Item 1. Financial Statements
Item 1.
Financial Statements (unaudited)
3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Change in Stockholders’ Equity
5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
6
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
7
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
21
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
33
Item 4 .
Controls and Procedures
33
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
34
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
34
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
79
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
79
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
79
Item 5.
Other Information
79
Item 6.
Exhibits
80
SIGNATURES
81
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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
CORVUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)
March 31,
December 31,
2024
2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
7,456
$
12,620
Marketable securities
14,672
14,529
Accounts receivable - related party
26
26
Prepaid and other current assets
697
781
Total current assets
22,851
27,956
Property and equipment, net
213
236
Operating lease right-of-use asset
865
1,149
Investment in Angel Pharmaceuticals
16,066
16,123
Other assets
89
89
Total assets
$
40,084
$
45,553
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$
1,609
$
1,525
Operating lease liability
1,040
1,374
Accrued and other liabilities
4,071
3,970
Total current liabilities
6,720
6,869
Total liabilities
6,720
6,869
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock: $ 0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023; 0 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023
—
—
Common stock: $ 0.0001 par value; 290,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023; 49,038,582 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023
5
5
Additional paid-in capital
375,052
374,363
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
( 1,275 )
( 967 )
Accumulated deficit
( 340,418 )
( 334,717 )
Total stockholders’ equity
33,364
38,684
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
40,084
$
45,553
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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CORVUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2024
2023
Operating expenses:
Research and development
$
4,075
$
4,594
General and administrative
2,178
1,980
Total operating expenses
6,253
6,574
Loss from operations
( 6,253 )
( 6,574 )
Interest income and other expense, net
316
376
Sublease income - related party
—
56
Loss before equity method investment
( 5,937 )
( 6,142 )
Income (loss) from equity method investment
236
( 1,731 )
Net loss
$
( 5,701 )
$
( 7,873 )
Net loss per share, basic and diluted
$
( 0.12 )
$
( 0.17 )
Shares used to compute net loss per share, basic and diluted
49,038,582
46,556,178
Other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities
( 15 )
41
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment
( 293 )
88
Comprehensive loss
$
( 6,009 )
$
( 7,744 )
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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CORVUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Accumulated
Additional
Other
Total
Common Stock
Paid-in
Comprehensive
Accumulated
Stockholders’
Shares
Amount
Capital
Income
Deficit
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2023
49,038,582
$
5
$
374,363
$
( 967 )
$
( 334,717 )
$
38,684
Stock-based compensation expense
—
—
689
—
—
689
Unrealized loss on marketable securities
—
—
—
( 15 )
—
( 15 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment
—
—
—
( 293 )
—
( 293 )
Net loss
—
—
—
—
( 5,701 )
( 5,701 )
Balance at March 31, 2024
49,038,582
$
5
$
375,052
$
( 1,275 )
$
( 340,418 )
$
33,364
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
Accumulated
Additional
Other
Total
Common Stock
Paid-in
Comprehensive
Accumulated
Stockholders’
Shares
Amount
Capital
Income
Deficit
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2022
46,553,511
$
5
$
364,361
$
( 563 )
$
( 307,688 )
$
56,115
Common stock issued on exercise of stock options
15,000
—
4
—
—
4
Stock-based compensation expense
—
—
492
—
—
492
Unrealized gain on marketable securities
—
—
—
41
—
41
Foreign currency translation adjustment
—
—
—
88
—
88
Net loss
—
—
—
—
( 7,873 )
( 7,873 )
Balance at March 31, 2023
46,568,511
$
5
$
364,857
$
( 434 )
$
( 315,561 )
$
48,867
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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CORVUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2024
2023
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss
$
( 5,701 )
$
( 7,873 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
23
57
Accretion related to marketable securities
( 151 )
( 264 )
Stock-based compensation
689
492
Income (loss) from equity method investment
( 236 )
1,731
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable - related party
—
159
Prepaid and other current assets
84
118
Operating lease right-of-use asset
284
264
Accounts payable
84
( 569 )
Accrued and other liabilities
101
( 1,928 )
Operating lease liability
( 334 )
( 298 )
Net cash used in operating activities
( 5,157 )
( 8,111 )
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of marketable securities
( 4,628 )
( 13,089 )
Maturities of marketable securities
4,621
17,725
Purchases of property and equipment
—
( 34 )
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
( 7 )
4,602
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options
—
4
Net cash provided by financing activities
—
4
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
( 5,164 )
( 3,505 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
12,620
13,159
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
$
7,456
$
9,654
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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CORVUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
1. Organization
Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Corvus” or the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on January 27, 2014 and commenced operations in November 2014. Corvus is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. The Company’s operations are located in Burlingame, California.
Presentation
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Corvus Biopharmaceuticals, Ltd. and Corvus Hong Kong Limited. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated from the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Initial Public Offering
On March 22, 2016, the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-208850) relating to its initial public offering (“IPO”) of its common stock was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the shares of its common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market on March 23, 2016. The public offering price of the shares sold in the IPO was $ 15.00 per share. The IPO closed on March 29, 2016, pursuant to which the Company sold 4,700,000 shares of its common stock. On April 26, 2016, the Company sold an additional 502,618 shares of its common stock to the underwriters upon partial exercise of their over-allotment option, at the initial offering price of $ 15.00 per share. The Company received aggregate net proceeds of approximately $ 70.6 million, after underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses. Immediately prior to the consummation of the IPO, all outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock were converted into common stock.
Follow-on Public Offerings
In March 2018, the Company completed a follow-on public offering in which the Company sold 8,117,647 shares of common stock at a price of $ 8.50 per share, which included 1,058,823 shares issued pursuant to the underwriters’ exercise of their option to purchase additional shares of common stock. The aggregate net proceeds received by the Company from the offering were approximately $ 64.9 million, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by the Company.
In February 2021, the Company completed a follow-on public offering in which the Company sold 9,783,660 shares of common stock at a price of $ 3.50 per share, which included 1,212,231 shares issued pursuant to the underwriters’ exercise of their option to purchase additional shares of common stock. The aggregate net proceeds received by the Company from the offering were approximately $ 32.0 million, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.
Liquidity
The Company is subject to risks and uncertainties common to early-stage companies in the biotechnology industry, including, but not limited to, development by competitors of new technological innovations, protection of proprietary technology, dependence on key personnel, contract manufacturer and contract research organizations, compliance with government regulations and the need to obtain additional financing to fund operations. Since commencing operations in 2014, the majority of the Company’s efforts have been focused on the research and development of soquelitinib, ciforadenant and mupadolimab. The Company believes that it will continue to expend substantial resources for the foreseeable future as it continues clinical development of, seek regulatory approval for and, if approved, prepare for the commercialization of soquelitinib, ciforadenant and mupadolimab, as well as product candidates under the Company’s other development programs. These expenditures will include costs associated with research and development, conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approvals,
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manufacturing and supply, sales and marketing and general operations. In addition, other unanticipated costs may arise. Because the outcome of any clinical trial and/or regulatory approval process is highly uncertain, the Company may not be able to accurately estimate the actual amounts necessary to successfully complete the development, regulatory approval process and commercialization of soquelitinib, ciforadenant and mupadolimab or any other product candidates.
The Company has incurred significant losses and negative cash flows from operations in all periods since inception and had an accumulated deficit of $ 340.4 million as of March 31, 2024. The Company has historically financed its operations primarily through the sale of common stock and redeemable convertible preferred stock.
As of March 31, 2024, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities of $ 22.1 million. On May 6, 2024, the Company received gross proceeds of $ 30.6 million in a registered direct offering (see Note 15. Subsequent Events). Management believes that the Company’s current cash, cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities will be sufficient to fund its planned operations for at least the next 12 months from the date of the issuance of these condensed consolidated financial statements. To fund the Company's planned operations, the Company will need to raise additional capital in the future. The Company intends to raise additional capital through private and public equity offerings, debt financings, and potential future collaboration, license and development agreements. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in acquiring additional funding at levels sufficient to fund its operations or on terms acceptable or at all. If the Company is unsuccessful in its efforts to raise additional capital or if sufficient funds on acceptable terms are not available when needed, the Company could be required to significantly reduce operating expenses and delay, reduce the scope of or eliminate one or more of its development programs, out-license intellectual property rights to its product candidates and sell unsecured assets, or a combination of the above, any of which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition or its ability to fund its obligations on a timely basis or at all. Failure to manage discretionary spending or raise additional capital, as needed, may adversely impact the Company’s ability to achieve its intended business objectives.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company’s functional and reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, except for its investment in its equity method investee which is the Chinese renminbi (RMB). The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going-concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and discharge of liabilities in the normal course of business.
Unaudited Interim Financial Information
The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures are unaudited, have been prepared on the same basis as the annual financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for fair statement of the condensed consolidated financial statements presented.
The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023 was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The condensed consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or for any other future year or interim period. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the related notes for the year ended December 31, 2023 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 19, 2024.
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Use of Estimates
The preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from such estimates.
Investments in Equity Securities
The Company uses the equity method of accounting for its equity investment if the investment provides the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over operating and financial policies of the investee.
The Company’s proportionate share of the net income (loss) resulting from the equity method investment is reported under the line item captioned “income (loss) from equity method investment” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss and the carrying value of the equity method investments is reported under the line captioned “Investment in Angel Pharmaceuticals” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s equity method investments are reported at cost and adjusted each period for the Company’s share of the investee’s income or loss and the foreign currency translation adjustment as applicable.
For equity method investees with a functional currency different than the Company’s reporting currency, the Company follows the guidance under ASC 830-10-15-5, pursuant to which, the foreign currency financial statements of a foreign investee accounted for by the equity method should be translated to the reporting entity's reporting currency.
The Company evaluates equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment might not be recoverable. Factors considered by the Company when reviewing an equity method investment for impairment include the length of time (duration) and the extent (severity) to which the fair value of the equity method investment has been less than cost, the investee’s financial condition and near-term prospects and the intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery. An impairment that is other-than-temporary is recognized in the period identified.
See Note 5, “Equity Method Investment,” for further information.
Concentrations of Credit Risk and Other Risks and Uncertainties
Substantially all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are deposited in accounts with two financial institutions that management believes are of high credit quality. Such deposits may, at times, exceed federally insured limits. The Company maintains its cash with an accredited financial institution and accordingly, such funds are subject to minimal credit risk. The Company’s marketable securities consist of investments in U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. government agency securities, which can be subject to certain credit risks. However, the Company mitigates the risks by investing in high-grade instruments, limiting its exposure to any one issuer, and monitoring the ongoing creditworthiness of the financial institutions and issuers. The Company has not experienced any losses on its deposits of cash, cash equivalents or marketable securities.
The Company is subject to a number of risks similar to other early stage biopharmaceutical companies, including, but not limited to, the need to obtain adequate additional funding, possible failure of preclinical testing or clinical trials, its reliance on third parties to conduct its clinical trials, the need to obtain marketing approval for its product candidates, competitors developing new technological innovations, the need to successfully commercialize and gain market acceptance of the Company’s product candidates, its right to develop and commercialize its product candidates pursuant to the terms and conditions of the licenses granted to the Company, and protection of proprietary technology. If the Company does not successfully commercialize or partner any of its product candidates, it will be unable to generate product revenue or achieve profitability.
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Segments
Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision-maker in making decisions regarding resource allocation and assessing performance. The Company views its operations and manages its business in one operating segment, that of the development of and commercialization of precisely targeted oncology and immune-mediated therapies.
Significant Accounting Policies
The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to its condensed consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-06, Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC's Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative, which modifies the disclosure or presentation requirements related to variety of FASB Accounting Standard Codification topics. The effective date for each amendment will be the date on which the SEC's removal of that related disclosure from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K is effective. If by June 30, 2027, the SEC has not removed the applicable requirement from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K, the pending content of the associated amendment will be removed from the Codification and will not become effective for any entities. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of adopting this ASU.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which amends the guidance in ASC 740, Income Taxes. The ASU is intended to improve the transparency of income tax disclosures by requiring (1) consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and (2) income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. It also includes certain other amendments to improve the effectiveness of income tax disclosures. The ASU’s amendments are effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Entities are permitted to early adopt the standard “for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance.” As adoption is either prospectively or retrospectively, the Company will adopt this ASU on a prospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU but does not expect any material impacts upon adoption.
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3. Net Loss per Share
The following table shows the calculation of net loss per share (in thousands, except share and per share data):
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2024
2023
Numerator:
Net loss - basic and diluted
$
( 5,701 )
$
( 7,873 )
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share
49,038,582
46,556,178
Net loss per share, basic and diluted
$
( 0.12 )
$
( 0.17 )
The amounts in the table below were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share, due to their anti-dilutive effect:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2024
2023
Outstanding options
9,615,400
7,731,807
4. Fair Value Measurements
Financial assets and liabilities are measured and recorded at fair value. The Company is required to disclose information on all assets and liabilities reported at fair value that enables an assessment of the inputs used in determining the reported fair values. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes valuation inputs based on the observable nature of those inputs. The fair value hierarchy applies only to the valuation inputs used in determining the reported fair value of the investments and is not a measure of the investment credit quality. The hierarchy defines three levels of valuation inputs:
● Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
● Level 2—Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly
● Level 3—Unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability
There have been no transfers of assets and liabilities between levels of hierarchy.
The Company’s Level 2 investments are valued using third-party pricing sources. The pricing services utilize industry standard valuation models, including both income and market-based approaches, for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly, to estimate fair value. These inputs include reported trades of and broker/dealer quotes on the same or similar investments, issuer credit spreads, benchmark investments, prepayment/default projections based on historical data and other observable inputs.
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The following tables present information as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 about the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and indicate the level of the fair value hierarchy the Company utilized to determine such fair values (in thousands):
March 31, 2024
Fair Value Measured Using
Total
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Balance
Assets
Cash equivalents
$
7,447
$
—
$
—
$
7,447
Marketable securities
10,353
4,319
—
14,672
$
17,800
$
4,319
$
—
$
22,119
December 31, 2023
Fair Value Measured Using
Total
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Balance
Assets
Cash equivalents
$
12,280
$
—
$
—
$
12,280
Marketable securities
10,356
4,173
—
14,529
$
22,636
$
4,173
$
—
$
26,809
As of March 31, 2024 marketable securities had a maximum remaining maturity of eight months .
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair value of available for sale marketable securities by type of security were as follows (in thousands):
March 31, 2024
Gross
Gross
Amortized
Unrealized
Unrealized
Fair
Cost
Gains
Losses
Value
U.S. Treasury securities
$
10,353
$
—
$
—
$
10,353
U.S. Government agency securities
4,319
—
—
4,319
$
14,672
$
—
$
—
$
14,672
December 31, 2023
Gross
Gross
Amortized
Unrealized
Unrealized
Fair
Cost
Gains
Losses
Value
U.S. Treasury securities
$
10,348
$
8
$
—
$
10,356
U.S. Government agency securities
4,166
7
—
4,173
$
14,514
$
15
$
—
$
14,529
5. Equity Method Investment
Angel Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. (“Angel”) is a corporate venture in the People’s Republic of China designed to develop, manufacture, and commercialize soquelitinib, ciforadenant and mupadolimab compounds for distribution within the countries of China, Taiwan, Macao, and Hong Kong based on intellectual property licenses to be contributed to Angel by the Company.
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company’s ownership interest in Angel was approximately 49.7 %, excluding 7 % of Angel’s equity reserved for issuance under the Angel Employee Stock Ownership Plan, and is accounted for as an equity method investment. The Company recognized its share of income in Angel for the total amount of $ 0.2 million as income and $ 1.7 million as loss from equity method investment in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
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Summary Financial Information
Summary financial information for Angel Pharmaceuticals is as follows:
As of
As of
Balance Sheet Data
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(in thousands)
Current assets
$
17,301
$
17,628
Non-current assets
1,273
1,427
Current liabilities
1,364
1,725
Non-current liabilities
595
648
Stockholders' equity
16,615
16,682
Three Months Ended
March 31,
Statement of Operations Data
2024
2023
(in thousands)
Revenue
$
—
$
—
Gross Profit
—
—
Net income (loss)
245
( 2,032 )
Share of loss from investments accounted for using the equity method
236
( 1,731 )
6. License and Collaboration Agreements
Scripps Licensing Agreement
In December 2014, the Company entered into a license agreement with The Scripps Research Institute (“Scripps”), pursuant to which it was granted a non-exclusive, world-wide license for all fields of use under Scripps’ rights in certain know-how and technology related to a mouse hybridoma clone expressing an anti-human CD73 antibody, and to progeny, mutants or unmodified derivatives of such hybridoma and any antibodies expressed by such hybridoma, from which we developed mupadolimab. Scripps also granted the Company the right to grant sublicenses in conjunction with other proprietary rights the Company holds, or to others collaborating with or performing services for the Company. Under this license agreement, Scripps has agreed not to grant any additional commercial licenses with respect to such materials, other than march-in rights granted to the U.S. government.
Upon execution of the agreement, the Company made a one-time cash payment to Scripps of $ 10,000 and is also obligated to pay a minimum annual fee to Scripps of $ 25,000 . The first minimum annual fee payment is due on each anniversary of the effective date of the agreement and will be due on each subsequent anniversary of the effective date for the term of the agreement. The Company is also required to make performance-based cash payments upon successful completion of clinical and sales milestones. The aggregate potential milestone payments are $ 2.6 million. The Company is also required to pay royalties on net sales of licensed products (including mupadolimab) sold by it, its affiliates and its sublicensees at a rate in the low-single digits. In addition, should the Company sublicense the rights licensed under the agreement, it has agreed to pay a percentage of sublicense revenue received at specified rates that start at double digit percentages and decrease to single digit percentages based on the elapsed time from the effective date of the agreement and the time of entry into such sublicense. To date, no milestone payments have been made.
The Company’s license agreement with Scripps will terminate upon expiration of its obligation to pay royalties to Scripps under the license agreement. The Company’s license agreement with Scripps is terminable by the consent of the parties, at will by the Company upon providing 90 days written notice to Scripps, or by Scripps for certain material breaches, or if the Company undergoes a bankruptcy event. In addition, Scripps may terminate the license on a product-by-product basis, or the entire agreement, if the Company fails to meet specified diligence obligations related to the development and commercialization of licensed products. Scripps may also terminate the agreement after the third anniversary of the effective date of the agreement if it reasonably believes, based on reports the Company provides to
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Scripps, that the Company has not used commercially reasonable efforts as required under the agreement, subject to a specified notice and cure period.
Vernalis Licensing Agreement
In February 2015, the Company entered into a license agreement with Vernalis (R&D) Limited (“Vernalis”), which was subsequently amended as of November 5, 2015, and, pursuant to which the Company was granted an exclusive, worldwide license under certain patent rights and know-how, including a limited right to grant sublicenses, for all fields of use to develop, manufacture and commercialize products containing certain adenosine receptor antagonists, including ciforadenant. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company made a one-time cash payment to Vernalis in the amount of $ 1.0 million, which was recorded as research and development expense as technological feasibility of the asset had not been established and there was no alternative future use. The Company is also required to make cash milestone payments to Vernalis upon the successful completion of clinical and regulatory milestones for licensed products depending on the indications for which such licensed products are developed and upon achievement of certain sales milestones. In February 2017, the Company made a milestone payment of $ 3.0 million to Vernalis following the expansion of a cohort of patients with renal cell cancer treated with single agent ciforadenant in the Company’s Phase 1/1b clinical trial. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, no clinical or regulatory milestones were completed or paid to Vernalis and the aggregate potential milestone payments were approximately $ 220 million for all indications as of March 31, 2024. The Company has also agreed to pay Vernalis tiered incremental royalties based on the annual net sales of licensed products containing ciforadenant on a product by product and country by country basis, subject to certain offsets and reductions. The tiered royalty rates for products containing ciforadenant range from the mid single digits up to the low double digits on a country by country net sales basis. The royalties on other licensed products that do not include ciforadenant also increase with the amount of net sales on a product-by-product and country by country basis and range from the low single digits up to the mid single digits on a country by country net sales basis. The Company is also obligated to pay to Vernalis certain sales milestones as indicated above when worldwide net sales reach specified levels over an agreed upon time period.
The Company has also agreed to pay Vernalis tiered incremental royalties based on the annual net sales of licensed products containing ciforadenant on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis, subject to certain offsets and reductions. The tiered royalty rates for products containing ciforadenant range from the mid-single digits up to the low-double digits on a country-by-country net sales basis. The royalties on other licensed products that do not include ciforadenant also increase with the amount of net sales on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis and range from the low-single digits up to the mid-single digits on a country-by-country net sales basis. The Company is also obligated to pay to Vernalis certain sales milestones as indicated above when worldwide net sales reach specified levels over an agreed upon time period.
The agreement will expire on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis upon the expiration of the Company’s payment obligations to Vernalis in respect of a particular product and country. Both parties have the right to terminate the agreement for an uncured material breach by the other party. The Company may also terminate the agreement at its convenience by providing 90 days written notice, provided that the Company has not received notice of its own default under the agreement at the time the Company exercises such termination right. Vernalis may also terminate the agreement if the Company challenges a licensed patent or undergoes a bankruptcy event.
Monash License Agreement
In April 2017, the Company entered into a license agreement with Monash University (Monash), pursuant to which the Company was granted an exclusive, sublicensable worldwide license under certain know-how, patent rights and other intellectual property rights controlled by Monash to research, develop, and commercialize certain antibodies directed to CXCR2 for the treatment of human diseases.
Upon execution of the agreement, the Company made a one time cash payment to Monash of $ 275,000 and reimbursed Monash for certain patent prosecution costs incurred prior to execution of the agreement. The Company recorded these payments as research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company is also obligated to pay an annual license maintenance fee to Monash of $ 25,000 until a certain development milestone is
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met with respect to the licensed product, after which no further maintenance fee will be due. The Company is also required to make development and sales milestone payments to Monash with respect to the licensed products. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, no development or sales milestones were completed or paid to Monash and the aggregate potential milestones were $ 45.1 million as of March 31, 2024. The Company is also required to pay to Monash tiered royalties on net sales of licensed products sold by it, its affiliates and its sublicensees at a rate ranging in the low single digits. In addition, should the Company sublicense its rights under the agreement, the Company has agreed to pay a percentage of sublicense revenue received at specified rates that are currently at low double digit percentages and decrease to single digit percentages based on the achievement of development milestones.
The term of the Company’s agreement with Monash continues until the expiration of its obligation to pay royalties to Monash thereunder. The license agreement is terminable at will by the Company upon providing 30 days written notice to Monash, or by either party for material breaches by the other party. In addition, Monash may terminate the entire agreement or convert the license to a non-exclusive license if the Company has materially breached its obligation to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize a licensed product, subject to a specified notice and cure mechanism.
7. Balance Sheet Components (in thousands)
March 31,
December 31,
2024
2023
Prepaid and Other Current Assets
Interest receivable
$
32
$
37
Prepaid research and development manufacturing expenses
151
149
Prepaid facility expenses
196
196
Prepaid insurance
51
179
Other
267
220
$
697
$
781
Property and Equipment
Laboratory equipment
$
2,678
$
2,678
Computer equipment and purchased software
171
171
Leasehold improvements
2,084
2,084
4,933
4,933
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
( 4,720 )
( 4,697 )
$
213
$
236
Accrued and Other Liabilities
Accrued clinical trial expense
$
2,223
$
2,302
Accrued manufacturing expense
568
675
Personnel related
589
684
Accrued legal and accounting
512
64
Other
179
245
$
4,071
$
3,970
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded approximately $ 23,000 and $ 57,000 in depreciation expense, respectively.
8. Common Stock
As of March 31, 2024, the amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes the Company to issue 290 million shares of common stock and 10 million shares of preferred stock.
Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote. Common stockholders are entitled to dividends if and when declared by the board of directors. As of March 31, 2024, no dividends on common stock had been declared.
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On March 28, 2023, the Company entered into an open market sale agreement (the “2023 Sales Agreement”) with Jefferies LLC (“Jefferies”) to sell shares of the Company’s common stock, from time-to-time, with aggregate gross sales proceeds of up to $ 90.0 million, through an at-the-market equity offering program under which Jefferies will act as its sales agent. The issuance and sale of shares of common stock by the Company pursuant to the 2023 Sales Agreement are deemed an “at-the-market” offering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Jefferies is entitled to compensation for its services equal to 3.0 % of the gross proceeds of any shares of common stock sold through Jefferies under the 2023 Sales Agreement.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company did not sell any shares of common stock under its at-the-market offering program. As of March 31, 2024, $ 81.9 million remained available for sale under the 2023 Sales Agreement. On May 1, 2024, the Company amended the 2023 Sales Agreement to decrease the aggregate gross sales proceeds from $ 90.0 million to $ 8.2 million, which decreased the amount available for sale under the 2023 Sales Agreement from $ 81.9 million to $ 100,000 (see Note 15. Subsequent Events).
The Company has reserved shares of common stock for issuance as follows:
March 31,
December 31,
2024
2023
Shares available for future option grants
5,207,693
3,617,943
Outstanding options
9,615,400
9,244,150
Shares reserved for employee stock purchase plan
400,000
400,000
Total
15,223,093
13,262,093
9. Stock Option Plans
In February 2014, the Company adopted the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”), which was subsequently amended in November 2014, July 2015 and September 2015, under which it granted incentive stock options (“ISOs”) or non-qualified stock options (“NSOs”). Terms of stock agreements, including vesting requirements, are determined by the board of directors or a committee authorized by the board of directors, subject to the provisions of the 2014 Plan. In general, awards granted by the Company vest over four years and have a maximum exercise term of 10 years . The 2014 Plan provides that grants must be at an exercise price of 100 % of fair market value of the Company’s common stock as determined by the board of directors on the date of the grant.
In connection with the consummation of the IPO in March 2016, the 2016 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “2016 Plan”), became effective. Under the 2016 Plan, incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock purchase rights and other stock-based awards may be granted. Terms of stock agreements, including vesting requirements, are determined by the board of directors or a committee authorized by the board of directors, subject to the provisions of the 2016 Plan. In general, awards granted by the Company vest over four years and have a maximum exercise term of 10 years . The 2016 Plan provides that grants must be at an exercise price of 100 % of fair market value of the Company’s common stock as determined by the board of directors on the date of the grant. In conjunction with adopting the 2016 Plan, the 2014 Plan was terminated and no further awards will be granted under the 2014 Plan. Options outstanding under the 2014 Plan as of the effective date of the 2016 Plan that are forfeited or lapse unexercised may be re-issued under the 2016 Plan, up to a maximum of 1,136,229 shares.
Activity under the Company’s stock option plans is set forth below:
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Options Outstanding
Weighted ‑
Shares
Average
Available
Number of
Exercise
for Grant
Options
Price
Balance at December 31, 2023
3,617,943
9,244,150
$
4.17
Additional shares authorized
1,961,000
—
—
Options granted
( 400,000 )
400,000
2.30
Options exercised
—
—
—
Options forfeited
28,750
( 28,750 )
2.08
Balance at March 31, 2024
5,207,693
9,615,400
$
4.10
10. Stock-Based Compensation
The Company’s results of operations include expenses relating to employee and non-employee stock-based awards as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2024
2023
Research and development
$
220
$
192
General and administrative
469
300
Total
$
689
$
492
11. Income Taxes
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded no income tax benefits for the net operating losses (NOLs) incurred due to the uncertainty of realizing a benefit from those items. The Company continues to maintain a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets.
12. Facility Lease
In January 2015, the Company signed an initial operating lease, effective February 1, 2015 for 8,138 square feet of office and laboratory space with a one year term. Between January 2015 and September 2021, the Company entered into a series of lease amendments to increase the amount of leased space to 27,280 square feet and extend the expiration of the lease to January 2025. The lease agreement includes annual rent escalations. Under the lease and subsequent amendments, the landlord provided approximately $ 1.9 million in free rent and lease incentives. The Company records rent expense on a straight-line basis over the effective term of the lease, including any free rent periods and incentives. As the interest rate implicit in lease arrangements is typically not readily available, in calculating the present value of the lease payments, the Company has utilized its incremental borrowing rate, which was determined based on the prevailing market rates for collateralized debt with maturity dates commensurate with the term of its lease. The Company’s facility lease is a net lease, as the non-lease components (i.e. common area maintenance) are paid separately from rent based on actual costs incurred. Therefore, the non-lease components were not included in the right-of-use asset and liability and are reflected as an expense in the period incurred.
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As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the right-of-use asset under operating lease was $ 0.9 million and $ 1.1 million, respectively. The elements of lease expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended
Statements of operations and
March 31,
comprehensive loss location
2024
2023
Costs of operating lease
Operating lease costs
Research and development,
General and administrative
$
309
$
306
Costs of non-lease components (previously common area maintenance)
Research and development,
General and administrative
127
111
Total operating lease cost
$
436
$
417
Other Information
Operating cash flows used for operating lease
$
473
$
459
Remaining lease term
0.8 years
1.8 years
Discount rate
8.0 %
8.0 %
As of March 31, 2024, minimum rental commitments under this lease were as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31 (in thousands)
2024*
1,075
Total lease payments
1,075
Less: imputed interest
( 35 )
Total
$
1,040
* Remainder of the year
As of December 31, 2023, minimum rental commitments under this lease were as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31 (in thousands)
2024
$
1,434
Total lease payments
1,434
Less: imputed interest
( 60 )
Total
$
1,374
13. Commitments and Contingencies
In August 2015, the Company entered into an agreement for a line of credit of $ 0.1 million for the purpose of issuing its landlord a letter of credit of $ 0.1 million as a security deposit under its facility lease. The Company pledged money market funds and marketable securities as collateral for the line of credit. For further discussion of the Company’s facility lease agreement, see Note 12.
Pursuant to the Company’s license agreements with each of Vernalis, Scripps and Monash, it has obligations to make future milestone and royalty payments to these parties, respectively. However, because these amounts are contingent, they have not been included on the Company’s balance sheet. For further discussion of the Vernalis, Scripps and Monash licensing agreements, see Note 6.
Indemnifications
In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into agreements that may include indemnification provisions. Pursuant to such agreements, the Company may indemnify, hold harmless and defend an indemnified party
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for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party. Some of the provisions will limit losses to those arising from third-party actions. In some cases, the indemnification will continue after the termination of the agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these provisions is not determinable. The Company has never incurred material costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification provisions. The Company has also entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and officers that may require the Company to indemnify its directors and officers against liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware corporate law. There have been no claims to date and the Company has a directors and officers insurance policy that may enable it to recover a portion of any amounts paid for future claims.
Legal Proceedings
The Company is not a party to any material legal proceedings.
14. Related Party Transactions
The Company holds a 49.7 % ownership in Angel Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., a corporate venture in the People’s Republic of China, and, in connection with intellectual property licensing agreements between the Company and Angel Pharmaceuticals, the Company provides operational support and clinical drug supplies to Angel Pharmaceuticals. Third-party and internal personnel costs incurred by the Company are billed to Angel Pharmaceuticals in the period incurred and recorded as an offset to expenses. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company billed Angel for approximately $ 48,000 in third-party party costs and there were transactions during the three months ended March 31, 2024. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had a approximately $ 26,000 in accounts receivable – related party due from Angel Pharmaceuticals.
In addition to the provision of clinical supplies to Angel Pharmaceuticals, Angel Pharmaceuticals may provide clinical supplies or research services to the Company on an as needed basis. These costs are recorded as research and development expense. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, Angel Pharmaceuticals billed the Company for approximately $ 0.1 million in research services and there were no transactions during the three months ended March 31, 2024.
In August 2021, the Company entered into an agreement to sublease 7,585 square feet of its office and laboratory space in Burlingame, California to Angel Pharmaceuticals. Pursuant to the sublease, rent was due monthly and was subject to scheduled annual increases and Angel Pharmaceuticals was responsible for certain operating expenses and taxes throughout the life of the sublease. The sublease expired in January 2023. Sublease income was recognized on a straight-line basis as other income in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recognized approximately $ 0.1 million of sublease income.
In July 2021, Linda S. Grais, M.D., J.D., a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, was appointed as a non-executive member of the Board of Directors of ICON plc (“ICON”), effective upon completion of ICON’s acquisition of PRA Health Sciences, Inc. ICON is a clinical research organization and provides services to support the Company’s clinical trials. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded approximately $ 27,000 and $ 118,000 , respectively, in clinical trial expenses under its agreements with ICON.
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15. Subsequent Events
On May 6, 2024, the Company closed a registered direct offering which resulted in gross proceeds of approximately $ 30.6 million. The financing consisted of the sale of 13,512,699 shares of common stock and accompanying common stock warrants to purchase 13,078,509 shares of common stock (or pre-funded warrants in lieu thereof) at a combined offering price of $ 1.7312 per share, and the sale of pre-funded warrants to purchase 4,144,085 shares of common stock and accompanying common warrants to purchase 4,010,927 shares of common stock (or pre-funded warrants in lieu thereof) at a combined offering price of $ 1.7311 per share. The common warrants have an exercise price of $ 3.50 per share of common stock (or $ 3.4999 per pre-funded warrant in lieu thereof), are exercisable at any time after the date of issuance, subject to certain ownership limitations, and expire on June 30, 2025. The pre-funded warrants have an exercise price of $ 0.0001 and are exercisable anytime after the date of the issuance, subject to certain ownership limitations.
As part of the registered direct offering, an institutional investor and 10% shareholder affiliated with one of the Company’s directors, the Company’s chief executive officer, an executive officer of the Company and an investment fund controlled by the founder and current board member of Angel Pharmaceuticals purchased a total of 1,464,085 shares of common stock, 1,444,085 pre-funded warrants and 2,814,725 common stock warrants for a total aggregate purchase price of approximately $ 5.0 million.
Amendment to 2023 Sales Agreement
On May 1, 2024, the Company and Jefferies entered into an amendment to the 2023 Sales Agreement pursuant to which the aggregate gross sales proceeds were decreased from $ 90.0 million to $ 8.2 million, which decreased the amount available for sale under the 2023 Sales Agreement from $ 81.9 million to $ 100,000 .
.
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Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.