9.   Share-Based Compensation

Equity Incentive Plan

On June 16, 2022, the stockholders of the Company approved the Amended and Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to increase the total number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the Plan by 1,250,000 shares to 2,062,500 total shares issuable under the Plan. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, 411,353 and 430,603 shares, respectively, were available for future grants.

The Plan provides for grants to employees, members of the Board, consultants and advisors to the Company, in the form of stock awards, options, and other equity-based awards. The amount and terms of grants are determined by the Board. Stock options have a maximum term of 10 years after date of grant and are exercisable in cash or as otherwise determined by the Board. The maximum aggregate number of shares subject to grant under the Plan to any individual, with the exception of any non-employee director, during any calendar year is limited to 500,000 shares. With respect to any non-employee director, the maximum aggregate number of shares subject to grant under the Plan to any individual during any calendar year is limited to 200,000 shares.

The table below sets forth the outstanding options to purchase common shares under the Plan:

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As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable was $192,465 and $64,155, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, the aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable was $0.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company granted certain individuals options to purchase 31,500 shares of the Company’s common stock with an average exercise price of $1.85 per share, contractual terms of 10 years and a vesting period of one year. The options had an aggregate grant date fair value of $45,360 that was calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Variables used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model included: (1) discount rate of 3.89% based on the daily par yield curve rates for U.S. Treasury obligations, (2) expected life of 5.5 years based on the simplified method (vesting plus contractual term divided by two), (3) expected volatility of 98.66% based on the average historical volatility of comparable companies’ stock, (4) no expected dividends and (5) fair market value of the Company’s stock of $1.85 per share.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company granted certain individuals options to purchase 912,500 shares of the Company’s common stock with an average exercise price of $1.42 per share, contractual terms of 10 years and vesting periods ranging from 100% vesting after one year to 33.333% vesting after one year with the remaining 66.667% vesting in 24 monthly installments, thereafter. The options had an aggregate grant date fair value of $980,075 as calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Variables used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model include: (1) discount rates ranging from 3.145% to 3.765% based on the daily yield curve rates for U.S. Treasury obligations, (2) expected lives ranging from 5.5 years to 6.0 years based on the simplified method (vesting plus contractual term divided by two), (3) expected volatility ranging from 90.62% to 93.66% based on the average historical volatility of comparable companies' stock, (4) no expected dividends and (5) fair market value of the Company's stock ranging from $0.2789 to $4.23 per share.

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized share-based compensation expense related to stock options of $619,972 and $582,659, respectively. The unrecognized compensation expense for stock options at December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $539,461 and $1,114,073, respectively.

Stock Options for Unregistered Securities

In addition to the stock options issued under the Plan, and in conjunction with the IPO, the Company granted non-qualified stock options to purchase 292,500 shares of common stock as provided for in the President’s employment agreement (the “President Options”). The President Options are exercisable within 10 years of the date of grant at $10.00 per share, were 100% vested at the grant date and have a remaining contractual term of 6.96 years. As of December 31, 2023, there was no unrecognized compensation expense related to these options as they were 100% vested upon issuance. The shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the President Options will be unregistered, and the option agreement does not include any obligation on the part of the Company to register such shares of common stock. Consequently, the Company has not recognized a contingent liability associated with registering the securities for the arrangement. As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate intrinsic value of the President Options was $0.

Underwriters Warrants

In conjunction with the IPO, the Company granted the underwriters warrants to purchase 172,500 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $12.50 per share. The warrants have a five-year contractual term and became 100% exercisable on December 21, 2021.

In conjunction with the Offering in September 2022, the Company granted the Underwriter warrants to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.625 per share (the “Representative Warrants”). The Representative Warrants have a five-year contractual term and became 100% exercisable on March 18, 2023. The Company accounted for the Representative Warrants as equity-based awards issued to

a non-employee. The warrants had an aggregate grant date fair value of $178,462 that was calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Variables used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model include: (1) discount rate of 3.69% based on the daily yield curve rates for U.S. Treasury obligations, (2) expected life of 5.0 years, (3) expected volatility of 96.46% based on the average historical volatility of comparable companies' stock, (4) no expected dividends and (5) fair market value (Offering price) of the Company's stock of $0.50 per share.

There was no net impact recognized by the Company in the accompanying financial statements as the Representative Warrants were equity-based awards issued for services rendered by the Underwriter for the Offering that was offset by the Company recognizing the fair value of the warrants as a direct and incremental costs associated with the Offering by reducing paid-in capital for the same amount.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, there were 478,625 Representative Warrants exercised. As a result, 192,951 shares of common stock were surrendered at fair value to satisfy the exercise price and 285,674 shares of common stock were issued. The surrendered shares are shown as treasury stock at a cost of $299,110 in stockholders’ equity.

There is no unrecognized compensation expense for these awards as of December 31, 2023. The table below sets forth the outstanding warrants to purchase common shares:

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As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate intrinsic value of the warrants outstanding was $0.