Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 10-Q

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes and the discussion under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “2022 Annual Report”) and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 15, 2023. This discussion, particularly information with respect to our future results of operations or financial condition, business strategy and plans, and objectives of management for future operations, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties as described under the heading “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. You should review the disclosure under the heading “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Overview Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation, formerly Acurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC (the “Company”) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of antibiotics for infections caused by bacteria listed as priority pathogens by the World Health Organization (“WHO”), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). Priority pathogens are those which require new antibiotics to address the worldwide crisis of antimicrobial resistance (“AMR”) as identified by the WHO, CDC and FDA. The CDC estimates that, in the U.S., antibiotic-resistant pathogens infect one individual every 11 seconds and result in one death every 15 minutes. The WHO recently stated that growing antimicrobial resistance is equally as dangerous as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, threatens to unwind a century of medical progress and may leave us defenseless against infections that today can be treated easily. According to the WHO, the current clinical development pipeline remains insufficient to tackle the challenge of the increasing emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Our approach is to develop a new class of antibiotic candidates that block the DNA polymerase IIIC (“Pol IIIC”). We believe we are developing the first Pol IIIC inhibitor to enter clinical trials and have clinically validated the bacterial target by demonstrating the efficacy of our lead antibiotic candidate in a Phase 2a clinical trial. Pol IIIC is the primary catalyst for DNA replication of several Gram-positive bacterial cells. Our research and development pipeline includes clinical stage and early stage antibiotic candidates that target Gram-positive bacteria for oral and/or parenteral treatment of infections caused by Clostridium difficile (“C. difficile”), Enterococcus (including vancomycin-resistant strains (“VRE”), Staphylococcus (including methicillin-resistant strains), and Streptococcus (including antibiotic resistant strains). Pol IIIC is required for the replication of DNA in certain Gram-positive bacterial species. By blocking this enzyme, our antibiotic candidates are believed to be bactericidal and inhibit proliferation of several common Gram-positive bacterial pathogens, including both sensitive and resistant C. difficile, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (“MRSA”), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumonia (“PRSP”) and other resistant bacteria. We intend to “de-risk” this new class of antibiotics through our drug development activities and potentially partner with a fully-integrated pharmaceutical company for late-stage clinical trials and commercialization. Our lead antibiotic candidate, ibezapolstat (formerly named ACX-362E), has a novel mechanism of action that targets the Pol IIIC enzyme, a previously unexploited scientific target. Phase 2a clinical efficacy of our lead antibiotic validate the Pol IIIC bacterial target. On December 3, 2021, we commenced enrollment in a Phase 2b 64-patient, randomized (1-to-1), non-inferiority, double-blind trial of oral ibezapolstat compared to oral vancomycin, a standard of care to treat C. difficile infections (“CDI”). Prior to that, we completed our Phase 2a clinical trial of ibezapolstat to treat patients with CDI and reported the top-line data in November 2020. The Phase 2a clinical trial was terminated early based upon the recommendation of our Scientific Advisory Board (the “SAB”). The SAB reviewed the study data presented by management, including adverse events and efficacy outcomes, and discussed its clinical impressions. The SAB unanimously supported the early termination of the Phase 2a trial after 10 patients were enrolled in the trial instead of 20 patients as originally planned. The early termination was further based on the evidence of meeting the treatment goals of eliminating the infection with an acceptable adverse event profile. 16 Table of Contents The SAB noted that 10 out of 10 patients enrolled in the Phase 2a trial reached the Clinical Cure endpoint, defined in the study protocol as the resolution of diarrhea in the 24-hour period immediately before the end of treatment that is maintained for 48 hours after end of treatment. Such cure was sustained, meaning that the patients showed no sign of infection recurrence, for 30 days thereafter. This constitutes a 100% response rate for the primary and secondary endpoints of the trial. All 10 patients enrolled in the Phase 2a trial met the study’s primary and secondary efficacy endpoints, namely, Clinical Cure at end of treatment and Sustained Clinical Cure of no recurrence of CDI at the 28-day follow-up visit. No treatment-related serious adverse events (“SAEs”) were reported by the investigators who enrolled patients in the trial. We believe these results represent the first-ever clinical data showing Pol IIIC has potential as a therapeutically relevant antibacterial target. Our Phase 2b clinical trial commenced enrollment on December 3, 2021. Currently available antibiotics used to treat CDI infections utilize other mechanisms of action. We believe ibezapolstat is the first antibiotic candidate to work by blocking the DNA Pol IIIC enzyme in C. difficile. This enzyme is necessary for replication of the DNA of certain Gram-positive bacteria, like C. difficile. We also have an early stage pipeline of antibiotic product candidates with the same previously unexploited mechanism of action which has established proof of concept in animal studies. This pipeline includes ACX-375C, a potential oral and parenteral treatment targeting Gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA, VRE and PRSP. 17 Table of Contents Recent Developments Completion of Phase 2b Clinical Trial On October 2, 2023, we discontinued our Phase 2b clinical trial of our lead antibiotic candidate, ibezapolstat, targeting the treatment of patients with CDI and anticipate advancing to Phase 3 clinical trials more expeditiously than originally planned. We made the decision to discontinue the Phase 2b clinical trial in consultation with our medical and scientific advisors and statisticians based upon observed aggregate blinded data and other factors, including the cost to maintain clinical trial sites and slow enrollment due to COVID-19. The Company determined that the Phase 2b clinical trial has performed as anticipated for each of ibezapolstat, our lead antibiotic candidate, and vancomycin, the control agent and a standard of care to treat patients with CDI, with high rates of clinical cure observed across the trial and no emerging safety concerns reported to date. Accordingly, the Independent Data Monitoring Committee will not be required to perform an interim analysis of the Phase 2b clinical trial data as originally planned but is supportive of the Company’s decision to early discontinue the Phase 2b clinical trial and will remain involved for the Company’s Phase 3 clinical trials. Prior to discontinuing the Phase 2b clinical trial, the Company notified FDA of its decision to early discontinue the trial. The trial was not discontinued due to safety concerns. Top-Line Ibezapolstat Phase 2 Efficacy Results On November 2, 2023, the Company announced top-line Phase 2 efficacy and safety results from the clinical trial of ibezapolstat in patients with CDI. The overall observed Clinical Cure rate in the combined Phase 2 trials in patients with CDI was 96% (25 out of 26 patients), based on 10 out of 10 patients (100%) in Phase 2a in the modified intent to treat population, plus 15 out of 16 (94%) patients in Phase 2b in the per protocol population, who experienced Clinical Cure during treatment with ibezapolstat. Ibezapolstat was well-tolerated, with three patients each experiencing one mild adverse event assessed by the blinded investigator to be drug-related. All three events were gastrointestinal in nature and resolved without treatment. There were no drug-related treatment withdrawals or no drug-related serious adverse events, or other safety findings of concern. In the Phase 2b vancomycin control arm, 14 out of 14 patients experienced clinical cure. The Company is confident that based on the pooled Phase 2 ibezapolstat clinical cure rate of 96% and the historical vancomycin cure rate of approximately 81% (Vancocin® Prescribing Information, January 2021), we will demonstrate non-inferiority of ibezapolstat to vancomycin in Phase 3 trials in accordance with the applicable FDA Guidance for Industry (October, 2022). The Phase 2b clinical trial met the protocol primary objective of assessing the primary efficacy endpoint of the Clinical Cure rate after 10 days of oral treatment. Further analyses will be forthcoming regarding secondary and exploratory endpoints, including Sustained Clinical Cure data, Extended Clinical Cure data up to 94 days and comparative effects on the gut microbiome. The Company is currently preparing for an End-of-Phase 2 Meeting with FDA and advancement to Phase 3. Warrant Exercise and Share Issuance As of November 13, 2023, the Company had 13,767,977 shares of common stock issued and outstanding which is an increase of 762,849 shares as of September 30, 2023, primarily due to certain warrant exercises that resulted in the issuance of 682,769 shares. The Company received approximately $2.2 million in proceeds from these warrant exercises. 2023 Registered Direct Offering On May 16, 2023, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with a single healthcare-focused U.S. institutional investor named therein (the “2023 Investor”), pursuant to which the Company issued and sold, in a registered direct offering by the Company directly to the 2023 Investor (the “2023 Registered Offering”), an aggregate of 601,851 shares of common stock at an offering price of $3.00 per share and an aggregate of 731,482 pre-funded warrants exercisable for shares of common stock at an offering price of $2.9999 per pre-funded warrant. The pre-funded warrants sold to the 2023 Investor have an exercise price of $0.0001 and were immediately exercisable. As of September 30, 2023, all of the pre-funded warrants were exercised. The gross proceeds to the Company from the registered direct offering were approximately $4.0 million and net proceeds after deducting the placements agent’s fees and other offering expenses payable by the Company were approximately $3.5 million. 18 Table of Contents The Securities were offered by the Company pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-265956) previously filed with the SEC on July 1, 2022, and which was declared effective by the SEC on July 11, 2022. In a concurrent private placement (the “2023 Private Placement” and together with the 2023 Registered Offering, the “2023 Offerings”), the Company issued to the Investor series C warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 1,333,333 shares of common Stock at an exercise price of $3.26 per share and series D warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 1,333,333 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.26 per share. Each Series C Warrant will be exercisable commencing on November 18, 2023 and will expire on November 18, 2025. Each Series D Warrant will be exercisable commencing on November 18, 2023 and will expire on November 19, 2029. The 2023 Offerings closed on May 18, 2023. In connection with the 2023 Offerings, the Company also entered into a Warrant Amendment Agreement with the 2023 Investor. Under the Warrant Amendment Agreement, the Company amended its existing series A warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,230,769 shares of the Company's common stock and series B warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,230,769 shares of the Company's common stock (collectively, the “Existing Warrants”) that were previously issued in July 2022, such that effective upon the closing of the offering, the amended Existing Warrants will have a termination date of May 18, 2029. On May 16, 2023, the Company entered into a placement agency agreement (the “2023 Placement Agent Agreement”) with Maxim Group LLC (the “Placement Agent”) pursuant to which the Company engaged Maxim as the placement agent in connection with the 2023 Offerings. The Placement Agent agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to arrange for the sale of the Securities. The Company paid the Placement Agent a placement agent fee in cash equal to 5.75% of the gross proceeds from the sale of the Shares, Warrants and Pre-Funded Warrants. The Company also reimbursed the Placement Agent for all reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees of legal counsel not to exceed $50,000. The 2023 Placement Agent Agreement also contains representations, warranties, indemnification and other provisions customary for transactions of this nature. Effects of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Our Business The World Health Organization (“WHO”) recognized COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020 and as a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. The global pandemic and actions taken to contain COVID-19 have adversely affected the global economy and financial markets. Vaccines for COVID-19 continue to be administered in the United States and other countries around the world, but the extent and rate of vaccine adoption, the long-term efficacy of these vaccines and other factors remain uncertain. Authorities throughout the world have implemented measures to contain or mitigate the spread of the virus, including at various times physical distancing, travel bans and restrictions, closure of non-essential businesses, quarantines, work-from-home directives, mask requirements, shelter-in-place orders and vaccination programs. Despite these efforts, COVID-19 has persisted, has mutated into new variants, and is expected to become endemic. Additionally, new waves of COVID-19 or its variants could cause the reinstatement of such limitations. The impact of COVID-19 and its variants, including direct and indirect economic effects as a result of inflation, supply chain disruptions and labor shortages, have been and remain unpredictable. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we continued to enroll patients in our Phase 2a and Phase 2b clinical trial of our lead antibiotic candidate, ibezapolstat, although enrollment rates decreased significantly compared to expectations at certain of our clinical trial sites. Other areas of our business experienced no change, including our research and development activities with key vendors. We believe that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of antibiotic development in responding to global health issues particularly because many hospitalized COVID-19 patients were also prescribed antibiotics which only accelerates the current antimicrobial resistance crisis described by several regulatory bodies worldwide. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will ultimately impact our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows depends on future developments that are highly uncertain, rapidly evolving and difficult to predict at this time. While we are not experiencing material adverse impacts at this time given the global economic slowdown, the overall disruption of global supply chains and distribution systems and the other risks and uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects could be materially and adversely affected. While we believe that we are well positioned for the future as we navigate the crisis and prepare for an eventual return to a more normal operating environment, we continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic as we evolve our business continuity plans and response strategy. 19 Table of Contents Components of our Results of Operations Revenue We have not generated any revenue since our inception and do not expect to generate any revenue from the sale of products in the near future, if at all. Research and Development Expenses To date, our research and development expenses have related primarily to development of ibezapolstat, preclinical studies and other preclinical activities related to our portfolio. Research and development expenses are recognized as incurred and payments made prior to the receipt of goods or services to be used in research and development are capitalized until the goods or services are received. Research and development expenses include: ● external research and development expenses incurred under agreements with contract research organizations (“CROs”) and consultants to conduct our preclinical, toxicology and other preclinical studies; ● laboratory supplies; ● costs related to manufacturing product candidates, including fees paid to third-party manufacturers and raw material suppliers; ● license fees and research funding; and ● facilities, depreciation and other allocated expenses, which include direct and allocated expenses for rent, maintenance of facilities, insurance, equipment and other supplies. Clinical trial costs are a significant component of research and development expenses and include costs associated with third-party contractors. We outsource a substantial portion of our clinical trial activities, utilizing external entities such as CROs, independent clinical investigators and other third-party service providers to assist us with the execution of our clinical trials. We plan to substantially increase our research and development expenses for the foreseeable future as we continue the development of our product candidates and seek to discover and develop new product candidates. Due to the inherently unpredictable nature of preclinical and clinical development, we cannot determine with certainty the timing of the initiation, duration or costs of future clinical trials and preclinical studies of product candidates. Clinical and preclinical development timelines, the probability of success and the amount of development costs can differ materially from expectations. We anticipate that we will make determinations as to which product candidates and development programs to pursue and how much funding to direct to each product candidate or program on an ongoing basis in response to the results of ongoing and future preclinical studies and clinical trials, regulatory developments and our ongoing assessments as to each product candidate’s commercial potential. In addition, we cannot forecast which product candidates may be subject to future collaborations, when such arrangements will be secured, if at all, and to what degree such arrangements would affect our development plans and capital requirements. Our future clinical development costs may vary significantly based on factors such as: ● per-patient trial costs; ● the number of trials required for regulatory approval; ● the number of sites included in the trials; ● the countries in which the trials are conducted; 20 Table of Contents ● the length of time required to enroll eligible patients; ● the number of patients that participate in the trials; ● the number of doses that patients receive; ● the drop-out or discontinuation rates of patients; ● potential additional safety monitoring requested by regulatory agencies; ● the duration of patient participation in the trials and follow-up; ● the phase of development of the product candidate; and ● the efficacy and safety profile of the product candidate. General and Administrative Expenses General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and employee-related costs, including share-based compensation, for personnel in our executive, finance and other administrative functions. Other significant costs include facility-related costs, legal fees relating to intellectual property and corporate matters, professional fees for accounting and consulting services and insurance costs. We anticipate that our general and administrative expenses will increase in the future to support our continued research and development activities, pre-commercialization and, if any product candidates receive marketing approval, commercialization activities. We also anticipate increased expenses related to audit, legal, regulatory and tax-related services associated with maintaining compliance with exchange listing and SEC requirements, director and officer insurance premiums and investor relations costs associated with operating as a public company. Results of Operations Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 The following table presents a summary of the changes in our results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared with the three months ended September 30, 2022: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Three Months Ended ​ ​ ​ ​ September 30, ​ Percentage ​ ​ 2023 2022 Change ​ ​ (in thousands) ​ ​ OPERATING EXPENSES: ​ ​ ​ Research and Development ​ $ 1,349 ​ $ 1,591 (15) % General and Administrative ​ 1,766 ​ 1,951 (9) % TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES ​ 3,115 ​ 3,542 (12) % Net Loss ​ $ (3,115) ​ $ (3,542) (12) % ​ Research and Development Expenses Research and development expenses were $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of $0.3 million due to the timing of Phase 2b clinical trial related costs. General and Administrative Expenses General and administrative expenses were $1.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and $2.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of $0.2 million. The decrease was primarily due to $0.2 million decrease in professional fees. 21 Table of Contents Net Loss Net loss was $3.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, and $3.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of $0.4 million, due to the reasons stated above. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 The following table presents a summary of the changes in our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2022: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Nine Months Ended ​ ​ September 30, ​ Percentage ​ ​ 2023 2022 Change ​ ​ (in thousands) ​ ​ OPERATING EXPENSES: ​ ​ ​ Research and Development ​ $ 4,101 ​ $ 3,322 23 % General and Administrative ​ 5,362 ​ 5,510 (3) % TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES ​ 9,463 ​ 8,832 7 % Net Loss ​ $ (9,463) ​ $ (8,832) 7 % ​ Research and Development Expenses Research and development expenses were $4.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and $3.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of $0.8 million due to Phase 2b clinical trial related costs and increased consulting costs. General and Administrative Expenses General and administrative expenses were $5.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and $5.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of $0.1 million. The decrease was primarily due to $0.3 million decrease in professional fees offset by $0.2 million increase in share-based compensation. Net Loss Net loss was $9.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and $8.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of $0.6 million, due to the reasons stated above. Liquidity and Capital Resources Overview Since inception, we have generated no revenue from operations and we have incurred cumulative losses of approximately $48 million as of September 30, 2023. We have funded our operations primarily from equity issuances. We received net cash proceeds of approximately $12.9 million from equity financings closed between March 2018 and October 2020. On June 29, 2021, we completed our IPO resulting in net proceeds of approximately $14.8 million after deducting underwriter discounts of $1.4 million and offering costs of approximately $1.1 million. On July 27, 2022, we completed a registered direct offering and concurrent private placement resulting in net proceeds of approximately $3.7 million after deducting placement agents fees of $0.3 million and offering costs of $0.2 million. On May 18, 2023, we completed a registered direct offering and a concurrent private placement resulting in net proceeds of approximately $3.5 million after deducting placement agents fee of $0.2 million and offering costs of $0.2 million. Based upon our lack of revenue expected for the foreseeable future, and because of numerous risks and uncertainties associated with the research, development and future commercialization of our product candidates, we are unable to estimate with certainty the amounts of increased capital outlays and operating expenditures associated with our anticipated clinical trials and development activities. 22 Table of Contents As of September 30, 2023, we had working capital of $3.9 million, consisting primarily of $7.1 million of cash and $0.1 million of prepaid expenses, offset by $3.2 million of accounts payable and accrued expenses. The following table sets forth selected cash flow information for the periods indicated: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ For the nine months ended ​ September 30, ​ 2023 2022 ​ ​ (in thousands) Net cash (used in)/provided by: ​ ​ Operating activities ​ $ (5,603) ​ $ (6,047) Financing activities ​ 3,544 ​ 3,695 Net decrease in cash ​ $ (2,059) ​ $ (2,352) ​ Net Cash Used in Operating Activities Net cash used in operating activities was $5.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The net loss was greater than the net cash used in operating activities by $3.8 million, primarily attributable to share-based compensation and share-based vendor payments of $2.5 million and an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $1.2 million and decrease in prepaid expenses of $0.1 million. Net cash used in operating activities was $6.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The net loss was greater than the net cash used in operating activities by $2.8 million, primarily attributable to share-based compensation and share-based vendor payments of $2.5 million and an increase in accrued expenses of $0.3 million. Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities Net cash provided from financing activities was $3.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, which was attributable to the net proceeds from the 2023 registered direct offering. Net cash provided by financing activities was $3.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, which was attributable to the net proceeds from the 2022 registered direct offering. Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our financial statements. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to accrued expenses and share-based compensation. We base our estimates on historical experience, known trends and events, and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Our actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. While our significant accounting policies are described in more detail in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” we believe the following accounting policies and estimates to be most critical to the preparation of our financial statements. Research and Development The Company expenses research and development costs when incurred. At times, the Company may make cash advances for future research and development services. These amounts are deferred and expensed in the period the service is provided. Costs for certain research and development activities, such as the provision of services for clinical trial activity, are estimated based on an evaluation of the progress to completion of specific tasks which may use data such as subject enrollment, clinical site activations or information provided to the Company by its vendors with respect to their actual costs incurred. Payments for these activities are based on the terms of the individual arrangements, which may differ from the pattern of costs incurred, and are reflected in the financial statements as prepaid or accrued research and development expense, as the case may be. The estimates are adjusted to 23 Table of Contents reflect the best information available at the time of the financial statement issuance. The Company's estimate of the status and timing of services performed could differ from the actual status and timing of services performed. Share-Based Compensation The Company accounts for the cost of services performed by employees, officers and directors received in exchange for an award of Company membership interests, common stock or stock options, based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The Company recognizes compensation expense based on the requisite service period. Compensation expense associated with stock option awards is recognized over the requisite service period based on the fair value of the option at the grant date determined based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected price volatility. The Company’s employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value computation using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Because there is no public market for the Company’s stock options and very little historical experience with the Company’s stock, similar public companies were used for the comparison of volatility and the dividend yield. The risk-free rate of return was derived from U.S. Treasury notes with comparable maturities. We will continue to analyze the expected stock price volatility and will adjust our Black-Scholes option pricing assumptions as appropriate. Any changes in the foregoing Black-Scholes assumptions, or if we were to elect to utilize an alternative method for valuing stock options granted to employees, officers and directors, could potentially impact our share-based compensation expense and our results of operations. Share-Based Payments to Vendors The Company accounts for the cost of services performed by vendors in exchange for an award of our common stock or stock options, based on the grant-date fair value of the award or the fair value of the services rendered, whichever is more readily determinable. We also use Black-Scholes option pricing model for the purpose of estimating the fair value of options and warrants. Changes in our Black-Scholes assumptions, or if we were to utilize an alternative method for valuing options or warrants issued to our vendors, could impact our expense and our results of operations. Other Company Information Emerging Growth Company Status We are an emerging growth company as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). Under the JOBS Act, companies have extended transition periods available for complying with new or revised accounting standards. We have elected this exemption to delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. In addition, we intend to rely on the other exemptions and reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, we are entitled to rely on certain exemptions as an emerging growth company; we are not required to, among other things, (i) provide an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b), (ii) provide all of the compensation disclosure that may be required of non-emerging growth public companies under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, (iii) comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (auditor discussion and analysis), and (iv) disclose certain executive compensation-related items. These exemptions will apply for a period of five years following the completion of our IPO or until we no longer meet the requirements of being an emerging growth company, whichever is earlier. Recent Accounting Pronouncements The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued certain accounting pronouncements as of September 30, 2023 that will become effective in subsequent periods; however, we do not believe that any of those pronouncements would have significantly affected our financial accounting measurements or disclosures had they been in effect, or that they will have a significant impact on us at the time they become effective. ​ 24 Table of Contents ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide the information required by this Item.