9Share-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 September 30, 2023, 411,353 shares of common stock were available for future grants under the Plan. The table below sets forth the outstanding options to purchase common shares under the Plan:

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During the nine months ended September 30, 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 nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company granted certain individuals options to purchase 262,500 shares of the Company’s common stock with an average exercise price of $4.23 per share, contractual terms of 10 years and vesting periods ranging from 100% after one year to 33.333% after one year and 66.667% in 24 monthly installments, thereafter. The options had an aggregate grant date fair value of $839,350 that was calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Variables used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model included: (1) discount rates ranging from 3.145% to 3.15% based on the daily par 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 91.86% 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 $4.23 per share.

As of September 30, 2023 the aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding was $419,835.

The Company recognized share-based compensation expense related to stock options during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, of $148,305 and $471,666, respectively, and $164,266 and $433,129, respectively. The unrecognized compensation expense for stock options at September 30, 2023 was $687,767.

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 7.22 years. As of September 30, 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 September 30, 2023, the aggregate intrinsic value of the President Options was $0.

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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 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 became 100% exercisable on March 18, 2023.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, there were 478,625 Representative Warrants cashless 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 September 30, 2023. The table below sets forth the outstanding warrants to purchase common shares:

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As of September 30, 2023, the aggregate intrinsic value of the warrants outstanding was $6,408.