10-Q
1
tm2029580-1_10q.htm
FORM 10-Q
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For
the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 001-37990
LEAP THERAPEUTICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
27-4412575
State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization
Identification No.)
47 Thorndike St, Suite B1-1, Cambridge, MA
02141
Address of Principal Executive Offices
Zip Code
(617) 714-0360
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code
N/A
Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class:
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered:
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
LPTX
Nasdaq Global Market
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has
filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted
electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this
chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes
x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a
large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.
See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,”
and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ¨
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer x
Smaller reporting company x
Emerging growth company x
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark
if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting
standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company
(as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ¨ Yes x No
As of November 10, 2020 there were 59,657,742 shares of the
registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PART
I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1
Financial
Statements
5
Item 2
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
26
Item 3
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
35
Item 4
Controls
and Procedures
35
PART
II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1
Legal
Proceedings
36
Item 1A
Risk
Factors
36
Item 2
Unregistered
Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
36
Item 3
Defaults
Upon Senior Securities
36
Item 4
Mine
Safety Disclosures
36
Item 5
Other
Information
36
Item 6
Exhibits
36
2
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS AND INDUSTRY DATA
This Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”) contains forward-looking statements which reflect our current views with respect to,
among other things, our operations and financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology
such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,”
“plan,” “predict,” “project,” “will” or the negative of such terms or any other
comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places throughout this Quarterly Report and include statements
regarding our intentions, beliefs, projections, outlook, analyses or current expectations concerning, among other things, that
the initiation, conduct, and completion of clinical trials, laboratory operations, manufacturing campaigns, and other studies may
be delayed, adversely affected, or impacted by COVID-19 related issues; our ability and plan to develop and commercialize DKN-01;
status, timing and results of preclinical studies and clinical trials; the potential benefits of DKN-01; the timing of our development
programs and seeking regulatory approval of DKN-01; our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval; our estimates of expenses
and future revenues and profitability; our estimates regarding our capital requirements and our needs for additional financing;
our estimates of the size of the potential markets for DKN-01; the benefits to be derived from our agreement with BeiGene, Ltd.
(“BeiGene”) or any other collaborations, license agreements, or other acquisition efforts, including those relating
to the development and commercialization of DKN-01; sources of revenues and anticipated revenues, including contributions from
our agreement with BeiGene or any other collaborations or license agreements for the development and commercialization of products;
our ability to create an effective sales and marketing infrastructure if we elect to market and sell DKN-01 directly; the rate
and degree of market acceptance of DKN-01; the timing and amount of reimbursement for DKN-01; the success of other competing therapies
that may become available; the manufacturing capacity for DKN-01; our intellectual property position; our ability to maintain and
protect our intellectual property rights; our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth and strategies;
the industry in which we operate; and the trends that may affect the industry or us.
By their nature, forward-looking statements
involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events, competitive dynamics and industry change, and depend on the economic
circumstances that may or may not occur in the future or may occur on longer or shorter timelines than anticipated. Although we
believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this Quarterly Report, we caution you that
forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results of operations, financial condition
and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate may differ materially from the forward-looking statements
contained in this Quarterly Report. In addition, even if our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and events
in the industry in which we operate are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report, they
may not be predictive of results or developments in future periods. You should carefully read this Quarterly Report and the documents
that we have filed as exhibits to this Quarterly Report completely.
You should refer to Part II, Item
1A, Risk Factors in this Quarterly Report and Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2020 for a discussion of important factors
that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. As a
result of these factors, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report will prove to be accurate.
Furthermore, if our forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. In light of the significant
uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by us
or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any specified timeframe, or at all. Any forward-looking statement
that we make in this Quarterly Report speaks only as of the date of such statement, and, except to the extent required by applicable
law, we undertake no obligation to update such statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Quarterly Report
or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing
our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this Quarterly Report. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods
are not intended to express any future trends or indications of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be
viewed as historical data.
DKN-01 and TRX518 are investigational
drugs undergoing clinical development and have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”),
nor been submitted to the FDA for approval. DKN-01 and TRX518 have not been, and may never be, approved by any regulatory agency
or marketed anywhere in the world. Statements contained in this Quarterly Report should not be deemed to be promotional.
3
INTRODUCTORY COMMENT
References to Leap
Throughout this Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q, the “Company,” “Leap,” “Leap Therapeutics,” “we,” “us,”
and “our,” except where the context requires otherwise, refer to Leap Therapeutics, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries,
and “our board of directors” refers to the board of directors of Leap Therapeutics, Inc.
4
Part I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
LEAP THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands,
except share and per share amounts)
September 30,
December 31,
2020
2019
(Unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 57,975
$ 3,891
Research and development incentive receivable
209
185
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
217
165
Total current assets
58,401
4,241
Property and equipment, net
73
124
Right of use assets, net
620
1,026
Deferred tax assets
130
127
Deferred costs
379
831
Deposits
941
1,099
Total assets
$ 60,544
$ 7,448
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficiency)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$ 2,547
$ 4,571
Accrued expenses
2,270
3,441
Deferred revenue - current portion
1,500
-
Lease liability - current portion
398
474
Total current liabilities
6,715
8,486
Non current liabilities:
Restricted stock liability
66
159
Deferred revenue, net of current portion
375
-
Lease liability, net of current portion
250
552
Total liabilities
7,406
9,197
Stockholders' equity (deficiency):
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 240,000,000 and 100,000,000 shares
authorized as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively; 59,657,742 and 24,194,877 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively
60
24
Additional paid-in capital
269,440
193,319
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(87 )
76
Accumulated deficit
(216,275 )
(195,168 )
Total stockholders’ equity (deficiency)
53,138
(1,749 )
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficiency)
$ 60,544
$ 7,448
See notes to condensed consolidated financial
statements.
5
LEAP THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2020
2019
2020
2019
License revenue
$ 375
$ -
$ 1,125
$ -
Operating expenses:
Research and development
5,369
5,772
15,322
18,698
General and administrative
2,514
2,151
7,188
6,481
Total operating expenses
7,883
7,923
22,510
25,179
Loss from operations
(7,508 )
(7,923 )
(21,385 )
(25,179 )
Interest income
3
80
91
281
Interest expense
(17 )
(5 )
(42 )
(21 )
Australian research and development incentives
228
(7 )
343
129
Foreign currency gains (loss)
237
(80 )
189
(114 )
Loss before income taxes
(7,057 )
(7,935 )
(20,804 )
(24,904 )
Income taxes
-
-
-
-
Net loss
(7,057 )
(7,935 )
(20,804 )
(24,904 )
Dividend attributable to down round feature of warrants
-
-
(303 )
(359 )
Dividend attributable to Series A & B convertible preferred stock
-
-
(372 )
-
Series A & B convertible preferred stock - beneficial conversion feature
-
-
(9,399 )
-
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
$ (7,057 )
$ (7,935 )
$ (30,878 )
$ (25,263 )
Net loss per share
Basic
$ (0.09 )
$ (0.33 )
$ (0.58 )
$ (1.15 )
Diluted
$ (0.09 )
$ (0.33 )
$ (0.58 )
$ (1.15 )
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic
76,321,644
23,923,196
53,548,902
22,039,386
Diluted
76,321,644
23,923,196
53,548,902
22,039,386
See notes to condensed consolidated financial
statements.
6
LEAP THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2020
2019
2020
2019
Net loss
$ (7,057 )
$ (7,935 )
$ (20,804 )
$ (24,904 )
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(208 )
5
(163 )
25
Comprehensive loss
$ (7,265 )
$ (7,930 )
$ (20,967 )
$ (24,879 )
See notes to condensed consolidated financial
statements.
7
LEAP THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September
30, 2019
(In thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Accumulated
Additional
Other
Total
Common
Stock
Paid-in
Comprehensive
Accumulated
Stockholders’
Shares
Amount
Capital
Income
Deficit
Equity
Balances
at June 30, 2019
22,949,064
$ 23
$ 189,831
$ 322
$ (179,237 )
$ 10,939
Issuance
of common stock through ATM sales
344,384
-
617
617
To
record ATM issuance costs in additional paid-in-capital
-
-
(4 )
-
-
(4 )
Issuance
of common stock in connection with July 2019 Lincoln Park Captial Commitment Purchase Agreement
330,000
-
-
-
-
-
Issuance
of common stock in connection with July 2019 Lincoln Park Captial Registered Offering Purchase
Agreement, net of issuance costs of $10
571,429
1
989
-
-
990
Foreign
currency translation adjustment
-
-
-
5
-
5
Stock-based
compensation
-
-
950
-
-
950
Net
loss
-
-
-
-
(7,935 )
(7,935 )
Balances
at September 30, 2019
24,194,877
$ 24
$ 192,383
$ 327
$ (187,172 )
$ 5,562
Accumulated
Additional
Other
Total
Common
Stock
Paid-in
Comprehensive
Accumulated
Stockholders’
Shares
Amount
Capital
Income
Deficit
Equity
Balances
at December 31, 2018
14,703,159
$ 15
$ 162,393
$ 302
$ (153,535 )
$ 9,175
Issuance
of common stock in connection with February 2019 Public Offering, net of issuance costs of $1,102
7,557,142
7
12,115
-
-
12,122
Issuance
of common stock through ATM sales
1,033,147
1
1,922
1,923
To
record ATM issuance costs in additional paid-in-capital
-
-
(13 )
-
-
(13 )
Issuance
of common stock in connection with July 2019 Lincoln Park Captial Commitment Purchase Agreement
330,000
-
-
-
-
-
Issuance
of common stock in connection with July 2019 Lincoln Park Captial Registered Offering Purchase
Agreement, net of issuance costs of $10
571,429
1
989
-
-
990
Reclassification
of 2017 warrants from liability to equity
-
-
11,822
-
(8,374 )
3,448
Dividend
attributable to the down round feature of 2017 Warrants
-
-
359
-
(359 )
-
Foreign
currency translation adjustment
-
-
-
25
-
25
Stock-based
compensation
-
-
2,796
-
-
2,796
Net
loss
-
-
-
-
(24,904 )
(24,904 )
Balances
at September 30, 2019
24,194,877
$ 24
$ 192,383
$ 327
$ (187,172 )
$ 5,562
See notes to condensed consolidated financial
statements.
8
LEAP THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
COVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September
30, 2020
(In thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Accumulated
Series A
Series B
Additional
Other
Total
Convertible Preferred Stock,
Convertible Preferred Stock,
Common Stock
Paid-in
Comprehensive
Accumulated
Stockholders’
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Capital
Income (loss)
Deficit
Equity
Balances at June 30, 2020
-
$ -
-
$ -
59,657,742
$ 60
$ 268,770
$ 121
$ (209,218 )
$ 59,733
Foreign currency translation adjustment
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(208 )
-
(208 )
Stock-based compensation
-
-
-
-
-
-
670
-
-
670
Net loss
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(7,057 )
(7,057 )
Balances at September 30, 2020
-
$ -
-
$ -
59,657,742
$ 60
$ 269,440
$ (87 )
$ (216,275 )
$ 53,138
Accumulated
Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock,
Series B
Convertible Preferred Stock,
Common Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Other
Comprehensive
Accumulated
Total
Stockholders’
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Capital
Income (loss)
Deficit
Equity
Balances
at December 31, 2019
-
$ -
-
$ -
24,194,877
$ 24
$ 193,319
$ 76
$ (195,168 )
$ (1,749 )
Issuance
of Series A & B Convertible Preferred Stock, net of underwriting discounts
1,421,801
14,062
1,137,442
11,260
-
-
-
-
-
-
Series
A & B Convertible Preferred Stock discount - benefical conversion feature
-
(5,226 )
-
(4,173 )
-
-
9,399
-
-
9,399
Series
A & B Convertible Preferred Stock accrued dividends
-
207
-
165
-
-
(372 )
-
-
(372 )
Conversion
of Series A & B Convertible Preferred Stock dividends
to prefunded warrants and common stock
-
(207 )
-
(165 )
156,713
1
371
-
-
372
Conversion
of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock to prefunded warrants
(1,421,801 )
(8,836 )
-
-
-
-
8,836
-
-
8,836
Conversion
of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock to common stock
-
-
(1,137,442 )
(7,087 )
11,374,420
11
7,076
-
-
7,087
Issuance
of common stock in connection with June 2020 Public Offering, net of
issuance
costs of $3,472
23,625,000
24
48,252
-
-
48,276
Issuance
of common stock upon exercise of stock options
-
-
-
-
32,778
-
51
-
-
51
Issuance
of common stock upon exercise of warrants
-
-
-
-
273,954
-
348
-
-
348
Dividend
attributable to the down round feature of 2017 Warrants
-
-
-
-
-
-
303
-
(303 )
-
Foreign
currency translation adjustment
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(163 )
-
(163 )
Stock-based
compensation
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,857
-
-
1,857
Net
loss
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(20,804 )
(20,804 )
Balances
at September 30, 2020
-
$ -
-
$ -
59,657,742
$ 60
$ 269,440
$ (87 )
$ (216,275 )
$ 53,138
See notes to condensed consolidated financial
statements
9
LEAP THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2020
2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss
$ (20,804 )
$ (24,904 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in
operating activities:
Depreciation expense
26
37
Amortization of contract asset
101
-
Amortization on right-of-use asset
406
541
Stock-based compensation expense
1,857
2,796
Foreign currency (gain) loss
(189 )
-
Change in fair value of restricted stock liability
(94 )
159
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other assets
727
280
Research and development incentive receivable
(20 )
(128 )
Contract acquisition costs
(270 )
-
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
(3,206 )
717
Deferred revenue
1,875
-
Lease liability
(378 )
(506 )
Net cash used in operating activities
(19,969 )
(21,008 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment
25
-
Purchases of property and equipment
-
(100 )
Net cash provided by (used) in investing activities
25
(100 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock - June 2020 Public Offering
48,518
-
Proceeds from the issuance of Series A convertible preferred stock
14,986
-
Proceeds from the issuance of Series B convertible preferred stock
12,000
-
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
-
12,331
Proceeds from issuance of common stock from ATM sales
-
1,923
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with July 2019 Lincoln Park Capital Registered Offering Purchase Agreement, net of issuance costs
-
999
Proceeds from the exercise of common stock warrants
348
-
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
51
-
Payment of deferred offering costs
(1,906 )
(417 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
73,997
14,836
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
31
46
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
54,084
(6,226 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
3,891
16,284
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$ 57,975
$ 10,058
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities:
Reclassification of 2017 Warrants from liability to equity
$ -
$ 3,448
Dividend attributable to down round feature of warrants
$ 303
$ 359
Offering costs included in accounts payable and accrued expenses - February 2019 Public Offering
$ -
$ 20
Right-of-use asset recorded upon adoption of ASU 2016-02
$ -
$ 1,720
Lease liability recorded upon adoption of ASU 2016-02
$ -
$ 1,720
Prepaid rent reclassified upon adoption of ASU 2016-02
$ -
$ 35
Conversion of Series A convertible preferred stock to prefunded warrants
$ 8,836
$ -
Conversion of Series B convertible preferred stock to common stock
$ 7,087
$ -
Beneficial conversion feature from Series A convertible preferred stock
$ 5,226
$ -
Beneficial conversion feature from Series B convertible preferred stock
$ 4,173
$ -
See notes to condensed consolidated financial
statements.
10
Leap Therapeutics, Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share and per share
amounts)
(Unaudited)
1. Nature of Business, Basis of Presentation and Liquidity
Nature of Business
Leap Therapeutics, Inc. was incorporated
in the state of Delaware on January 3, 2011. During 2015, HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd. (“HCP Australia”) was
formed and is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
The Company is a biopharmaceutical
company acquiring and developing novel therapeutics at the leading edge of cancer biology. The Company’s approach is designed
to target compelling tumor-promoting and immuno-oncology pathways to generate durable clinical benefit and enhanced outcomes for
patients. The Company’s programs are monoclonal antibodies that target key cellular pathways that enable cancer to grow and
spread and specific mechanisms that activate the body’s immune system to identify and attack cancer.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying
condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2020 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020
and 2019 have been prepared by the Company, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”) for interim financial statements. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial
statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”)
have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate
to make the information presented not misleading. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction
with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2019 included
in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 16, 2020.
The condensed consolidated financial
statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management,
the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments which are necessary for the fair presentation
of the Company’s financial position as of September 30, 2020, statements of operations and statements of comprehensive loss
for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 and statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September
30, 2020 and 2019. Such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. The results of operations for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the year ending December
31, 2020.
Liquidity
Since inception, the Company has been engaged
in organizational activities, including raising capital, and research and development activities. The Company does not yet have
a product that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”), has not generated any product sales
revenues and has not yet achieved profitable operations, nor has it ever generated positive cash flows from operations. There is
no assurance that profitable operations, if achieved, could be sustained on a continuing basis. Further, the Company’s future
operations are dependent on the success of the Company’s efforts to raise additional capital, its research and commercialization
efforts, regulatory approval, and, ultimately, the market acceptance of the Company’s products.
In accordance
with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205-40, Going Concern, the Company has evaluated whether there are conditions
and events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going
concern within one year after the date that the condensed consolidated financial statements are issued. As of September 30, 2020,
the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $57,975. Additionally, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $216,275 at September
30, 2020, and during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company incurred a net loss of $20,804. The Company expects
to continue to generate operating losses for the foreseeable future. The Company believes that its cash and cash equivalents of
$57,975 as of September 30, 2020, will be sufficient to fund its operating expenses for at least the next 12 months from issuance
of these financial statements.
11
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying condensed consolidated
financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions
are eliminated upon consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The presentation of condensed
consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated
financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.
Research and development incentive income and receivable
The Company recognizes other income from
Australian research and development incentives when there is reasonable assurance that the income will be received, the relevant
expenditure has been incurred, and the consideration can be reliably measured. The research and development incentive is one of
the key elements of the Australian Government’s support for Australia’s innovation system and is supported by legislative
law primarily in the form of the Australian Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, as long as eligibility criteria are met.
Management has assessed the Company’s
research and development activities and expenditures to determine which activities and expenditures are likely to be eligible under
the research and development incentive regime described above. At each period end, management estimates the refundable tax offset
available to the Company based on available information at the time. This estimate is also reviewed by external tax advisors on
an annual basis.
Under the program, a percentage
of eligible research and development expenses incurred by the Company through its subsidiary in Australia are reimbursed. The percentage
was 43.5% for the year ended December 31, 2019 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.
The research and development incentive
receivable represents an amount due in connection with the above program. The Company has recorded a research and development incentive
receivable of $209 and $185 as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, in the condensed consolidated balance
sheets and other income from Australian research and development incentives of $228 for the three months ended September 30, 2020.
During the three months ended September 30, 2019, the Australian research and development incentives recognized were offset by
an adjustment to the prior year estimated Australian research and development incentives, resulting in a net expense for the period.
During the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded an adjustment to increase Australian research and development
incentive income by approximately $150 as the cash received from the Australian Government during the three months ended September
30, 2020 for 2019 eligible expenditures was higher than the prior year estimated Australian research and development incentives.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded $343 and $129, respectively, of other income from
Australian research and development incentives.
The following table shows the change in the research and development
incentive receivable from December 31, 2018 to September 30, 2020 (in thousands):
Balance at December 31, 2018
$ 836
Australian research and development incentive income, net
132
Cash received for 2018 eligible expenses
(757 )
Foreign currency translation
(26 )
Balance at December 31, 2019
185
Australian research and development incentive income, net
343
Cash received for 2019 eligible expenses
(331 )
Foreign currency translation
12
Balance at September 30, 2020
$ 209
Foreign Currency Translation
The financial statements of the
Company’s Australian subsidiary are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities
of this subsidiary are translated into U.S. dollars at an exchange rate as of the consolidated balance sheet date. Equity is translated
at historical exchange rates. Revenues and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at average rates of exchange in effect during
the period. The resulting cumulative translation adjustments have been recorded as a separate component of stockholders’
equity. Realized foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in the results of operations.
12
Deferred Costs
The Company capitalizes certain
legal, professional, accounting and other third-party fees that are directly associated with in-process equity financings as deferred
costs until such financings are consummated. After consummation of the equity financing, these costs are recorded in stockholders'
equity (deficiency) as a reduction of additional paid-in capital generated as a result of the offering.
The Company
also capitalizes certain contract acquisition costs. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company incurred contract
acquisition costs which were capitalized under ASC 340-40 as incremental costs of obtaining the contract with BeiGene. This cost
is amortized on a straight-line basis over the performance period of the research and development services.
As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 there
was $379 and $831, respectively, of deferred costs.
Deposits
As of September 30, 2020 and December
31, 2019, $941 and $1,099, respectively, of deposits made by the Company with certain service providers that are to be applied
to future payments due under the service agreements or returned to the Company if not utilized, were recorded in the condensed
consolidated balance sheets.
Warrants
On January 1, 2019, the Company
adopted ASU No. 2017-11, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480), and Derivatives
and Hedging (Topic 815) (“ASU 2017-11”), which changes the classification analysis of certain equity-linked financial
instruments (or embedded features) with down round features. The amendments require entities that present earnings per share (“EPS”)
in accordance with Topic 260 to recognize the effect of the down round feature when triggered with the effect treated as a dividend
and as a reduction of income available to common stockholders in basic EPS.
The Company concluded that the common stock
warrants (the “2017 Warrants”) issued in connection with the private placement of common stock completed in November
2017 (the “November 2017 Private Placement”), qualify for equity classification under ASU 2017-11. The adoption guidance
of ASU 2017-11 provides for a modified retrospective adoption. The Company applied the guidance retrospectively to the 2017 Warrants
by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to its statement of financial position as of the beginning of the interim and annual
period beginning January 1, 2019. The Company performed a final remeasurement of the warrant liability as of January 1, 2019 and
reclassified $3,448 from warrant liability to equity.
The Company will recognize on a
prospective basis the value of the effect of the down round feature in the 2017 Warrants when it is triggered (i.e., when the exercise
price is adjusted downward). This value is measured as the difference between (1) the financial instrument’s fair value (without
the down round feature) using the pre-trigger exercise price and (2) the financial instrument’s fair value (with the down
round feature) using the reduced exercise price. The value of the effect of the down round feature will be treated as a dividend
and a reduction to income available to common stockholders in the basic EPS calculation. In connection with the public offering,
completed in February 2019 (the “2019 Public Offering”), when the 2017 Warrants were repriced from $6.085 to $1.75
as a result of a down round, the Company recorded a dividend of $359 during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. In connection
with the private placement of common stock completed in January 2020 (the “January 2020 Private Placement”), when the
2017 Warrants were repriced from $1.75 to $1.055 as a result of a down round, the Company recorded a dividend of $303 during the
nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Certain assets and liabilities
are carried at fair value under GAAP. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to
transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction
between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable
inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are to be classified
and disclosed in one of the following three levels of the fair value hierarchy, of which the first two are considered observable
and the last is considered unobservable:
∙ Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
∙ Level 2—Observable inputs (other than Level 1 quoted prices), such as quoted prices in active
markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets or liabilities,
or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
∙ Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are
significant to determining the fair value of the assets or liabilities, including pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies
and similar techniques.
During the periods presented,
the Company has not changed the manner in which it values assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value using Level 3
inputs. There were no transfers within the hierarchy during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 or the year ended
December 31, 2019.
13
A summary of the assets and liabilities carried at
fair value in accordance with the hierarchy defined above is as follows (in thousands):
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
September 30, 2020
Assets:
Cash equivalents
$ 57,975
$ 57,975
$ -
$ -
Total assets
$ 57,975
$ 57,975
$ -
$ -
December 31, 2019
Assets:
Cash equivalents
$ 3,891
$ 3,891
$ -
$ -
Total assets
$ 3,891
$ 3,891
$ -
$ -
Cash equivalents of $57,975 and
$3,891 as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, consisted of overnight investments and money market funds
and are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices in active markets.
The carrying value of the research
and development incentive receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair value due to the short-term
nature of these assets and liabilities.
Leases
In February 2016, the Financial
Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, or ASU 2016-02, to enhance the transparency and comparability
of financial reporting related to leasing arrangements. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019, or the effective date,
and used the effective date as its date of initial application.
At the inception of an arrangement,
the Company determines whether the arrangement is or contains a lease based on the unique facts and circumstances present. Most
leases with a term greater than one year are recognized on the balance sheet as right-of-use assets, lease liabilities and, if
applicable, long-term lease liabilities. The Company has elected not to recognize on the balance sheet leases with terms of one
year or less. Operating lease liabilities and their corresponding right-of-use assets are recorded based on the present value of
lease payments over the expected remaining lease term. The Company has determined that the rate implicit in the lease is not determinable
and the Company does not have borrowings with similar terms and collateral. Therefore, the Company considered a variety of factors,
including observable debt yields from comparable companies and the volatility in the debt market for securities with similar terms,
in determining that 8% was reasonable to use as the incremental borrowing rate for purposes of the calculation of lease liabilities.
In accordance with the guidance
in ASU 2016-02, components of a lease should be split into three categories: lease components (e.g. land, building, etc.), non-lease
components (e.g. common area maintenance, maintenance, consumables, etc.), and non-components (e.g. property taxes, insurance,
etc.). Then the fixed and in-substance fixed contract consideration (including any related to non-components) must be allocated
based on fair values to the lease components and non-lease components.
Although separation of lease and non-lease
components is required, certain practical expedients are available. Entities may elect the practical expedient to not separate
lease and non-lease components. Rather, they would account for each lease component and the related non-lease component together
as a single component. The Company has elected to account for the lease and non-lease components of each of its operating leases
as a single lease component and allocate all of the contract consideration to the lease component only. The lease component results
in an operating right-of-use asset being recorded on the consolidated balance sheets and amortized such that lease expense is recorded
on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.
Revenue Recognition
The Company records revenue in accordance with
Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 606, Revenue From Contracts with Customers. This standard applies to
all contracts with customers, except for contracts that are within the scope of other standards, such as leases, insurance,
collaboration arrangements and financial instruments. Under Topic 606, an entity recognizes revenue when its customer obtains
control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration that the entity expects to receive in
exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that an entity determines are within
the scope of Topic 606, the entity performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii)
identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction
price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a
performance obligation. The Company only applies the five step model to contracts when it is probable that the entity will
collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services it transfers to the customer. At contract
inception, once the contract is determined to be within the scope of Topic 606, the Company assesses the goods or services
promised within each contract and determines those that are performance obligations, and assesses whether each promised good
or service is distinct. The Company then recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the
respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied.
14
License revenue. The Company’s
performance obligations under its license agreements may include providing intellectual property licenses, performing technology
transfer, performing research and development consulting services and notifying the customer of any enhancements to licensed technology
or new technology that it discovers, among others. The Company determined that its performance obligations under its license agreements
as evaluated at contract inception were not distinct and represented a single performance obligation. Upfront payments are amortized
to revenue on a straight-line basis over the performance period. Upfront payment contract liabilities resulting from the Company’s
license agreements do not represent a financing component as the payment is not financing the transfer of goods or services, and
the technology underlying the licenses granted reflects research and development expenses already incurred by the Company. Generally,
all amounts received or due other than sales-based milestones and royalties are classified as license revenues. Sales-based milestones
and royalties under the Company’s license agreements will be recognized as royalty revenue in the period the related sale
occurred. The Company generally invoices its licensees upon the completion of the effort or achievement of a milestone, based on
the terms of each agreement. Deferred revenue arises from amounts received in advance of the culmination of the earnings process
and is recognized as revenue in future periods as performance obligations are satisfied. Deferred revenue expected to be recognized
within the next twelve months is classified as a current liability.
Research and Development Services.
The promises under the Company’s license agreements may include research and development services to be performed by
the Company on behalf of the customer. Payments or reimbursements resulting from the Company’s research and development efforts
are recognized as the services are performed and presented on a gross basis because the Company is the principal for such efforts.
Customer Options. If
an arrangement is determined to contain customer options that allow the customer to acquire additional goods or services, the
goods and services underlying the customer options that are not determined to be material rights are not considered to be
performance obligations at the outset of the arrangement, as they are contingent upon option exercise. The Company evaluates
the customer options for material rights, or options to acquire additional goods or services for free or at a discount. If
the customer options are determined to represent a material right, the material right is recognized as a separate performance
obligation at the outset of the arrangement. The Company allocates the transaction price to material rights based on the
relative standalone selling price, which is determined based on the identified discount and the probability that the customer
will exercise the option. Amounts allocated to a material right are not recognized as revenue until (1) the option is
exercised and the additional goods or services are transferred or (2) the option expires.
Milestone Payments. At
the inception of each arrangement that includes research or development milestone payments, the Company evaluates whether the milestones
are considered probable of being achieved and estimates the amount to be included in the transaction price using the most likely
amount method. If it is probable that a significant revenue reversal would not occur, the associated milestone value is included
in the transaction price. Milestone payments that are not within the control of the Company or the licensee, such as regulatory
approvals, are not considered probable of being achieved until those approvals are received. The Company evaluates factors such
as the scientific, clinical, regulatory, commercial, and other risks that must be overcome to achieve the particular milestone
in making this assessment. There is considerable judgment involved in determining whether it is probable that a significant revenue
reversal would not occur. At the end of each subsequent reporting period, the Company reevaluates the probability of achievement
of all milestones subject to constraint and, if necessary, adjusts its estimate of the overall transaction price. Any such adjustments
are recorded on a cumulative catch-up basis, which would affect revenues and earnings in the period of adjustment.
Royalties . For arrangements
that include sales-based royalties, including milestone payments upon first commercial sales and milestone payments based on a
level of sales, which are the result of a customer-vendor relationship and for which the license is deemed to be the predominant
item to which the royalties relate, the Company recognizes revenue at the later of (i) when the related sales occur, or (ii) when
the performance obligation to which some or all of the royalty has been allocated has been satisfied or partially satisfied. To
date, the Company has not recognized any royalty revenue resulting from any of its licensing arrangements.
Collaborative Arrangements
The Company analyzes its collaboration
arrangements to assess whether such arrangements involve joint operating activities performed by parties that are both active participants
in the activities and exposed to significant risks and rewards dependent on the commercial success of such activities and therefore
within the scope of ASC Topic 808, Collaborative Arrangements (ASC 808). This assessment is performed throughout the life of the
arrangement based on changes in the responsibilities of all parties in the arrangement. For collaboration arrangements within the
scope of ASC 808 that contain multiple elements, the Company first determines which elements of the collaboration are deemed to
be within the scope of ASC 808 and which elements of the collaboration are more reflective of a vendor-customer relationship and
therefore within the scope of ASC 606. For elements of collaboration arrangements that are accounted for pursuant to ASC 808, an
appropriate recognition method is determined and applied consistently, generally by analogy to ASC 606. Amounts that are owed to
collaboration partners are recognized as an offset to collaboration revenues as such amounts are incurred by the collaboration
partner. Where amounts owed to a collaboration partner exceed the Company’s collaboration revenues in each quarterly period,
such amounts are classified as research and development expense. Reimbursements from and payments to the customer that are the
result of a collaborative relationship with a partner, instead of a customer relationship, such as co-development activities, are
recorded as a reduction to research and development expense. For those elements of the arrangement that are accounted for pursuant
to ASC 606, the Company applies the five-step model described above under ASC 606.
See Note 3 for a complete discussion of the revenue
recognition for the Company’s license agreement.
15
Net Loss per Share
Basic net
loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per
share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and, if dilutive, the weighted
average number of potential shares of common stock, including the assumed exercise of stock options and warrants.
Subsequent Events
The Company considers events or
transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but prior to the issuance of the financial statements to provide additional
evidence for certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosure. Subsequent events have been evaluated
as required.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
From time to time, new accounting
pronouncements are issued by the FASB, and are early adopted by the Company or adopted as of the specified effective date.
In November 2018, the FASB issued “ASU
2018-18, Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606.” The objective of the standard is to clarify the interaction
between ASC Topic 808--Collaborative Arrangements and ASC Topic 606--Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Currently, ASC Topic
808 does not provide comprehensive recognition or measurement guidance for collaborative arrangements, and the accounting for those
arrangements is often based on an analogy to other accounting literature or an accounting policy election. Similarly, aspects of
ASC Topic 606 have resulted in uncertainty in practice about the effect of the revenue standard on the accounting for collaborative
arrangements. The standard became effective for us beginning on January 1, 2020 and the adoption of this ASU did not have a material
impact on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and financial statement disclosures.
3. BeiGene Exclusive Option and License Agreement
Terms of Agreement
On January 3, 2020, the Company
entered into an exclusive option and license agreement (the “BeiGene Agreement”) with BeiGene, Ltd. (“BeiGene”)
for the clinical development and commercialization of DKN-01, in Asia (excluding Japan), Australia, and New Zealand. The Company
retains exclusive rights for the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of DKN-01 for the rest of the world.
Pursuant to the BeiGene Agreement,
the Company received an upfront cash payment of $3,000 from BeiGene in exchange for granting BeiGene an option to an exclusive
license to develop and commercialize DKN-01 in Asia (excluding Japan), Australia, and New Zealand. The Company is eligible to receive
up to $132,000 in future option exercise and milestone payments, based upon the achievement of certain development, regulatory,
and sales milestones, as well as tiered royalties on any product sales of DKN-01 in the licensed territory.
The Company is responsible for
conducting development activities prior to the exercise of the option. After the option is exercised, BeiGene is solely responsible
for the development and commercialization of DKN-01 in the territory. The BeiGene Agreement continues in effect until the earlier
of: (i) 120 days after the end of the option period, if BeiGene has not exercised the option by such date; and (ii) on a country-by
country and Licensed Product-by-Licensed Product (as defined in the BeiGene Agreement) basis, the expiration of the Royalty Term
(as defined in the BeiGene Agreement) applicable to such licensed product in such country. At any time, BeiGene may terminate the
agreement by providing at least 60 days written notice of termination to the Company. Upon termination of the License Agreement,
all rights granted by the Company to BeiGene terminate.
16
Revenue Recognition
The Company evaluated the BeiGene
Agreement to determine whether it is a collaborative arrangement for purposes of ASC 808. The Company concluded that because both
parties were active participants and were exposed to the risks and rewards of the BeiGene Agreement, that such activities are under
the scope of ASC 808. The Company concluded that BeiGene was a customer with regard to the combined license and research
and development activities and as such the contract should be evaluated under ASC 606.
In determining the appropriate
amount of revenue to be recognized under ASC 606 as the Company fulfills its obligations under the Agreement, the Company performs
the following steps: (i) identifies the promised goods or services in the contract; (ii) determines whether the promised goods
or services are performance obligations including whether they are distinct in the context of the contract; (iii) measures the
transaction price, including any constraints on variable consideration; (iv) allocates the transaction price to the performance
obligations; and (v) recognizes revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies each performance obligation.
The Company identified the following
material promises under the BeiGene Agreement: (1) option to an exclusive license to develop and commercialize DKN-01 in Asia (excluding
Japan), Australia, and New Zealand, (2) participation in a joint development committee, (3) technology transfer services and (4)
pre-option research and development services. The Company determined that the option to an exclusive license in the territory does
not represent a material right. Additionally, the Company determined that the participation in the joint development committee,
research and development services and technology transfer services are not distinct from each other, as each has limited value
without the other. As such, for the purposes of ASC 606, the Company determined that these four material promises, described above,
should be combined into a single performance obligation.
The Company determined the transaction
price is equal to the up-front fee of $3,000. The transaction price was fully allocated to the single performance obligation and
is recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the performance period of the research and development services. During
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized $375 and $1,125, respectively, of license revenue related
to the up-front fee received from BeiGene. The Company did not have any such license revenue during the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2019.
Cost of contract acquisition
The Company incurred contract
acquisition costs of $270 which were capitalized under ASC 340-40 as incremental costs of obtaining the contract with BeiGene.
This cost is amortized on a straight-line basis over the performance period of the research and development services. The total
amount of amortization expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $34 and $101, respectively, and the
closing balance recorded in deferred costs as of September 30, 2020 was $169.
Royalties
As the license is deemed to be
the predominant item to which sales-based royalties relate, the Company will recognize revenue when the related sales occur. No
royalty revenue was recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.
The following table presents
a summary of the activity in the Company's contract liabilities, related to the upfront cash payment received of $3,000, during
the nine months ended September 30, 2020 (in thousands):
Balance at
Balance at
January
1, 2020
Additions
Deductions
September
30, 2020
Contract liabilities
Deferred revenue - current
$ -
$ 1,500
$ -
$ 1,500
Deferred revenue - non current
-
1,500
(1,125 )
375
Total contract liabilities
$ -
$ 3,000
$ (1,125 )
$ 1,875
4. Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses consist of the following:
September
30,
December
31,
2020
2019
Clinical trials
$ 1,049
$ 1,828
Professional fees
191
609
Payroll and related expenses
1,030
1,004
Accrued expenses
$ 2,270
$ 3,441
5. Leases
In
February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, or ASU 2016-02. ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize on its balance
sheet (for both finance and operating leases) a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its
right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019, on the effective
date, and used the effective date as its date of initial application. As such, the Company did not adjust prior period
amounts. The Company also elected to adopt the practical expedients upon transition, which permit companies to not reassess
lease identification, classification, and initial direct costs under ASU 2016-02 for leases that commenced prior to the
effective date.
The Company has operating leases
for real estate in the United States and does not have any finance leases. The Company’s leases may contain options to renew
and extend lease terms and options to terminate leases early. Reflected in the right-of-use asset and lease liability on the Company’s
consolidated balance sheets are the periods provided by renewal and extension options that the Company is reasonably certain to
exercise, as well as the periods provided by termination options that the Company is reasonably certain to not exercise.
17
The Company has existing leases
that include variable lease and non-lease components that are not included in the right-of-use asset and lease liability and are
reflected as an expense in the period incurred. Such payments primarily include common area maintenance charges and increases in
rent payments that are driven by factors such as future changes in an index (e.g., the Consumer Price Index).
In calculating the present value of
future lease payments, the Company utilized its incremental borrowing rate based on the remaining lease term at the date of
adoption. The Company has elected to account for each lease component and its associated non-lease components as a single
lease component and has allocated all of the contract consideration across lease components only. This will potentially
result in the initial and subsequent measurement of the balances of the right-of-use asset and lease liability for leases
being greater than if the policy election was not applied. The Company has existing net leases in which the non-lease
components (e.g. common area maintenance, maintenance, consumables, etc.) are paid separately from rent based on actual costs
incurred and therefore are not included in the right-of-use asset and lease liability and are reflected as an expense in the
period incurred. On January 1, 2019, the Company recorded a right-of-use asset of $1,720 and a lease liability of $1,720 on
its consolidated balance sheets and reclassified prepaid rent to the right-of-use asset of $35. As of
September 30, 2020, a right-of-use asset of $620 and lease liability of $648 are reflected on the condensed consolidated
balance sheets. The Company recorded rent expense of $105 and $211, respectively, during the three months ended September 30,
2020 and 2019 and $445 and $629, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Future lease payments under non-cancelable operating
leases as of September 30, 2020 are detailed as follows:
Future Operating
Lease Payments
2020
$ 107
2021
434
2022
146
Total Lease Payments
687
Less: imputed interest
(39 )
Total operating lease liabilities
$ 648
18
6. Warrants
As of September 30, 2020, outstanding
warrants to purchase common stock, all of which are classified as equity warrants, consisted of the following:
September 30, 2020
Number of
Date Exercisable
Shares Issuable
Exercise Price
1/23/2017
54,516
$ 0.01
11/14/2017
2,549,840
$ 1.055
2/5/2019
7,491,442
$ 1.95
3/5/2020
14,413,902
$ 0.001
3/5/2020
25,945,035
$ 2.11
6/22/2020
2,250,000
$ 0.001
52,704,735
2017 Warrants
The 2017 Warrants contain full
ratchet anti-dilution protection provisions. Prior to January 1, 2019, the Company classified the 2017 Warrants as a liability
on its consolidated balance sheet because each warrant represented a freestanding financial instrument that, due to the potential
variable nature of the exercise price, is not considered to be indexed to the Company’s own shares. The warrant liability
was initially recorded at fair value upon entering into the November 2017 Private Placement and has been subsequently remeasured
to fair value at each reporting date. Changes in the fair value of the warrant liability were recognized as gains (losses) in the
Company’s consolidated statement of operations.
On January 1, 2019, the Company
adopted ASU 2017-11 and concluded that the 2017 Warrants now qualify for equity classification. The Company applied the guidance
retrospectively to the 2017 Warrants by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to its statement of financial position as of the
beginning of the interim and annual period beginning January 1, 2019. The Company performed a final remeasurement of the warrant
liability as of January 1, 2019 and reclassified $3,448 to additional paid in capital.
The Company will recognize on a
prospective basis the value of the effect of the down round feature in the warrant when it is triggered (i.e., when the exercise
price is adjusted downward). This value is measured as the difference between (1) the financial instrument’s fair value (without
the down round feature) using the pre-trigger exercise price and (2) the financial instrument’s fair value (with the down
round feature) using the reduced exercise price. The value of the effect of the down round feature will be treated as a dividend
and a reduction to income available to common stockholders in the basic EPS calculation. In connection with the 2019 Public Offering,
when the 2017 Warrants were repriced from $6.085 to $1.75, the Company recorded a dividend of $359 during the nine months ended
September 30, 2019. In connection with the January 2020 Private Placement, when the 2017 Warrants were repriced from $1.75 to $1.055,
the Company recorded a dividend of $303 during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, 208,254
of 2017 Warrants were exercised for cash resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $220.
2019 Warrants
On February
5, 2019, in connection with the 2019 Public Offering, the Company issued immediately exercisable warrants (the “2019 Warrants”)
to purchase 7,557,142 shares of common stock to investors. The 2019 Warrants have an exercise price of $1.95 per share and expire
on February 5, 2026. The 2019 Warrants qualify for equity classification.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, 65,700
of 2019 Warrants were exercised for cash resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $128.
March 2020 Warrants
On January 3, 2020, the Company
entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with investors, providing for a private placement transaction exempt from the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold 1,421,801 shares of its Series A Preferred Stock, at a purchase
price of $10.54 per share, and 1,137,442 shares of its Series B Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $10.55 per share, and one
(1) share of the Company's Special Voting Stock entitling the purchaser of Series A Preferred Stock to elect one member of the
Company's board of directors.
On March 5, 2020, the Company's
stockholders approved the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock into a pre-funded warrant to purchase 14,413,902 shares of
common stock at an exercise price of $0.001 (the “March 2020 Pre-funded Warrants”) and the conversion of the Series
B Preferred Stock into 11,531,133 shares of common stock. Each investor also received a warrant to purchase an equal number of
shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.11 per share (the “Coverage Warrants”). The March 2020 Pre-funded
Warrants and the Coverage Warrants expire on March 5, 2027 and qualify for equity classification.
June 2020 Warrants
On June 22, 2020, the Company
completed a Public Offering (“the 2020 Public Offering”) whereby the Company issued 20,250,000 shares of its common
stock, at $2.00 per share and, in lieu of common stock, offered pre-funded warrants (the “June 2020 Pre-funded Warrants”)
to purchase up to 2,250,000 shares of its common stock to certain investors. The June 2020 Pre-funded Warrants have an exercise
price of $0.001 per share, expire on June 22, 2027 and qualify for equity classification.
19
7. Common Stock
Each share of common stock entitles
the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s stockholders. Common stockholders are entitled
to receive dividends, as may be declared by the board of directors, if any, subject to the preferential dividend rights of the
preferred stockholders. Through September 30, 2020, no dividends have been declared for shares of common stock.
Public Offering of Common Stock — February 2019
On February 5, 2019, the Company
completed the 2019 Public Offering whereby the Company issued 7,557,142 shares of its common stock at a price of $1.75 per share,
which included 985,714 shares issued pursuant to the underwriters’ exercise of their option to purchase additional shares
of common stock, each share was issued with a warrant to purchase one share of common stock. Each warrant has an exercise price
of $1.95 per share with an exercise period expiring seven years from the date of issuance. The aggregate net proceeds received
by the Company from the 2019 Public Offering were approximately $12,122, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated
offering expenses payable by the Company.
Issuance of Common Stock under Distribution Agreement
On September 7, 2018, the Company
filed a Prospectus Supplement to register the offer and sale of shares of common stock having an aggregate offering price of up
to $30,000 pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement, or the Distribution Agreement, with Raymond James & Associates,
Inc. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued 1,033,147 shares under the Distribution Agreement, for net proceeds
of $1,923. In June 2020, the Company terminated the Distribution Agreement and did not issue any shares under the Distribution
Agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Lincoln Park Purchase Agreements
On July 10, 2019, the Company
entered into a Commitment Purchase Agreement and a Registration Rights Agreement with Lincoln Park, pursuant to which the Company
has the right to sell to Lincoln Park up to $20,000 in shares of its common stock, subject to certain limitations and conditions
set forth in the Commitment Purchase Agreement. As consideration for Lincoln Park’s commitment to purchase shares of common
stock pursuant to the Commitment Purchase Agreement, the Company issued to Lincoln Park 330,000 shares of common stock. The Company
did not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of such shares. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020,
the Company did not issue any shares under the Commitment Purchase Agreement.
On July 11, 2019, the Company
entered into a Registered Offering Purchase Agreement, under which the Company agreed to sell to Lincoln Park, and Lincoln Park
agreed to purchase 571,429 shares of common stock, at a price of $1.75 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $1,000, pursuant
to the Company’s effective shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3, including the prospectus supplement thereto dated July
11, 2019.
January 2020 Private Placement
On January 3, 2020, the Company
issued and sold 1,421,801 shares of its Series A Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $10.54 per share, and 1,137,442 shares
of its Series B Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $10.55 per share, and one (1) share of its Special Voting Stock, entitling
the purchaser of Series A Preferred Stock to elect one member of the Company’s board of directors, for aggregate net proceeds
to the Company of approximately $25,322.
On March 5, 2020, the Company’s
stockholders approved the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock into a pre-funded warrant to purchase 14,413,902 shares of
common stock at an exercise price of $0.001 per share and the conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock into 11,531,133 shares
of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share. Each investor also received the Coverage Warrants to purchase an equal number
of shares at an exercise price of $2.11 per share.
In connection with the January
2020 Private Placement, Series A Preferred Stock holders and Series B Preferred Stock holders were entitled to cash dividends at
fixed cumulative percentage of 8% per annum plus any dividends declared on outstanding common stock on an as-converted basis, effective
on the issuance date of the Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock. The cash dividends were converted to shares
of common stock upon the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock to pre-funded warrants and Series B Preferred Stock to common
stock. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded $372 of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred
Stock dividends, which qualify as cumulative dividends, and in the calculation of EPS are subtracted from net income in arriving
at income attributable to common stockholders.
20
The Company determined that the
embedded conversion features of the Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock to receive the Coverage Warrants
each met the definition of a contingent beneficial conversion feature and should be accounted for separately as a derivative.
The recognition of the beneficial conversion feature occurred upon the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock into
pre-funded warrants and Series B Preferred Stock into common stock and the issuance of the Coverage Warrants. The Company
measured the contingent beneficial conversion features’ intrinsic values on January 3, 2020 and determined that the
beneficial conversion features were valued at $5,226 for Series A and $4,173 for Series B, respectively. Upon conversion, the
discount originated by the contingent beneficial conversion feature, at its intrinsic value for Series A Preferred Stock and
Series B Preferred Stock, was immediately recognized as a dividend. The dividend is reflected as an adjustment to basic and
diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders.
Public Offering of Common Stock — June
2020
On June 22, 2020, the Company completed
the 2020 Public Offering, whereby the Company issued 20,250,000 shares of its common stock at $2.00 per share and, in lieu of common
stock, issued certain investors 2,250,000 of its June 2020 Pre-funded Warrants. The June 2020 Pre-funded Warrants have an exercise
price of $0.001 per share, expire on June 22, 2027 and qualify for equity classification.
On June 25, 2020, the underwriters
exercised their right to purchase 3,375,000 additional shares of the Company’s common stock at the public offering price
per share of common stock, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The aggregate net proceeds received by the Company from
the 2020 Public Offering were approximately $48,276, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses
payable by the Company.
21
8. Equity Incentive Plans
Equity Incentive Plans
In September 2012, the Company adopted
the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”), which provides designated employees of the Company and its
affiliates, certain consultants and advisors who perform services for the Company and its affiliates, and nonemployee members of
the board of directors of the Company and its affiliates with the opportunity to receive grants of incentive stock options, nonqualified
stock options and stock awards.
On January 20, 2017, the Company’s
stockholders approved the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”). Beginning on January 1, 2018, the number of
shares of common stock authorized for issuance pursuant to the 2016 Plan was increased each January 1 by an amount equal to four
percent (4%) of the Company’s outstanding common stock as of the end of the immediately preceding calendar year or such other
amount as determined by the compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors. In 2019, the board of directors and
the stockholders approved and authorized an additional 3,000,000 shares of common stock to be added to the shares authorized for
issuance under the 2016 Plan.
As of September 30, 2020, there were 455,144 shares
available for grant under the Company’s equity incentive plans.
A summary of stock option activity under the Equity
Plans is as follows:
Weighted
Average
Weighted
Aggregate
Exercise Price
Average Remaining
Intrinsic
Options
Per Share
Life in Years
Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2019
4,024,566
$ 7.48
7.98
$ 2
Granted
2,547,500
$ 2.12
Exercised
(32,778 )
$ 1.53
Forfeited
(260,435 )
$ 6.95
Outstanding at September 30, 2020
6,278,853
$ 5.35
8.18
$ 1,082
Options exercisable at September 30, 2020
3,113,663
$ 8.45
7.12
$ 359
Options vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2020
6,278,853
$ 5.35
8.18
$ 1,082
The grant date fair value of the
options granted during the year ended December 31, 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2020, was estimated at the date
of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The expected life was estimated using the “simplified” method
as defined by the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin 107, Share-Based Payment. The expected volatility was based on the historical
volatility of comparable public companies from a representative peer group selected based on industry and market capitalization
data. The risk-free interest rate was based on the continuous rates provided by the U.S. Treasury with a term approximating the
expected life of the option. The expected dividend yield was 0% because the Company does not expect to pay any dividends for the
foreseeable future. The Company elected the straight-line attribution method in recognizing the grant date fair value of options
issued over the requisite service periods of the awards, which are generally the vesting periods.
The assumptions
that the Company used to determine the grant-date fair value of stock options granted to employees and directors during the year
ended December 31, 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were as follows, presented on a weighted average basis:
Nine Months
Ended
Year Ended
September 30,
December 31,
2020
2019
Expected volatility
66.94 %
66.94 %
Weighted average risk-free interest rate
0.66 %
2.07 %
Expected dividend yield
0.00 %
0.00 %
Expected term (in years)
6.85
6.77
Stock options
generally vest over a three or four year period, as determined by the compensation committee of the board of directors at the time
of grant. The options expire ten years from the grant date. As of September 30, 2020, there was approximately $4,453 of unrecognized
compensation cost related to non-vested stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average period
of approximately 2.21 years.
22
The Company recognized stock-based
compensation expense related to the issuance of stock option awards to employees and non-employees in the condensed consolidated
statements of operations as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2020
2019
2020
2019
Research and development
$ 282
$ 181
$ 720
$ 536
General and administrative
309
769
967
2,260
Total
$ 591
$ 950
$ 1,687
$ 2,796
Restricted Stock Units
During the nine months ended September
30, 2020 and 2019, the Company issued 92,500 and 181,000 restricted stock units (“RSUs”), respectively, to employees
under the 2016 Plan. Upon vesting of the RSUs, the Company has the option to settle the award by either issuing shares of the Company's
common stock or paying an amount of cash equal to the fair value of the Company's common stock on the settlement date. In each
of October 2019 and January 2020, the Company cash settled 90,500 RSUs. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, these RSUs
are classified as restricted stock liability in the condensed consolidated balance sheets of $66 and $159, respectively, as they
contain a cash settlement option.
During the nine months ended
September 30, 2020, the Company granted 660,606 RSUs to an executive officer that will cliff vest and will be settled after
three years of continuous service, or upon a change of control of the Company, whichever is earlier, pursuant to the 2016
Plan. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized $170 of stock based compensation expense
related to equity classified RSUs, as they do not contain a cash settlement option.
The following table presents a
summary of outstanding RSUs under the 2016 Plan as of September 30, 2020:
Number
of
Shares
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2019
90,500
$ 1.74
Awarded
753,106
$ 1.49
Settled in cash
(90,500 )
$ 1.74
Outstanding at June 30, 2020
753,106
$ 1.49
As of September
30, 2020, there were 753,106 shares outstanding covered by RSUs that are expected to vest. The weighted average grant date fair
value of these shares of restricted stock was $1.49 per share and the aggregate grant date fair value of these shares of restricted
stock was approximately $1,112. As of September 30, 2020, there was approximately $884 of unrecognized compensation costs related
to RSUs granted to employees, which are expected to be recognized as expense over a remaining weighted average period of 2.17 years.
9. Net Loss Per Share
Basic and diluted net loss per
share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was calculated as follows (in thousands except share and
per share amounts).
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2020
2019
2020
2019
Numerator:
Net loss
$ (7,057 )
$ (7,935 )
$ (20,804 )
$ (24,904 )
Dividend attributable to down round feature of warrants
-
-
(303 )
(359 )
Dividend attributable to Series A & B convertible preferred stock
-
-
(372 )
-
Series A & B convertible preferred stock - beneficial conversion feature
-
-
(9,399 )
-
Net loss attributable to common stockholders for basic and diluted loss per share
$ (7,057 )
$ (7,935 )
$ (30,878 )
$ (25,263 )
Denominator:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted
76,321,644
23,923,196
53,548,902
22,039,386
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders - basic and diluted
$ (0.09 )
$ (0.33 )
$ (0.58 )
$ (1.15 )
Included within weighted average
common shares outstanding are 16,663,902 common shares issuable upon the exercise of the pre-funded warrants as the warrants are
exercisable at any time for nominal consideration, and as such, the shares are considered outstanding for the purpose of calculating
basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders.
23
The Company’s
potentially dilutive securities include RSUs, stock options and warrants. These securities were excluded from the computations
of diluted net loss per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, as the effect would be to reduce
the net loss per share. The following table includes the potential shares of common stock, presented based on amounts outstanding
at each period end, that were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders for
the periods indicated because including them would have had an anti-dilutive effect:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2020
2019
2020
2019
Restricted stock units to purchase common stock
753,106
-
753,106
-
Options to purchase common stock
6,278,853
4,019,566
6,278,853
4,019,566
Warrants to purchase common stock
36,040,833
10,369,752
36,040,833
10,369,752
43,072,792
14,389,318
43,072,792
14,389,318
24
10. Commitments and Contingencies
Manufacturing Agreements —The
Company is party to manufacturing agreements with vendors to manufacture DKN-01, its lead product candidate, for use in clinical
trials. As of September 30, 2020, there were $381 noncancelable commitments under these agreements.
License and Service
Agreement —On January 3, 2011, the Company entered into a license agreement with Eli Lilly and Company
(“Lilly”), a shareholder, to grant a license to the Company for certain intellectual property rights relating to
pharmaceutically active compounds that may be useful in the treatment of bone healing, cancer and, potentially, other medical
conditions. As defined in the license agreement, the Company would be required to pay royalties to Lilly based upon a
percentage in the low single digits of net sales of developed products, if and when achieved. However, there can be no
assurance that clinical or commercialization success of developed products will occur, and no royalties have been paid or
accrued through September 30, 2020.
License Agreement —On
May 28, 2015, the Company entered into a license agreement with Lonza Sales AG (“Lonza”), pursuant to which Lonza granted
the Company a world-wide, non-exclusive license for certain intellectual property relating to a gene expression system for manufacturing
DKN-01. As defined in the license agreement, the Company would be required to pay royalties to Lonza based on a percentage in the
low single digits of net sales of DKN-01, if and when achieved. However, there can be no assurance that clinical or commercialization
success will occur, and no royalties have been paid or accrued through September 30, 2020.
Legal Proceedings —At
each reporting date, the Company evaluates whether or not a potential loss amount or a potential range of loss is probable and
reasonably estimable under the provisions of the authoritative guidance that addresses accounting for contingencies. The Company
expenses as incurred the costs related to its legal proceedings.
A patent covering the TRX518 antibody and its uses in methods of inducing or enhancing an immune response in a subject was granted in
2013 to the Company by the European Patent Office (EPO). Three notices of opposition to this patent were filed: two by major pharmaceutical
companies and a third by an individual, possibly on behalf of a major pharmaceutical company. At the conclusion of the opposition proceedings
before the Opposition Division of the EPO, the Opposition Division issued a decision indicating that the Company’s patent was maintained
with modified claims that differ from the claims as originally granted. These narrowed claims cover the TRX518 antibody and uses of the
TRX518 antibody in methods of inducing or enhancing an immune response in a subject. The Company filed an appeal of the decision of the Opposition Division seeking to obtain broader claims that more closely reflect
the claims as granted in the patent. A hearing before the EPO Boards of Appeal took
place on September 16, 2020, which resulted in the Boards of Appeal dismissing the appeal and maintaining the Decision of the Opposition
Division. A written Decision by the Boards of Appeal was issued on September 25, 2020.
In 2016, a patent covering the use of the
TRX518 antibody in combination with a chemotherapeutic agent for treating cancer was granted to the Company by the EPO. In March
2017, notices of opposition to this patent were filed at the EPO by ten different entities, including several major pharmaceutical
companies. Oral proceedings at the EPO took place on December 4 and 5, 2018. At the conclusion of the oral proceedings, the Opposition
Division decided that the patent should be revoked in its entirety on the ground that the claims as granted contained added matter.
Subsequently, the Opposition Division issued an interlocutory decision restating its conclusion that the claims as granted contained
added matter and revoking the patent. The Company has filed an appeal of the decision of the Opposition Division seeking to obtain
a reversal of the Opposition Division’s decision on added matter. The EPO Board of Appeal has not yet scheduled the appeal
hearing.
In December of 2019, a patent covering the use of the TRX518 antibody in combination with the chemotherapeutic agent, gemcitabine, for
treating a colon tumor or adenocarcinoma of the colon, was granted to the Company by the EPO. A Notice of Opposition was filed against
the patent by a single opponent, Sanofi, on September 25, 2020. The EPO issued a Communication on October 9, 2020 setting a deadline of
February 9, 2021 for the Patentee to file a response to the Notice of Opposition. Oral proceedings at the EPO have not yet been scheduled.
Indemnification Agreements —In
the ordinary course of business, the Company may provide indemnification of varying scope and terms to vendors, lessors, business
partners and other parties with respect to certain matters including, but not limited to, losses arising out of breach of such
agreements or from intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties. In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification
agreements with members of its board of directors that will require the Company, among other things, to indemnify them against
certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers. The maximum potential amount
of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is, in many cases, unlimited. To
date, the Company has not incurred any material costs as a result of such indemnifications. The Company is not aware of any claims
under indemnification arrangements, and it has not accrued any liabilities related to such obligations in its condensed consolidated
financial statements as of September 30, 2020 or December 31, 2019.
25
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations
The following Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader
understand our results of operations and financial condition. This MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read
in conjunction with, our condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto and other disclosures included
in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the disclosures under Part II, Item IA “Risk Factors,” and our audited
condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2019, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, on March 16, 2020. Our condensed
consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and, unless otherwise indicated, amounts are
presented in U.S. dollars.
Company Overview
We are a biopharmaceutical company
developing novel therapies designed to treat patients with cancer by inhibiting fundamental tumor-promoting pathways and by harnessing
the immune system to attack cancer cells. Our strategy is to identify, acquire, and develop molecules that will rapidly translate
into high impact therapeutics that generate durable clinical benefit and enhanced patient outcomes. Our two clinical stage programs
are:
· DKN-01: A monoclonal antibody that inhibits Dickkopf-related protein 1, or DKK1. DKK1 is
a protein that regulates the Wnt signaling pathways and enables tumor cells to profilerate and spread, as well as suppresses the
immune system from attacking the tumor. When DKN-01 binds to DKK1, an anti-tumor effect can be generated. DKN-01-based therapies
have generated responses and clinical benefit in several patient populations. We are currently studying DKN-01 in multiple ongoing
clinical trials in patients with esophagogastric cancer, hepatobiliary cancer, gynecologic cancers, or prostate cancer. In January
2020, we entered into an exclusive option and license agreement (the “BeiGene Agreement”) with BeiGene, Ltd., or BeiGene,
which granted BeiGene the right to develop and commercialize DKN-01 in Asia (excluding Japan), Australia, and New Zealand.
· TRX518: A monoclonal antibody targeting the glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor-related
receptor, or GITR. GITR is a receptor found on the surface of a wide range of immune cells. GITR stimulation activates tumor fighting
white blood cells and decreases the activity of potentially tumor-protective immunosuppressive cells. TRX518 has been specifically
engineered to enhance the immune system's anti-tumor response by activating GITR signaling without causing the immune cells to
be destroyed. We conducted clinical trials of TRX518 in patients with advanced solid tumors in combination with gemcitabine chemotherapy
or with cancer immunotherapies known as PD-1 antagonists. In November 2019, we announced that we have deprioritized continued development
of TRX518.
Recent Developments
Since June 30, 2020, we have continued to make progress
with the clinical development and regulatory strategy of DKN-01:
· First Patient Dosed in the DisTinGuish Study of DKN-01 plus
Tislelizumab : We announced that the first patient had been dosed in our study evaluating DKN-01 plus BeiGene’s anti-PD-1
antibody, tislelizumab. The DisTinGuish study is a Phase 2a clinical trial
evaluating DKN-01 in combination with tislelizumab, BeiGene's anti-PD-1
antibody, with or without chemotherapy, in patients with gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer (G/GEJ). The
study, which will be conducted in two parts, is expected to enroll up to 72 patients. Part A will enroll up to 24 patients with
G/GEJ adenocarcinoma who have received no prior systemic treatment in the locally advanced/metastatic setting (first-line treatment),
and Part B will enroll up to 48 patients with previously treated, inoperable, locally advanced or metastatic DKK1-high G/GEJ
adenocarcinoma (second-line treatment). The study is designed to evaluate safety, tolerability, and efficacy of the combination
therapy of intravenous DKN-01 and tislelizumab ± CAPOX (capecitabine + oxaliplatin) in G/GEJ adenocarcinoma patients. Treatment
will be conducted in repeating 21-day cycles until the patient meets pre-established criteria for discontinuation or is no
longer deriving clinical benefit. Part A and Part B of the study will be conducted concurrently.
· DKN-01 Receives Fast Track Designation : We
announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to DKN-01 in combination
with tislelizumab for the treatment of patients with gastric and gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) adenocarcinoma whose tumors
express high Dickkopf-1 protein (DKK1), following disease progression on or after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing
chemotherapy and if appropriate, human epidermal receptor growth factor (HER2)/neu-targeted therapy. The Fast Track program is
intended to facilitate the development and expedite the review of drug candidates and vaccines that treat serious conditions and
fill an unmet medical need. The purpose of Fast Track is to get important new drugs to the patient earlier. Programs with Fast
Track designation may benefit from early and frequent communication with the FDA, in addition to a rolling submission of the marketing
application. DKN-01 has also received Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer
from the FDA.
· Presented Updated Data for DKN-01 in
Esophagogastric Cancer Demonstrating Positive Outcomes in DKK1-high Patients : At
the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer’s 35 th Anniversary Annual Meeting, we presented clinical data from
the Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of DKN-01 in patients with advanced esophagogastric cancer (EGC). In the study, high levels of
tumoral DKK1 expression correlated with improved clinical outcomes in heterogeneous EGC patients treated with DKN-01
monotherapy or in combination with paclitaxel or the anti-PD-1 antibody, pembrolizumab. Important patient subgroups in this
study demonstrated consistent benefit in DKK1-high patients, including :
26
o Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 refractory patients (all) : The four DKK1-high patients had a significantly longer median progression-free
survival (PFS) of 12.8 weeks and median overall survival (OS) of 46 weeks as compared to the five DKK1-low patients who experienced
PFS of 6 weeks and OS of 16 weeks.
o Anti-PD1/PD-L1 refractory GEJ/GC patients : The three DKK1-high patients had a best response of stable disease
(SD) and a longer PFS of 13.4 weeks and OS of 37.4 weeks, as compared to the two DKK1-low patients who both had progressive disease
(PD) with a PFS of 3.6 weeks and OS of 11.7 weeks.
o Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 naïve GEJ/GC patients : As previously reported, DKK1-high patients experienced over 22 weeks
PFS and nearly 32 weeks OS, with a 50% overall response rate (ORR) and 80% disease control rate (DCR) in ten evaluable patients.
DKK1-low patients experienced nearly 6 weeks PFS and over 17 weeks OS, with a 20% DCR in fifteen evaluable patients. PD-L1 Combined
Positive Scores (CPS) did not predict efficacy on the combination of DKN-01 plus pembrolizumab. In multi-variate analysis, DKK1-high
status correlated with longer PFS independent of PD-L1 CPS scores.
· Presented Updated Data for DKN-01 in Endometrial
Cancer demonstrating Single Agent Activity in Biomarker-selected Patients : At the American Association for Cancer Research
Virtual Meeting on Endometrial Cancer, we presented additional clinical data from the epithelial endometrial cancer (EEC) patients
treated with DKN-01 monotherapy as part of our ongoing Phase 2
clinical trial of DKN-01, as both a monotherapy and in combination with paclitaxel chemotherapy, in patients with advanced gynecological
malignancies. Twenty-nine EEC patients were enrolled in the DKN-01 monotherapy arm, over 75% of whom had experienced three or more
prior lines of therapy. Of those patients, 26 were evaluable for response. Three important biomarker-selected subgroups were the
focus of the data presentation:
o Patients with Wnt Signaling Alterations : Patients with a Wnt signaling alteration
had a higher response rate, greater clinical benefit, and longer PFS and OS compared to patients without a Wnt signaling alteration.
In the group of 20 patients with a Wnt signaling alteration, one patient (5%) has an ongoing complete response, one patient (5%)
had a partial response, eight patients (40%) had a best response of stable disease, and 10 patients (50%) had progressive disease,
representing an ORR of 10% and a DCR of 50%. In the group of six patients without any Wnt signaling alterations, one patient (16.6%)
had a best response of SD and five patients (83.3%) had PD. The patients with a Wnt signaling alteration
experienced PFS of 1.9 months and OS of 15.1 months, compared to the patients without a Wnt signaling alteration who experienced
PFS of 1.8 months and OS of 8.4 months.
o Patients with Wnt Activating Mutations: Patients with Wnt activating mutations had longer PFS and OS than patients
without Wnt activating mutations. The nine patients with a Wnt activating mutation experienced PFS of 5.5 months and had not reached
a median OS, compared to the 20 patients without a Wnt activating mutation who experienced PFS of 1.8 months and OS of 12.2 months.
o Patients expressing high tumor levels of DKK1 : DKK1 expression data was available
for 19 EEC patients treated with DKN-01 monotherapy. DKK1-high patients had a higher response rate, greater clinical benefit, and
longer PFS than patients who were DKK1-low. In the group of seven patients with DKK1-high tumors, one patient (14.3%) had
a partial response, three patients (42.9%) had SD, and 3 patients (42.9%) had PD, representing an ORR of 14.3% and a DCR of 57.1%.
In the group of 12 patients with DKK1-low tumors, one patient (8.3%) had SD and 11 patients (91.7%) had PD. The
DKK1-high patients experienced PFS of 3.0 months, compared to the DKK1-low patients who experienced PFS of 1.8 months.
27
Financial Overview
Revenues
Our revenues relate to our performance
obligations under the BeiGene Agreement and may include such things as providing intellectual property licenses, performing technology
transfer, performing research and development consulting services and notifying the customer of any enhancements to licensed technology
or new technology that we discover, among others. We have determined that our performance obligations under the BeiGene Agreement,
as evaluated at contract inception, were not distinct and represented a single performance obligation. Upfront payments are amortized
to revenue on a straight-line basis over the performance period. Upfront payment contract liabilities resulting from our license
agreement do not represent a financing component as the payment is not financing the transfer of goods or services, and the technology
underlying the license granted reflects research and development expenses already incurred by us. Generally, all amounts received
or due other than sales-based milestones and royalties are classified as license revenues. Sales-based milestones and royalties
under our license agreement will be recognized as royalty revenue in the period the related sale occurred. We generally invoice
our licensee upon the completion of the effort or achievement of a milestone, based on the terms of the agreement. Deferred revenue
arises from amounts received in advance of the culmination of the earnings process and is recognized as revenue in future periods
as performance obligations are satisfied. Deferred revenue expected to be recognized within the next twelve months is classified
as a current liability.
28
Research and Development Expenses
Our research
and development activities have included conducting nonclinical studies and clinical trials, manufacturing development efforts
and activities related to regulatory filings for DKN-01 and TRX518. We recognize research and development expenses as they are
incurred. Our research and development expenses consist primarily of:
· salaries and related overhead expenses for personnel in research and development functions, including
costs related to stock-based compensation;
· fees paid to consultants and CROs for our nonclinical and clinical trials, and other related clinical
trial fees, including but not limited to laboratory work, clinical trial database management, clinical trial material management
and statistical compilation and analysis;
· costs related to acquiring and manufacturing clinical trial material; and
· costs related to compliance with regulatory requirements.
We plan to increase our research
and development expenses for the foreseeable future as we continue the development of DKN-01 and any other product candidates,
subject to the availability of additional funding.
Our direct research and development
expenses are tracked on a program-by-program basis and consist primarily of internal and external costs, such as employee costs,
including salaries and stock-based compensation, other internal costs, fees paid to consultants, central laboratories, contractors
and CROs in connection with our clinical and preclinical trial development activities. We use internal resources to manage our
clinical and preclinical trial development activities and perform data analysis for such activities.
We participate, through our subsidiary
in Australia, in the Australian government’s research and development (“R&D”) Incentive program, such that
a percentage of our eligible research and development expenses are reimbursed by the Australian government as a refundable tax
offset and such incentives are reflected as other income.
The table below summarizes our
research and development expenses incurred by development program and the R&D Incentive income for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2020
2019
2020
2019
(in thousands)
(in thousands)
Direct research and development by program:
DKN-01 program
$ 5,275
$ 3,806
$ 13,273
$ 12,428
TRX518 program
94
1,966
2,049
6,270
Total research and development expenses
$ 5,369
$ 5,772
$ 15,322
$ 18,698
Australian research and development incentives
$ 228
$ (7 )
$ 343
$ 129
The successful development of
our clinical product candidates is highly uncertain. At this time, we cannot reasonably estimate the nature, timing or costs of
the efforts that will be necessary to complete the remainder of the development of any of our product candidates or the period,
if any, in which material net cash inflows from these product candidates may commence. This is due to the numerous risks and uncertainties
associated with developing drugs, including the uncertainty of:
· the scope, rate of progress and expense of our ongoing, as well as any additional, clinical trials and other research and development
activities;
· future clinical trial results; and
· the timing and receipt of any regulatory approvals.
A change in the outcome of
any of these variables with respect to the development of a product candidate could result in a significant change in the
costs and timing associated with the development of that product candidate. For example, if the FDA or another regulatory
authority were to require us to conduct clinical trials beyond those that we currently anticipate will be required for the
completion of clinical development of a product candidate, or if we experience significant delays in enrollment in any of our
clinical trials, we could be required to expend significant additional financial resources and time on the completion of
clinical development.
29
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses
consist primarily of salaries and related costs, including stock-based compensation, for personnel in executive, finance and administrative
functions. General and administrative expenses also include direct and allocated facility-related costs as well as professional
fees for legal, patent, consulting, accounting and audit services.
We anticipate that our general
and administrative expenses will increase in the future as we increase our headcount to support our continued research activities
and development of our product candidates. We also anticipate that we will incur increased accounting, audit, legal, regulatory,
compliance, director and officer insurance costs as well as investor and public relations expenses associated with being a public
company.
Interest income
Interest income consists primarily of interest income
earned on cash and cash equivalents.
Research and development incentive income
Research and development incentive
income includes payments under the R&D Incentive program from the government of Australia. The R&D Incentive program is
one of the key elements of the Australian Government’s support for Australia’s innovation system. It was developed
to assist businesses in recovering some of the costs of undertaking research and development. The research and development tax
incentive provides a tax offset to eligible companies that engage in research and development activities.
Companies engaged in research and development may be
eligible for either:
· a 43.5% refundable tax offset for entities with an aggregated turnover of less than A$20 million per annum, or
· a 38.5% non-refundable tax offset for all other entities.
We recognize as income the amount we expect to be reimbursed
for qualified expenses.
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Foreign currency translation adjustment
consists of gains (losses) due to the revaluation of foreign currency transactions attributable to changes in foreign currency
exchange rates associated with our Australian subsidiary.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our condensed consolidated financial statements
are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP. The preparation of our
financial statements and related disclosures requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets,
liabilities, revenue, costs and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our financial statements.
We base our estimates on historical experience, known trends and events and various other factors that we believe are reasonable
under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities
that are not readily apparent from other sources. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Our actual results
may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
On January 1, 2019, we adopted
ASU No. 2017-11, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480), and Derivatives and Hedging
(Topic 815) (“ASU 2017-11”), which changes the classification analysis of certain equity-linked financial instruments
(or embedded features) with down round features, and Topic 842, Leases, (“ASU 2016-02), which requires lessees to recognize
leases on the balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements.
Revenue Recognition
Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted Accounting
Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, using the full retrospective transition method.
This standard applies to all contracts with customers, except for contracts that are within the scope of other standards, such
as leases, insurance, collaboration arrangements and financial instruments. Under Topic 606, we recognize revenue when our customer
obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration that the entity expects to receive
in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition, we perform the following five steps: (i) identify the
contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price;
(iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the
entity satisfies a performance obligation. We only apply the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that we will collect
the consideration we are entitled to in exchange for the goods or services we transfer. At contract inception, once the contract
is determined to be within the scope of Topic 606, we assess the goods or services promised within each contract, determine those
that are performance obligations, and assess whether each promised good or service is distinct. We then recognize as revenue the
amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation
is satisfied. We utilize key assumptions to determine a stand-alone selling price for performance obligations, which may include
revenue forecasts, expected development timelines, discount rates, probabilities of technical and regulatory success and costs
for manufacturing clinical supplies.
30
Our critical accounting policies
are described under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—
Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on March 16, 2020 and the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere
in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We believe that of our critical accounting policies, the following accounting policies involve
the most judgment and complexity:
· revenue recognition;
· accrued research and development expenses;
· research and development incentive receivable; and
· stock-based compensation.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
and 2019
The following table summarizes our results of operations
for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:
Three Months Ended September 30,
2020
2019
Change
(in thousands)
License revenue
$ 375
$ -
$ 375
Operating expenses:
Research and development
5,369
5,772
(403 )
General and administrative
2,514
2,151
363
Total operating expenses
7,883
7,923
(40 )
Loss from operations
(7,508 )
(7,923 )
415
Interest income
3
80
(77 )
Interest expense
(17 )
(5 )
(12 )
Australian research and development incentives
228
(7 )
235
Foreign currency gains (loss)
237
(80 )
317
Net loss
$ (7,057 )
$ (7,935 )
$ 878
Revenues
License revenues for the three
months ended September 30, 2020 were $0.4 million and relate to the BeiGene Agreement for the development and commercialization
of DKN-01 in Asia (excluding Japan), Australia, and New Zealand. The BeiGene Agreement became effective January 3, 2020. As the
BeiGene Agreement is the first such license agreement, no license revenues were recorded during the three months ended September
30, 2019.
Research and Development Expenses
Three Months Ended September 30,
2020
2019
Increase (Decrease)
(in thousands)
Direct research and development by program:
DKN-01 program
$ 5,275
$ 3,806
$ 1,469
TRX518 program
94
1,966
(1,872 )
Total research and development expenses
$ 5,369
$ 5,772
$ (403 )
31
Research and development expenses
were $5.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $5.8 million for the three months ended September
30, 2019. The decrease of $0.4 million in research and development expenses was primarily due to a decrease of $0.7 million in
clinical trial costs due to deprioritizing the continued development of TRX518 in November 2019 and timing of patient enrollment,
partially offset by an increase of $0.3 million in payroll and other related expenses due to an increase in headcount of our research
and development full time employees.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses
were $2.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $2.2 million for the three months ended September
30, 2019. The increase of $0.3 million in general and administrative expenses was due to a $0.5 million increase in professional
fees primarily due to increased recruiting and information technology costs and a $0.2 million increase in payroll and other related
expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019. These increases were partially
offset by a decrease of $0.4 million in stock based compensation expense, primarily due to stock option grants made to our executive
officers during the three months ended March 31, 2017 which fully vested in January 2020.
Interest Income
We recorded interest income of $0.1 million in the
three months ended September 30, 2019. During the three months ended September 30, 2020, we recorded an immaterial amount of interest
income.
Australian Research and Development Incentives
We recorded R&D incentive
income of $0.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2020, based upon the applicable percentage of eligible research
and development activities under the Australian Incentive Program, which expenses included the cost of manufacturing clinical trial
material. During the three months ended September 30, 2019, the Australian research and development incentives recognized were
offset by an adjustment to the prior year estimated Australian research and development incentives, resulting in a net expense
for the period.
The R&D incentive receivable has been recorded
as “Research and development incentive receivable” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Foreign Currency Gains (loss)
During the three months ended September 30, 2020
and 2019, we recorded foreign currency gains (losses) of $0.2 million and ($0.1) million, respectively. Foreign currency gains
and losses are due to changes in the Australian dollar exchange rate related to activities of the Australian entity.
Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
and 2019
The following table summarizes our results of operations
for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2020
2019
Change
(in thousands)
License revenue
$ 1,125
$ -
$ 1,125
Operating expenses:
Research and development
15,322
18,698
(3,376 )
General and administrative
7,188
6,481
707
Total operating expenses
22,510
25,179
(2,669 )
Loss from operations
(21,385 )
(25,179 )
3,794
Interest income
91
281
(190 )
Interest expense
(42 )
(21 )
(21 )
Australian research and development incentives
343
129
214
Foreign currency loss
189
(114 )
303
Net loss
$ (20,804 )
$ (24,904 )
$ 4,100
Revenues
License revenues for the nine
months ended September 30, 2020 were $1.1 million and relate to the BeiGene Agreement for the development and commercialization
of DKN-01 in Asia (excluding Japan), Australia, and New Zealand. The BeiGene Agreement became effective January 3, 2020. As the
BeiGene Agreement is the first such license agreement, no license revenues were recorded during the nine months ended September
30, 2019.
32
Research and development expenses
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Increase
2020
2019
(Decrease)
(in thousands)
Direct research and development by program:
DKN-01 program
$ 13,273
$ 12,428
$ 845
TRX518 program
2,049
6,270
(4,221 )
Total research and development expenses
$ 15,322
$ 18,698
$ (3,376 )
Research and
development expenses were $15.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $18.7 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 2019. The decrease of $3.4 million in research and development expenses was primarily due to a decrease of
$3.6 million in clinical trial costs due to deprioritizing the continued development of TRX518 in November 2019 and timing of patient
enrollment, a $0.2 million decrease in consulting fees associated with research and development activities, and a $0.2 million
decrease in rent expense due to the closing of our research laboratory in April of 2020. These decreases were partially offset
by an increase of $0.6 million in payroll and other related expenses due to an increase in headcount of our research and development
full time employees.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses
were $7.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $6.5 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2019. The increase of $0.7 million in general and administrative expenses was due to a $0.9 million increase in professional fees
primarily due to increased recruiting and information technology costs, a $0.8 million increase in payroll and other related expenses
due to an increase in compensation expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019
and a $0.2 million increase in insurance expense. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $1.2 million in stock
based compensation expense, primarily due to stock option grants made to our executive officers during the three months ended March
31, 2017 which fully vested in January 2020.
Interest Income
We recorded interest income of $0.1 million and $0.3
million, respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.
Australian Research and Development Incentives
We recorded R&D incentive
income of $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively, in each of the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, based upon
the applicable percentage of eligible research and development activities under the Australian Incentive Program, which expenses
included the cost of manufacturing clinical trial material.
The R&D incentive receivable has been recorded
as “Research and development incentive receivable” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Foreign Currency Loss
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020
and 2019, we recorded an immaterial amount of foreign currency losses. Foreign currency losses are due to changes in the Australian
dollar exchange rate related to activities of the Australian entity.
Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Since our inception, we have
been engaged in organizational activities, including raising capital, and research and development activities. We do not yet
have a product that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”), have not yet achieved
profitable operations, nor have we ever generated positive cash flows from operations. There is no assurance that profitable
operations, if achieved, could be sustained on a continuing basis. Further, our future operations are dependent on the
success of efforts to raise additional capital, our research and commercialization efforts, regulatory approval, and,
ultimately, the market acceptance of our products.
33
In accordance with Accounting Standards
Codification (“ASC”) 205-40, Going Concern, we have evaluated whether there are conditions and events, considered in
the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that
the condensed consolidated financial statements are issued. As of September 30, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of $58.0
million. Additionally, we had an accumulated deficit of $216 million at September 30, 2020, and during the nine months ended September
30, 2020, we incurred a net loss of $20.1 million. We expect to continue to generate operating losses in the foreseeable future.
We believe that our cash and cash equivalents of $58.0 million as of September 30, 2020 will be sufficient to fund our operating
expenses for at least the next 12 months from issuance of these financial statements.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our sources and uses of cash
for each of the periods presented:
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2020
2019
(in thousands)
Cash used in operating activities
$ (19,969 )
$ (21,008 )
Cash provided by (used) in investing activities
25
(100 )
Cash provided by financing activities
73,997
14,836
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
31
46
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$ 54,084
$ (6,226 )
Operating activities. Net
cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily related to our net loss from the operation
of our business of $20.8 million and net changes in working capital, including a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses
of $3.2 million, an increase in contract acquisition costs of $0.3 million and a decrease in lease liabilities of $0.4 million.
There was also a noncash change of $0.2 million due to foreign currency gains and a $0.1 million decrease related to a noncash
change in restricted stock liability. These changes were partially offset by a decrease of $0.7 million in prepaid expenses and
other assets, an increase of $1.9 million in deferred revenue, noncash stock based compensation expense of $1.9 million, noncash
lease expense of $0.4 million and amortization of contract asset of $0.1 million.
Net cash used in operating activities
for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily related to our net loss from the operation of our business of $24.9
million and net changes in working capital, including a decrease in lease liabilities of $0.5 million due to rent payments and
an increase in research and development receivable of $0.1 million. These changes were partially offset by an increase in accounts
payable and accrued expenses of $0.7 million, a decrease of $0.3 million in prepaid expenses and other assets, noncash stock based
compensation expense of $2.8 million, noncash lease expense of $0.5 million and change in restricted stock liability of $0.2 million.
Investing Activities. Net
cash provided by investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was related to proceeds from the sale of
equipment. Net cash used in investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was related to purchases of equipment.
Financing Activities. Net
cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 consisted of $48.5 million in proceeds
from the issuance of common stock in connection with the 2020 Public Offering, $27.0 million in proceeds from the issuance of
Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock in connection with the January 2020 Private Placement and $0.4 million
in proceeds from the issuance of common stock upon the exercise of stock options and warrants. These increases were partially
offset by payments of $1.9 million for offering costs.
Net cash provided by financing
activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 consisted of $12.3 million in proceeds from the issuance of common stock
in connection with the 2019 Public Offering, net of underwriter commissions and discounts, $1.9 million in proceeds from the issuance
of common stock under our Distribution Agreement with Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and $1.0 million in proceeds from the
issuance of common stock under the Distribution Agreement with Lincoln Park Capital. These increases were partially offset by payments
of $0.4 million for deferred offering costs.
34
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We did not have during the
periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in the rules and regulations
of the SEC.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market
Risk
Not Applicable.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls
and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under
the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is (1) recorded, processed, summarized, and
reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management,
including our President and Chief Executive Officer, who is also serving as Chief Financial Officer and therefore currently serves
as both our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosure.
As of September 30, 2020, our management,
with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer, who is also serving as Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness
of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) using the criteria
set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework
(2013 Framework). Our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide
only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit
relationship of possible controls and procedures. Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer has concluded,
based upon the evaluation described above, that, as of September 30, 2020, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective
to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded,
processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such material
information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal
financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the nine months ended September
30, 2020, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange
Act) that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to affect, internal control over financial reporting.
35
Part II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
None.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
An investment in our ordinary shares
involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors”
in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 as filed with the SEC on March 16, 2020, which could materially
affect our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flows. We operate in a dynamic and rapidly changing industry
that involves numerous risks and uncertainties.
The information presented below
updates, and should be read in conjunction with, the risk factors and information disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2019 as filed with the SEC on March 16, 2020. Except as presented below, there have been no material
changes from the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.
The ongoing outbreak of the Coronavirus could
have a material adverse impact on our business and operations, including on our development of our lead product candidate, DKN-01.
As a result of the
continuing novel Coronavirus outbreak, or COVID-19, we may experience disruptions that could severely affect our business, including
our plans to clinically develop DKN-01, our lead product candidate. For example, our employees are all currently working remotely
from our office and unable to work and collaborate physically in person. In addition, widespread business interruptions resulting
from the novel Coronavirus may adversely affect our ability to initiate, conduct, and complete critical clinical trials and laboratory
operations relating to DKN-01. Specifically, temporary closures or prioritization of COVID-19 related work at certain laboratories,
offices, or hospitals at which our nonclinical studies and clinical trials for DKN-01 are conducted, or restrictions on the ability
of our employees, clinicians, patients enrolled in our trials, or patients who we would like to recruit to enroll in our trials
to travel to or enter into certain facilities due to COVID-19 could adversely affect our operations and our ability to conduct
nonclinical studies and clinical trials for DKN-01. Further, governmental health protocols and mandates have restricted the ability
of many businesses to operate normally. These measures may have a material adverse impact on the third parties with whom we collaborate,
including our clinical trial sites, contract research organizations, contract manufacturing organizations, laboratory service providers,
or BeiGene, Ltd., and on their ability to devote sufficient time and resources to us. This could negatively affect our ability
to advance DKN-01 and cause delays and increased expenses in our projected development timelines and cost.
We are continuing
to monitor and assess the real and potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, including with respect to our development
of DKN-01. However, the ultimate extent to which the novel Coronavirus impacts our business will depend upon future developments
which are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted at this time, such as the ultimate geographic spread of the virus,
the severity of the disease, the duration of the current outbreak or subsequent outbreaks, travel restrictions, actions to contain
the outbreak or mitigate its impact, and the effectiveness of other actions taken in the United States and other countries to treat
the disease.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of
Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
None.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
See the Exhibit Index immediately
prior to the signature page to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a list of exhibits filed or furnished with this report, which
Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.
36
EXHIBIT INDEX
10.1*
Employment Agreement, by and between the Company and Christine Granfield, dated as of August 16, 2020.
31.1*
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer Required Under Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as Adopted Pursuant
to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1**
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
101*
The following materials from Leap Therapeutics,
Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business
Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019,
(ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020
and 2019 , (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the three and nine months ended September 30,
2020 and 2019, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the three and nine months ended September
30, 2020 and 2019, (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019,
and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished with this report.
37
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
LEAP THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Date: November 12, 2020
By:
/s/ Douglas E. Onsi
Douglas E. Onsi
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Duly
Authorized Signatory)
38
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.