8.    Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation

The Company is subject, from time to time, to claims by third parties under various legal disputes. The defense of such claims, or any adverse outcome relating to any such claims, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity, financial condition and cash flows.

On August 26, 2021, Torreya Capital LLC (“Torreya”) filed a demand for arbitration with the American Arbitration Association in New York, New York in connection with a claim by Torreya that it is entitled to a transaction fee of $1,035,000 in connection with the Company’s IPO, plus the costs of arbitration, based on services Torreya alleged it provided for the Company as a financial advisor to the Company prior to the IPO.  On December 20, 2021, in order to avoid the risk, inconvenience and expense of a continued dispute, the Company entered into a release and settlement agreement with Torreya, whereby the Company agreed to pay Torreya $325,000 for the release and discharge of any and all claims, liabilities and costs related to the arbitration. The Company paid the obligation prior to December 31, 2021, the cost of which is included in other expense in the accompanying statements of operations.

Employment Agreement and Deferred Compensation Plan

The Company has employment agreements with its CEO, SVP of Operations, and SVP of Finance (the “Executives”), as well as its CMO. Per the terms of the agreements, each Executive and the CMO are entitled to receive a cash bonus with a target amount of no less than 50% for the CEO, 35% for the CMO and 20% for the SVP of Operations and the SVP of Finance, of the then-current base salary. The bonuses are subject to achievement of annual bonus metrics set by the Board. The employment agreements will continue in effect until terminated by either party pursuant to its terms. Upon termination of the agreement by the Company for any reason other than for cause, death or disability or by one of the Executives or CMO for good reason, the Company shall pay to an Executive a “Severance Payment” equal to the aggregate of the Executive’s then-current annual base salary plus an amount equal to a prorated portion of the Executive’s cash bonus for the year in which the termination occurs.  The Severance Payment to an Executive is payable in cash over a period of one year. The Company shall pay to the CMO a Severance Payment equal to 25% of the then-current annual base salary plus a prorated portion of the CMO’s cash bonus for the year in which the termination occurs over a period of three months and health benefits for a period of 12 months unless the CMO becomes eligible for health benefits under another employer. If the termination of the agreement is related to a change of control, the Company shall pay to the Executives and the CMO a “Change of Control Termination Payment” equal to the aggregate of 1.0 times the then-current annual base salary plus an amount equal to 1.0 times the Executives’ and CMO’s cash bonus for year in which the termination occurs. The Change of Control Termination Payments are payable in a single cash lump sum no later than 45 days after the triggering event.