606 on January 1, 2022, increased to 194,493 on January 1, 2023, and increased to the maximum allowable of 204,546 on January 1, 2024.

Stock options

The following table provides detail of the options granted and outstanding:

Schedule of Options Granted and Outstanding 

Options granted under the Amended 2019 Plan vest over a period of one to three years. All vested options are exercisable and may be exercised through the ten-year anniversary of the grant date (or such earlier date described in the applicable award agreement).

On June 26, 2024, the Company granted 47,285 options to acquire common stock to certain of its directors, officers and employees, at a weighted-average exercise price of $5.00 per share. The stock options were granted with a one-year vesting period and the Company recognized less than $0.1 million of share-based compensation expense in its consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. As of September 30, 2024, unrecognized share-based compensation related to these options was $0.2 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of one year.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company granted 5,500 stock options to new employees under the Amended 2019 Plan, all of which were still outstanding at September 30, 2024.

Restricted Stock Awards

In January 2023, the Company granted 20,292 shares of restricted common stock to members of its board of directors under the Amended 2019 Plan as compensation for annual board service. These restricted stock awards were immediately vested and, as such, the Company recorded share-based compensation expense of $0.5 million upon issuance.

In January 2023, the Company granted 4,545 shares of restricted common stock to certain executives and employees under the Amended 2019 Plan as performance bonus compensation totaling $0.1 million. These restricted stock awards were issued on the grant date with a one year cliff vesting condition and the Company will recognize the expense over the vesting period.

During the first quarter of 2023, the Company granted 409 shares of restricted common stock to a member of its board of directors for service as interim CEO. These restricted stock awards were immediately vested and, as such, the Company recorded share-based compensation expense of less than $0.1 million upon issuance.

During the second quarter of 2023, the Company granted 909 shares of restricted common stock to certain executives and employees under the Amended 2019 Plan as performance bonus compensation totaling less than $0.1 million. These restricted stock awards were issued on the grant date with a one year cliff vesting condition and the Company will recognize the expense over the vesting period.

During the third quarter of 2023, the Company granted 34,090 shares of restricted common stock to two members of its board of directors. These restricted stock awards were immediately vested and, as such, the Company recorded share-based compensation expense of less than $0.3 million upon issuance.

In February 2024, the Company granted 42,088 shares of restricted common stock to members of its Board of Directors as part of their equity compensation pursuant to the Amended and Restated 2019 Incentive Award Plan. These restricted stock awards were immediately vested and, as such, the Company recorded share-based compensation expense of $0.4 million upon issuance.

In June 2024, the Company granted 22,727 shares of restricted common stock to certain executives under the Amended 2019 Plan as performance bonus compensation. These restricted stock awards were immediately vested and, as such, the Company recorded share-based compensation expense of $0.1 million upon issuance.