Exhibit 10.18

Vallon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

This Convertible Promissory Note Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of January 11, 2021 (the “Effective Date”) by and among Vallon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the persons and entities named on the Schedule of Purchasers attached hereto (individually, a “Purchaser” and collectively, the “Purchasers”).

Recital

To provide the Company with additional resources to conduct its business, the Purchasers are willing to loan to the Company in one or more disbursements up to an aggregate amount of $500,000.00, subject to the conditions specified herein.

Agreement

Now, Therefore, in consideration of the foregoing, and the representations, warranties, covenants and conditions set forth below, the Company and each Purchaser, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

1. Amount and Terms of the Loan

1.1         The Loan. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, each Purchaser agrees to lend to the Company at the Closing (as hereinafter defined) the amount set forth opposite such Purchaser’s name on the Schedule of Purchasers attached to this Agreement (each, a “Loan Amount”) against the issuance and delivery by the Company of a convertible promissory note for such amount, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (each, a “Note” and collectively, the “Notes”).

2. Closing and Delivery

2.1         Closing. The closing of the sale and purchase of the Notes (the “Closing”) shall be held on the Effective Date, or at such other time as the Company and Purchasers may mutually agree (such date is hereinafter referred to as the “Closing Date”).

2.2         Subsequent Sales of Notes. At any time on or before the ninetieth (90th) day following the Closing, the Company may sell Notes representing up to the balance of the authorized principal amount not sold at the Closing (the “Additional Purchasers”). All such sales made at any additional closings (each an “Additional Closing”) shall be made on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and (i)  the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 3 hereof shall speak as of the Closing and the Company shall have no obligation to update any disclosure related thereto, and (ii) the representations and warranties of the Additional Purchasers in Section 4 hereof shall speak as of such Additional Closing. This Agreement, including without limitation, the Schedule of Purchasers, may be amended by the Company without the consent of Purchasers to include any Additional Purchasers upon the execution by such Additional Purchasers of a counterpart signature page hereto. Any Notes sold pursuant to this Section 2.2 shall be deemed to be “Notes,” for all purposes under this Agreement and any Additional Purchasers thereof shall be deemed to be “Purchasers” for all purposes under this Agreement.

2.3         Delivery. At the Closing and each Additional Closing (i) each Purchaser shall deliver to the Company a check or wire transfer funds in the amount of such Purchaser’s Loan Amount; and (ii) the Company shall issue and deliver to each Purchaser a Note in favor of such Purchaser payable in the principal amount of such Purchaser’s Loan Amount.

3. Representations, Warranties the Company

The Company hereby represents and warrants to each Purchaser as of the Closing as follows:

3.1         Organization, Good Standing and Qualification. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Company has the requisite corporate power to own and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted. The Company is duly qualified and is authorized to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in all jurisdictions in which the nature of its activities and of its properties (both owned and leased) makes such qualification necessary, except for those jurisdictions in which failure to do so would not have a material adverse effect on the Company or its business.

3.2         Corporate Power. The Company has all requisite corporate power to execute and deliver this Agreement, to issue each Note (collectively, the “Loan Documents”) and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of the Loan Documents.

3.3         Authorization. All corporate action on the part of the Company, its directors and its stockholders necessary for the authorization of the Loan Documents and the execution, delivery and performance of all obligations of the Company under the Loan Documents, including the issuance and delivery of the Notes and the reservation of the equity securities issuable upon conversion of the Notes (collectively, the “Conversion Securities”) has been taken or will be taken prior to the issuance of such Conversion Securities. The Loan Documents, when executed and delivered by the Company, shall constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to laws of general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, the relief of debtors and, with respect to rights to indemnity, subject to federal and state securities laws. The Conversion Securities, when issued in compliance with the provisions of the Loan Documents will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of any liens or encumbrances and issued in compliance with all applicable federal and securities laws.

3.4         Governmental Consents. All consents, approvals, orders, or authorizations of, or registrations, qualifications, designations, declarations, or filings with, any governmental authority, required on the part of the Company in connection with the valid execution and delivery of this Agreement, the offer, sale or issuance of the Notes and the Conversion Securities issuable upon conversion of the Notes or the consummation of any other transaction contemplated hereby shall have been obtained and will be effective at such time as required by such governmental authority.

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3.5         Compliance with Laws. To its knowledge, the Company is not in violation of any applicable statute, rule, regulation, order or restriction of any domestic or foreign government or any instrumentality or agency thereof in respect of the conduct of its business or the ownership of its properties, which violation would materially and adversely affect the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition or operations of the Company.

3.6         Compliance with Other Instruments. The Company is not in violation or default of any term of its certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or of any provision of any mortgage, indenture or contract to which it is a party and by which it is bound or of any judgment, decree, order or writ, other than such violations that would not individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the Company. The execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents will not result in any such violation or be in conflict with, or constitute, with or without the passage of time and giving of notice, either a default under any such provision, instrument, judgment, decree, order or writ or an event that results in the creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any assets of the Company or the suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture, or nonrenewal of any material permit, license, authorization or approval applicable to the Company, its business or operations or any of its assets or properties. The sale of the Notes and the subsequent issuance of the Conversion Securities are not and will not be subject to any preemptive rights or rights of first refusal that have not been properly waived or complied with.

3.7         Offering. Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Purchasers contained in Section 4 hereof, the offer, issue, and sale of the Notes and the Conversion Securities (collectively, the “Securities”) are and will be exempt from the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and have been registered or qualified (or are exempt from registration and qualification) under the registration, permit, or qualification requirements of all applicable state securities laws.

3.8         Use of Proceeds. The Company shall use the proceeds of sale and issuance of the Notes for the operations of its business, and not for any personal, family or household purpose.

4. Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers

4.1         Authorization. Each Purchaser represents that it is authorized to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

4.2         Purchase for Own Account. Each Purchaser represents that it is acquiring the Securities solely for its own account and beneficial interest for investment and not for sale or with a view to distribution of the Securities or any part thereof, has no present intention of selling (in connection with a distribution or otherwise), granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same, and does not presently have reason to anticipate a change in such intention.

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4.3         Information and Sophistication. Each Purchaser hereby: (i) acknowledges that it has received all the information it has requested from the Company and it considers necessary or appropriate for deciding whether to acquire the Securities, (ii) represents that it has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of the Securities and to obtain any additional information necessary to verify the accuracy of the information given the Purchaser and (iii) further represents that it has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters such that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risk of this investment. Each Purchaser has evaluated the merits and risks of its investment in the Securities based exclusively on its own independent review and consultations with such investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers as it deemed necessary.

4.4         Ability to Bear Economic Risk. Each Purchaser acknowledges that investment in the Securities involves a high degree of risk, and represents that it is able, without materially impairing its financial condition, to hold the Securities for an indefinite period of time and to suffer a complete loss of its investment.

4.5         Limitations on Disposition. Subject to the obligations of each Purchaser set forth in Section 5.1, and without in any way limiting the representations set forth above, each Purchaser further agrees not to make any disposition of all or any portion of the Securities unless and until:

(a)            There is then in effect a Registration Statement under the Act covering such proposed disposition and such disposition is made in accordance with such Registration Statement; or

(b)            The Purchaser shall have notified the Company of the proposed disposition and shall have furnished the Company with a detailed statement of the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition, and if reasonably requested by the Company, such Purchaser shall have furnished the Company with an opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that such disposition will not require registration under the Act or any applicable state securities laws, provided that no such opinion shall be required for dispositions in compliance with Rule 144, except in unusual circumstances.

(c)            Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) above, no such registration statement or opinion of counsel shall be necessary for a transfer by such Purchaser to a partner (or retired partner) or member (or retired member) of such Purchaser in accordance with partnership or limited liability company interests, or transfers by gift, will or intestate succession to any spouse or lineal descendants or ancestors, if all transferees agree in writing to be subject to the terms hereof to the same extent as if they were Purchasers hereunder.

4.6         Accredited Investor Status. Each Purchaser is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501 under the Act.

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5. Further Agreements

5.1         “Market Stand-Off” Agreement. Each Purchaser agrees that such Purchaser shall not sell, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale, any Conversion Securities held by such Purchaser (other than those included in the registration) during the 180-day period following the effective date of the Company’s first firm commitment underwritten public offering of its Common Stock registered under the Securities Act (or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company shall request in order to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2241 or NYSE Member Rule 472 or any successor or similar rule or regulation), provided that all officers and directors of the Company are bound by and have entered into similar agreements. Each Purchaser agrees to execute and deliver customary lock-up agreements executed by the stockholders of the Company in connection with any firm commitment underwritten public offering, and such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the Purchaser’s obligations under this Section 5.1 or that are necessary to give further effect to this Section 5.1. In addition, if requested by the Company or the representative of the underwriters of Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company, each Purchaser shall provide, within 10 days of such request, such information as may be required by the Company or such representative in connection with the completion of any public offering of the Company’s securities pursuant to a registration statement filed under the Act. The obligations described in this Section 5.1 shall not apply to a registration relating solely to employee benefit plans on Form S-1 or Form S-8 or similar forms that may be promulgated in the future, or a registration relating solely to a transaction on Form S-4 or similar forms that may be promulgated in the future.

5.2         Further Assurances. Each Purchaser agrees and covenants that at any time and from time to time it will promptly execute and deliver to the Company such further instruments and documents and take such further action as the Company may reasonably require in order to carry out the full intent and purpose of this Agreement and to comply with state or federal securities laws or other regulatory approvals.

6. Miscellaneous

6.1         Binding Agreement. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the parties. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any third party any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.

6.2         Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of Delaware as applied to agreements among Delaware residents, made and to be performed entirely within the State of Delaware, without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles.

6.3         Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

6.4         Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.

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6.5         Notices. All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent by confirmed electronic mail or facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, if not, then on the next business day, (c) five days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the Company at the address on the signature page below, and to Purchaser at the addresses set forth on the Schedule of Purchasers attached hereto or at such other addresses as the Company or Purchaser may designate by 10 days advance written notice to the other parties hereto.

6.6         Modification; Waiver. No modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to departure therefrom shall be effective only upon the written consent of the Company and the holders of the Notes representing a majority of the aggregate principal amount of all Notes then outstanding (the “Requisite Holders”). Any provision of the Notes may be amended or waived by the written consent of the Company and the Requisite Holders.

6.7         Expenses. The Company and each Purchaser shall each bear its respective expenses and legal fees incurred with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein.

6.8         Delays or Omissions. It is agreed that no delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to each Purchaser, upon any breach or default of the Company under the Loan Documents shall impair any such right, power or remedy, nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or any acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. It is further agreed that any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character by Purchaser of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver by any Purchaser of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in writing and that all remedies, either under this Agreement, or by law or otherwise afforded to the Purchaser, shall be cumulative and not alternative.

6.9         Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits hereto constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subjects hereof and no party shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any representations, warranties, covenants and agreements except as specifically set forth herein.

[signature page follows]

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In Witness Whereof, the parties have executed this Convertible Promissory Note Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.

Company:

Vallon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

By:

Name: David Baker

Title: Chief Executive Officer

Address:

Two Logan Square

100 N. 18th Street

Suite 300

Philadelphia, PA 19103

[Signature page to Convertible Promissory Note Purchase Agreement]

In Witness Whereof, the parties have executed this Convertible Promissory Note Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.

PURCHASERS:

(Entity name, if applicable)

By:

Name:

Title:

Address:

[Signature page to Convertible Promissory Note Purchase Agreement]

SCHEDULE OF PURCHASERS

[Omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K]

Exhibit A

Form of Convertible Promissory Note