Item 1. Financial Statements
Item 1 . Financial Statements.
Erasca, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and par value amounts)
(Unaudited)
June 30,
December 31,
2024
2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
172,802
$
93,075
Short-term marketable securities
235,610
219,275
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
9,593
8,326
Total current assets
418,005
320,676
Long-term marketable securities
51,836
9,642
Property and equipment, net
17,990
22,327
Operating lease assets
33,546
37,861
Restricted cash
408
408
Other assets
3,959
4,383
Total assets
$
525,744
$
395,297
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$
2,142
$
2,000
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
18,465
20,186
Operating lease liabilities
4,286
3,970
Total current liabilities
24,893
26,156
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion
49,682
51,889
Other liabilities
82
566
Total liabilities
74,657
78,611
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $ 0.0001 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023; no shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023
—
—
Common stock, $ 0.0001 par value; 800,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023; 273,163,958 and 151,462,103 shares issued at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively; 273,039,997 and 151,090,227 shares outstanding at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively
27
15
Additional paid-in capital
1,155,487
922,607
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
( 196
)
77
Accumulated deficit
( 704,231
)
( 606,013
)
Total stockholders' equity
451,087
316,686
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
525,744
$
395,297
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
1
Erasca, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Operating expenses:
Research and development
$
33,032
$
26,218
$
61,606
$
53,803
In-process research and development
22,500
—
22,500
—
General and administrative
12,250
9,752
22,527
19,192
Total operating expenses
67,782
35,970
106,633
72,995
Loss from operations
( 67,782
)
( 35,970
)
( 106,633
)
( 72,995
)
Other income (expense)
Interest income
5,041
4,251
8,941
8,128
Other expense, net
( 460
)
( 62
)
( 526
)
( 113
)
Total other income (expense), net
4,581
4,189
8,415
8,015
Net loss
$
( 63,201
)
$
( 31,781
)
$
( 98,218
)
$
( 64,980
)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted
$
( 0.29
)
$
( 0.21
)
$
( 0.53
)
$
( 0.43
)
Weighted-average shares of common stock used in computing net loss per share, basic and diluted
217,806,567
150,037,029
184,484,154
149,772,093
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net
14
( 279
)
( 273
)
248
Comprehensive loss
$
( 63,187
)
$
( 32,060
)
$
( 98,491
)
$
( 64,732
)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
Erasca, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stock holders’ Equity
(In thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)
Accumulated
Additional
Other
Total
Common Stock
Paid-in
Comprehensive
Accumulated
Stockholders'
Shares
Amount
Capital
(Loss) Income
Deficit
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2023
151,462,103
$
15
$
922,607
$
77
$
( 606,013
)
$
316,686
Exercise of stock options
35,035
—
24
—
—
24
Vesting of early exercised stock options
—
—
155
—
—
155
Stock-based compensation expense
—
—
6,848
—
—
6,848
Net loss
—
—
—
—
( 35,017
)
( 35,017
)
Unrealized loss on marketable securities, net
—
—
—
( 287
)
—
( 287
)
Balance at March 31, 2024
151,497,138
$
15
$
929,634
$
( 210
)
$
( 641,030
)
$
288,409
Issuance of common stock in private placement, net of $ 1,396 in fees and expenses
21,844,660
2
43,602
—
—
43,604
Issuance of common stock in underwritten offering, net of $ 9,574 in discounts and offering costs
99,459,458
10
174,416
—
—
174,426
Exercise of stock options
110,258
—
105
—
—
105
Issuance of common stock under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
252,444
—
395
—
—
395
Vesting of early exercised stock options
—
—
155
—
—
155
Stock-based compensation expense
—
—
7,180
—
—
7,180
Net loss
—
—
—
—
( 63,201
)
( 63,201
)
Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net
—
—
—
14
—
14
Balance at June 30, 2024
273,163,958
$
27
$
1,155,487
$
( 196
)
$
( 704,231
)
$
451,087
Accumulated
Additional
Other
Total
Common Stock
Paid-in
Comprehensive
Accumulated
Stockholders'
Shares
Amount
Capital
(Loss) Income
Deficit
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2022
150,448,363
$
15
$
893,850
$
( 1,041
)
$
( 480,971
)
$
411,853
Exercise of stock options
199,344
—
183
—
—
183
Vesting of early exercised stock options
—
—
243
—
—
243
Stock-based compensation expense
—
—
6,845
—
—
6,845
Net loss
—
—
—
—
( 33,199
)
( 33,199
)
Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net
—
—
—
527
—
527
Balance at March 31, 2023
150,647,707
$
15
$
901,121
$
( 514
)
$
( 514,170
)
$
386,452
Exercise of stock options
170,715
—
122
—
—
122
Issuance of common stock under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
223,696
—
527
—
—
527
Vesting of early exercised stock options
—
—
652
—
—
652
Stock-based compensation expense
—
—
7,012
—
—
7,012
Net loss
—
—
—
—
( 31,781
)
( 31,781
)
Unrealized loss on marketable securities, net
—
—
—
( 279
)
—
( 279
)
Balance at June 30, 2023
151,042,118
$
15
$
909,434
$
( 793
)
$
( 545,951
)
$
362,705
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
Erasca, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended June 30,
2024
2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss
$
( 98,218
)
$
( 64,980
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
2,131
1,849
Stock-based compensation expense
14,028
13,857
In-process research and development expenses
22,500
—
Accretion on marketable securities, net
( 4,719
)
( 2,386
)
Impairment charge on operating lease assets and property and equipment
4,653
—
Impairment charge on investment in equity securities
402
—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other current and long-term assets
( 840
)
1,794
Accounts payable
( 77
)
( 255
)
Accrued expenses and other current and long-term liabilities
( 2,313
)
( 5,721
)
Operating lease assets and liabilities, net
19
3,533
Net cash used in operating activities
( 62,434
)
( 52,309
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of marketable securities
( 144,333
)
( 199,450
)
Maturities of marketable securities
90,250
126,950
In-process research and development
( 22,500
)
( 20,000
)
Purchases of property and equipment
( 55
)
( 1,453
)
Net cash used in investing activities
( 76,638
)
( 93,953
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in private placement, net of fees and expenses
43,637
—
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in underwritten offering, net of discounts and offering costs
174,638
—
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
129
305
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
395
527
Net cash provided by financing activities
218,799
832
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
79,727
( 145,430
)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of the period
93,483
284,625
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of the period
$
173,210
$
139,195
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Amounts accrued for purchases of property and equipment
$
—
$
33
Vesting of early exercised options
$
310
$
895
Amounts accrued for offering costs
$
245
$
—
Amounts accrued for deferred offering costs
$
170
$
—
Obligation accrued for investment in equity securities
$
235
$
—
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
Erasca, Inc.
Notes to C ondensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Note 1. Organization and basis of presentation
Organization and nature of operations
Erasca, Inc. (Erasca or the Company) is a clinical-stage precision oncology company singularly focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing therapies for RAS/MAPK pathway-driven cancers. The Company has assembled a wholly-owned or controlled RAS/MAPK pathway-focused pipeline comprising modality-agnostic programs aligned with its three therapeutic strategies of: (1) targeting key upstream and downstream signaling nodes in the RAS/MAPK pathway; (2) targeting RAS directly; and (3) targeting escape routes that emerge in response to treatment. The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on July 2, 2018, as Erasca, Inc., and is headquartered in San Diego, California. In September 2020, the Company established a wholly-owned Australian subsidiary, Erasca Australia Pty Ltd (Erasca Australia), in order to conduct clinical activities in Australia for its development candidates. In November 2020, the Company entered into an agreement and plan of merger with Asana BioSciences, LLC (Asana) and ASN Product Development, Inc. (ASN) (the Asana Merger Agreement), pursuant to which ASN became the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary. In March 2021, the Company established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Erasca Ventures, LLC (Erasca Ventures), to make equity investments in early-stage biotechnology companies that are aligned with the Company’s mission and strategy.
Since inception, the Company has devoted substantially all of its efforts and resources to organizing and staffing the Company, business planning, raising capital, identifying, acquiring and in-licensing the Company’s product candidates, establishing its intellectual property portfolio, conducting research, preclinical studies, and clinical trials, establishing arrangements with third parties for the manufacture of its product candidates and related raw materials, and providing general and administrative support for these operations. As of June 30, 2024, the Company had $ 408.4 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term marketable securities and $ 51.8 million in long-term marketable securities. As of June 30, 2024, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $ 704.2 million. The Company has incurred significant operating losses and negative cash flows from operations. From its inception through June 30, 2024, the Company’s financial support has primarily been provided from the sale of its convertible preferred stock and the sale of its common stock in its initial public offering (IPO), underwritten offerings, and a private placement of common stock.
The Company expects to use its cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities to fund research and development, working capital, and other general corporate purposes. The Company does not expect to generate any revenues from product sales unless and until the Company successfully completes development and obtains regulatory approval for any of its product candidates, which will not be for at least the next several years, if ever. Accordingly, until such time as the Company can generate significant revenue from sales of its product candidates, if ever, the Company expects to finance its cash needs through equity offerings, debt financings, or other capital sources, including potential collaborations, licenses or other similar arrangements. However, the Company may not be able to secure additional financing or enter into such other arrangements in a timely manner or on favorable terms, if at all. The Company’s failure to raise capital or enter into such other arrangements when needed would have a negative impact on the Company’s financial condition and could force the Company to delay, limit, reduce or terminate its research and development programs or other operations, or grant rights to develop and market product candidates that the Company would otherwise prefer to develop and market itself. The Company believes its cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as of June 30, 2024 will be sufficient for the Company to fund operations for at least one year from the issuance date of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
2024 underwritten offering
In May 2024, the Company completed the sale and issuance of 99,459,458 shares of its common stock, including the exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase 12,972,972 shares of its common stock, at a price to the public of $ 1.85 per share (the 2024 Offering). Proceeds from the 2024 Offering were $ 174.4 million, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and offering costs of $ 9.6 million.
5
2024 private placement
In March 2024, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement with the purchasers named therein for the private placement of 21,844,660 shares of its common stock at a price of $ 2.06 per share, which closed on April 2, 2024 (the 2024 Private Placement). Proceeds from the 2024 Private Placement were $ 43.6 million, after deducting placement agent fees and expenses of approximately $ 1.4 m illion.
Basis of presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP) for interim financial information and pursuant to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to US GAAP as found in the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) and Accounting Standards Updates (ASU) promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Erasca Australia, ASN, and Erasca Ventures. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Note 2. Summary of significant accounting policies
Use of estimates
The preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Accounting estimates and management judgments reflected in the condensed consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, the accrual of research and development expenses, stock-based compensation expense, the fair value of long-lived assets, the fair value of equity investments and the incremental borrowing rate for determining the operating lease asset and liability. Management evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis. Although estimates are based on the Company’s historical experience, knowledge of current events, and actions it may undertake in the future, actual results may ultimately materially differ from these estimates and assumptions.
Unaudited interim financial information
The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2024, the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 are unaudited. The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited annual consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair statement of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial position as of June 30, 2024 and the condensed consolidated results of its operations and cash flows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. The condensed consolidated financial data and other information disclosed in these notes related to the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 are unaudited. The condensed consolidated results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2024, any other interim periods, or any future year or period. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on March 27, 2024 .
6
Concentration of credit risk and off-balance sheet risk
Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to significant concentration of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities. The Company maintains deposits in federally insured financial institutions in excess of federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts, and management believes that the Company is not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial position of the depository institutions in which those deposits are held. The Company’s investment policy includes guidelines for the quality of the related institutions and financial instruments and defines allowable investments that the Company may invest in, which the Company believes minimizes the exposure to concentration of credit risk.
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in readily available checking and savings accounts and money market funds. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
The Company had deposited cash of $ 408,000 as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 to secure a letter of credit in connection with the lease of the Company’s facilities (see Note 10). The Company has classified the restricted cash as a noncurrent asset on its condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same amounts shown in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands):
June 30,
2024
2023
Cash and cash equivalents
$
172,802
$
138,787
Restricted cash
408
408
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$
173,210
$
139,195
Marketable securities and investments
The Company classifies all marketable securities as available-for-sale, as the sale of such securities may be required prior to maturity. Management determines the appropriate classification of its marketable securities at the time of purchase. Marketable securities with original maturities beyond three months at the date of purchase and which mature at, or less than 12 months from, the balance sheet date are classified as short-term marketable securities. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses reported as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until realized. The amortized cost of available-for-sale debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. Such amortization and accretion are included in interest income. The Company regularly reviews all of its marketable securities for declines in fair value. The review includes the consideration of the cause of the impairment, including the creditworthiness of the security issuers, the number of securities in an unrealized loss position, the severity of the unrealized loss(es), whether the Company has the intent to sell the securities and whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the securities before the recovery of their amortized cost basis. If the decline in fair value is due to credit-related factors, a loss is recognized in net income; whereas, if the decline in fair value is not due to credit-related factors, the loss is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are included in other income or expense. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Interest and dividends on securities classified as available-for-sale are included in interest income.
Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Erasca Ventures, the Company has also invested in equity securities of a company whose securities are not publicly traded and whose fair value is not readily available (see Notes 3 and 14). This investment is recorded using cost minus impairment, plus or minus changes in its estimated fair value resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. Investments in equity securities without readily determinable fair values are assessed for potential impairment on a quarterly basis based on qualitative factors. This investment is included in other assets in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets.
7
Fair value measurements
Certain assets and liabilities are carried at fair value under US GAAP. Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are 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—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Level 2—Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
Level 3—Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).
Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted
From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB or other standard setting bodies that the Company adopts as of the specified effective date. The Company qualifies as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (JOBS Act) and has elected not to “opt out” of the extended transition related to complying with new or revised accounting standards, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public and nonpublic companies, the Company can adopt the new or revised standard at the time nonpublic companies adopt the new or revised standard and can do so until such time that the Company either (i) irrevocably elects to “opt out” of such extended transition period or (ii) no longer qualifies as an emerging growth company.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which is intended to provide enhancements to segment disclosures, even for entities with only one reportable segment. In particular, the standard will require disclosures of significant segment expenses regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and included within each reported measure of segment profit and loss. The standard will also require disclosure of all other segment items by reportable segment and a description of its composition. Finally, the standard will require disclosure of the title and position of the chief operating decision maker and an explanation of how the chief operating decision maker uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. Retrospective application to all prior periods presented in the financial statements is required. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on the presentation of its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which is intended to provide enhancements to annual income tax disclosures. In particular, the standard will require more detailed information in the income tax rate reconciliation, as well as the disclosure of income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction, among other enhancements. The standard is effective for the Company in its annual period beginning after December 15, 2025 and early adoption is permitted. The standard allows for adoption on a prospective basis, with a retrospective option. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on the presentation of its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
8
Note 3. Fair value measurements
The following tables summarize the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and their respective input levels based on the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):
Fair value measurements as of June 30, 2024 using
Quoted prices in
Significant
Significant
active markets
other
unobservable
June 30,
for identical
observable
inputs
2024
assets (level 1)
inputs (level 2)
(level 3)
Assets:
Money market funds (1)
$
169,440
$
169,440
$
—
$
—
US treasury securities (2)
54,219
54,219
—
—
US government agency securities (2)
40,633
—
40,633
—
Corporate debt securities (2)
39,597
—
39,597
—
Commercial paper (2)
101,161
—
101,161
—
US treasury securities (3)
29,619
29,619
—
—
US government agency securities (3)
22,217
—
22,217
—
Total fair value of assets
$
456,886
$
253,278
$
203,608
$
—
(1) Included as cash and cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(2) Included as short-term marketable securities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(3) Included as long-term marketable securities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Fair value measurements as of December 31, 2023 using
Quoted prices in
Significant
Significant
active markets
other
unobservable
December 31,
for identical
observable
inputs
2023
assets (level 1)
inputs (level 2)
(level 3)
Assets:
Money market funds (1)
$
83,101
$
83,101
$
—
$
—
US treasury securities (2)
93,303
93,303
—
—
US government agency securities (2)
26,824
—
26,824
—
Corporate debt securities (2)
10,734
—
10,734
—
Commercial paper (2)
88,414
—
88,414
—
US treasury securities (3)
9,642
9,642
—
—
Total fair value of assets
$
312,018
$
186,046
$
125,972
$
—
(1) Included as cash and cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(2) Included as short-term marketable securities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(3) Included as long-term marketable securities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities, approximate fair value due to their short maturities. As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 , the Company held $ 1.8 million and $ 2.0 million in equity investments in Affini-T Therapeutics, Inc. (Affini-T) at cost, less impairment, respectively. An impairment adjustment of $ 402,000 was made to the value of the Company’s equity investment in Affini-T during the three months ended June 30, 2024. The Company was notified by Affini-T of an extension financing in June 2024 and the terms of such financing. Accordingly, the Company reassessed the value of its equity investment in Affini-T using a market approach. This represents a Level 3 nonrecurring fair value measurement. Calculating the fair value of the equity investment involves unobservable inputs, including the terms and preferences of the extension financing, and significant estimates and assumptions. Changes in the estimates and assumptions used could materially affect the amount of impairment loss recognized in the period the equity investment is considered impaired. This impairment was offset by a new investment obligation of approximately $ 235,000 recorded as of June 30, 2024. In July 2024, the Company paid approximately $ 157,000 of the obligation related to the extension financing. No transfers between levels have occurred during the periods presented.
9
Cash equivalents consist of money market funds, short-term marketable securities consist of US treasury securities, US government agency securities, corporate debt securities and commercial paper, and long-term marketable securities consist of US treasury securities and US government agency securities. The Company obtains pricing information from its investment manager and generally determines the fair value of marketable securities usi ng standard observable inputs, including benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, and bid and/or offers.
Note 4. Marketable securities
The following tables summarize the Company’s marketable securities accounted for as available-for-sale securities (in thousands, except years):
June 30, 2024
Maturity
Amortized
Unrealized
Unrealized
Estimated
(in years)
cost
gains
losses
fair value
US treasury securities
1 or less
$
54,294
$
—
$
( 75
)
$
54,219
US government agency securities
1 or less
40,655
—
( 22
)
40,633
Corporate debt securities
1 or less
39,656
—
( 59
)
39,597
Commercial paper
1 or less
101,213
5
( 57
)
101,161
US treasury securities
1 - 2
29,611
15
( 7
)
29,619
US government agency securities
1 - 2
22,213
5
( 1
)
22,217
Total
$
287,642
$
25
$
( 221
)
$
287,446
December 31, 2023
Maturity
Amortized
Unrealized
Unrealized
Estimated
(in years)
cost
gains
losses
fair value
US treasury securities
1 or less
$
93,377
$
74
$
( 148
)
$
93,303
US government agency securities
1 or less
26,783
45
( 4
)
26,824
Corporate debt securities
1 or less
10,719
15
—
10,734
Commercial paper
1 or less
88,356
68
( 10
)
88,414
US treasury securities
1 - 2
9,605
37
—
9,642
Total
$
228,840
$
239
$
( 162
)
$
228,917
The following tables present fair values and gross unrealized losses for those available-for-sale securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, aggregated by category and the length of time that the securities have been in a continuous loss position (in thousands):
June 30, 2024
Unrealized losses less than 12 months
Unrealized losses 12 months or greater
Total
Fair value
Unrealized losses
Fair value
Unrealized losses
Fair value
Unrealized losses
US treasury securities
$
49,730
$
( 25
)
$
22,280
$
( 57
)
$
72,010
$
( 82
)
US government agency securities
45,875
( 23
)
—
—
45,875
( 23
)
Corporate debt securities
39,597
( 59
)
—
—
39,597
( 59
)
Commercial paper
73,182
( 57
)
—
—
73,182
( 57
)
Total
$
208,384
$
( 164
)
$
22,280
$
( 57
)
$
230,664
$
( 221
)
10
December 31, 2023
Unrealized losses less than 12 months
Unrealized losses 12 months or greater
Total
Fair value
Unrealized losses
Fair value
Unrealized losses
Fair value
Unrealized losses
US treasury securities
$
74,912
$
( 148
)
$
—
$
—
$
74,912
$
( 148
)
US government agency securities
6,950
( 4
)
—
—
6,950
( 4
)
Corporate debt securities
748
—
—
—
748
—
Commercial paper
22,944
( 10
)
—
—
22,944
( 10
)
Total
$
105,554
$
( 162
)
$
—
$
—
$
105,554
$
( 162
)
As of June 30, 2024, there were 40 available-for-sale securities with an estimated fair value of $ 230.7 million in gross unrealized loss positions, of which four available-for-sale securities with an estimated fair value of $ 22.3 million were in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months. A s of December 31, 2023 , there were 22 available-for-sale securities with an estimated fair value of $ 105.6 million in gross unrealized loss positions , none of which were in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months.
As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities are not attributed to credit risk. The Company believes that an allowance for credit losses is unnecessary because the unrealized losses on certain of the Company’s available-for-sale securities are due to market factors and changes in interest rates. Additionally, the Company does not intend to sell the securities nor is it more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis.
Accrued interest on the Company’s available-for-sale securities was $ 2.2 million and $ 1.1 million as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 , respectively, and was included in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Note 5. Property and equipment, net
Property and equipment, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
June 30,
December 31,
2024
2023
Laboratory equipment
$
4,745
$
5,620
Furniture and fixtures
3,712
4,099
Leasehold improvements
16,313
18,173
Computer equipment and software
1,568
1,667
Property and equipment
26,338
29,559
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
( 8,348
)
( 7,232
)
Property and equipment, net
$
17,990
$
22,327
Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment was $ 1.1 million and $ 2.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 , respectively, and $ 955,000 and $ 1.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 , respectively.
11
Note 6. Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
June 30,
December 31,
2024
2023
Accrued research and development expenses
$
11,044
$
8,803
Accrued compensation
6,148
10,311
Unvested early exercised stock option liability
155
464
Accrued professional services
526
435
Accrued property and equipment
—
13
Accrued offering and deferred offering costs
196
—
Other accruals
396
160
Total
$
18,465
$
20,186
Note 7. Asset acquisitions
The following purchased assets were accounted for as asset acquisitions as substantially all of the fair value of the assets acquired were concentrated in a group of similar assets, and the acquired assets did not have outputs or employees. Because the assets had not yet received regulatory approval, the fair value attributable to these assets was recorded as in-process research and development expenses in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
Asana BioSciences, LLC
In November 2020, the Company entered into the Asana Merger Agreement, pursuant to which ASN became its wholly-owned subsidiary. Asana and ASN had previously entered into a license agreement, which was amended and restated prior to the closing of the merger transaction (the Asana License Agreement, and collectively with the Asana Merger Agreement, the Asana Agreements), pursuant to which ASN acquired an exclusive, worldwide license to certain intellectual property rights relating to inhibitors of ERK1 and ERK2 owned or controlled by Asana to develop and commercialize ERAS-007 and certain other related compounds for all applications.
Under the Asana Merger Agreement, in 2020, the Company made an upfront payment of $ 20.0 million and issued 4,000,000 shares of its Series B-2 convertible preferred stock to Asana at a value of $ 7.50 per share or a total fair value of equity of $ 30.0 million. In connection with the Company's IPO, these shares of Series B-2 convertible preferred stock were converted into 3,333,333 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company is obligated to make future development and regulatory milestone cash payments for a licensed product in an amount of up to $ 90.0 million. Additionally, upon achieving a development milestone related to demonstration of successful proof-of-concept in a specified clinical trial, the Company will also be required to issue 3,888,889 shares of its common stock to Asana. The Company is not obligated to pay royalties on the net sales of licensed products. No IPR&D expense was recorded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 , no milestones had been accrued as the underlying contingencies were not probable or estimable.
Note 8. License agreements
Novartis Pharma AG
In December 2022, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement (as amended, the Novartis Agreement) with Novartis Pharma AG (Novartis) under which the Company was granted an exclusive, worldwide, royalty-bearing license to certain patent and other intellectual property rights owned or controlled by Novartis to develop, manufacture, use, and commercialize naporafenib in all fields of use. The Company has the right to sublicense (through multiple tiers) its rights under the Novartis Agreement, subject to certain limitations and conditions, and is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to commercialize licensed products in certain geographical markets.
12
The license granted under the Novartis Agreement is subject to Novartis’ reserved right to: (i) develop, manufacture, use, and commercialize compounds unrelated to naporafenib under the licensed patent rights and know-how, (ii) use the licensed patent rights and know-how for non-clinical research purposes, and (iii) use the licensed patent rights and know-how to the extent necessary to perform ongoing clinical trials and perform its obligations under existing contracts and under the Novartis Agreement.
Under the Novartis Agreement, the Company made an upfront cash payment to Novartis of $ 20.0 million and issued to Novartis 12,307,692 shares of common stock of the Company having an aggregate value of approximately $ 80.0 million. The Company is obligated to make future regulatory milestone payments of up to $ 80.0 million and sales milestone payments of up to $ 200.0 million. The Company is also obligated to pay royalties on net sales of all licensed products, in the low-single digit percentages, subject to certain reductions. No IPR&D expense was recorded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.
Guangzhou Joyo Pharmatech Co., Ltd
In May 2024, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement (the Joyo License Agreement) with Guangzhou Joyo Pharmatech Co., Ltd. (Joyo) under which the Company was granted an exclusive, worldwide (except mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau), royalty-bearing license to certain patent and other intellectual property rights owned or controlled by Joyo to develop, manufacture, and commercialize certain pan-RAS inhibitors in all fields of use. The Company has an option to expand the territory of the license to include mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau by making a $ 50.0 million payment to Joyo on or prior to the first dosing of the first patient in a Phase 2 clinical trial by either the Company or Joyo, or a payment of $ 150.0 million after the first dosing of the first patient in a Phase 2 clinical trial by either the Company or Joyo and before filing a new drug application (or the foreign equivalent) by either the Company or Joyo. The Company has the right to sublicense (through multiple tiers) its rights under the Joyo License Agreement, subject to certain limitations and conditions, and is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to commercialize licensed products in the United States.
The license granted under the Joyo License Agreement is subject to Joyo’ reserved right to develop, manufacture, use, and commercialize licensed products in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, unless the Company exercises its option to expand the license to include mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.
Under the Joyo License Agreement, the Company made an upfront cash payment to Joyo of $ 12.5 million. The Company is obligated to make development and regulatory milestone payments of up to $ 51.5 million (or up to $ 57.5 million if the Company’s territory is expanded to include mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau) and commercial milestone payments of up to $ 125.0 million upon the achievement of the corresponding milestones. The Company is also obligated to pay tiered royalties on net sales of all licensed products, in the low- to mid-single digit percentages, subject to certain reductions. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 , the Company recorded $ 12.5 million in IPR&D expense related to the upfront cash payment.
The Joyo License Agreement will expire upon the last to expire royalty term, which is determined on a licensed product-by-licensed product and country-by-country basis, and is the later of: (i) ten years from the date of first commercial sale for the licensed product in such country, (ii) the last to expire valid claim within the licensed patent rights covering such licensed product, or (iii) the expiration of all regulatory exclusivity for the licensed product in such country. Upon expiration of the Joyo License Agreement, on a licensed product-by-licensed product and country-by-country basis, the license granted to the Company with respect to such product in such countries shall be deemed to be fully paid-up, royalty-free, non-terminable, irrevocable and perpetual.
The Joyo License Agreement may be terminated in its entirety by either party in the event of an uncured material breach by the other party or in the event the other party becomes subject to specified bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar circumstances. Joyo may terminate the Joyo License Agreement in the event that the Company or its affiliates or any of its or their sublicensees institutes, prosecutes or otherwise participates in any challenge to the licensed patents. The Company may terminate the Joyo License Agreement in its entirety at any time upon the provision of prior written notice to Joyo.
13
Upon termination of the Joyo License Agreement for any reason, all rights and licenses granted to the Company will terminate. In addition, the licenses granted to Joyo under certain patent and other intellectual property rights owned or controlled by the Company to develop, manufacture, use, and commercialize the licensed products in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau will survive the termination of the Joyo License Agreement for any reason, unless the Company exercises its option to expand the license to include mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, in which case such licenses to Joyo will terminate automatically; and Joyo has an option to negotiate a license under any patent rights, know-how, or other intellectual property rights relating to the licensed products that are owned or controlled by the Company for the purpose of developing, manufacturing and commercializing the licensed products in the Company’s territory on terms to be negotiated between the parties.
Medshine Discovery Inc.
In May 2024, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement (the Medshine License Agreement) with Medshine Discovery Inc. (Medshine) under which the Company was granted an exclusive, worldwide, royalty-bearing license to certain patent and other intellectual property rights owned or controlled by Medshine to develop, manufacture, and commercialize certain pan-KRAS inhibitors in all fields of use. The Company has the right to sublicense (through multiple tiers) its rights under the Medshine License Agreement, subject to certain limitations and conditions, and is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to commercialize licensed products in certain geographical markets.
Under the Medshine License Agreement, the Company made an upfront cash payment to Medshine of $ 10.0 million. The Company is obligated to make development and regulatory milestone payments of up to $ 30.0 million and commercial milestone payments of up to $ 130.0 million upon the achievement of the corresponding milestones. The Company is also obligated to pay a low-single digit percentage royalty on net sales of all licensed products, subject to certain reductions. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 , the Company recorded $ 10.0 million in IPR&D expense related to the upfront cash payment.
The Medshine License Agreement will expire upon the last to expire royalty term, which is determined on a licensed product-by-licensed product and country-by-country basis, and is the later of: (i) ten years from the date of first commercial sale for the licensed product in such country, (ii) the last to expire valid claim within the licensed patent rights covering such licensed product, or (iii) the expiration of all regulatory exclusivity for the licensed product in such country. Upon expiration of the Medshine License Agreement, on a licensed product-by-licensed product and country-by-country basis, the license granted to the Company with respect to such product in such countries shall be deemed to be fully paid-up, royalty-free, non-terminable, irrevocable and perpetual.
The Medshine License Agreement may be terminated in its entirety by either party in the event of an uncured material breach by the other party or in the event the other party becomes subject to specified bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar circumstances. Medshine may terminate the Medshine License Agreement in the event that the Company or its affiliates or any of its or their sublicensees commences or actively and voluntarily participates in any challenge to the licensed patents. The Company may terminate the Medshine License Agreement in its entirety at any time upon the provision of prior written notice to Medshine.
Upon termination of the Medshine License Agreement for any reason, all rights and licenses granted to the Company will terminate. In addition, upon termination of the Medshine License Agreement by Medshine for cause, Medshine has an option to negotiate a license under any patent rights, know-how, or other intellectual property rights relating to the licensed products that are owned or controlled by the Company for the purpose of developing, manufacturing and commercializing the licensed products on terms to be negotiated between the parties.
Katmai Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
In March 2020, the Company entered into a license agreement (the Katmai Agreement) with Katmai Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Katmai) under which the Company was granted an exclusive, worldwide, royalty-bearing license to certain patent rights and know-how controlled by Katmai related to the development of small molecule therapeutic and diagnostic products that modulate EGFR and enable the identification, diagnosis, selection, treatment, and/or monitoring of patients for neuro-oncological applications to develop, manufacture, use, and commercialize ERAS-801 and certain other related compounds in all fields of use.
14
Under the Katmai Agreement, the Company made an upfront payment of $ 5.7 million and Katmai agreed to purchase shares of the Company’s Series B-1 convertible preferred stock and Series B-2 convertible preferred stock having an aggregate value of $ 2.7 million. In April 2020, Katmai purchased 356,000 shares of the Company’s Series B-1 convertible preferred stock for $ 1.8 million, and in January 2021, Katmai purchased 118,666 shares of the Company’s Series B-2 convertible preferred stock for $ 0.9 million. In connection with the Company's IPO, these shares of Series B-1 convertible preferred stock and Series B-2 convertible preferred stock were converted into 395,555 shares of the Company's common stock, in the aggregate. The Company is obligated to make future development and regulatory milestone payments of up to $ 26.0 million, of which $ 2.0 million was paid in March 2022, and commercial milestone payments of up to $ 101.0 million. The Company is also obligated to pay tiered royalties on net sales of each licensed product, at rates ranging from the mid- to high-single digit percentages, subject to a minimum annual royalty payment in the low six figures and certain permitted deductions. No IPR&D expense was recorded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.
NiKang Therapeutics, Inc.
In February 2020, the Company entered into a license agreement (the NiKang Agreement) with NiKang Therapeutics, Inc. (NiKang) under which the Company was granted an exclusive, worldwide license to certain intellectual property rights owned or controlled by NiKang related to certain SHP2 inhibitors to develop and commercialize ERAS-601 and certain other related compounds for all applications.
Under the NiKang Agreement, in 2020, the Company made an upfront payment of $ 5.0 million to NiKang and reimbursed NiKang $ 0.4 million for certain initial manufacturing costs. In addition, the Company paid $ 7.0 million in 2020 related to the publication of a US patent application that covered the composition of matter of ERAS-601. The Company is also obligated to pay (i) development and regulatory milestone payments in an aggregate amount of up to $ 16.0 million for the first licensed product, of which $ 4.0 million was paid in January 2021, and $ 12.0 million for a second licensed product, and (ii) commercial milestone payments in an aggregate amount of up to $ 157.0 million for the first licensed product and $ 151.0 million for a second licensed product. The Company is also obligated to: (i) pay tiered royalties on net sales of all licensed products in the mid-single digit percentages, subject to certain reductions; and (ii) equally split all net sublicensing revenues earned under sublicense agreements that the Company enters into with any third party before commencement of the first Phase I clinical trial for a licensed product. No IPR&D expense was recorded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.
As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, no milestones are accrued for any license agreements as the underlying contingencies are not probable or estimable.
Note 9. Stock-based compensation
In July 2021, the Company’s board of directors adopted and the Company’s stockholders approved the Company’s 2021 Incentive Award Plan (the 2021 Plan), which became effective in connection with the IPO. Upon the adoption of the 2021 Plan, the Company ceased making equity grants under its 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2018 Plan). Under the 2021 Plan, the Company may grant stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, and other stock or cash-based awards to individuals who are then employees, officers, directors or non-entity consultants of the Company. A total of 15,150,000 shares of common stock were initially reserved for issuance under the 2021 Plan. In addition, the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2021 Plan may be increased annually on the first day of each calendar year during the term of the 2021 Plan, beginning in 2022, by an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 5 % of the shares of common stock outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year or (ii) such smaller number of shares as determined by the Company’s board of directors or an authorized committee of the board of directors. As of June 30, 2024, there were 12,913,020 stock-based awards available for future grant under the 2021 Plan.
Subsequent to July 2021, no further awards will be granted under the 2018 Plan and all future stock-based awards will be granted under the 2021 Plan. To the extent outstanding options or restricted stock granted under the 2018 Plan are cancelled, forfeited, repurchased, or otherwise terminated without being exercised or becoming vested, and would otherwise have been returned to the share reserve under the 2018 Plan, the number of shares underlying such awards will be available for future grant under the 2021 Plan.
15
Options granted are exercisable at various dates as determined upon grant and will expire no more than ten years from their date of grant. Stock options generally vest over a four-year term. The exercise price of each option shall be determined by the Company’s board of directors based on the estimated fair value of the Company’s stock on the date of the option grant. The exercise price shall not be less than 100 % of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the time the option is granted. For holders of more than 10% of the Company’s total combined voting power of all classes of stock, incentive stock options may not be granted at less than 110 % of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant and for a term that exceeds five years . Early exercise was permitted for certain grants under the 2018 Plan.
Stock options
A summary of the Company’s stock option activity under the 2021 Plan and 2018 Plan is as follows (in thousands, except share and per share data and years):
Weighted-
Weighted-
average remaining
Aggregate
average
contractual
intrinsic
Shares
exercise price
term (years)
value
Outstanding at December 31, 2023
24,970,957
$
4.98
8.12
$
4,412
Granted
11,596,445
1.76
Exercised
( 145,293
)
0.89
Canceled
( 1,593,563
)
3.93
Outstanding at June 30, 2024
34,828,546
$
3.97
8.05
$
11,579
Options exercisable at June 30, 2024
15,155,782
$
4.70
6.83
$
5,433
The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 was $ 1.48 and $ 1.28 , respectively, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 was $ 2.05 and $ 2.83 , respectively. As of June 30, 2024, the unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock option grants was $ 47.4 million and is expected to be recognized as expense over approximately 2.67 years. The intrinsic value of the options exercised for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 was $ 123,000 and $ 170,000 , respectively. The intrinsic value of the options exercised for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 was $ 376,000 and $ 893,000 , respectively.
Prior to the Company's IPO, certain individuals were granted the ability to early exercise their stock options. The shares of common stock issued from the early exercise of unvested stock options are restricted and continue to vest in accordance with the original vesting schedule. The Company has the option to repurchase any unvested shares at the original purchase price upon any voluntary or involuntary termination. The shares purchased by the employees and non-employees pursuant to the early exercise of stock options are not deemed, for accounting purposes, to be outstanding until those shares vest. The cash received in exchange for exercised and unvested shares related to stock options granted is recorded as a liability for the early exercise of stock options on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and will be transferred into common stock and additional paid-in capital as the shares vest. As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were 123,961 shares and 371,876 shares subject to repurchase by the Company, respectively. As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company recorded $ 155,000 and $ 464,000 of liabilities associated with shares issued with repurchase rights, respectively, which is recorded in accrued expenses and other current liabilities.
The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of the employee and nonemployee stock option grants were as follows:
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Risk-free interest rate
4.26 %- 4.64 %
3.50 %- 3.98 %
3.84 %- 4.64 %
3.46 %- 4.22 %
Expected volatility
82.72 %- 83.14 %
83.20 %- 85.02 %
82.72 %- 83.91 %
83.20 %- 85.81 %
Expected term (in years)
5.50 - 6.08
5.50 - 6.08
5.28 - 6.08
5.50 - 6.08
Expected dividend yield
- -%
- -%
- -%
- -%
16
Effective May 21, 2024, and in accordance with the terms of the 2021 Plan, the Company's board of directors approved a stock option repricing (the Option Repricing) whereby the exercise price of each Repriced Option (as defined below) was reduced to $ 2.35 per share, the closing stock price on May 21, 2024. For purposes of the Option Repricing, “Repriced Options” are 7,478,918 outstanding stock options as of May 21, 2024 (vested and unvested) granted under the 2021 Plan and held by those eligible employees of the Company identified by the Company's board of directors, excluding the Company’s Section 16 officers (the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer, the Chief Medical Officer, and the General Counsel) and the Company's board of directors.
To the extent a Repriced Option is exercised prior to the Premium End Date (as defined below), the eligible employee will be required to pay the original exercise price per share of the Repriced Options in connection with any exercise of the Repriced Option. The “Premium End Date” means the earliest of (i) May 21, 2026; (ii) the date of a change in control of the Company; (iii) the date of the eligible employee’s death or disability; or (iv) the date of the eligible employee’s termination without cause, provided that such termination without cause occurs after May 21, 2025. Except for the reduction in the exercise prices of the Repriced Options as described above, the Repriced Options will retain their existing terms and conditions as set forth in the 2021 Plan and the applicable award agreements. All repriced options will retain their original vesting schedule.
The Option Repricing resulted in $ 1.1 million of incremental cost, which was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, of which $ 559,000 of the incremental cost will be recognized on a straight-line basis through the Premium End Date, and $ 558,000 of the incremental cost will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the greater of the period through the Premium End Date or the remaining service period. The incremental cost is included in general and administrative expense and research and development expense on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
Employee stock purchase plan
In July 2021, the Company’s board of directors adopted and the Company’s stockholders approved the Company's 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the ESPP), which became effective in connection with the IPO. The ESPP permits participants to contribute up to a specified percentage of their eligible compensation during a series of offering periods of 24 months , each comprised of four six-month purchase periods, to purchase the Company’s common stock. The purchase price of the shares will be 85 % of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the first day of trading of the applicable offering period or on the applicable purchase date, whichever is lower. A total of 1,260,000 shares of common stock was initially reserved for issuance under the ESPP. In addition, the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the ESPP may be increased annually on the first day of each calendar year during the term of the ESPP, beginning in 2022, by an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 1% of the shares of common stock outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year or (ii) such smaller number of shares as determined by the Company’s board of directors or an authorized committee of the board of directors. The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to the ESPP of $ 103,000 and $ 444,000 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, and $ 349,000 and $ 1.1 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. As of June 30, 2024, the unrecognized compensation cost related to the ESPP was $ 1.0 million and is expected to be recognized as expense over approximately 1.47 years. As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, $ 43,000 and $ 46,000 has been withheld on behalf of employees for future purchase under the ESPP, respectively, and is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company issued and sold 252,444 shares under the ESPP during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 223,696 shares under the ESPP during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023.
The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of the stock to be purchased under the ESPP were as follows:
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Risk-free interest rate
4.75 %- 5.39 %
4.70 %- 5.35 %
4.75 %- 5.39 %
4.70 %- 5.35 %
Expected volatility
68.73 %- 74.72 %
72.54 %- 82.79 %
68.73 %- 74.72 %
72.54 %- 82.79 %
Expected term (in years)
0.49 - 1.99
0.50 - 1.99
0.49 - 1.99
0.50 - 1.99
Expected dividend yield
- -%
- -%
- -%
- -%
17
Stock-based compensation expense
The allocation of stock-based compensation for all stock awards was as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Research and development
$
3,788
$
3,867
$
7,272
$
7,747
General and administrative
3,392
3,145
6,756
6,110
Total
$
7,180
$
7,012
$
14,028
$
13,857
Common stock reserved for future issuance
Common stock reserved for future issuance consisted of the following as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
June 30,
December 31,
2024
2023
Stock options issued and outstanding
34,828,546
24,970,957
Awards available for future grant
12,913,020
15,342,797
Shares available for purchase under the ESPP
1,828,237
2,080,681
Total
49,569,803
42,394,435
Note 10. Leases
Operating leases
The Company has facility leases for office space under non-cancellable and cancellable operating leases with various expiration dates through 2032 and equipment under a non-cancellable operating lease with a term expiring in 2026 . Total lease costs were approximately $ 3.2 million and $ 5.9 million, including operating lease costs of $ 2.4 million and $ 4.3 million, variable lease costs of $ 918,000 and $ 1.8 million, and sublease income of $ 132,000 and $ 216,000, durin g the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. Total lease costs were approximately $ 2.8 million and $ 5.8 million, including operating lease costs of $ 1.9 million and $ 3.8 million and variable lease costs of $ 859,000 and $ 2.0 million, durin g the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. The Company paid $ 4.1 million and $ 2.6 million in cash for operating leases, net of sublease income, that is included in the operating activities section of the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The weighted-average remaining lease term and the weighted-average discount rate of the Company’s operating leases were 7.81 years and 8.96 %, respectively, at June 30, 2024 . The weighted-average remaining lease term and the weighted-average discount rate of the Company’s operating leases were 8.29 years and 8.95 %, respectively, at December 31, 2023. The weighted-average remaining lease term does not include any renewal options at the election of the Company.
The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
18
Facility leases
In September 2020, the Company entered into a lease agreement for 59,407 square feet of laboratory and office space in San Diego, California, which represented a portion of a new facility that was under construction and which was subsequently amended in March 2021 to expand the rented premises by 18,421 square feet (the 2020 Lease). The construction and design of the asset was the primary responsibility of the lessor. The Company was involved in certain aspects of construction and design for certain interior features and leasehold improvements that is beneficial to the Company to better suit its business needs and intended purpose of the space. The lease is accounted for as an operating lease and commenced in August 2021 . In April 2022, the 2020 Lease was modified to amend the rent commencement date from February 2022 to May 2022 . The 2020 Lease, as amended, has a term of 10.75 years and includes aggregate monthly payments to the lessor of approximately $ 51.6 million beginning in May 2023 with a rent escalation clause, and a tenant improvement allowance of approximately $ 16.8 million. The Company is responsible for its share of operating expenses based on actual operating expenses incurred by the landlord. The 2020 Lease is cancellable at the Company’s request after the 84 th month with 12 months written notice and a lump-sum cancellation payment of $ 2.5 million. The termination option has not been included in the Company's operating lease assets and liabilities. As discussed in Note 2, the Company provided a letter of credit to the lessor for $ 408,000 , which expires July 29, 2032 .
In December 2021, the Company entered into a lease agreement for 29,542 square feet of office and laboratory space in South San Francisco, California. The lease is accounted for as an operating lease with the associated operating lease assets and liabilities recorded upon commencement, which occurred in July 2022 . T he non-cancellable operating lease has an initial term of 124 months with an option to extend the lease term by 5 years at the then-current market rates and includes aggregate monthly payments to the lessor of approximately $ 34.4 million beginning in November 2022 with a rent escalation clause and a tenant improvement allowance of approximately $ 8.2 million. The renewal option has not been included in the Company's operating lease assets and liabilities. The Company is responsible for its share of operating expenses based on actual operating expenses incurred by the landlord. The construction and design of the tenant improvements was the primary responsibility of the lessor. While the Company was involved in certain aspects of construction and design for certain interior features and leasehold improvements that is beneficial to the Company to better suit its business needs and intended purpose of the space, all construction was handled directly by the landlord. The Company was not deemed to be the accounting owner of the tenant improvements prior to or after the construction period. All payments made by the Company for landlord-owned tenant improvements were recorded as prepaid rent on the condensed consolidated balance sheets prior to lease commencement and included in the operating lease asset upon lease commencement . In February 2022, the expected project costs exceeded the tenant improvement allowances by $ 5.1 million, which was paid directly to the landlord by the Company and was recorded as prepaid rent in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and as a cash outflow from operating activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Upon lease commencement, the $ 5.1 million of prepaid rent was included in the operating lease asset . The Company paid a security deposit of $ 874,000 in December 2021 that was recorded as other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
In January 2024, the Company entered into an agreement to sublease the second floor of its corporate headquarters in San Diego, California. Pursuant to the agreement, the subleased space is approximately 10,000 square feet of office space with a sublease term of three years which includes an option for the subtenant to renew for an additional year and an early termination clause. The Company determined the sublease to be an operating lease. Therefore, the Company recognizes sublease income on a straight-line basis over the lease term in its condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss as a reduction to operating lease costs because the sublease is outside of the Company's normal business operations. The Company will continue to account for the operating lease asset and related liability of the original lease as it did prior to the commencement of the sublease. The Company recorded a reduction to operating lease costs of $ 132,000 and $ 216,000 related to income from this sublease during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively.
In June 2024, the Company committed to a plan to sublease the first floor of its corporate headquarters in San Diego, California and in July 2024, the Company executed an agreement to sublease such space. Pursuant to the agreement, the subleased space is approximately 18,421 square feet of office space with a sublease term of 61 months beginning in October 2024, with early access in August 2024. The agreement includes an option for the subtenant to renew for an additional year and an early termination clause.
19
In connection with the sublease plan of the first floor, the Company reassessed its asset groups for testing long-lived assets for impairment and determined the first floor operating lease assets and related property and equipment represented an asset group separate from the entity wide asset group. The Company concluded that the carrying value of the first floor asset group was not recoverable as it exceeded the future net undiscounted cash flows that are expected to be generated from the use and eventual disposition of the assets within the asset group. The Company determined the fair value of the first floor asset group based on the income approach using a discounted cash flow model. The cash flows used in the model were discounted using a rate of 13.5 %. Based on this analysis, the Company recognized a noncash impairment charge of $ 4.7 million, including $ 2.4 million for the operating lease assets and $ 2.3 million for the leasehold improvements and furniture, of which $ 3.0 million was recorded to research and development expense and $ 1.7 million was recorded to general and administrative expense during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024. This represents a Level 3 nonrecurring fair value measurement. Calculating the fair value of the asset group involves significant estimates and assumptions, including projected future cash flows and a discount rate. Changes in the estimates and assumptions used could materially affect the amount of impairment loss recognized in the period the asset group is considered impaired.
Future minimum lease payments under operating leases as of June 30, 2024 are as follows (in thousands):
Year ending December 31,
2024 (remaining six months)
$
4,426
2025
9,024
2026
9,170
2027
9,199
2028
9,277
Thereafter
35,098
Total lease payments
$
76,194
Less: Amount representing interest
( 22,226
)
Operating lease liabilities
$
53,968
Note 11. Commitments and contingencies
Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. There are no matters currently outstanding for which any such liabilities have been accrued.
Strategic reprioritization
In May 2024, in connection with the execution of the Joyo License Agreement and the Medshine License Agreement, the Company approved a strategic reprioritization to focus the Company’s resources on its naporafenib program, its ERAS-0015 product candidate, which is the lead candidate from the Joyo License Agreement, and its ERAS-4001 product candidate, which is the lead candidate from the Medshine License Agreement. The Company deprioritized its HERKULES-3 clinical trial evaluating ERAS-007 in combination with encorafenib and cetuximab (EC) in patients with EC-naïve BRAFm colorectal cancer, its THUNDERBBOLT-1 clinical trial evaluating ERAS-801 in patients with recurrent glioblastoma, and its ERAS-4 pan-KRAS program. The Company will explore further advancement of the ERAS-801 program, including via select investigator-sponsored trials, and certain of the existing ERAS-4 molecules may serve as backup compounds for ERAS-4001. In connection with this strategic reprioritization, the Company also approved a reduction in the Company’s workforce by approximately 18%, primarily affecting employees working in certain drug discovery functions or on the deprioritized programs and trials. As a result, the Company recognized $ 2.2 million in total charges in the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss based upon the underlying employees’ role within the Company in connection with the reduction in force. These charges consisted primarily of one-time cash charges for termination benefits which were substantially all paid in June 2024.
20
Note 12. Income taxes
No provision for federal, state or foreign income taxes has been recorded for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. The Company has incurred net operating losses for all the periods presented and has not reflected any benefit of such net operating loss carryforwards in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements due to uncertainty around utilizing these tax attributes within their respective carryforward periods. The Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against all of its deferred tax assets as it is not more likely than not that such assets will be realized in the near future. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest expense and penalties related to income tax matters as tax expense. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 , the Company has no t recognized any interest or penalties related to income taxes.
Note 13. Net loss per share
The following table summarizes the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share of the Company (in thousands, except share and per share data):
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Net loss
$
( 63,201
)
$
( 31,781
)
$
( 98,218
)
$
( 64,980
)
Weighted-average shares of common stock used in computing net loss per share, basic and diluted
217,806,567
150,037,029
184,484,154
149,772,093
Net loss per share, basic and diluted
$
( 0.29
)
$
( 0.21
)
$
( 0.53
)
$
( 0.43
)
The Company’s potentially dilutive securities, which include options to purchase common stock, shares purchasable under the ESPP and common stock subject to repurchase related to options early exercised, have been excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share as the effect would be to reduce the net loss per share. Therefore, the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate both basic and diluted net loss per share is the same. The Company excluded the following potential common shares, presented as amounts outstanding at each period end, from the computation of diluted net loss per share for the periods indicated because including them would have had an anti-dilutive effect:
June 30,
June 30,
2024
2023
Options to purchase common stock
34,828,546
25,519,872
Options early exercised subject to future vesting
123,961
658,857
Estimated shares purchasable under the ESPP
798,238
1,350,546
Total potentially dilutive shares
35,750,745
27,529,275
Note 14. Related party transactions
Erasca Foundation
In May 2021, the Company established the Erasca Foundation to provide support such as funding research, patient advocacy, patient support and education in underserved populations, and funding for other initiatives to positively impact society that align with the Company’s mission. The Company's chief executive officer and certain board members serve as directors of the Erasca Foundation and the Company's chief executive officer, chief financial officer and chief business officer, and general counsel are also officers of the Erasca Foundation. In April 2023, the Company loaned the Erasca Foundation $ 125,000 in exchange for a non-interest bearing promissory note that matures one year following the date of the note. In December 2023, the Erasca Foundation repaid the note. In April 2024, the Company donated $ 125,000 to the Erasca Foundation, which is recorded in general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024.
Affini-T Therapeutics, Inc.
As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 , the Company held a $ 1.8 million and $ 2.0 million equity investment in Affini-T, respectively (see Note 3). One of the Company’s board members is also a member of the board of Affini-T.
21
Note 15. Subsequent event
July 2024 ATM Offering
From July 1, 2024 through the date of this filing, the Company sold 9,231,114 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $ 2.37 per share under the Open Market Sale Agreement effective August 2022 (the Sale Agreement) with Jefferies LLC (the Agent). Pursuant to the Sale Agreement, the Company may offer and sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $ 200 million from time to time, in “at the market” offerings (an ATM Offering) through the Agent. Sales of the shares of common stock, if any, will be made at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, or as otherwise agreed with the Agent. Pursuant to the Sale Agreement, the Agent receives a commission from the Company of up to 3.0 % of the gross proceeds of any shares of common stock sold under the Sale Agreement. Proceeds from the ATM Offering were $ 21.1 million, net of commissions and expenses of $ 0.8 million .
22
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.