Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations
You should read the following
discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Our actual results and
timing of certain events may differ materially from the results discussed, projected, anticipated, or indicated in any forward-looking
statements. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results of operations,
financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate may differ materially from the forward-looking
statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In addition, even if our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity,
and the development of the industry in which we operate are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q, they may not be predictive of results or developments in future periods.
Overview
We are a New York City based
clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to advancing transformative therapies for the treatment of cancer and rare diseases.
We were founded on the principle of applying modern scientific, regulatory or manufacturing advancements to established mechanisms in
order to create new development opportunities. We prioritize creativity, diverse perspectives, integrity and tenacity to expedite our
goal of bringing life-changing therapies to people with limited treatment options.
Our portfolio includes two
development programs utilizing TARA-002, an investigational cell therapy based on the broad immunopotentiator, OK-432, which was originally
granted marketing approval by the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare as an immunopotentiating cancer therapeutic agent. This cell
therapy is currently approved in Japan and Taiwan for lymphatic malformations, or LMs, and multiple oncologic indications. We have secured
worldwide rights to the asset excluding Japan and Taiwan and are exploring its use in oncology and rare disease indications. TARA-002
was developed from the same master cell bank of genetically distinct group A Streptococcus pyogenes as OK-432 (marketed as Picibanil®
in Japan and Taiwan by Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., or Chugai Pharmaceutical). We are currently developing TARA-002 in non-muscle
invasive bladder cancer, or NMIBC, and in LMs.
Our lead oncology program
is TARA-002 in NMIBC, which is cancer found in the tissue that lines the inner surface of the bladder that has not spread into the bladder
muscle. Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the United States, with NMIBC representing approximately 80% of bladder cancer
diagnoses. Approximately 65,000 patients are diagnosed with NMIBC in the United States each year. Very few new therapeutics have been
approved for NMIBC since the 1990s and the current standard of care for NMIBC includes intravesical Bacillus Calmette–Guérin,
or BCG. The mechanism of action of TARA-002 is similar in some ways to that of BCG. TARA-002 and BCG are both intravesically administered,
elicit a Th1 type immune response and produce a generally similar array of locally activated cytokines and immune cells.
We are conducting a Phase
1 open-label clinical trial to evaluate TARA-002 in treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced NMIBC patients with carcinoma in situ,
or CIS, and high-grade papillary tumors, or Ta, known as the ADVANCED-1 trial. In the initial dose escalation phase of the trial, patients
received six weekly intravesical doses of TARA-002, evaluating the 10KE, 20KE and 40KE doses (Klinische Einheit, or KE, is a German term
indicating a specified weight of dried cells in vial). The primary objective of the trial is to evaluate the safety, tolerability and
preliminary signs of anti-tumor activity of TARA-002, with the goal of establishing a recommended Phase 2 dose. In April 2023, we announced
positive preliminary data from the Phase 1a dose escalation component of the ongoing ADVANCED-1 trial through the 40KE dose, in which
TARA-002 indicated favorable tolerability and anti-tumor activity in NMIBC patients. A maximum tolerated dose was not determined,
and dose escalation at the 80KE dose remains ongoing in an exploratory cohort.
17
Preliminary data from the ADVANCED-1 trial suggested that intravesical
TARA-002 was generally well tolerated at the three dose levels evaluated in the initial phase of the trial (10KE, 20KE, and 40KE), and
no dose limiting toxicities were observed. The Company has selected the 40KE dose for use in subsequent clinical trials. The majority
of reported adverse events were Grades 1 and 2 across all dose levels, and treatment emergent adverse events, or TEAEs, as assessed by
study investigators, were in line with typical responses to bacterial immunopotentiation and included fatigue, headache, fever and chills.
The most common urinary symptoms were urinary urgency, urinary frequency, urinary tract pain/burning, incomplete emptying, and bladder
spasm. Most bladder irritations resolved soon after administration, or in a few hours to a few days. A total of nine patients were enrolled
in the dose escalation portion of the study through the 40KE dose. Of those, three patients with CIS, one of whom was a heavily pre-treated
BCG-unresponsive patient, achieved a complete response, or CR, at the 20KE dose, and tumor regression was observed in the other two patients.
Results from six patients with high-grade, non-invasive papillary, or HGTa, tumors showed five of six patients with high-grade recurrence
free survival, or HGRFS, at week 12. The patient who did not achieve HGRFS was dosed at 10KE, the lowest dose of TARA-002 offered in the
trial.
The ongoing open-label expansion trial, or ADVANCED-1EXP, is evaluating
intravesical TARA-002 at the 40KE dose in up to 12 CIS patients, including BCG-naïve, BCG-unresponsive, and BCG-inadequately treated
patients. In April 2024, we announced positive data from three-month evaluable NMIBC patients with CIS pooled across our clinical studies,
including ADVANCED-1 Phase 1a, ADVANCED-1 EXP Phase 1b and ADVANCED-2 Phase 2 trials of TARA-002 in patients with high-risk NMIBC, including
BCG-Unresponsive, BCG-Experienced and BCG-Naïve patients. The overall three-month CR rate prior to reinduction for the 16 evaluable
patients was 38%, with a CR rate of 63% in CIS-only patients and 13% in patients with CIS +Ta/T1 (T1 is defined as carcinoma invading
the lamina propria). A 43% CR rate was observed in BCG-Unresponsive/Experienced patients. TARA-002 demonstrated a favorable safety and
tolerability profile. The majority of reported adverse events were Grades 1 and 2 across all dose levels, and there were no Grade 3 or
higher TEAEs. TEAEs as assessed by study investigators, were in line with typical responses to bacterial immunopotentiation, and included
fatigue, headache, fever, and chills. The most common urinary symptoms were urinary urgency, urinary frequency, urinary tract pain/burning,
incomplete emptying, and bladder spasm. Most bladder irritations resolved in a few hours to a few days. Additional details regarding the
data, which support the potential for TARA-002 in treating high risk patients can be found in the following table:
Three Month Evaluable Patients
# Patients
# of CRs
CR %
BCG-Unresponsive/ Experienced
CIS-only
6
3
50 %
CIS +Ta/T1
1
-
- %
7
3
43 %
BCG-Naïve
CIS-only
2
2
100 %
CIS +Ta/T1
7
1
14 %
9
3
33 %
16
6
38 %
By Stage of Disease at Baseline
CIS-only
8
5
63 %
CIS +Ta/T1
8
1
13 %
16
6
38 %
By Study
Phase 1a
3
1
33 %
Phase 1b-EXP
8
3
38 %
Phase 2 Naïve
5
2
40 %
16
6
38 %
Data cutoff date: March 19, 2024
18
We expect to share preliminary
results from a pre-planned risk-benefit analysis of the ongoing Phase 2 open-label ADVANCED-2 trial in the fourth quarter of 2024. The
analysis is expected to include approximately 10 patients who are six-month evaluable. The ongoing ADVANCED-2 trial is assessing intravesical
TARA-002 in NMIBC patients with CIS (± Ta/T1) who are BCG-Naïve (n=27) and BCG-Unresponsive (n≈100). The BCG-Unresponsive
cohort has been designed to be registrational aligned with the United States Food and Drug Administration’s, or FDA’s, 2018
BCG-Unresponsive Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: Developing Drugs and Biologics for Treatment Guidance for Industry. Trial subjects
will receive an induction course of six weekly intravesical instillations, and following mandatory biopsy at three months, will either
receive a reinduction course of six weekly intravesical instillations of TARA-002, or the first maintenance course of three weekly installations
every three months, for an additional 12 months.
In addition to the ADVANCED-2
trial, we will continue to explore higher dosing at an 80KE dose and systemic priming prior to initiation of intravesical administration,
in each case to assess the anti-tumor activity of TARA-002. We continue to believe that combination therapy may play a meaningful role
in the NMIBC treatment paradigm and intend to prioritize trials assessing TARA-002 in combination with other therapies. Given TARA-002’s
mechanism of action and safety profile, we believe it has strong potential as a combination agent and we continue to evaluate the best
potential combination therapy options for our clinical program.
In addition, we continue
to conduct non-clinical studies on TARA-002 to better characterize the mechanism of action to help us understand how TARA-002 may perform
in potential combinations with other agents used to treat NMIBC. We use non-clinical data to help us define other cancer targets for TARA-002,
both within urothelial cancer and other types of cancer affecting different parts of the body.
We are also pursuing intravenous,
or IV, Choline Chloride, an investigational phospholipid substrate replacement therapy, for patients receiving parenteral nutrition, or
PN. Choline is a known important substrate for phospholipids that are critical for healthy liver function and also plays an important
role in modulating gene expression, cell membrane signaling, brain development and neurotransmission, muscle function, and bone health.
PN patients are unable to synthesize choline from enteral nutrition sources, and there are currently no available PN formulations containing
choline. Approximately 80 percent of PN-dependent patients are choline-deficient and have some degree of liver damage, which can lead
to hepatic failure. There are currently no available PN formulations containing choline. In the U.S. alone, there are approximately 40,000
patients on long-term PN who would benefit from an IV formulation of choline. IV Choline Chloride has the potential to become the first
FDA approved IV choline formulation for PN patients.
Choline is recommended for
patients on PN by the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, or ASPEN, in their Recommendations for Changes in Commercially
Available Parenteral Multivitamin and Multi–Trace Element Products, as well as by the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and
Metabolism, or ESPEN, in their Guideline on Home Parenteral Nutrition. IV Choline Chloride has been granted Orphan Drug Designation by
the FDA for the prevention of choline deficiency in PN patients. We have been issued a U.S. patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
claiming a choline composition with a term expiring in 2041.
In April 2024, we announced
alignment with the FDA on a registrational path forward for IV Choline Chloride in patients dependent on PN. Previously, we had been pursuing
an indication in intestinal failure-associated liver disease, or IFALD, and following feedback from the FDA, are pursuing a broader indication
in patients on PN who are or may become unable to synthesize choline from oral or enteral nutrition sources. Feedback from the FDA on
our IV Choline Chloride program indicated that a single study with an endpoint of restoring choline levels in PN patients could serve
as the basis for a regulatory filing for IV Choline Chloride. We plan to advance the development of IV Choline Chloride as a source of
choline for adult and adolescent patients on long-term PN and intend to initiate a registrational Phase 3 trial in the first quarter of
2025.
We are also pursuing TARA-002
in LMs, which are rare, non-malignant cysts of the lymphatic vascular system that primarily form in the head and neck region of children
before the age of two. In July 2020, the FDA granted Rare Pediatric Disease designation for TARA-002 for the treatment of LMs and in May
2022 the European Medicines Agency granted orphan drug designation to TARA-002 for the treatment of LMs. In addition to the clinical experience
in Japan, we have secured the rights to a dataset from one of the largest ever conducted Phase 2 trials in LMs, in which OK-432 was administered
via a compassionate use program led by the University of Iowa to over 500 pediatric and adult patients. We have an investigational new
drug application for LMs with the Vaccines and Related Products Division of the FDA, or Vaccines Division.
19
In October 2023, we initiated
STARBORN-1, which is a Phase 2 single-arm, open-label, prospective clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intracystic injection
of TARA-002 for the treatment of macrocystic and mixed-cystic LMs (≥ 50% macrocystic disease) in participants six months to less than
18 years of age. Including an age de-escalation safety lead-in, the trial will enroll approximately 30 patients who will receive up to
four injections of TARA-002 spaced approximately six weeks apart.
The primary endpoint of the
trial is the proportion of participants with macrocystic LMs and mixed-cystic LMs who demonstrated clinical success, defined as having
either a complete response (90% to 100% reduction from baseline in total LM volume) or substantial response (60% to less than 90% reduction
in total LM volume) as measured by axial imaging. We have completed enrollment in the first 3-patient safety cohort and plan to begin
enrolling the second safety cohort shortly.
We believe TARA-002 may also have the potential to be used to
treat other maxillofacial cysts based on the historical literature from the TARA-002 predecessor, OK-432, as well as recent data in one
pediatric patient with a maxillofacial cyst called a Ranula, which resolved nearly 100% after a single 1KE dose of TARA-002. While
completing STARBORN-1 in LMs is our priority, we believe there may be an opportunity in the future to explore the potential of TARA-002
to treat different types of maxillofacial cysts.
We have devoted substantial
efforts to the development of these programs and do not have any approved products and have not generated any revenue from product sales.
Neither TARA-002 nor IV Choline Chloride have been approved for use for any indications. We do not expect to generate revenues in the
near-term, and it is possible we may never generate revenues in the future. To finance our current strategic plans, including the conduct
of ongoing and future clinical trials and further research and development costs, we will need to raise additional capital. See “—Liquidity
and Capital Resources” for additional information about our liquidity and capital resource needs.
Since inception, we have
incurred significant operating losses. As of June 30, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $221.0 million. We expect to
continue to incur significant and increasing expenses and operating losses for at least the next few years as we continue our development
of, and seek marketing approvals for, our product candidates, prepare for and begin the commercialization of any approved products, and
add infrastructure and personnel to support our product development efforts and operations as a public company in the United States.
As a clinical-stage company,
our expenses and results of operations are likely to fluctuate significantly from quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year. We believe that
our period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations should not be relied upon as indicative of our future performance.
As of June 30, 2024, we had approximately $89.6 million in cash,
cash equivalents, and marketable debt securities. On April 10, 2024, we completed a private placement, or the 2024 Private Placement,
pursuant to which we sold 9,143,380 shares of our common stock, or the Shares, and, for certain purchasers, pre-funded warrants, or the
Pre-Funded Warrants, to purchase an aggregate of 1,700,000 shares of our common stock. In each case, the Shares and Pre-Funded Warrants
were accompanied by common warrants, or the Common Warrants, to purchase an aggregate of up to 10,843,380 shares of common stock at a
price of $5.25. Each Share, along with its attached Common Warrant, has a purchase price of $4.15, and each Pre-Funded Warrant, along
with its attached Common Warrant, has a purchase price of $4.149. We received gross proceeds of
approximately $45.0 million and net proceeds of approximately $42.0 million, reflecting approximately $3.0 million of placement
agent’s fees, legal costs and other expenses in connection with the transaction.
Financial Overview
Research
and Development
Research and development
expenses consist primarily of costs incurred for the development of TARA-002 and IV Choline Chloride, which include personnel-related
expenses, including salaries, benefits, travel and stock-based compensation expense, expenses incurred under agreements with clinical
research organizations, or CROs, contract development and manufacturing organizations, or CDMOs, the cost of acquiring, developing and
manufacturing clinical trial materials, clinical and non-clinical related costs, costs associated with regulatory operations and facilities,
depreciation and other expenses, which include expenses for rent and maintenance of facilities and other supplies.
20
General and Administrative
General and administrative
expenses consist principally of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits, travel and stock-based compensation expense,
in executive and other administrative functions. Other general and administrative expenses also include professional fees for legal, intellectual
property matters, consulting and accounting services, facility related costs, as well as expenses related to audit, legal, regulatory
and tax-related services associated with maintaining compliance with our Nasdaq listing and SEC requirements, director and officer liability
insurance premiums and investor relations costs associated with being a public company.
Other Income
(Expense), net
Interest and investment income
consists of interest and dividend income on our cash, cash equivalents and marketable debt securities and amortization of premiums and/or
accretion of discounts.
Critical Accounting Policies and Significant
Judgments and Estimates
Our management’s discussion
and analysis of our financial position and results of operations is based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying
notes. We base our estimates on historical experience and other market-specific or other relevant assumptions that we believe to be reasonable
under the circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from those estimates or assumptions.
Our critical accounting policy
is the accounting for accrued research and development expenses. We record accruals for estimated costs of research, preclinical, clinical
and manufacturing development within accrued expenses which are significant components of research and development expenses. A substantial
portion of our ongoing research and development activities are conducted by third-party service providers. We accrue costs incurred under
these third-party arrangements based on estimates of actual work completed in accordance with the respective agreements. We determine
the estimated costs to accrue through discussions with internal personnel and our external service providers as to the percentage of completion
of the services and the agreed-upon fees to be paid for such services. Payments made to third parties under these arrangements in advance
of performance of the related services are recorded as prepaid expenses until the services are rendered.
It is important that the
discussion of our operating results that follow be read in conjunction with these critical accounting policies which have been disclosed
in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 13, 2024.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Three Months Ended June
30, 2024 and 2023
The following table summarizes
our results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
For The
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Period-to-
Period
2024
2023
Change
Operating expenses:
Research and development
$ 6,387
$ 7,247
$ (860 )
General and administrative
4,274
4,893
(619 )
Total operating expenses
10,661
12,140
(1,479 )
Loss from operations
(10,661 )
(12,140 )
1,479
Other income (expense), net:
Interest and investment income
1,148
846
302
Other income (expense), net
1,148
846
302
Net income (loss)
$ (9,513 )
$ (11,294 )
$ 1,781
21
Research and development
expenses. During the three months ended June 30, 2024, our research and development expenses were approximately $6.4 million, which
represented a decrease of approximately $0.9 million as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023. This decrease was primarily
due to an $0.8 million decrease in expenses related to TARA-002, inclusive of $0.6 million in non-clinical activities and $0.2 million
in clinical trial activities.
General and administrative
expenses. During the three months ended June 30, 2024, our general and administrative expenses were approximately $4.3 million, which
represented a decrease of approximately $0.6 million as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023. This decrease was primarily
due to a reduction of $0.4 million in personnel-related expenses associated with stock-based compensation as well as a decrease in market
development activities of $0.4 million offset slightly by an increase in legal activities of $0.1 million.
Other income (expense),
net . During the three months ended June 30, 2024, our other income (expense), net was approximately $1.1 million, which represented
an increase of approximately $0.3 million as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023, due primarily to higher market interest
rates obtained from money market funds on a higher invested balance.
Comparison of the Six Months Ended June
30, 2024 and 2023
The following table summarizes
our results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
For The
Six Months Ended
June 30,
Period-to-
Period
2024
2023
Change
Operating expenses:
Research and development
$ 14,135
$ 12,390
$ 1,745
General and administrative
8,377
9,482
(1,105 )
Total operating expenses
22,512
21,872
640
Loss from operations
(22,512 )
(21,872 )
(640 )
Other income (expense), net:
Interest and investment income
1,904
1,533
371
Other income (expense), net
1,904
1,533
371
Net income (loss)
$ (20,608 )
$ (20,339 )
$ (269 )
Research and development
expenses . During the six months ended June 30, 2024, our research and development expenses were approximately $14.1 million, which
represented an increase of approximately $1.7 million as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023. This increase was primarily due
to an increase in personnel-related expenses of $1.1 million and an $0.8 million increase in costs associated to the TARA-002 program,
consisting of a $1.7 million increase in clinical trial activities offset by a $1.0 million reduction in non-clinical activities. This
was partially offset by a reduction in expenses of $0.2 million in clinical trial activities associated with IV Choline due to the completion
of the prevalence study.
General and administrative
expenses. During the six months ended June 30, 2024, our general and administrative expenses were approximately $8.4 million, which
represented a decrease of approximately $1.1 million as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023. This decrease was primarily due
to a reduction of $0.9 million in personnel-related expenses (inclusive of $0.7 million of stock-based compensation).
Other income (expense),
net . During the six months ended June 30, 2024, our other income (expense), net was approximately $1.9 million, which represented
an increase of approximately $0.4 million as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023, due primarily to higher market interest rates
obtained from money market funds on a higher invested balance.
22
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
As of June 30, 2024 and December
31, 2023, our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable debt securities were $89.6 million and $65.6 million, respectively. We have not generated
revenues since our inception and have incurred net losses of $20.6 million and $20.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and
2023, respectively, and $9.5 million and $11.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 respectively. As of June 30,
2024, we had working capital of $86.6 million and stockholder’s equity of $92.0 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2024,
net cash flows used in operating activities were $18.1 million, consisting primarily of a net loss of $20.6 million including non-cash
expenses of $2.9 million, as well as working capital adjustments of $0.3 million. Since inception, we have met our liquidity requirements
principally through the sale of our common stock and preferred stock in private placements. More recently, on April 10, 2024, we completed
our 2024 Private Placement, pursuant to which we sold 9,143,380 Shares, and, for certain purchasers, Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase an
aggregate of 1,700,000 shares of common stock. In each case, the shares and Pre-Funded Warrants were accompanied by Common Warrants to
purchase an aggregate of up to 10,843,380 shares of common stock at a price of $5.25. We received total net proceeds of approximately
$42.0 million after deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses.
We are in the business of
developing biopharmaceuticals and have no current or near-term revenues. We have incurred substantial clinical and other costs in our
drug development efforts. We will need to raise additional capital in order to fully realize management’s plans.
We believe that our current
financial resources, as of the date of the issuance of our condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q, are sufficient to satisfy our estimated liquidity needs for at least twelve months from the date of filing this quarterly
report on Form 10-Q.
As a result of volatility
in the capital markets, economic conditions, general global economic uncertainty, political change, global pandemics, and other factors,
we do not know whether additional capital will be available when needed, or that, if available, we will be able to obtain additional capital
on reasonable terms. If we are unable to raise additional capital due to the volatile global financial markets, general economic uncertainty
or other factors, we may need to curtail planned development activities. Specifically, higher, and potentially increasing interest rates
could impact our access to capital, and could in the future negatively affect our liquidity. A recession or market correction, continued
supply chain disruptions and/or inflation could materially affect our business and the value of our common stock. Further, recent rises
in interest rates have had, and may continue to have, a negative effect on market prices for common stock of public companies, especially
those in the pharmaceutical industry and those that have no current or near-term revenue.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes
our sources and uses of cash for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
For The Six Months Ended
June 30,
Period-to-
Period
2024
2023
Change
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$ (18,066 )
$ (22,296 )
$ 4,230
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
26,045
32,211
(6,166 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
42,016
(64 )
42,080
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash
$ 49,995
$ 9,851
$ 40,144
23
Comparison of the Six Months Ended June
30, 2024 and 2023
Net cash used in operating activities was $18.1 million for the
six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $22.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The decrease of $4.2 million in cash
used in operating activities was primarily driven by a $5.4 million decrease in working capital adjustments, primarily related to changes
in prepaid expenses and other current assets, and accrued expenses resulting from the timing of payments to our service providers offset
partially by an increase in net loss of $0.3 million which includes a $1.0 million decrease in non-cash items including stock-based compensation,
operating lease right-of-use asset, depreciation, and amortization of premium on marketable debt securities.
Net cash provided by investing
activities was $26.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $32.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023.
The decrease of $6.2 million resulted primarily from the maturation of marketable debt securities, the proceeds of which went into money
market funds.
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities was approximately
$42.0 million and $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase of $40.1 million resulted primarily
from the net proceeds of the 2024 Private Placement transaction, which took place in April 2024.
Contractual and Other Obligations
Operating lease obligations
Our operating lease obligations
primarily consist of lease payments on our corporate headquarters in New York, New York, as well as lease payments for our development
laboratory, a manufacturing facility and an additional manufacturing space, all located in North America which are described in further
detail in Note 8 of our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Other obligations
From time to time, we enter
into certain types of contracts that contingently require us to indemnify parties against third-party claims, supply agreements, and agreements
with directors and officers. The terms of such obligations vary by contract and in most instances a maximum dollar amount is not explicitly
stated therein. Generally, amounts under these contracts cannot be reasonably estimated until a specific claim is asserted, thus no liabilities
have been recorded for these obligations on our condensed consolidated balance sheet for the periods presented.
We enter into contracts in
the normal course of business with CROs, CDMOs, and clinical sites for the conduct of clinical trials, non-clinical research studies,
professional consultants for expert advice and other vendors for clinical supply manufacturing or other services. These contracts generally
provide for termination on notice, and therefore are cancelable contracts.
Certain of these agreements
require us to pay milestones to such third parties upon achievement of certain development, regulatory or commercial milestones as further
described in Note 9 of our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Amounts related
to contingent milestone payments are not considered contractual obligations as they are contingent on the successful achievement of certain
development, regulatory approval and commercial milestones, which may not be achieved.
We also have obligations
to make future payments to third parties that become due and payable on the achievement of certain milestones, including future payments
to third parties with whom we have entered into research, development and commercialization agreements. We have not included these commitments
on our condensed consolidated balance sheet for the periods presented because the achievement and timing of these milestones is not fixed
and determinable.
24
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We did not have, during the
periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under the applicable regulations of the
SEC.
Item 3. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures
about Market Risk
Not applicable.