BLGO BioLargo Inc (QX)

Note 1. Business and Organization

Description of Business

BioLargo, Inc. (“BioLargo”, or the “Company”) invents, develops, and commercializes innovative platform technologies to solve challenging environmental problems like PFAS contamination (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), advanced water and wastewater treatment, industrial odor control, air quality control, infection control, and myriad environmental remediation challenges. Our business strategy is straightforward: we invent or acquire technologies that we believe have the potential to be disruptive in large commercial markets; we develop and validate these technologies to advance and promote their commercial success as we leverage our considerable scientific, engineering, and entrepreneurial talent; we then monetize these technical assets through a variety of business structures that may include licensure, joint venture, sale, spin off, or by deploying direct to market strategies.

Organization

We are a Delaware corporation formed in 1991. We have five wholly-owned subsidiaries: BioLargo Life Technologies, Inc., organized under the laws of the State of California in 2006; ONM Environmental, Inc., organized under the laws of the State of California in 2009; BioLargo Equipment Solutions & Technologies, Inc., organized under the laws of the State of California in 2022; BioLargo Canada, Inc., organized under the laws of Canada in 2014; and BioLargo Development Corp., organized under the laws of the State of California in 2016. Additionally, we are the controlling stockholder in three subsidiaries: we own 53% of Clyra Medical Technologies, Inc. (“Clyra” or “Clyra Medical”), organized under the laws of the State of California in 2012 and redomiciled to Delaware in 2023; and 82% of BioLargo Engineering Science and Technologies, LLC (“BLEST"), organized under the laws of the State of Tennessee in 2017; and 96% of BioLargo Energy Technologies, Inc. ("BETI") organized under the laws of the State of California in 2019. We consolidate the financial statements of our partially owned subsidiaries.

Liquidity / Going Concern

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, we generated revenues of $4,760,000 through our business segments, had a net loss of $775,000, and generated net cash provided by operating activities of $481,000. At March 31, 2024, we had current assets of $7,176,000, of which $4,336,000 was cash and cash equivalents, current liabilities of $3,404,000, and working capital of $3,772,000.

While we were able to generate $481,000 net cash from operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2024, we do not have a long history of doing so and are highly reliant upon third parties for the generation of a majority of our revenues. We also continue to use cash to invest in capital equipment, research and development, and our new technologies. For these reasons, we and our partially owned subsidiaries continue to sell securities to ensure available working capital. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we sold (i) $260,000 of our common stock to Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (“Lincoln Park”), (ii) $228,000 of our common stock and warrants to accredited investors, (iii) $475,000 of Clyra Medical common stock, and (iv) $50,000 of BETI common stock. We have been, and anticipate that we will continue to be, limited in terms of our capital resources, and expect to continue to need further investment capital to fund our business plans and investments into our new technologies. 

The foregoing factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, unless we are able to (i) continue to increase revenues, generate cash from operations, or generate cash from financing activities, (ii) convert assets such as our $2,473,000 in accounts receivable into cash; or, (iii) if necessary, reduce ongoing cash obligations by curtailing portions of our operations.

Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries, and partially owned subsidiaries BETI, BLEST and Clyra Medical. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

The accounting and financial reporting policies of the Company conform, in all material respects, to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and to general practices within the industry. The condensed consolidated financial statements in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have not been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm, but in the opinion of management, reflect all necessary adjustments for a fair presentation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial position and condensed consolidated results of operations. All adjustments were of a normal and recurring nature. The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and with the instructions to Form 10-Q adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, the condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial presentation and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, for the year ended  December 31, 2023, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on  April 1, 2024. The results of operations for the three months ended  March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or any future period.

Foreign Currency

The Company has designated the functional currency of BioLargo Canada, Inc., our Canadian subsidiary, to be the Canadian dollar. Therefore, translation gains and losses resulting from differences in exchange rates are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents. Substantially all cash equivalents are held in short-term money market accounts at one of the largest financial institutions in the United States. From time to time, our cash account balances are greater than the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit of $250,000 per owner per bank, and during such times, we are exposed to credit loss for amounts in excess of insured limits in the event of non-performance by the financial institution. We do not anticipate non-performance by our financial institution.

As of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, our cash balances were made up of the following (in thousands):

Accounts Receivable

In  June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, which sets out the principles for the recognition of measurement of credit losses on financial instruments, including trade receivables. The standard eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold and requires an entity to reflect its current estimate of all expected credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial assets to present the net amount expected to be collected. The new standard was effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2023 and primarily impacted trade accounts receivable. 

Accounts receivable are customer obligations that are unconditional. Accounts receivable are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts for expected credit losses, which represents an estimate of amounts that may not be collectible. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and, if necessary, provides an allowance for doubtful accounts and expected credit losses. A provision to the allowances for doubtful accounts for expected credit losses is recorded based on factors including the length of time the receivables are past due, the current business environment, and the Company’s historical experience. Provisions to the allowances for doubtful accounts for expected credit losses are recorded to general and administrative expenses. The Company writes off accounts receivable against the allowance when it determines a balance is uncollectible and no longer actively pursues collection of the receivable. The Company does not have any off-balance-sheet credit exposure related to customers. As of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the allowance for doubtful accounts for expected credit losses was $84,000.

Credit Concentration

We have a limited number of customers that account for significant portions of our revenue. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the following customers accounted for more than 10% of consolidated revenues:

At March 31, 2024 and  December 31, 2023, one customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated accounts receivable:

Inventory

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the average cost method. The allowance for obsolete inventory as of  March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, was $212,000. Inventories consisted of (in thousands):

Other Non-Current Assets

Other non-current assets consisted of (i) security deposits related to our business offices, (ii) three patents acquired on  October 22, 2021, for $34,000.

Equity Method of Accounting

On March 20, 2020, we invested $100,000 into a South Korean entity (Odin Co. Ltd., “Odin”) pursuant to a Joint Venture agreement we had entered into with BKT Co. Ltd. and its U.S. based subsidiary, Tomorrow Water. We received a 40% non-dilutive equity interest, and BKT and Tomorrow Water each received 30% equity interests for an aggregate $150,000 investment.

We account for our investment in the joint venture under the equity method of accounting. We have determined that while we have significant influence over the joint venture through our technology license and our position on the Board of Directors, we do not control the joint venture or are otherwise involved in managing the entity and we own less than a majority of the equity. Therefore, we record the asset on our condensed consolidated balance sheets and record an increase or decrease of the recorded balance by our percentage ownership of the profits or losses in the joint venture. The joint venture has incurred a loss since inception and our 40% ownership share reduced our investment interest. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, the reduction of our investment interest totaled $1,000 and $6,000, respectively.

Impairment

Long-lived and definite lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flows from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition is less than the carrying amount of the asset, then an impairment loss is recognized.  The impairment loss is measured based on the fair value of the asset.  Any resulting impairment is recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the related asset in excess of fair value and a charge to operating results. There were no impairment losses related to intangible assets during the three months ended March 31, 2024 or 2023.

Loss Per Share

We report basic and diluted loss per share (“LPS”) for common and common share equivalents. Basic LPS is computed by dividing reported losses by the weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted LPS is computed by adding to the weighted average shares the dilutive effect if stock options and warrants were exercised into common stock. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, the denominator in the diluted LPS computation is the same as the denominator for basic LPS due to the Company’s net loss which creates an anti-dilutive effect of the warrants and stock options.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the period reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates are used when accounting for stock-based transactions, debt transactions, derivative liabilities, allowance for doubtful accounts, asset depreciation and amortization, impairment expense, among others.

The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying these most critical accounting policies have a significant impact on the results of our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Share-Based Compensation Expense

We recognize compensation expense for stock option awards on a straight-line basis over the applicable service period of the award, which is the vesting period. Fair value is determined on the grant date. Share-based compensation expense is based on the grant date fair value estimated using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model.

For stock and stock options issued to consultants and other non-employees for services, the Company measures and records an expense as of the earlier of the date at which either: a commitment for performance by the non-employee has been reached or the non-employee’s performance is complete. The equity instruments are measured at the current fair value, and for stock options, the instruments are measured at fair value using the Black Scholes option model.

The following methodology and assumptions were used to calculate share-based compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2024, and 2023:

Expected price volatility is the measure by which our stock price is expected to fluctuate during the expected term of an option. The expected volatility is derived from the historical daily change in the market price of our common stock, as we believe that historical volatility is the best indicator of future volatility.

The risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes calculation is based on the prevailing U.S. Treasury yield as determined by the U.S. Federal Reserve. We have never paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.

Warrants

Warrants issued with our convertible and non-convertible debt instruments are accounted for under the fair value and relative fair value method. The warrant is first analyzed per its terms as to whether it has derivative features or not. If the warrant is determined to be a derivative and not qualify for equity treatment, then it is measured at fair value using the Black Scholes option model and recorded as a liability on the balance sheet. The warrant is re-measured at its then current fair value at each subsequent reporting date (it is “marked-to-market”). If the warrant is determined to not have derivative features, it is recorded into equity at its fair value using the Black Scholes option model, however, limited to a relative fair value based upon the percentage of its fair value to the total fair value including the fair value of the convertible note. Convertible debt instruments are recorded at fair value, limited to a relative fair value based upon the percentage of its fair value to the total fair value including the fair value of the warrant. The warrant relative fair values are also recorded as a discount to the convertible promissory notes.

Non-Cash Transactions

We determine the value assigned to each intangible we acquire, and/or services or products received for non-cash consideration of our common stock based on the market price of our common stock issued as consideration, at the date of the agreement of each transaction or when the service is rendered or product is received.

Revenue Recognition

We account for revenue in accordance with ASC 606, “Revenue from Contacts with Customers”. The guidance focuses on the core principle for revenue recognition, which is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, the guidance provides that an entity should apply the following steps:

Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer.

Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract.

Step 3: Determine the transaction price.

Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.

Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

The Company’s products are sold through a contract with the customer and a written purchase order, in which the details of the contract are defined including the transaction price and method of shipment. The only performance obligation is to create and ship the product, and each product has separate pricing. Revenue is recognized at a point in time when the goods are shipped if the agreement is FOB manufacturer, and when goods are delivered if FOB destination. Revenue is recognized with a reduction for sales discounts, as appropriate and negotiated in the customer’s purchase order.

Service contracts are performed through a written contract, which specifies the performance obligations and the rate at which the services will be billed, typically by time and materials. Each service is separately negotiated and priced. Revenue is recognized as services are performed and completed, or, for services related to product installations, at the completion of the installation. A few contracts have called for milestone or fixed cost payments, where we invoice an agreed-to amount per month for the life of the contract. In these instances, completed work, billed hourly, is recognized as revenue. If the billing amount is greater or lesser than the completed work, a receivable or payable is created. These accounts are adjusted upon additional billings as the work is completed. To date, there have been no discounts or other financing terms for the contracts.

The Company has outstanding contract liability obligations of $261,000 and $303,000 as of  March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023,  respectively.  Revenue from contract liability totaled $42,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024. The outstanding balance will be recognized as earned per the terms of the contracts. Our Canadian subsidiary had a customer deposit outstanding at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, totaling $110,000 and $113,000, respectively.  These were awarded as part of a grant for a particular project that has been delayed. ONM Environmental had a customer deposit outstanding at  March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, totaling $116,000 and $4,000, related to customer purchase orders not yet fulfilled. Revenue from customer deposits totaled $4,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

As we generate revenues from royalties or license fees from our intellectual property, a licensee will pay a license fee in one or more installments and ongoing royalties based on their sales of products incorporating or using our licensed intellectual property. We have entered into a licensing agreement for the CupriDyne Clean product, and we recognize royalty and license fees on a quarterly basis as the product is sold through to third parties and reported to us.

Government Grants

We have been awarded multiple research grants from the private and public Canadian research programs. The income we receive directly from grants is recorded as other income. We have been awarded over 80 grants since our first in 2015. Some of the funds from these grants are given directly to third parties (such as the University of Alberta or a third-party research scientist) to support research on our technology. The grants have terms generally ranging between six and eighteen months and support a majority, but not all, of the related research budget costs. This cooperative research allows us to utilize (i) a depth of resources and talent to accomplish highly skilled work, (ii) financial aid to support research and development costs, (iii) independent and credible validation of our technical claims.

The grants typically provide for (i) recurring monthly amounts, (ii) reimbursement of costs for research talent for which we invoice to request payment, and (iii) ancillary cost reimbursement for research talent travel related costs. All awarded grants have specific requirements on how the money is spent, typically to employ researchers. None of the funds may be used for general administrative expenses or overhead in the United States. These grants have substantially increased our level of research and development activities in Canada. We continue to apply for Canadian government and agency grants to fund research and development activities. Not all of our grant applications have been awarded, and no assurance can be made that any pending grant application, or any future grant applications, will be awarded.

Income Taxes

The asset and liability approach is used to recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of asset and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax asset and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

We account for uncertainties in income tax law under a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns as prescribed by GAAP. Under GAAP, the tax effects of a position are recognized only if it is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the taxing authority as of the reporting date. If the tax position is not considered “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained, then no benefits of the position are recognized. Management believes there are no unrecognized tax benefits or uncertain tax positions as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023.

The Company assessed its earnings history, trends and estimates of future earnings and determined that the deferred tax asset could not be realized as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023. Accordingly, a 100% valuation allowance was recorded against the net deferred tax asset.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties on income taxes as a component of income tax expense, should such an expense be realized.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Management believes the carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023 approximate their respective fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Such instruments consist of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and line of credit. The carrying amount of debt instruments are believed to approximate fair value as the stated interest rates are reflective of the prevailing market rates.

Leases

At inception of a lease contract, we assess whether the contract is, or contains, a lease. Our assessment is based on: (1) whether the contract involves the use of a distinct identified asset, (2) whether we obtain the right to substantially all the economic benefit from the use of the asset throughout the period of the contract, and (3) whether we have the right to direct the use of the asset during such time period. At inception of a lease, we allocate the consideration in the contract to each lease component based on its relative stand-alone price to determine the lease payments. Leases are classified as either finance leases or operating leases. A lease must be classified as a finance lease if any of the following criteria are met: the lease transfers ownership of the asset by the end of the lease term, the lease contains an option to purchase the asset that is reasonably certain to be exercised, the lease term is for a major part of the remaining useful life of the asset or the present value of the lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the asset. A lease is classified as an operating lease if it does not meet any of these criteria. We have no leases classified as finance leases. For all leases at the lease commencement date, a right-of-use asset and a lease liability are recognized. The right-of-use asset represents the right to use the leased asset for the lease term. The lease liability represents the present value of the lease payments under the lease. The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, which primarily comprises the initial amount of the lease liability, plus any initial direct costs incurred, consisting mainly of brokerage commissions, less any lease incentives received. All right-of-use assets are reviewed for impairment. The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, management estimates the incremental borrowing rate, which currently is estimated to be 18%. Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise the following: the fixed noncancelable lease payments, payments for optional renewal periods where it is reasonably certain the renewal period will be exercised, and payments for early termination options unless it is reasonably certain the lease will not be terminated early. Lease components are included in the measurement of the initial lease liability. Additional payments based on a change in our portion of the operating expenses, including real estate taxes and insurance, are recorded as a period expense when incurred. Lease modifications result in remeasurement of the lease liability. Lease expense for operating leases consists of the lease payments plus any initial direct costs, primarily brokerage commissions, and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We have elected not to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases that have a term of 12 months or less. The effect of short-term leases on our right-of-use asset and lease liability was not material.  As of  March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the right-of-use assets totaled $1,068,000, and $1,092,000, respectively.  As of  March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the lease liability totaled $1,090,000 and $1,109,000, respectively, on our condensed consolidated balance sheets related to our operating leases.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment includes machinery and leasehold improvements and is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 3 - 10 years or the remaining lease term. Newly built leaseholds, additions, renewals, and betterments that significantly extend the life of the asset are capitalized. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. For assets sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the accounts, and any related gain or loss is reflected in income for the period.

Noncontrolling Interest

A noncontrolling interest is defined as the portion of the equity in an entity not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the primary beneficiary. Noncontrolling interests are required to be presented as a separate component of equity on a consolidated balance sheets. Accordingly, the presentation of net income (loss) is modified to present the income (loss) attributed to controlling and non-controlling interests. The noncontrolling interest on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets represents equity not held by the Company. In accordance with ASC 810-10-20, “Noncontrolling Interests” BioLargo consolidates three non-wholly owned subsidiaries - Clyra, BLEST and BETI. Noncontrolling interest of Clyra represents 47% as of  December 31, 2023 and 2022.  Noncontrolling interest of BLEST represents 23% and 18% as of  December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively.  Noncontrolling interest of BETI represents 4% as of  December 31, 2023.  BETI started operations in 2023.

Note 3. Sale of Stock for Cash

Lincoln Park Financing

On December 13, 2022, we entered into a stock purchase agreement (the “2022 LPC Purchase Agreement”) with Lincoln Park, pursuant to which Lincoln Park agreed to purchase from us at our request up to an aggregate of $10,000,000 of our common stock (subject to certain limitations) from time to time over a period of three years. The agreement allows us, at our sole discretion, to direct Lincoln Park to purchase shares of our common stock, subject to limitations in both volume and dollar amount. The purchase price of the shares that may be sold to Lincoln Park under the agreement is the lower of (i) the lowest sale price on the date of purchase, or (ii) the average of the three lowest closing prices in the prior 12 business days. There are no restrictions on future financings, rights of first refusal, participation rights, penalties, or liquidated damages other than a prohibition on entering into a “Variable Rate Transaction,” as defined in the agreement. Concurrently with the 2022 LPC Purchase Agreement, we entered into a Registration Rights Agreement, pursuant to which we filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the SEC on December 23, 2022. This registration statement was declared effective on January 19, 2023.

During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 we sold 766,175 and 545,402 shares of our common stock to Lincoln Park, and received $260,000 and $105,000, respectively, in gross proceeds.

Unit Offerings

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we sold 1,394,173 shares of our common stock and received $267,000 gross proceeds and $228,000 net proceeds from five accredited investors. During the three months ended  March 31, 2023, we sold 3,656,000 shares of our common stock and received $695,000 in gross and net proceeds from eleven accredited investors. In addition to the shares, we issued each investor a six-month and a five-year warrant to purchase additional shares. (See Note 6, Warrants issued in Unit Offerings.)

Note 4. Debt Obligations

The following table summarizes our debt obligations outstanding as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023 (in thousands). The table does not include debt obligations of our partially owned subsidiary Clyra Medical (see Note 8, “Debt Obligations of Clyra Medical”).

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, we recorded $12,000, of interest expense related to the coupon interest from our debt obligations.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, we recorded $48,000, of interest expense related to the amortization of discounts on convertible notes payable and coupon interest from our debt obligations.

Vehicle loan

On February 7, 2023, we entered a loan agreement with Bank of America for the purchase of a commercial vehicle used in operations totaling $80,000, at 5.29% annual interest which matures March 7, 2029. The loan agreement requires monthly payments of $1,000.  As of March 31, 2024, the balance of this loan totals $64,000.

SBA Program Loans

On  February 7, 2022, we received notice that the SBA had forgiven $174,000 of the ONM Environmental $217,000 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. As of March 31, 2024, the outstanding balance on this loan totals $43,000. The partial forgiveness decision has been appealed, and during such time, loan payments are deferred.

On May 12, 2022, we received notice that the SBA had denied the forgiveness application of BLEST’s $97,000 PPP loan. We have appealed that decision. During the period upon which a forgiveness decision is on appeal, loan payments are deferred. The maturity date of the BLEST PPP loan was officially extended on our request to May 2025. 

In July 2020, ONM Environmental received an Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the SBA in the amount of $150,000. The note has a 3.75% annual interest rate, requires monthly payments of $700, and matures July 2053. As of March 31, 2024, the balance of this loan totals $146,000.

Note 5. Share-Based Compensation

Issuance of Common Stock in exchange for Services

Payment of Officer Salaries

No shares were issued to officers as payment of salary during the three months ended March, 31, 2024. 

On  March 31, 2023, an officer agreed to convert an aggregate $6,000 of accrued and unpaid salary into 30,747 shares of our common stock at $0.20 per share.

Shares issued to Officers are unvested at the date of grant and subject to a lock-up agreement restricting vesting and sale until the earlier of (i) the consummation of a sale (in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions) of BioLargo by means of a sale of (a) a majority of the then outstanding common stock of BioLargo (whether by merger, consolidation, sale or transfer of common stock, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or (b) all or substantially all of the assets of BioLargo; and (ii) the successful commercialization of BioLargo’s products or technologies as demonstrated by its receipt of at least $3,000,000 in cash, or the recognition of $3,000,000 in revenue, over a 12-month period from the sale of products and/or the license of technology; and (iii) the Company’s breach of the employment agreement between the Company and Officer and resulting in Officer’s termination.

Payment of Consultant and Vendor Fees

On  March 31, 2024, we issued 250,639 shares of our common stock at $0.35 per share in lieu of $83,000 of accrued and unpaid obligations to consultants and vendors. 

On  March 31, 2023, we issued 899,743 shares of our common stock at $0.20 per share in lieu of $201,000 of accrued and unpaid obligations to consultants and vendors.

All of these offerings and sales were made in reliance on the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Exchange Act and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder as not involving a public offering of securities.

Stock Option Expense

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we recorded an aggregate $488,000 and $256,000, in selling general and administrative expense related to the issuance of stock options. We issued options through our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, and outside of this plan. Included in these totals is option expense related to issuances by our subsidiary, Clyra Medical, totaling $59,000 and $61,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. 

2018 Equity Incentive Plan

On June 22, 2018, our stockholders adopted the BioLargo 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (“2018 Plan”) as a means of providing our directors, key employees, and consultants additional incentive to provide services. Both stock options and stock grants may be made under this plan for a period of 10 years. It is set to expire on its terms on June 22, 2028. Our Board of Director’s Compensation Committee administers this plan. As plan administrator, the Compensation Committee has sole discretion to set the price of the options. The plan authorizes the following types of awards: (i) incentive and non-qualified stock options, (ii) restricted stock awards, (iii) stock bonus awards, (iv) stock appreciation rights, (v) restricted stock units, and (vi) performance awards. The number of shares available to be issued under the 2018 Plan increases automatically each January 1^st by the lesser of (a) 2 million shares, or (b) such number of shares determined by our Board. As of March 31, 2024, 52,000,000 shares are authorized under the plan, and 9,343,614 remain available for grant.

Activity for our stock options under the 2018 Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, is as follows:

(1) – Aggregate intrinsic value based on closing common stock price of $0.35 at March 31, 2024.

The options granted to purchase 1,547,938 shares during the three months ended March 31, 2024 with an aggregate fair value of $418,000 were issued to board of directors, employees and consultants: (i) we issued options to purchase 267,746 shares of our common stock to members of our board of directors for services performed, in lieu of cash; the fair value of these options totaled $85,000; (ii) we issued options to purchase 735,351 shares of our common stock to employees as part of employee retention plans; the fair value of employee retention plan options totaled $160,000 and vest over time or based on performance metrics; and (iii) we issued options to purchase 544,841 shares of our common stock to replace expiring options; the fair value of these options totaled $173,000.  All stock option expense is recorded on our consolidated statement of operations as selling, general and administrative expense.

As of March 31, 2024, there remains $5,025,000 of stock option expense to be expensed over the next 4 years.

The options granted to purchase 1,320,498 shares during the three months ended  March 31, 2023 with an aggregate fair value of $248,000 were issued to an officer, board of directors, employees and a consultant:  (i) we issued options to purchase 347,730 shares of our common stock at an exercise price on the respective grant date of $0.20 per share to members of our board of directors for services performed, in lieu of cash; the fair value of these options totaled $65,000; (ii) we issued options to purchase 570,204 shares of our common stock to employees as part of an employee retention plan at an exercise price on the respective date of $0.20 per share; the fair value of employee retention plan options totaled $108,000 and will vest quarterly over four years as long as they are retained as employees; (iii) we issued options to purchase 102,564 shares of our common stock to consultants in lieu of cash for expiring options at $0.20 per share totaling $19,000, and (iv) we issued 300,000 options to our Chief Financial Officer with a fair value of $ 56,000. All stock option expense is recorded on our consolidated statement of operations as selling, general and administrative expense.