Item 1. Financial Statements
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PROTAGONIST THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
March 31,
December 31,
2023
2022
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
127,686
$
125,744
Marketable securities
103,073
111,611
Receivable from collaboration partner
51
10
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
4,926
5,712
Total current assets
235,736
243,077
Property and equipment, net
1,341
1,565
Restricted cash - noncurrent
225
225
Operating lease right-of-use asset
2,556
3,061
Total assets
$
239,858
$
247,928
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$
4,021
$
3,640
Payable to collaboration partner
22
69
Accrued expenses and other payables
16,587
24,955
Operating lease liability - current
2,599
2,515
Total current liabilities
23,229
31,179
Operating lease liability - noncurrent
462
1,141
Total liabilities
23,691
32,320
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $ 0.00001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding
—
—
Common stock, $ 0.00001 par value, 90,000,000 shares authorized; 51,440,503 and 49,339,252 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively
1
—
Additional paid-in capital
786,768
752,722
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
( 122 )
( 359 )
Accumulated deficit
( 570,480 )
( 536,755 )
Total stockholders’ equity
216,167
215,608
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
239,858
$
247,928
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
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PROTAGONIST THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2023
2022
License and collaboration revenue
$
—
$
25,722
Operating expenses:
Research and development
27,416
36,318
General and administrative
8,605
10,515
Total operating expenses
36,021
46,833
Loss from operations
( 36,021 )
( 21,111 )
Interest income
2,491
168
Other (expense) income, net
( 195 )
13
Net loss
$
( 33,725 )
$
( 20,930 )
Net loss per share, basic and diluted
$
( 0.67 )
$
( 0.43 )
Weighted-average shares used to compute net loss per share, basic and diluted
50,573,650
48,752,548
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
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PROTAGONIST THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2023
2022
Net loss
$
( 33,725 )
$
( 20,930 )
Other comprehensive loss:
Gain on translation of foreign operations
194
95
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities
43
( 268 )
Comprehensive loss
$
( 33,488 )
$
( 21,103 )
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
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PROTAGONIST THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share data)
Accumulated
Additional
Other
Total
Common
Paid-In
Comprehensive
Accumulated
Stockholders'
Stock
Capital
(Loss) Gain
Deficit
Equity
Three months ended March 31, 2023
Shares
Amount
Balance at December 31, 2022
49,339,252
$
—
$
752,722
$
( 359 )
$
( 536,755 )
$
215,608
Issuance of common stock pursuant to at-the-market offering, net of issuance costs
1,749,199
1
24,301
—
—
24,302
Issuance of common stock under equity incentive and employee stock purchase plans
358,211
—
2,261
—
—
2,261
Shares withheld for net settlement of tax withholding upon vesting of restricted stock units
( 6,159 )
—
( 100 )
—
—
( 100 )
Stock-based compensation expense
—
—
7,584
—
—
7,584
Other comprehensive gain
—
—
—
237
—
237
Net loss
—
—
—
—
( 33,725 )
( 33,725 )
Balance at March 31, 2023
51,440,503
$
1
$
786,768
$
( 122 )
$
( 570,480 )
$
216,167
Accumulated
Additional
Other
Total
Common
Paid-In
Comprehensive
Accumulated
Stockholders'
Stock
Capital
(Loss) Gain
Deficit
Equity
Three months ended March 31, 2022
Shares
Amount
Balance at December 31, 2021
47,838,330
$
—
$
709,682
$
( 299 )
$
( 409,362 )
$
300,021
Issuance of common stock pursuant to at-the-market offering, net of issuance costs
422,367
—
14,553
—
—
14,553
Issuance of common stock under equity incentive and employee stock purchase plans
299,131
—
2,558
—
—
2,558
Shares withheld for net settlement of tax withholding upon vesting of restricted stock units
( 7,726 )
—
( 186 )
—
—
( 186 )
Stock-based compensation expense
—
—
5,935
—
—
5,935
Other comprehensive loss
—
—
—
( 173 )
—
( 173 )
Net loss
—
—
—
—
( 20,930 )
( 20,930 )
Balance at March 31, 2022
48,552,102
$
—
$
732,542
$
( 472 )
$
( 430,292 )
$
301,778
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
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PROTAGONIST THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2023
2022
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net loss
$
( 33,725 )
$
( 20,930 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Stock-based compensation
7,584
5,935
Operating lease right-of-use asset amortization
584
584
(Accretion)/amortization of discount/premium on marketable securities
( 1,255 )
358
Depreciation
248
249
Other
194
—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivable from collaboration partner
( 41 )
( 23,584 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets
787
1,279
Accounts payable
381
5,559
Payable to collaboration partner
( 47 )
( 519 )
Accrued expenses and other payables
( 8,383 )
( 5,110 )
Deferred revenue
—
( 833 )
Operating lease liability
( 674 )
( 654 )
Net cash used in operating activities
( 34,347 )
( 37,666 )
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchase of marketable securities
( 28,060 )
( 55,832 )
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities
37,896
51,629
Purchases of property and equipment
( 10 )
( 273 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
9,826
( 4,476 )
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Proceeds from at-the-market offering, net of issuance costs
24,302
14,553
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options and purchases under employee stock purchase plan
2,261
2,558
Tax withholding payments related to net settlement of restricted stock units
( 100 )
( 186 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
26,463
16,925
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
—
29
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
1,942
( 25,188 )
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period
125,969
123,890
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period
$
127,911
$
98,702
Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Financing and Investing Information:
Purchases of property and equipment in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
15
$
235
Issuance costs related to common stock offering included in accrued liabilities and other payables
$
—
$
25
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
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PROTAGONIST THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1. Organization and Description of Business
Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) is headquartered in Newark, California. The Company is a biopharmaceutical company with peptide-based new chemical entities rusfertide and JNJ-2113 (formerly known as PN-235) in different stages of clinical development, all derived from the Company’s proprietary technology platform. The Company’s clinical programs fall into two broad categories of diseases; (i) hematology and blood disorders, and (ii) inflammatory and immunomodulatory diseases. Protagonist Pty Limited (“Protagonist Australia”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and is located in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Operating segments are components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and is evaluated regularly by the Chief Executive Officer, the Company’s chief operating decision maker, in deciding how to allocate resources and assessing performance. The Company operates and manages its business as one operating segment. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer reviews financial information on an aggregate basis for the purposes of allocating and evaluating financial performance.
Liquidity
As of March 31, 2023, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $ 230.8 million. The Company has incurred net losses from operations since inception and had an accumulated deficit of $ 570.5 million as of March 31, 2023. The Company’s ultimate success depends upon the outcome of its research and development and collaboration activities. The Company expects to incur additional losses in the future and anticipates the need to raise additional capital to continue to execute its long-range business plan. Since the Company’s initial public offering in August 2016, it has financed its operations primarily through proceeds from offerings of common stock and payments received under license and collaboration agreements.
Risks and Uncertainties
The Company is subject to risks and uncertainties as a result of the prolonged nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and emergent variants with increased transmissibility, even in those who are fully vaccinated. The future impact on the Company’s activities will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the scope and magnitude of any resurgences in the outbreak and the spread of COVID-19 variants, the timing, extent, effectiveness and durability of COVID-19 vaccine programs or other treatments; and new travel and other restrictions and public health measures. The Company has experienced delays in its existing and planned clinical trials due to worldwide impacts related to the pandemic. The Company’s future results of operations and liquidity could be adversely impacted by further delays in existing and planned clinical trials, continued difficulty in recruiting patients for these clinical trials, delays in manufacturing and collaboration activities, supply chain disruptions, and the ongoing impact on its operating activities and employees. In addition, a recession or market correction related to or amplified by COVID-19 could materially affect the Company’s business.
The Company is currently operating in a period of economic uncertainty and capital markets disruption, which has been impacted by domestic and global monetary and fiscal policy, geopolitical instability, including the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the rising tensions between China and Taiwan, a recessionary environment, historically high domestic and global inflation and recent failures of banking and other financial institutions. In particular, the conflict in Ukraine has exacerbated market disruptions, including significant volatility in commodity prices, as well as supply chain interruptions, and has contributed to record inflation globally. The U.S. Federal Reserve and other central banks may be unable to contain inflation through more restrictive monetary policy and inflation may increase or continue for a prolonged period of time. Inflationary factors, such as increases in the cost of clinical supplies, interest rates, overhead costs and transportation costs may adversely affect the Company’s operating results. In addition, the failure of Silicon Valley Bank and other regional banks in the United States between March and May of 2023 has given rise to uncertainty in the security of amounts in deposit accounts uninsured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company continues to monitor these events and the potential impact on its
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business. Although the Company does not believe that inflation has had a material impact on its financial position or results of operations to date, it may be adversely affected in the future due to global monetary and fiscal policy, macroeconomic factors, supply chain constraints, consequences associated with COVID-19 and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and other factors, and such factors may lead to increases in the cost of manufacturing for and initiation of studies in the Company’s product candidates.
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the SEC regarding interim financial reporting. As permitted under those rules, certain footnotes or other financial information that are normally required by GAAP have been condensed or omitted, and accordingly the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2023 has been derived from the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information required by GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2023 or for any future period.
Effective January 1, 2023, the financial statements of Protagonist Australia use the U.S. dollar as the functional currency, which reflects the expected nature of the ongoing operations of this subsidiary. The cumulative translation adjustment as of January 1, 2023 related to this subsidiary was not material. Prior to January 1, 2023, the financial statements of Protagonist Australia used the Australian dollar as the functional currency since the majority of expense transactions occurred in such currency. Foreign currency translation gains and losses are reported as a component of stockholders’ equity in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related financial information should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2022 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 15, 2023.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, accruals for research and development activities, stock-based compensation, income taxes, marketable securities and leases. Estimates related to revenue recognition include actual costs incurred versus total estimated costs of the Company’s deliverables to determine percentage of completion in addition to the application and estimates of potential revenue constraints in the determination of the transaction price under its license and collaboration agreements. Management bases these estimates on historical and anticipated results,
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trends, and various other assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable under the circumstances, including assumptions as to forecasted amounts and future events. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
Due to the prolonged nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, military conflict between Ukraine and Russia, rising tensions between China and Taiwan and inflationary pressures, there has been uncertainty and disruption in the global economy and financial markets. The Company has taken into consideration any known impacts in its accounting estimates to date and is not aware of any additional specific events or circumstances that would require any additional updates to its estimates or judgments or a revision of the carrying value of its assets or liabilities as of the issuance of this report. These estimates may change as new events occur and additional information is obtained. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Cash as Reported in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Cash as reported in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows includes the aggregate amounts of cash and cash equivalents and the restricted cash as presented on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Cash as reported in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows consists of (in thousands):
March 31,
2023
2022
Cash and cash equivalents
$
127,686
$
98,477
Restricted cash - noncurrent
225
225
Total cash reported on condensed consolidated statements of cash flows
$
127,911
$
98,702
Investment Impairment
As of each reporting date, the Company assesses each of its investments in available-for-sale debt securities whose fair value is below its cost basis to determine if the investment’s impairment is due to credit-related factors or noncredit-related factors. Factors considered in determining whether an impairment is credit-related include the extent to which the investment’s fair value is less than its cost basis, declines in published credit ratings, issuer default on interest or principal payments, and declines in the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. Credit-related impairments on available-for-sale debt securities are recognized as an allowance for credit losses with a corresponding adjustment to other income (expense), net. The portion of the impairment that is not credit-related is recorded as a reduction of other comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable taxes.
The Company has elected to exclude accrued interest from both the fair value and the amortized cost basis of the available-for-sale debt securities for the purposes of identifying and measuring an impairment. The Company writes off accrued interest as a reduction of interest income when an issuer has defaulted on interest payments due on a security.
Significant Accounting Policies
Other than the change in Protagonist Australia functional currency from Australian dollar to U.S. dollar effective January 1, 2023 and the investment impairment policy, as discussed above, there have been no material changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to those disclosed in Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncement
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) (“ASU 2016-13”). The guidance requires measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets at the time financial assets are initially
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recognized in the financial statements. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on historical credit loss information as well as current and future economic factors. ASU 2016-13 also eliminates the concept of “other-than-temporary” impairment when evaluating available-for-sale debt securities and instead focuses on determining whether any impairment is a result of credit loss or other factors. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Effective Dates , which delayed the mandatory effective date of ASU 2016-13 for smaller reporting companies. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2023. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.
Note 3. License and Collaboration Agreement
Agreement Terms
On July 27, 2021, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated License and Collaboration Agreement (the “Restated Agreement”) with Janssen Biotech, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (“Janssen”), which amended and restated the License and Collaboration Agreement, effective July 13, 2017, by and between the Company and Janssen (the “Original Agreement’), as amended by the first amendment, effective May 7, 2019 (the “First Amendment”). Prior to January 1, 2023, Janssen was a related party to the Company as Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JJDC, Inc. was a significant (greater than 5%) stockholder of the Company, and both companies are subsidiaries of Johnson & Johnson. Upon the effectiveness of the Original Agreement, the Company received a non-refundable, upfront cash payment of $ 50.0 million from Janssen. Upon the effectiveness of the First Amendment, the Company received a $ 25.0 million payment from Janssen in 2019. The Company received a $ 5.0 million payment triggered by the successful nomination of a second-generation oral Interleukin (“IL”)-23 receptor antagonist development compound (“second-generation compound”) during the first quarter of 2020 and received a $ 7.5 million payment triggered by the completion of data collection activities for the first Phase 1 clinical trial of a second-generation compound during the fourth quarter of 2021. The Company received a $ 25.0 million milestone payment in connection with the dosing of the third patient in the first Phase 2 clinical trial for a second-generation compound during the second quarter of 2022.
The Restated Agreement relates to the development, manufacture and commercialization of oral IL-23 receptor antagonist drug candidates. The candidates nominated for initial development pursuant to the Restated Agreement included PTG-200 (JNJ-67864238), PN-232 (JNJ-75105186) and JNJ-2113 (JNJ-77242113) (formerly known as PN-235). PTG-200 is an oral IL-23 receptor antagonist that was in Phase 2a development for the treatment of Crohn’s disease (“CD”). During the fourth quarter of 2021, following a pre-specified interim analysis criteria, a portfolio decision was made by Janssen to stop further development of both PTG-200 and PN-232 in favor of advancing JNJ-2113, based on its superior potency and overall pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile. Janssen is primarily responsible for the conduct of all future trials, including these anticipated Phase 2 trials, and the Company is primarily responsible for the conduct of the second-generation Phase 1 trials.
The Restated Agreement enables Janssen to develop collaboration compounds for multiple indications. Under the Restated Agreement, Janssen is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop at least one collaboration compound for at least two indications.
Upcoming potential development milestones for second-generation compounds include:
● $ 10.0 million upon the dosing of the third patient in the first Phase 2 clinical trial for any second-generation compound for a second indication (i.e., an indication different than the indication which triggered the $ 25.0 million milestone received during the second quarter of 2022 described above);
● $ 50.0 million upon the dosing of the third patient in a Phase 3 clinical trial for a second-generation compound for any indication;
● $ 15.0 million upon the dosing of the third patient in a Phase 3 clinical trial for a second-generation compound for a second indication; and
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● $ 115.0 million upon a Phase 3 clinical trial for a second-generation compound for any indication meeting its primary clinical endpoint.
Pursuant to the Restated Agreement, the Company remains eligible to receive tiered royalties on net product sales at percentages ranging from mid-single digits to ten percent. The sales milestone payments in the Original Agreement also remain the same in the Restated Agreement.
Pursuant to both the Original and Restated Agreements, payments to the Company for research and development services are generally billed and collected as services are performed or assets are delivered, including research activities and Phase 1 and Phase 2 development activities. Janssen bills the Company for its share of the PTG-200 Phase 2a development costs as expenses are incurred by Janssen. Milestone payments are received after the related milestones are achieved.
Janssen retains exclusive, worldwide rights to develop and commercialize IL-23 receptor antagonist compounds derived from the research collaboration conducted under the Original Agreement, or Janssen’s further research under the Restated Agreement. Any further research and development will be conducted by Janssen. The Company will have the right to co-detail (for CD and ulcerative colitis indications) up to two of the IL-23 receptor antagonist compounds under the collaboration in the U.S. market.
The Restated Agreement remains in effect until the royalty obligations cease following patent and regulatory expiry, unless terminated earlier. Upon a termination of the Restated Agreement, all rights revert back to the Company, and in certain circumstances, if such termination occurs during ongoing clinical trials, Janssen would, if requested, provide certain financial and operational support to the Company for the completion of such trials.
Revenue Recognition
The Restated Agreement contains a single performance obligation for the development license; Phase 1 development services for PTG-200, PN-232 and JNJ-2113 (formerly known as PN-235); the Company’s services associated with Phase 2a development for PTG-200 in CD; the initial year of second-generation compound research services; and all other such services that the Company may perform at the request of Janssen to support the development of PTG-200 through Phase 2a and PN-232 and JNJ-2113 through Phase 1. Under the Restated Agreement, development services performed by the Company for PTG-200 beyond Phase 2a and PN-232 and JNJ-2113 beyond Phase 1 are no longer required.
The contract duration is defined as the period in which parties to the contract have present enforceable rights and obligations. For revenue recognition purposes, the duration of the Restated Agreement for the identified single initial performance obligations began on the Original Agreement effective date of July 13, 2017 and ended upon the completion of Phase 1 clinical trials for PN-232 and JNJ-2113. Final activities related to these trials were completed as of June 30, 2022.
The transaction price of the initial performance obligation under the Restated Agreement was $ 131.7 million as of June 30, 2022, and increase of $ 0.2 million from the transaction price of $ 131.5 million as of March 31, 2022. In order to determine the transaction price, the Company evaluated all payments to be received during the duration of the contract, net of development costs reimbursement expected to be payable to Janssen. The transaction price as of June 30, 2022 included $ 112.5 million of nonrefundable payments received to date, $ 17.9 million of reimbursement from Janssen for services performed for IL-23 receptor antagonist compound research costs and other services, and variable consideration consisting of $ 8.2 million of development cost reimbursement from Janssen, partially offset by $ 6.9 million of net cost reimbursement due to Janssen for services performed. The Company concluded that the variable consideration constraint was appropriately reflected in the estimated transaction price as of June 30, 2022, and that the achievement of future milestones was subject to additional development and/or regulatory uncertainty and therefore it was not probable at June 30, 2022 that a material reversal of such revenues would not occur. Janssen also opted in for certain additional services to be performed by the Company that were outside the initial performance obligation. Revenue for these additional services was recognized as these services were performed.
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No license and collaboration revenue was recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2023 because the Company completed its performance obligation under the collaboration as of June 30, 2022. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company recognized license and collaboration revenue of $ 25.7 million. License and collaboration revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was primarily related to the transaction price under the Restated Agreement recognized based on proportional performance.
The following tables present changes in the Company’s contract assets and liabilities during the periods presented (in thousands):
Balance at
Balance at
Beginning of
End of
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
Period
Additions
Deductions
Period
Contract assets:
Receivable from collaboration partner
$
10
$
41
—
$
51
Contract liabilities:
Payable to collaboration partner
$
69
$
11
( 58 )
$
22
Balance at
Balance at
Beginning of
End of
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
Period
Additions
Deductions
Period
Contract assets:
Receivable from collaboration partner
$
1,566
$
25,150
$
( 1,566 )
$
25,150
Contract liabilities:
Deferred revenue
$
1,601
$
25,658
$
( 26,491 )
$
768
Payable to collaboration partner
$
899
$
330
$
( 849 )
$
380
During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized revenue of zero and $ 13,000 , respectively, from amounts included in the deferred revenue contract liability balance at the beginning of each period. None of the costs to obtain or fulfill the contract were capitalized.
Note 4. Fair Value Measurements
Financial assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value. The accounting guidance for fair value provides a framework for measuring fair value, clarifies the definition of fair value and expands disclosures regarding fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the reporting date. The accounting guidance establishes a three-tiered hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value as follows:
Level 1 —Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
Level 2— Inputs (other than quoted market prices included in Level 1) are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability through correlation with market data at the measurement date and for the duration of the instrument’s anticipated life.
Level 3 —Inputs reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Consideration is given to the risk inherent in the valuation technique and the risk inherent in the inputs to the model.
In determining fair value, the Company utilizes quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations, or valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible and considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value.
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The following tables present the fair value of the Company’s financial assets determined using the inputs defined above (in thousands).
March 31, 2023
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Assets:
Money market funds
$
46,007
$
—
$
—
$
46,007
Commercial paper
—
87,299
—
87,299
Corporate debt securities
—
10,870
—
10,870
U.S. Treasury and agency securities
—
79,783
—
79,783
Total financial assets
$
46,007
$
177,952
$
—
$
223,959
December 31, 2022
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Assets:
Money market funds
$
54,292
$
—
$
—
$
54,292
Commercial paper
—
110,227
—
110,227
Corporate debt securities
—
10,741
—
10,741
U.S. Treasury and agency securities
57,242
—
57,242
Total financial assets
$
54,292
$
178,210
$
—
$
232,502
The Company’s commercial paper, corporate debt securities, U.S. Treasury and agency securities, including U.S. Treasury bills, are classified as Level 2 as they were valued based upon quoted market prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques, for which all significant inputs are observable in the market or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets.
The carrying amount of the Company’s remaining financial assets and liabilities, including cash, receivables and payables, approximates their fair value due to their short-term nature.
Note 5. Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities
Cash equivalents and marketable securities consisted of the following (in thousands):
March 31, 2023
Amortized
Gross Unrealized
Cost
Gains
Losses
Fair Value
Money market funds
$
46,007
$
—
$
—
$
46,007
Commercial paper
87,316
—
( 17 )
87,299
Corporate debt securities
10,877
5
( 12 )
10,870
U.S. Treasury and agency securities
79,770
70
( 57 )
79,783
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities
$
223,970
$
75
$
( 86 )
$
223,959
Classified as:
Cash equivalents
$
120,886
Marketable securities
103,073
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities
$
223,959
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December 31, 2022
Amortized
Gross Unrealized
Cost
Gains
Losses
Fair Value
Money market funds
$
54,292
$
—
$
—
$
54,292
Commercial paper
110,257
—
( 30 )
110,227
Corporate debt securities
10,756
—
( 15 )
10,741
U.S. Treasury and agency securities
57,251
27
( 36 )
57,242
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities
$
232,556
$
27
$
( 81 )
$
232,502
Classified as:
Cash equivalents
$
120,891
Marketable securities
111,611
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities
$
232,502
Marketable securities of $ 103.1 million and $ 111.6 million held at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, had contractual maturities of less than one year . The Company does not intend to sell its securities that are in an unrealized loss position, and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell its securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis, which may be at maturity. There were no realized gains or realized losses on marketable securities for the periods presented. The Company evaluated securities with unrealized losses to determine whether such losses, if any, are due to credit-related factors and determined that there were no credit-related losses to be recognized as of March 31, 2023.
Note 6. Balance Sheet Components
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
March 31,
December 31,
2023
2022
Prepaid clinical and research related expenses
$
1,492
$
2,746
Prepaid insurance
1,401
1,417
Prepaid license
542
489
Other prepaid expenses
1,491
1,018
Other receivable
—
42
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
4,926
$
5,712
Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
March 31,
December 31,
2023
2022
Laboratory equipment
$
4,831
$
4,817
Furniture and computer equipment
1,089
1,089
Leasehold improvements
913
913
Total property and equipment
6,833
6,819
Accumulated depreciation
( 5,492 )
( 5,254 )
Property and equipment, net
$
1,341
$
1,565
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Accrued Expenses and Other Payables
Accrued expenses and other payables consisted of the following (in thousands):
March 31,
December 31,
2023
2022
Accrued clinical and research related expenses
$
13,108
$
19,109
Accrued employee related expenses
2,080
4,967
Accrued professional service fees
1,065
464
Other
334
415
Total accrued expenses and other payables
$
16,587
$
24,955
Note 7. Stockholders’ Equity
In August 2022, the Company entered into an Open Market Sale Agreement SM (the “Sales Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company could offer and sell up to $ 100.0 million of shares of common stock from time to time in the “at-the-market” offerings (the “2022 ATM Facility”). As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company sold 1,749,199 shares of its common stock under the 2022 ATM Facility for net proceeds of $ 24.3 million, after deducting issuance costs.
In November 2019, the Company entered into an Open Market Sale Agreement SM (the “Prior Sales Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company could offer and sell up to $ 75.0 million of shares of common stock from time to time in the “at-the-market” offerings (the “2019 ATM Facility”). During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company sold 422,367 shares of its common stock under the 2019 ATM Facility for net proceeds of $ 14.6 million, after deducting issuance costs. The Prior Sales Agreement was terminated in connection with and replaced by the Sales Agreement in August 2022.
In August 2018, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with certain accredited investors (each, an “Investor” and, collectively, the “Investors”), pursuant to which the Company sold an aggregate of 2,750,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $ 8.00 per share, for aggregate net proceeds of $ 21.7 million, after deducting offering expenses payable by the Company. In a concurrent private placement, the Company issued the Investors warrants to purchase an aggregate of 2,750,000 shares of its common stock (each, a “Warrant” and, collectively, the “Warrants”). Each Warrant is exercisable from August 8, 2018 through August 8, 2023 . Warrants to purchase 1,375,000 shares of the Company’s common stock have an exercise price of $ 10.00 per share and Warrants to purchase 1,375,000 shares of the Company’s common stock have an exercise price of $ 15.00 per share. The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants (the “Warrant Shares”) are subject to adjustment in the event of any stock dividends and splits, reverse stock split, recapitalization, reorganization or similar transaction, as described in the Warrants. Under certain circumstances, the Warrants may be exercisable on a “cashless” basis. In connection with the issuance and sale of the common stock and Warrants, the Company granted the Investors certain registration rights with respect to the Warrants and the Warrant Shares. The common stock and warrants are classified as equity in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 480 , Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”) , and the net proceeds from the transaction were recorded as a credit to additional paid-in capital. As of March 31, 2023, none of the Warrants have been exercised.
Note 8. Equity Plans
Equity Incentive Plan
In July 2016, the Company’s board of directors and stockholders approved the Company’s 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”) to replace the 2007 Stock Option Plan. The 2016 Plan is administered by the board of directors, or a committee appointed by the board of directors, which determines the types of awards to be granted, including the number of shares subject to the awards, the exercise price and the vesting schedule. Awards granted under
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the 2016 Plan expire no later than ten years from the date of grant. As of March 31, 2023, 892,905 shares were available for issuance under the 2016 Plan.
Inducement Plan
In May 2018, the Company’s board of directors approved the Company’s 2018 Inducement Plan (as subsequently amended, the “2018 Inducement Plan”) is a non-stockholder approved stock plan, under which the Company awards options and restricted stock unit awards to persons that were not previously employees or directors of the Company, or following a bona fide period of non-employment, as an inducement material to such persons entering into employment with the Company, within the meaning of Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. The 2018 Inducement Plan is administered by the board of directors or the Compensation Committee of the board, which determines the types of awards to be granted, including the number of shares subject to the awards, the exercise price and the vesting schedule. Awards granted under the 2018 Inducement Plan expire no later than ten years from the date of grant. As of March 31, 2023, 574,772 shares were available for issuance under the 2018 Inducement Plan.
Stock Options
Stock option activity under the Company’s equity incentive and inducement plans is set forth below:
Weighted-
Weighted-
Average
Average
Exercise
Remaining
Aggregate
Options
Price Per
Contractual
Intrinsic
Outstanding
Share
Life (years)
Value (1)
(in millions)
Balances at December 31, 2022
6,240,509
$
19.03
Options granted
2,198,750
12.17
Options exercised
( 128,722 )
13.49
Options forfeited
( 148,693 )
26.21
Balances at March 31, 2023
8,161,844
$
17.14
7.74
$
63.3
Options exercisable – March 31, 2023
3,935,198
$
16.82
6.23
30.8
Options vested and expected to vest – March 31, 2023
8,161,844
$
17.14
7.74
$
63.3
(1) The aggregate intrinsic values were calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the options and the closing price of the Company’s common stock on March 31, 2023. The calculation excludes options with an exercise price higher than the closing price of the Company’s common stock on March 31, 2023.
The estimated weighted-average grant-date fair value of common stock underlying options granted to employees during the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $ 10.05 per share.
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Stock Options Valuation Assumptions
The fair value of employee stock option awards was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2023
2022
Expected term (in years)
5.27 - 6.02
5.27 - 6.08
Expected volatility
106.3 % - 110.1 %
97.1 % - 98.2 %
Risk-free interest rate
3.57 % - 3.59 %
1.64 % - 2.13 %
Dividend yield
—
—
In determining the fair value of the options granted, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and assumptions discussed below. Each of these inputs is subjective and generally requires judgment to determine.
Expected Term —The Company’s expected term represents the period that the Company’s options granted are expected to be outstanding and is determined using the simplified method (based on the mid-point between the vesting date and the end of the contractual term). The Company has limited historical exercise information to develop reasonable expectations about future exercise patterns and post-vesting employment termination behavior for its stock option grants.
Expected Volatility —Beginning January 1, 2023, the Company’s expected volatility is estimated based upon the volatility of the Company’s stock price over a period equal to the expected term of the stock option grants. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company’s expected volatility was estimated based upon a mix of 25 % of the average volatility for comparable publicly traded biopharmaceutical companies over a period equal to the expected term of the stock option grants and 75 % of the volatility of the Company’s stock price since its initial public offering in August 2016.
Risk-Free Interest Rate —The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury zero coupon issues in effect at the time of grant for periods corresponding with the expected term of option.
Expected Dividend —The Company has never paid dividends on its common stock and has no plans to pay dividends on its common stock. Therefore, the Company used an expected dividend yield of zero.
Restricted Stock Units
Restricted stock unit (“RSU”) activity under the Company’s equity incentive plans is set forth below:
Weighted
Average
Number of
Grant Date
Shares
Fair Value
Unvested RSUs at December 31, 2022
637,436
$
19.29
Granted
396,775
18.57
Vested
( 160,884 )
15.83
Forfeited
( 9,215 )
20.86
Unvested RSUs at March 31, 2023
864,112
$
16.26
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Performance Stock Units
As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 199,500 unvested performance stock units (“PSUs”) were outstanding under the Company’s equity incentive plans, with a weighted average grant date fair value of $ 14.59 per share. The terms of the unvested PSUs provide for 100 % of shares to be earned based on the achievement of certain pre-determined performance objectives, subject to the participant’s continued employment. The PSUs will vest, if at all, upon certification by the compensation committee of the Board of Directors of the actual achievement of the related performance objectives, subject to specified change of control exceptions.
Stock-based compensation expense associated with PSUs is based on the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the grant date, which equals the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. The Company recognizes compensation expense over the vesting period of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest when the achievement of the related performance objectives becomes probable. The total grant date fair value of unvested PSUs outstanding as of March 31, 2023 was $ 2.9 million. As of March 31, 2023, the achievement of the related performance objectives was deemed not probable and, accordingly, no stock-based compensation for the PSUs has been recognized as expense as of March 31, 2023.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Company’s 2016 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“2016 ESPP”) allows eligible employees to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a discount through payroll deductions of up to 15 % of their eligible compensation. At the end of each offering period, eligible employees are able to purchase shares at 85 % of the lower of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the beginning of the offering period or at the end of each applicable purchase period. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, a total of 68,605 shares of common stock were issued under the 2016 ESPP, and 1,486,685 shares of common stock remained available for issuance as of March 31, 2023.
Stock-Based Compensation
Total stock-based compensation expense was as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31,
2023
2022
Research and development
$
4,582
$
3,326
General and administrative
3,002
2,609
Total stock-based compensation expense
$
7,584
$
5,935
As of March 31, 2023, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense was approximately $ 66.8 million, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.7 years.
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Note 9. Net Loss per Share
As the Company had net losses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, all potential weighted average dilutive common shares were determined to be anti-dilutive. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share (in thousands, except share and per share data):
Three Months Ended March 31,
2023
2022
Numerator:
Net loss
$
( 33,725 )
$
( 20,930 )
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares used to compute net loss per common share, basic and diluted
50,573,650
48,752,548
Net loss per share, basic and diluted
$
( 0.67 )
$
( 0.43 )
The following outstanding shares of potentially dilutive securities have been excluded from diluted net loss per share computations for the periods presented because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive:
March 31,
2023
2022
Options to purchase common stock
8,161,844
6,809,610
Common stock warrants
2,750,000
2,750,000
Restricted stock units
864,112
606,810
Performance stock units
199,500
105,500
ESPP shares
24,998
19,762
Total
12,000,454
10,291,682
Note 10. Subsequent Event
In April 2023, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 5,000,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $ 20.00 per share and issued an additional 750,000 shares of common stock at a price of $ 20.00 per share following the underwriters’ exercise of their option to purchase additional shares. Net proceeds, after deducting underwriting commissions and offering costs paid by the Company, were approximately $ 107.7 million.
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Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.