Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 7 . Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition as of December 31, 2023 and results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”.) This section of this Form 10-K generally discusses 2023 and 2022 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2023 and 2022. Except as otherwise indicated herein or as the context otherwise requires, references in this Form 10-K to “AN2,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to AN2 Therapeutics, Inc.
This discussion and analysis and other parts of this Form 10-K contain forward-looking statements based upon current beliefs, plans and expectations related to future events and our future financial performance that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, such as statements regarding our intentions, plans, objectives and expectations for our business. Our actual results and the timing of selected events could differ materially from those described in or implied by these forward-looking statements as a result of several factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. See also the section titled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Overview
We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for rare, chronic, and serious infectious diseases with high unmet needs. Our initial product candidate is epetraborole, a once-daily, oral treatment for patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial (“NTM”) lung disease. NTM lung disease is a rare, chronic and progressive infectious disease caused by bacteria known as mycobacteria that leads to irreversible lung damage and can be fatal. Epetraborole has broad spectrum antimycobacterial activity through inhibition of an essential and universal step in bacterial protein synthesis. Its novel mechanism of action is enabled by boron chemistry, our core technology approach. We received Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) to investigate epetraborole for treatment-refractory Mycobacterium avium complex (“MAC”) lung disease. Epetraborole has also been designated as a Qualified Infectious Disease Product (“QIDP”) for treatment-refractory MAC lung disease by the FDA and has received orphan drug designation from the FDA and orphan medicinal product designation from the European Commission for the treatment of NTM lung disease. Based on clinical and preclinical data generated with epetraborole, its novel mechanism of action, and the convenience associated with once-daily, oral dosing, we believe that epetraborole has the potential to become an important component of a multi-drug treatment regimen for patients suffering from NTM lung disease.
We are conducting a Phase 2/3 seamless design trial to study epetraborole for treatment-refractory MAC lung disease. In February 2024, we paused enrollment of the Phase 3 portion of trial pending review of further study data and discussion with the FDA after observing potentially lower than anticipated efficacy in blinded aggregate data from the Phase 2 portion of the trial. While the Phase 3 part of the trial is paused for new enrollment, we are continuing to dose existing patients enrolled in the Phase 2/3 trial under the existing protocol. We continue to progress in areas that will allow for timely commercialization of epetraborole, if approved. We have completed the manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredient (“API”) for registration batches, and plan to initiate drug product registration batches in the first half of 2024. We have completed a Phase 1 clinical trial required for registration of a thorough QT study (EBO-104).
Since launching operations in November 2019, we have devoted substantially all of our resources to developing our initial product candidate. We have incurred significant operating losses to date. We expect that our operating expenses will increase significantly as we advance our current and future product candidates through preclinical, nonclinical and clinical development, seek regulatory approval, and prepare for and, if approved, proceed to commercialization; acquire, discover, validate and develop additional product candidates; obtain, maintain, protect and enforce our intellectual property portfolio; hire additional personnel; and incur costs associated with operating as a public company.
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We do not have any products approved for sale and have not generated any revenue since inception. Our net losses were $64.7 million and $41.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of $154.5 million. We have funded our operations from the sale and issuance of redeemable convertible preferred stock, proceeds from our initial public offering (“IPO”), “at-the-market” equity offering program (“ATM Offering”) and an underwritten offering (the “Underwritten Offering”). From November 2019 through October 2020, we raised an aggregate of $12.0 million from the sale of Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock. In March 2021, we raised an aggregate of $80.0 million from the sale of Series B redeemable convertible preferred stock. In March and April 2022, we completed our IPO, with gross proceeds of $79.4 million and net proceeds of $70.4 million, net of underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses. In June 2023, we raised gross proceeds of $20.0 million from the ATM Offering and net proceeds of $19.1 million, after deducting commissions and offering expenses. In August 2023, we raised gross proceeds of $70.0 million from the Underwritten Offering and net proceeds of $65.5 million, after deducting commissions and offering expenses.
As of December 31, 2023, we had cash, cash equivalents and investments of $134.5 million. We believe that our available cash will be sufficient to fund our planned operations through at least twelve months following the date of this Form 10-K.
Our ability to generate product revenue will depend on the successful development, regulatory approval and eventual commercialization of one or more of our product candidates. Until such time as we can generate revenue from our product sales, if ever, we expect to finance our operations through private or public equity or debt financings, collaborative or other arrangements with corporate sources, non-dilutive financing, or through other sources of financing. Adequate funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. If we fail to raise capital or enter into such agreements as and when needed, we may have to significantly delay, scale back or discontinue the development and commercialization of our product candidates.
We plan to continue to use third-party service providers, including outside research laboratories, clinical research organizations (“CROs”), and contract manufacturing organizations (“CMOs”), to carry out our preclinical, nonclinical and clinical development, and to manufacture and supply the materials to be used during the development and commercialization of our product candidates. We do not currently have a sales force. If we obtain regulatory approval for epetraborole or any of our other product candidates, we intend to hire and deploy a specialty sales force, which will increase our operating costs.
Due to ongoing developments in our business and clinical development and regulatory efforts, among other factors, our results of operations may vary substantially from year to year and from quarter to quarter and, as a result, we believe that period to period comparisons of our operating results may not be meaningful and should not be relied upon as being indicative of our future performance. For more information on the risks and uncertainties associated with our business and our clinical development and regulatory efforts, among other factors, see “Part I, Item 1A—Risk Factors.”
Components of Our Operating Results
Operating Expenses
Research and Development Expenses
Substantially all of our research and development expenses consist of expenses incurred in connection with the development of our initial product candidate, epetraborole, and other product candidates. These expenses include fees incurred under arrangements with third parties, including CROs, CMOs, preclinical and nonclinical testing organizations, and academic and non-profit institutions. Research and development expenses also include consulting fees, license fees, payroll and personnel-related expenses, including salaries and bonuses, payroll taxes, employee benefit costs and non-cash stock-based compensation for our research and development employees. We expense both internal and external research and development expenses as they are incurred.
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We expect our research and development expenses to increase substantially in the future, as we advance epetraborole and any other product candidates into and through additional clinical trials and pursue regulatory approval. The process of conducting the necessary clinical studies to obtain regulatory approval is costly and time-consuming. Clinical studies generally become larger and more costly to conduct as they advance into later stages and we are required to make estimates for expense accruals related to clinical study expenses, which involve a degree of estimation. The successful development of our product candidates is highly uncertain. The actual probability of success for our product candidates may be affected by a variety of risks and uncertainties associated with drug development, including those set forth in the section of this Form 10-K titled “Risk Factors.” At this time, we cannot reasonably estimate the nature, timing or costs required to complete the remaining development of our current or any future product candidates. As a result of these uncertainties, we are unable to determine the duration and completion costs of our research and development projects or when and to what extent we will generate revenue from the commercialization and sale of our product candidates.
General and Administrative Expenses
Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll and personnel-related expenses, including salaries and bonuses, payroll taxes, employee benefit costs and non-cash stock-based compensation. Other general and administrative expenses include legal costs of pursuing patent protection of our intellectual property, and professional service fees for auditing, tax, general legal services and other external consulting and vendor services. We expect our general and administrative expenses to continue to increase in the future, including expenses related to legal, accounting, regulatory and tax-related services associated with maintaining compliance with requirements of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC and the SEC, directors and officers liability insurance premiums and investor relations activities.
Other Income, Net
Other income, net consists of interest income and investment income earned on our cash, cash equivalents and investments and income associated with foreign currency fluctuations.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
The following table sets forth the significant components of our results of operations:
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
2022
Change
% Change
(in thousands, except percentages)
Operating Expenses:
Research and development
$
54,871
$
28,511
$
26,360
92
%
Research and development—related party
—
1,000
(1,000
)
(100
)%
General and administrative
14,764
12,751
2,013
16
%
Total operating expenses
69,635
42,262
27,373
65
%
Loss from operations
(69,635
)
(42,262
)
(27,373
)
65
%
Other income, net
4,903
1,306
3,597
*
Net loss
$
(64,732
)
$
(40,956
)
$
(23,776
)
58
%
*Change not meaningful
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Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses, including related-party research and development expenses, were $54.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $29.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase of $25.4 million was primarily due to increases in clinical trial costs, personnel-related expenses, chemistry manufacturing and controls (“CMC”) expenses, and consulting and outside services, partially offset by lower licensing fees. Clinical trials expenses increased by $11.6 million due to increased costs associated with our Phase 2/3 clinical trial in 2023, partially offset by the elimination of costs associated with our three Phase 1 clinical trials conducted in 2022. Personnel-related costs increased by $8.3 million due to increased research and development headcount, higher bonuses based on target performance achievement and stock-based compensation expense. Costs related to CMC activities increased by $3.6 million due to pre-registration manufacturing activities. Consulting and outside services increased by $1.9 million for clinical trial activities. Costs related to research and preclinical studies increased by $0.1 million. Other expenses, including rent, utilities and information technology expenses, increased by $0.9 million to support our increased headcount, offset by lower licensing fees paid in the prior year of $1.0 million to Anacor upon achievement of a milestone. During the year ended December 31, 2023, a total reimbursement of $2.5 million of operating expenses was recognized related to our funding arrangements.
The following table shows our research and development expenses by type of activity:
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
2022
Change
% Change
(in thousands)
Clinical trials
$
21,200
$
9,563
$
11,637
122
%
Chemistry manufacturing and controls expenses
7,316
3,749
3,567
95
%
Research and preclinical studies
3,517
3,368
149
4
%
Research and development—related party
—
1,000
(1,000
)
(100
)%
Other expenses
1,507
656
851
130
%
Personnel related expenses
16,561
8,266
8,295
100
%
Consulting and outside services
4,770
2,909
1,861
64
%
Total research and development expenses
$
54,871
$
29,511
$
25,360
86
%
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses were $14.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $12.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase of $2.0 million was primarily attributable to a $1.9 million increase in personnel-related costs primarily related to stock-based compensation expense and a $1.0 million increase in legal and accounting services. These increases were partially offset by a $0.9 million decrease, primarily related to directors and officers liability insurance premiums.
Other Income, Net
Other Income, Net was $4.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase of $3.6 million was due to higher interest rates and higher cash, cash equivalents and short and long-term investment balances in 2023 as compared to 2022.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources of Liquidity
We have incurred net losses since our inception. For the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had net losses of $64.7 million and $41.0 million, respectively, and we expect to incur substantial additional losses in future periods. As of December 31, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of $154.5 million. As of December 31, 2023, we had cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investments of $134.5 million. Based on our current business plan, we believe that our available cash will be sufficient to fund our planned operations for at least 12 months following the date of this Form 10-K.
To date, we have funded our operations primarily through our Underwritten Offering, ATM Offering, IPO and private placements of our redeemable convertible preferred stock. In August 2023, we generated approximately $65.5 million from the Underwritten Offering, after deducting commissions and offering expenses. In June 2023, we generated
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approximately $19.1 million in net proceeds from the ATM Offering, after deducting commissions and offering expenses. In March and April 2022, we generated aggregate net proceeds of approximately $70.4 million from our IPO, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses. Prior to our IPO, we raised $91.6 million from the issuance of our redeemable convertible preferred stock. Upon the closing of our IPO, all then outstanding shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock were converted into shares of our common stock.
Future Funding Requirements
We do not have any products approved for sale, and we have never generated any revenue from contracts with customers. We do not expect to generate any meaningful revenue unless and until we obtain regulatory approval for and commercialize any of our current and future product candidates and we do not know when, or if, those events will occur. Historically, we have incurred operating losses and negative cash flows as a result of ongoing efforts to develop our initial drug product candidate, epetraborole, including conducting ongoing preclinical and nonclinical studies, clinical trials, registration API and drug product materials manufacturing, and providing general and administrative support for these operations. We expect our negative cash flows to increase significantly over the next several years as we advance epetraborole and any other product candidates through clinical development, seek regulatory approval, prepare for and, if approved, proceed to commercialization, and continue our research and development efforts. We are subject to all the risks typically related to the development of new product candidates, and we may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other unknown factors that may adversely affect our business. Moreover, we expect to continue to incur costs associated with operating as a public company. We anticipate that we will need substantial additional funding in connection with our continuing operations, as we do not expect positive cash flows from operations in the foreseeable future.
Until we can generate a sufficient amount of revenue from the commercialization of our product candidates, if ever, we expect to finance our future cash needs through public or private equity offerings or debt financings. Additional capital may not be available on reasonable terms, if at all. If we are unable to raise additional capital in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us, we may have to significantly delay, scale back or discontinue the development or commercialization of one or more of our current or future product candidates. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity or convertible debt securities, it could result in dilution to our existing stockholders and increased fixed payment obligations. In addition, as a condition to providing additional funds to us, future investors may demand, and may be granted, rights superior to those of existing stockholders. If we incur indebtedness, we could become subject to covenants that would restrict our operations and potentially impair our competitiveness, such as limitations on our ability to incur additional debt, limitations on our ability to acquire, sell or license intellectual property rights and other operating restrictions that could adversely impact our ability to conduct our business. Additionally, any future collaborations we enter into with third parties may provide capital in the near term but we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our product candidates or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us. Any of the foregoing could significantly harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We have based our projections of operating capital requirements on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect and we may use all our available capital resources sooner than we expect. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with research, development and commercialization of product candidates, we are unable to estimate the exact amount of our operating capital requirements. Our future capital requirements depend on many factors, including:
• the scope, timing, rate of progress, results and costs of our preclinical and nonclinical development activities and clinical trials for our current and future product candidates;
• the timing of, and the costs involved in, obtaining regulatory approvals for our drug product candidates;
• the timing of enrollment of our current and any future clinical trials;
• the scope and costs of development and commercial manufacturing activities;
• the number and characteristics of any additional product candidates we develop or acquire;
• the cost of manufacturing our product candidates that we successfully commercialize;
• the cost of building a specialty sales force in anticipation of product commercialization;
• the cost of commercialization activities, including building a commercial infrastructure, marketing, sales and distribution costs;
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• our ability to maintain existing, and establish new strategic collaborations, licensing, or other arrangements and the financial terms of any such agreements, including the timing and amount of any future milestone, royalty or other payments due under any such agreement;
• any securities class action, product liability or other lawsuits related to our products;
• the expenses needed to attract, hire, and retain skilled personnel;
• our implementation of operational, financial, and management systems;
• the ongoing costs associated with being a public company;
• the costs involved in preparing, filing, prosecuting, maintaining, defending, and enforcing our intellectual property portfolio; and
• the timing, receipt, and amount of sales of any future approved products, if any.
A change in the outcome of any of these or other variables with respect to the development of any of our current and future product candidates could significantly change the costs and timing associated with the development of that product candidate. Furthermore, our operating plans may change in the future, and we will continue to require additional capital to meet operational needs and capital requirements associated with such operating plans. Any future debt financing into which we enter may impose upon us additional covenants that restrict our operations, including limitation on our ability to incur liens or additional debt, pay dividends, repurchase our common stock, make certain investments or engage in certain merger, consolidation or asset sale transactions. Any debt financing or additional equity that we raise may contain terms that are not favorable to us or our stockholders.
Adequate funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms or at all. Our failure to raise capital as and when needed could have a negative impact on our financial condition and ability to pursue our business strategies. If we are unable to raise additional funds when needed, we may be required to delay, reduce or terminate some or all of our development programs and clinical trials or we may also be required to terminate rights to our current and future product candidates. If we are required to enter into collaborations and other arrangements to supplement our funds, we may have to give up certain rights that limit our ability to develop and commercialize our product candidates or may have other terms that are not favorable to us or our stockholders, which could materially affect our business and financial condition.
See the section titled “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional risks associated with our substantial capital requirements.
Summary Statements of Cash Flows
The following table sets forth a summary of the primary sources and uses of cash:
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
2022
(in thousands)
Cash used in operating activities
$
(53,288
)
$
(33,462
)
Cash used in investing activities
(43,278
)
(21,771
)
Cash provided by financing activities
84,994
70,355
Net (decrease) increase in cash
$
(11,572
)
$
15,122
Cash Used in Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $53.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, which consisted of a net loss of $64.7 million, due to the use of funds to develop our initial drug product candidate offset by a net increase of $5.8 million in our net operating assets and liabilities and $5.6 million in non-cash charges. The net increase in our operating assets and liabilities was primarily due to an increase of $6.2 million in accounts payable, accrued compensation and accrued liabilities due to an increase in accrued research and development expenses, and an increase of $0.7 million in other current liabilities, partially offset by a decrease of $1.0 million in prepaid expenses and other current assets and a decrease of $0.1 million in operating lease liabilities. The non-cash charges consisted of stock-based compensation expense of $8.4 million and non-cash operating lease expense of $0.1 million, partially offset by net accretion of discounts on investments of $2.9 million.
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Net cash used in operating activities was $33.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, which consisted of a net loss of $41.0 million, due to the use of funds to develop our initial drug product candidate offset by a net increase of $3.7 million in our net operating assets and liabilities and $3.8 million in non-cash charges. The net increase in our operating assets and liabilities was primarily due to an increase of $5.5 million in accounts payable, accrued compensation and accrued liabilities due to an increase in accrued research and development expenses, partially offset by an increase of $1.7 million in prepaid expenses and other current assets and a decrease of $0.1 million in operating lease liabilities. The non-cash charges consisted of stock-based compensation expense of $4.4 million and non-cash operating lease expense of $0.1 million, partially offset by net accretion of discounts on investments of $0.7 million.
Cash Used in Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $43.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, which primarily consisted of $132.2 million in purchases of investments, partially offset by $88.9 million in proceeds from maturities of investments.
Net cash used in investing activities was $21.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, which primarily consisted of $93.8 million in purchases of investments, partially offset by $72.0 million in proceeds from maturities of investments.
Cash Provided by Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $85.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, which primarily consisted of net proceeds from the issuance of common stock in our Underwritten Offering and ATM Offering.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $70.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, which primarily consisted of net proceeds from the issuance of common stock in our IPO.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
In November 2019, we entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Anacor for certain compounds and other intellectual property controlled by Anacor for the treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of disease. In exchange for the worldwide, sublicensable, exclusive right and licenses to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the specified compounds, we paid Anacor a $2.0 million upfront payment in November 2019 and issued Anacor shares of our Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock. We agreed to make further payments to Anacor upon achievement of various development milestones for an aggregate maximum payment of $2.0 million, various commercial and sales threshold milestones for an aggregate maximum payment of $125.0 million, and up to 50% of royalties received under certain sublicensing arrangements. Royalties are subject to certain customary reductions, including lack of patent coverage and generic product entry. We also agreed to pay Anacor sales royalties as a percentage of net sales ranging from single to mid-teens.
We enter into contracts in the normal course of business with third-party contract organizations for preclinical and nonclinical studies and clinical trials, manufacture and supply of our preclinical, nonclinical, clinical trial, and other services and products used for operating purposes. These contracts generally provide for termination following a certain period after notice, and therefore we believe that our non-cancelable obligations under these agreements are not material.
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Critical Accounting Policies, Significant Judgements, and Use of Estimates
Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us 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 financial statements, and the reported expenses incurred during the reporting periods. Our estimates are based on our historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgements about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe that the accounting policies discussed below are critical to understanding our historical and future performance, as these policies relate to the more significant areas involving management’s judgements and estimates. While our significant accounting policies are described in more detail in Part I, Note 2—Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K, we believe that the following accounting policies are those most critical to the judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.
Research and Development
We have entered into various agreements with CMOs and CROs. We record research and development expenses to operations as incurred. Research and development expenses represent costs incurred by us for the discovery and development of our product candidates and the development of our technology and include: internal research and development expense, including employee-related expenses (such as salaries, bonus, benefits, travel and non-cash stock-based compensation expense); external research and development expenses incurred under arrangements with third parties, such as CROs, preclinical testing organizations, CMOs, academic and non-profit institutions and consultants; related-party milestone payments; license fees; and other expenses. Costs to develop our technologies are recorded as research and development expense as incurred.
As part of the process of preparing financial statements, we are required to estimate and accrue expenses. We record the estimated expenses of research and development activities conducted by third-party service providers based upon the estimated level of services performed, progress of the studies, including the receipt of deliverables or completion of agreed-upon events, and contracted costs, within research and development expense in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss. These services include the conduct of clinical, nonclinical and preclinical studies, contract manufacturing activities and consulting services.
Payments made to CMOs and CROs under these arrangements in advance of the performance of the related services are deferred and recognized as expense in the period in which the related goods are received or services are realized or utilized. If the costs have been prepaid, this expense reduces the prepaid expenses in the balance sheets, and if not yet invoiced, the costs are included in accrued liabilities in the balance sheets. These costs are a significant component of our research and development expenses. We record amortization of prepaid expenses or accrued expenses for these costs based on the estimated amount of work completed and in accordance with agreements established with these third parties. Such payments are evaluated for current or long-term classification based on when they will be realized. If the actual timing of the performance of services or the level of effort varies from the original estimates, we will adjust the accrual accordingly. To date, our estimated accruals have not differed materially from the actual costs.
Costs for certain research and development activities are recognized based on an evaluation of the progress to completion of specific tasks. We estimate the amount of work completed through discussions with internal personnel and external service providers as to the progress or stage of completion of the services and the agreed-upon fee to be paid for such services. We make judgments and estimates in determining the accrued balance in each reporting period. As actual costs become known, we adjust our accrued estimates. Although we do not expect our estimates to be materially different from amounts actually incurred, our understanding of the status and timing of services performed may vary from our estimates and could result in us reporting amounts that are too high or too low in any particular period. Our accrued expenses are dependent, in part, upon the receipt of timely and accurate reporting from external CROs, CMOs and other third-party service providers. To date, we have not experienced material differences between our accrued expenses and actual expenses.
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Stock-Based Compensation
We use a fair value-based method to account for all stock-based compensation arrangements with employees and non-employees, which include stock options. The fair value of the option granted is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period during which an optionee is required to provide services in exchange for the option award, known as the requisite service period, which usually is the vesting period. We account for forfeitures as they occur. In determining fair value of the stock options granted, we use the Black–Scholes option pricing model, which requires the input of subjective assumptions. These assumptions include: estimating the length of time employees will retain their vested stock options before exercising them (expected term), the estimated volatility of our common stock price over the expected term (expected volatility), risk-free interest rate, and expected dividends. See Note 10—Equity Incentive Plan and Stock-Based Compensation to our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K for information concerning certain of the specific assumptions we used in applying the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the estimated fair value of our stock options granted in the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Changes in the following assumptions can materially affect the estimate of fair value and ultimately how much stock-based compensation expense is recognized; and the resulting change in fair value, if any, is recognized in our statement of operations and comprehensive loss during the period the related services are rendered. These inputs are subjective and generally require significant analysis and judgment to develop.
• Fair Value of Common Stock—See the subsection titled “Common Stock Valuations” below.
• Expected Term—The expected term is calculated using the simplified method which is used when there is insufficient historical data about exercise patterns and post-vesting employment termination behavior. The simplified method is based on the vesting period and the contractual term for each grant, or for each vesting-tranche for awards with graded vesting. The mid-point between the vesting date and the maximum contractual expiration date is used as the expected term under this method. For awards with multiple vesting-tranches, the times from grant until the mid-points for each of the tranches may be averaged to provide an overall expected term.
• Expected Volatility—We use an average historical stock price volatility of a peer group of comparable publicly traded companies in biotechnology and pharmaceutical-related industries to be representative of our expected future stock price volatility, as we have limited trading history for our common stock. For purposes of identifying these peer companies, we consider the industry, therapeutic area, stage of development, size and financial leverage of potential comparable companies. For each grant, we measure historical volatility over a period equivalent to the expected term.
• Risk-Free Interest Rate—The risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term equivalent to the expected term of the stock award.
• Expected Dividend Rate—We have not paid and do not anticipate paying any dividends in the near future. Accordingly, we estimate the dividend yield to be zero.
For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, there was an insignificant amount of cash received and no cash received upon exercise of stock options, respectively.
Common Stock Valuations
Prior to our IPO, in the absence of a public trading market for our common stock, the estimated fair value of the common stock underlying our stock options was determined at each grant date by our Board, with input from management. All options to purchase shares of our common stock are intended to be exercisable at a price per share not less than the per-share fair value of our common stock underlying those options on the date of grant.
On each grant date, we developed an estimate of the fair value of our common stock based on the information known to us on the date of grant, upon a review of any recent events and their potential impact on the estimated fair value per share of the common stock, and valuations from an independent third-party valuation firm.
The valuations of our common stock were determined in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Practice Aid, Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation (the “Practice Aid”).
The assumptions used to determine the estimated fair value of our common stock are based on numerous objective and subjective factors, combined with management judgment, including:
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• external market conditions affecting the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry and trends within the industry;
• our stage of development and business strategy;
• the rights, preferences and privileges of our redeemable convertible preferred stock relative to those of our common stock;
• the prices at which we sold shares of our redeemable convertible preferred stock;
• our financial condition and operating results, including our levels of available capital resources;
• equity market conditions affecting comparable public companies; and
• general U.S. market conditions and the lack of marketability of our common stock.
The Practice Aid identifies various available methods for allocating enterprise value across classes and series of capital stock to determine the estimated fair value of common stock at each valuation date. In accordance with the Practice Aid, we considered the following methods:
• Option Pricing Method . Under the option pricing method (the “OPM method”), shares are valued by creating a series of call options with exercise prices based on the liquidation preferences and conversion terms of each equity class. The estimated fair values of the preferred and common stock are inferred by analyzing these options.
• Current Value Method . Under the current value method (the “CVM method”), the Company’s current value is allocated among various equity holders based on liquidation preferences and other rights under the assumption that all capital owners act to maximize their financial return.
• Probability-Weighted Expected Return Method . The probability-weighted expected return method (the “PWERM method”), is a scenario-based analysis that estimates value per share based on the probability-weighted present value of expected future investment returns considering each of the possible outcomes available to us, as well as the economic and control rights of each share class.
• Hybrid Method . Under the Hybrid Method the Company’s current value is estimated based on a combination of the OPM, PWERM, and CVM methods, whereby each valuation method is applied to a different scenario. The different scenarios are then weighted based on their probable outcomes.
Subsequent to December 31, 2021 and through March 23, 2022, prior to the availability of a market price for our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, we used the Hybrid Method to determine our enterprise value. We took into account our estimated equity value of our anticipated IPO, the estimated present value of the assumed IPO price per share, the estimated time to IPO and a discount for lack of marketability. We also factored in the non-IPO Scenario, assumed that we will stay private and used a hybrid backsolve method to conclude our equity value based on our most recent arms-length financing transaction, adjusted for market trends. The non-IPO Scenario also involved making assumptions for the expected time to liquidity, volatility, and risk-free rate.
Subsequent to December 31, 2021 and through March 23, 2022, we determined that the Hybrid Method was also the most appropriate method for allocating our enterprise value to determine the estimated fair value of our common stock. The OPM and CVM methods were used based on the future IPO Scenario, equity value and the expected future allocation to the preferred and common stockholders. The CVM and OPM methods were combined and weighted to reflect our estimation of the occurrence of each scenario.
In determining the estimated fair value of our common stock, our Board also considered the fact that our stockholders could not freely trade our common stock in the public markets. Accordingly, we applied discounts to reflect the lack of marketability of our common stock based on the weighted-average expected time to liquidity. The estimated fair value of our common stock at each grant date reflected a non-marketability discount partially based on the anticipated likelihood and timing of a future liquidity event.
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There are significant judgments and estimates inherent in the determination of our enterprise value and the fair value of our common stock, such as those regarding our discount rates, the selection of comparable companies, and the probability of possible future events. Such estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of significant judgment. As a result, if factors or expected outcomes change and we use significantly different assumptions or estimates, our stock-based compensation could be materially different. Changes in judgements could have a material impact on our results of operation. Following the completion of the IPO, the fair value of our common stock is based on the closing quoted market price of our common stock on the date of grant.
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock
We recorded all shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock at their respective fair values on the dates of issuance, net of issuance costs. The redeemable convertible preferred stock was recorded outside of permanent equity because while it is not mandatorily redeemable, in certain events considered not solely within our control, such as a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets (each, a deemed liquidation event), the redeemable convertible preferred stock would have become redeemable at the option of the holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding shares. In addition, shares of preferred stock must be redeemed by the Company at a price of $2.55 and $15.00 per share for Series A and Series B redeemable convertible stock, respectively, plus any accrued dividends (whether or not declared) in three annual installments on or after the seventh anniversary of the Series B original issue date (on or after March 5, 2028) upon a written request by at least two-thirds of the holders of the Series A and Series B redeemable convertible preferred stock, voting together as a single class. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we accreted $1.8 million to the redemption value of the redeemable convertible preferred stock representing cumulative dividends. Immediately prior to the closing of the IPO, all outstanding shares of the Company’s redeemable convertible preferred stock were converted into shares of common stock and the related carrying value was reclassified to common stock and additional paid-in capital. There were no shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Indemnification Agreements
We enter into standard indemnification arrangements in the ordinary course of business. Pursuant to these arrangements, we indemnify, hold harmless and agree to reimburse the indemnified parties for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party, including in connection with any trade secret, copyright, patent, or other intellectual property infringement claim by any third party with respect to its technology. The term of these indemnification agreements is generally perpetual any time after the execution of the agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these arrangements is not determinable. We have never incurred costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements. As a result, we believe the fair value of these agreements is minimal.
We have also agreed to indemnify our directors and officers for certain events or occurrences while the director or officer is, or was serving, at our request in such capacity. The indemnification period covers all pertinent events and occurrences during the director’s or officer’s service. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is not specified in the agreements; however, we have director and officer insurance coverage that reduces our exposure and enables us to recover a portion of any future amounts paid.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See the section “Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements” in Note 2 to the Notes to Financial Statements in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
JOBS Act Accounting Election
The JOBS Act permits an “emerging growth company” or “EGC” such as us to delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have elected to use this extended period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date that we (i) are no longer an EGC or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act. As a result, the information we provide may not be comparable to companies that comply with the new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.
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In addition, we intend to rely on other exemptions provided by the JOBS Act, including without limitation, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
We will remain an EGC until the earliest to occur of: (1) the last day of our first fiscal year in which we have total annual revenues of more than $1.235 billion; (2) the date we qualify as a “large accelerated filer,” with at least $700.0 million of equity securities held by non-affiliates; (3) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three- year period; and (4) the last day of the fiscal year ending after the fifth anniversary of our IPO.