The Company has entered into various research, development, license and supply agreements with Serum Institute and Pharmsynthez (as well as SynBio, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pharmsynthez), each a related party whose relationship, ownership, and nature of transactions is disclosed within other sections of these footnotes.

During the third quarter of 2019, the Company entered into a sponsored research agreement with Pharmsynthez related to experiments identified by the Company to support its efforts as it prepares for initial tech transfer of the XCART methods to a future academic collaborator. Under the agreement, the Company made a $350,000 payment to Pharmsynthez during the third quarter of 2019, which is refundable on pro rata basis if the project is terminated prematurely as a result of Pharmsynthez failing to perform the work. The Company expensed approximately $155,000 related to this agreement during the year ended December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2019, approximately $195,000 was recorded as an advanced payment and included in Prepaid expenses and other on the December 31, 2019 consolidated balance sheet.

On July 19, 2019, the Company acquired the XCART technology platform from Hesperix and OPKO. Dr. Genkin is a director and significant shareholder of Hesperix. In addition, the Company agreed to repay an approximate $225,000 loan that Dr. Genkin entered into with Hesperix. Mr. Adam Logal, one of our directors, is Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of OPKO Health, Inc., the parent company of OPKO.

In October 2019, the Company entered into the Pharmsynthez Loan pursuant to which the Company advanced Pharmsynthez an aggregate principal amount of up to $500,000 to be used for the development of a specific product under the Co-Development Agreement. The Pharmsynthez Loan has a term of 15-months and accrues interest at a rate of 10% per annum. The Pharmsynthez Loan is guaranteed by all of the operating subsidiaries of Pharmsynthez, including SynBio and AS Kevelt, and is secured by all of the equity interests of the Company owned by Pharmsynthez and SynBio. The Company recognized approximately $9,000 of interest income related to this loan during the twelve-months ended December 31, 2019.

Please refer to Note 3, Significant Strategic Drug Development Collaborations – Related Parties, and Note 10, Stockholder’s Equity, for details on arrangements with collaboration partners that are also related parties.