UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION
13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2025
or
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION
13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from
to
Commission
File Number: 001-36694
Protara Therapeutics, Inc.
(Exact name
of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 20-4580525
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
345 Park Avenue South
3 rd Floor
New York , NY
(Address of principal executive offices)
10010
(Zip Code)
(646) 844-0337
(Registrant’s telephone number, including
area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b)
of the Act:
Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share TARA The Nasdaq Global Market
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
(1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405
of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes
☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.
See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,”
and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☒ Smaller reporting company ☒
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check
mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting
standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As
of May 1, 2025 there were 38,581,863 shares of the registrant’s
common stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
1
Item 1.
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
1
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 (unaudited)
1
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Three Months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 (unaudited)
2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 (unaudited)
3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 (unaudited)
4
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
5
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
16
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
22
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
22
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
23
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
23
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
23
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
23
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
23
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
23
Item 5.
Other Information
23
Item 6.
Exhibits
24
EXHIBIT INDEX
24
SIGNATURES
26
i
CAUTIONARY NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements, which reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, our operations and
financial performance. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking
statements. In some cases, you can identify these forward-looking statements by terminology such as “believes,” “expects,”
“potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seek,” “approximately,”
“predict,” “intend,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or the negative version
of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Accordingly,
there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these
statements.
These forward-looking statements include,
but are not limited to, statements about:
●
estimates regarding our financial performance, including future revenue, expenses and capital requirements;
●
our expected cash position and ability to obtain financing in the future on satisfactory terms or at all;
●
expectations regarding our plans to research, develop and commercialize our current and future product candidates, including TARA-002, and Intravenous, or IV, Choline Chloride;
●
expectations regarding the safety and efficacy of our product candidates;
●
expectations regarding the timing, costs and outcomes of our clinical trials;
●
expectations regarding potential market size;
●
expectations regarding the timing of the availability of data from our clinical trials;
●
expectations regarding the clinical utility, potential benefits and market acceptance of our product candidates;
●
expectations regarding our commercialization, marketing and manufacturing capabilities and strategy;
●
the implementation of our business model, strategic plans for our business, product candidates and technology;
●
expectations regarding our ability to identify additional products or product candidates with significant commercial potential;
●
developments and projections relating to our competitors and industry;
●
our ability to acquire, license and invest in businesses, technologies, product candidates and products;
●
our ability to remain listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, or Nasdaq;
●
the impact of government laws and regulations, including any executive orders or tariffs;
●
costs and outcomes relating to any disputes, governmental inquiries or investigations, regulatory proceedings, legal proceedings or litigation;
●
our ability to attract and retain key personnel to manage our business effectively;
●
our ability to prevent system failures, data breaches or violations of data protection laws;
●
the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals;
●
our ability to protect our intellectual property position; and
●
the impact of general U.S., foreign and global economic, industry, market, regulatory, political or public health conditions.
All forward-looking statements
in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are made as of the date of this document and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance
or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from
current expectations include, among other things, the risk factors set forth below in Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors , and elsewhere
in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or in our other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. These
factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included
in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information
becomes available in the future.
This Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q also contains estimates, projections and other information concerning our industry, our business, and the markets for certain
medical conditions, including data regarding the estimated size of those markets, and the incidence and prevalence of certain medical
conditions. Information that is based on estimates, forecasts, projections, market research or similar methodologies is inherently subject
to uncertainties and actual events or circumstances may differ materially from events and circumstances reflected in this information.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, we obtained this industry, business, market and other data from reports, research surveys, studies
and similar data prepared by market research firms and other third parties, industry, medical and general publications, government data
and similar sources.
ii
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
PROTARA THERAPEUTICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
As of
March 31,
2025
December 31,
2024
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 91,461
$ 162,798
Marketable debt securities
32,902
7,494
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
2,169
1,863
Total current assets
126,532
172,155
Restricted cash, non-current
745
745
Marketable debt securities, non-current
33,154
-
Property and equipment, net
988
1,027
Operating lease right-of-use asset
3,992
4,255
Other assets
3,148
3,272
Total assets
$ 168,559
$ 181,454
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$ 2,310
$ 4,429
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
3,538
5,408
Operating lease liability
1,170
1,124
Total current liabilities
7,018
10,961
Operating lease liability, non-current
3,057
3,359
Total liabilities
10,075
14,320
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Stockholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock, $ 0.001 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares:
Series 1 Convertible Preferred Stock, 8,028 shares authorized at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, 5,615 and 7,991 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively
-
-
Common stock, $ 0.001 par value, authorized 100,000,000 shares:
Common stock, 38,577,813 and 35,044,772 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively
39
35
Additional paid-in capital
415,250
412,077
Accumulated deficit
( 256,894 )
( 244,980 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
89
2
Total stockholders’ equity
158,484
167,134
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$ 168,559
$ 181,454
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
1
PROTARA THERAPEUTICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements
of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
Operating expenses:
Research and development
$ 9,148
$ 7,748
General and administrative
4,976
4,103
Total operating expenses
14,124
11,851
Income (Loss) from operations
( 14,124 )
( 11,851 )
Other income (expense), net:
Interest and investment income (expenses)
1,729
756
Other income (expense)
481
-
Other income (expense), net
2,210
756
Net income (loss)
$ ( 11,914 )
$ ( 11,095 )
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized gain (loss) on marketable debt securities
87
30
Other comprehensive income (loss)
87
30
Comprehensive income (loss)
$ ( 11,827 )
$ ( 11,065 )
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted
$ ( 0.29 )
$ ( 0.97 )
Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic and diluted
40,707,937
11,420,948
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
PROTARA THERAPEUTICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements
of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Series 1
Convertible
Preferred Stock
Common Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Accumulated
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Total
Stockholders’
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Income (Loss)
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2023
7,991
$ -
11,364,903
$ 11
$ 268,725
$ ( 200,384 )
$ ( 31 )
$ 68,321
Issuance of common stock upon settlement of restricted stock units
-
-
68,934
-
( 76 )
-
-
( 76 )
Stock-based compensation - restricted stock units
-
-
-
-
151
-
-
151
Stock-based compensation - stock options
-
-
-
-
1,075
-
-
1,075
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable debt securities
-
-
-
-
-
-
30
30
Net income (loss)
-
-
-
-
-
( 11,095 )
-
( 11,095 )
Balance at March 31, 2024
7,991
$ -
11,433,837
$ 11
$ 269,875
$ ( 211,479 )
$ ( 1 )
$ 58,406
Balance at December 31, 2024
7,991
$ -
35,044,772
$ 35
$ 412,077
$ ( 244,980 )
$ 2
$ 167,134
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series 1 Preferred Stock
( 2,376 )
-
2,376,244
2
( 2 )
-
-
-
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of pre-funded warrants
-
-
625,100
1
-
-
-
1
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of Underwriters’ Option in connection with December 2024 Public Offering, net of offering costs of $ 214
-
-
438,738
1
2,527
-
-
2,528
Issuance of common stock upon settlement of restricted stock units
-
-
92,959
-
( 185 )
-
-
( 185 )
Stock-based compensation - restricted stock units
-
-
-
-
121
-
-
121
Stock-based compensation - stock options
-
-
-
-
712
-
-
712
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable debt securities
-
-
-
-
-
-
87
87
Net income (loss)
-
-
-
-
-
( 11,914 )
-
( 11,914 )
Balance at March 31, 2025
5,615
$ -
38,577,813
$ 39
$ 415,250
$ ( 256,894 )
$ 89
$ 158,484
The accompanying notes are
an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
PROTARA THERAPEUTICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements
of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
2025
2024
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)
$ ( 11,914 )
$ ( 11,095 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Stock-based compensation
833
1,226
Operating lease right-of-use asset
263
246
Depreciation
83
83
Amortization of premium (Accretion of discount) on marketable debt securities
( 166 )
( 68 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
( 306 )
435
Other assets
124
( 301 )
Accounts payable
( 1,504 )
( 1,462 )
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
( 1,870 )
797
Operating lease liabilities
( 256 )
( 240 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
( 14,713 )
( 10,379 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of marketable debt securities
( 65,810 )
-
Proceeds from maturity and redemption of marketable debt securities
7,500
23,100
Purchase of property and equipment
( 44 )
-
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
( 58,354 )
23,100
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of Underwriters’ Option in December 2024 public offering, net of offering costs of $ 214
2,528
-
Offering costs paid in connection with the December 2024 public offering
( 614 )
-
Proceeds from exercise of pre-funded warrants
1
-
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of restricted stock units
( 185 )
( 76 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
1,730
( 76 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
( 71,337 )
12,645
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash - beginning of period
163,543
40,331
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash - end of period
$ 92,206
$ 52,976
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Accrued financing fees
-
385
Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash to the condensed consolidated balance sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 91,461
$ 52,231
Restricted cash, non-current
745
745
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
$ 92,206
$ 52,976
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
Protara Therapeutics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements
(amounts in thousands, except share and per
share data)
1. Organization and Nature of the Business
Overview
Protara Therapeutics, Inc.,
and its consolidated subsidiaries (“Protara” or the “Company”), is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company
committed to advancing transformative therapies for the treatment of cancer and rare diseases. Protara’s portfolio includes two
development programs utilizing TARA-002, an investigational cell therapy in development for the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder
cancer, or NMIBC, and lymphatic malformations, or LMs. Additionally, the Company’s portfolio includes Intravenous, or IV, Choline
Chloride, an investigational phospholipid substrate replacement therapy in development for patients receiving parenteral support, or PS.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company is in the business
of developing biopharmaceuticals and has no current or near-term revenues. The Company has incurred substantial clinical and other costs
in its drug development efforts. The Company will need to raise additional capital in order to fully realize management’s plans.
The Company believes that
its current financial resources are sufficient to satisfy the Company’s estimated liquidity needs for at least twelve months from
the date of issuance of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The Company’s significant
accounting policies are disclosed in the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto in the Company’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on
March 5, 2025, or the Annual Report on Form 10-K. Except as reflected below, there were no changes to the Company’s significant
accounting policies as described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K. Reflected in this note are updates to accounting policies, including
the impact of the adoption of new policies.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed
consolidated financial statements and the related disclosures as of March 31, 2025 and for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024
are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP, and the
rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial statements. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes
required by GAAP for complete financial statements. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction
with the 2024 audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K. The December 31, 2024 consolidated
balance sheet included herein was derived from the audited financial statements as of that date but does not include all disclosures including
notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated financial statements
reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial
position and results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024. The results of operations for the interim periods
are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2025 or any other interim period or future
year or period.
Principles of Consolidation
The condensed consolidated
financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions
have been eliminated in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In December 2023, the Financial
Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2023-09 – Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures,
which enhances the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. The standard is effective for public companies for
annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is available. The Company is still evaluating the full extent of the
potential impact of the adoption of ASU 2023-09, but believes it will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements
and disclosures.
In November 2024, the FASB
issued ASU 2024-03 – Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income – Expense Disaggregation Disclosures, which enhances
the disclosures for various types of expenses. The standard is effective for public companies for annual periods beginning after December
15, 2026. Early adoption is available. The Company is still evaluating the full extent of the potential impact of the adoption of ASU
2024-03.
5
Protara Therapeutics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements
(amounts in thousands, except share and per
share data)
Subsequent Events
The Company evaluated subsequent
events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to the date that the financial statements were available to be issued.
The Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
3. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company measures certain
financial assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is determined based upon the exit price that would be received to sell an asset
or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants, as determined by either the principal market or
the most advantageous market.
Inputs used in the valuation
techniques to derive fair values are classified based on a three-level hierarchy, as follows:
●
Level 1 Inputs: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities accessible to the reporting entity at the measurement date.
●
Level 2 Inputs: Other than quoted prices included in Level 1 inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
●
Level 3 Inputs: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at measurement date.
The following tables present
the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured and carried at fair value and indicate the level within the fair
value hierarchy of valuation techniques it utilizes to determine such fair value:
As of March 31, 2025
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds (a)
$ 90,959
$ -
$ -
$ 90,959
Restricted cash, non-current:
Money market funds (b)
745
-
-
745
Marketable debt securities:
Corporate bonds (c)
-
29,247
-
29,247
U.S. Treasury securities (c)
36,809
-
-
36,809
Total
$ 128,513
$ 29,247
$ -
$ 157,760
As of December 31, 2024
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds (a)
$ 162,297
$ -
$ -
$ 162,297
Restricted cash, non-current:
Money market funds (b)
745
-
-
745
Marketable debt securities:
U.S. Treasury securities (c)
7,494
-
-
7,494
Total
$ 170,536
$ -
$ -
$ 170,536
(a) Money
market funds with original maturities of 90 days or less are included within cash and cash equivalents in the condensed consolidated
balance sheets.
(b) Restricted
money market funds are included within restricted cash, non-current in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(c) U.S.
Treasury securities and corporate bonds with original maturities greater than 90 days are included within marketable debt securities
in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and classified as current or non-current based upon whether the maturity of the financial
asset is less than or greater than 12 months.
6
Protara Therapeutics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements
(amounts in thousands, except share and per
share data)
Money market funds and U.S.
Treasury securities are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy, because they are valued using quoted prices in active markets.
Corporate bonds classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy are valued on the basis of prices from an orderly transaction between
market participants provided by reputable dealers or pricing services. Prices of these securities are obtained through independent, third-party
pricing services and include market quotations that may include both observable and unobservable inputs. In determining the value of a
particular investment, pricing services may use certain information with respect to transactions in such investments, quotations from
dealers, pricing matrices and market transactions in comparable investments and various relationships between investments. There were
no transfers of financial instruments among Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 during the period presented.
Cash and cash equivalents,
prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities at March 31, 2025 and December
31, 2024 are carried at amounts that approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities.
4. Marketable Debt Securities
Marketable debt securities,
all of which were classified as available-for-sale, consist of the following:
As of March 31, 2025
Amortized
Cost
Unrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Estimated
Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities - presented in marketable debt securities
$ 21,681
$ 14
$ -
$ 21,695
U.S. Treasury securities - presented in marketable debt securities, non-current
15,056
57
-
15,113
Corporate bonds - presented in marketable debt securities
11,212
-
( 5 )
11,207
Corporate bonds - presented in marketable debt securities, non-current
18,018
30
( 7 )
18,041
Total
$ 65,967
$ 101
$ ( 12 )
$ 66,056
As of December 31, 2024
Amortized
Cost
Unrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Estimated
Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities - presented in marketable debt securities
7,492
2
-
7,494
Total
$ 7,492
$ 2
$ -
$ 7,494
The Company has recorded
the securities at fair value in its condensed consolidated balance sheets and unrealized gains and losses are reported as a component
of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). For the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 there were no realized gains or losses.
Gains, if any, would be included in investment income within the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
At the time of purchase,
the Company determines the appropriate classification of investments based upon its intent with regard to such investments. The Company
classifies investments in marketable debt securities with remaining maturities when purchased of 90 days or less as cash equivalents.
The Company classifies investments in marketable debt securities with remaining maturities when purchased of greater than three months
as available-for-sale. Investments with a remaining maturity date greater than one year are classified as non-current. The remaining
maturities of all debt securities held at March 31, 2025 was less than five years. There were no sales of securities in the periods presented.
Credit Losses
Securities with an amortized
cost basis in excess of estimated fair value are assessed to determine what amount of the excess, if any, is caused by expected credit
losses.
7
Protara Therapeutics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements
(amounts in thousands, except share and per
share data)
As of March 31, 2025, marketable
debt securities in a loss position consist of the following:
As of March 31, 2025
In Continuous Loss Position
Less Than 12 Months
In Continuous Loss Position
Greater Than 12 Months
Total
Estimated
Fair Value
Unrealized
Losses
Estimated
Fair Value
Unrealized
Losses
Estimated
Fair Value
Unrealized
Losses
Corporate bonds – presented in marketable debt securities
$ 8,636
$ ( 5 )
$ -
$ -
$ 8,636
$ ( 5 )
Corporate bonds – presented in marketable debt securities, non-current
3,067
( 7 )
-
-
3,067
( 7 )
Total
$ 11,703
$ ( 12 )
$ -
$ -
$ 11,703
$ ( 12 )
As of December 31, 2024,
no securities were held in a loss position. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, it was determined that there were no expected
credit losses.
Interest and Investment
Income
Interest and investment income consists of the
following:
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
2025
2024
Interest income
$ 1,555
$ 679
Accretion of discount (Amortization of premium), net
166
68
Dividend income
8
9
Total interest and investment income
$ 1,729
$ 756
5. Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Prepaid expenses and other
current assets consists of the following:
As of
March 31,
2025
December 31,
2024
Prepaid research and development
$ 874
$ 853
Prepaid insurance
482
622
Prepaid retention bonuses
20
80
Prepaid software
124
116
Accrued interest on marketable debt securities
368
-
Other prepaid expenses
285
190
Other current assets
16
2
Total
$ 2,169
$ 1,863
6. Other Assets
Other assets consists of the following:
As of
March 31,
2025
December 31,
2024
Prepaid research and development, non-current
$ 3,113
$ 3,245
Other non-current assets
35
27
Total
$ 3,148
$ 3,272
8
Protara Therapeutics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements
(amounts in thousands, except share and per
share data)
7. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other
current liabilities consists of the following:
As of
March 31,
2025
December 31,
2024
Research and development costs
2,632
2,740
Employee costs
680
2,533
Other expenses
226
135
Total
$ 3,538
$ 5,408
8. Leases
Operating leases
Leases classified as operating
leases are included in operating lease right-of use, or ROU, assets, operating lease liabilities and operating lease liabilities, non-current,
in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. Cash paid for operating lease liabilities was $ 332 during each of the three
months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.
Lease expense consists of
the following:
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
2025
2024
Operating lease expense
$ 338
$ 338
Total
$ 338
$ 338
Variable lease expenses for
the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were $ 31 and $ 20 , respectively.
The weighted-average remaining
lease term and the weighted average discount rate for operating leases were:
As of
March 31, 2025
Weighted-average discount rate 7.0 %
Weighted-average remaining lease term – operating lease (in months) 40
As of March 31, 2025, the
expected annual minimum lease payments of the Company’s operating lease liabilities were as follows:
For the Years Ending December 31,
Operating
Lease
Payments
2025 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2025)
$ 1,064
2026
1,429
2027
1,429
2028
718
2029
87
Thereafter
-
Total future operating lease payments
4,727
Less: imputed interest
( 500 )
Present value of future minimum lease payments
$ 4,227
9
Protara Therapeutics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements
(amounts in thousands, except share and per
share data)
9. Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
The Company has commitments
under certain license and collaboration agreements, lease agreements and employment agreements. Commitments under certain license agreements
primarily include annual payments, payments upon the achievement of certain milestones and royalty payments based on net sales of licensed
products. Commitments under lease agreements consist of future minimum lease payments for operating leases which are further described
in Note 8 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Contingencies
From time to time, the Company
may be subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business activities. Management is of
the opinion that the ultimate outcome of these matters would not have a material adverse impact on the financial position of the Company
or the results of its operations.
In the normal course of business,
the Company enters into contracts in which it makes representations and warranties regarding the performance of its services and that
its services will not infringe on third-party intellectual rights. There have been no significant events related to such representations
and warranties in which the Company believes the outcome could result in losses or penalties in the future.
10 . Stockholders’ Equity
Common Stock
As of March 31, 2025 and
December 31, 2024, the Company had 100,000,000 shares of common stock authorized for issuance, $ 0.001 par value per share, of which 38,577,813
and 35,044,772 shares were issued and outstanding, respectively.
The holders of the Company’s
common stock are entitled to one vote per share.
Preferred Stock
As of March 31, 2025 and
December 31, 2024, the Company had 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized for issuance, $ 0.001 par value per share, of which
8,028 shares of Series 1 Convertible Preferred Stock were authorized for issuance and 5,615 and 7,991 shares were issued and outstanding
as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Each share of Series 1 Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into approximately
1,000 shares of common stock, at a conversion price initially equal to approximately $ 7.01 per common share, subject to certain adjustments
as described in the certificate of designation of preferences, rights and limitations of Series 1 Convertible Preferred Stock.
During the three months ended
March 31, 2025, approximately 2,376 shares of Series 1 Convertible Preferred Stock were converted into 2,376,244 shares of common stock.
The holders of Series 1 Convertible
Preferred Stock are not entitled to vote.
April
2024 Private Placement
On
April 5, 2024, the Company entered into a subscription agreement with certain purchasers, or the Purchasers, pursuant to which
the Company agreed to sell and issue to the Purchasers, in a private placement, or the April 2024 Private Placement, an aggregate of 9,143,380
shares of the Company’s common stock, or the April 2024 Shares, and, for certain purchasers, pre-funded warrants, or the April 2024
Pre-Funded Warrants, to purchase an aggregate of 1,700,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. In each case, the April 2024 Shares
or April 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants were issued with warrants, or the April 2024 Common Warrants, to purchase an aggregate of up to 10,843,380
shares of the Company’s common stock. Each April 2024 Share, along with its attached April 2024 Common Warrant, had a purchase price
of $ 4.15 , and each April 2024 Pre-Funded Warrant, along with its attached April 2024 Common Warrant, had a purchase price of $ 4.149 . The
closing date of the April 2024 Private Placement was April 10, 2024. The April 2024 Private Placement
resulted in gross proceeds of approximately $ 44,998 and net proceeds of approximately $ 41,964 , reflecting approximately $ 3,034 of
placement agent’s fees, legal costs and other expenses connected with the transaction.
The April 2024 Pre-Funded
Warrants are exercisable at any time, at an exercise price of $ 0.001 per share. The April 2024 Common Warrants are exercisable on or prior
to the earlier of (i) April 10, 2027 and (ii) 90 days after the public announcement that the Company has demonstrated a six-month complete
response rate of minimum 42% from at least 25 Bacillus Calmette-Guérin, or BCG,-Unresponsive patients in the ADVANCED-2 (Cohort
B) clinical trial, at an exercise price of $ 5.25 per share.
The April 2024 Pre-Funded
Warrants and the April 2024 Common Warrants are exercisable so long as the aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock
beneficially owned by the holder (together with its affiliates) would not exceed 9.99 %, or for certain holders, 4.99 % of the number of
shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is
determined in accordance with the terms of such April 2024 Pre-Funded Warrant or April 2024 Common Warrant, as applicable. Such percentage
may be increased or decreased to any number not in excess of 19.99 % at the holder’s election upon notice to the Company, any such
increase not to take effect until the sixty-first day after notice to the Company.
10
Protara Therapeutics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements
(amounts in thousands, except share and per
share data)
Both the April 2024 Pre-Funded
Warrants and the April 2024 Common Warrants contain standard adjustments to the exercise price, inclusive of stock splits, stock dividends
and pro rata distributions and contain customary terms regarding the treatment of such April 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants or April 2024 Common
Warrants in the event of a fundamental transaction, which include but are not limited to a merger or consolidation involving the Company,
a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or a business combination resulting in any person acquiring more than
50% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company.
The
Company concluded that the April 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants and April 2024 Common Warrants met the requirements to be classified in stockholders’
equity.
The
fair market value of the April 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants was estimated as the difference between the share price of our stock on the agreement
date and the exercise price of the April 2024 Pre-Funded Warrant.
The
fair market value of the April 2024 Common Warrants at their issuance was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The
assumed dividend yield was based upon the Company’s expectation of not paying dividends in the foreseeable future. Expected volatility
for the Company’s common stock was determined based on the historical volatility of the Company over the full term of the warrant.
The risk-free interest rate was based upon the U.S. Treasury yield curve commensurate with the expected term at the time of grant. The
expected term of the April 2024 Common Warrants was calculated utilizing the three-year expiration date, taking into consideration the
possibility of an accelerated expiration date pursuant to the terms of the April 2024 Common Warrants.
The
estimated fair market values of the April 2024 Shares, April 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants and April 2024 Common Warrants have been recorded
in additional paid in capital.
As
of March 31, 2025, 10,118,380 April 2024 Common Warrants were outstanding. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, no April
2024 Common Warrants were exercised or expired. As of March 31, 2025, 1,700,000 April 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants were outstanding. During
the three months ended March 31, 2025, no April 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants were exercised or expired.
December
2024 Public Offering
On
December 9, 2024, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement, or the Underwriting Agreement, with TD Securities (USA) LLC, Cantor
Fitzgerald & Co. and LifeSci Capital LLC, as representatives, or the Representatives, of the several underwriters named therein, or
collectively, the Underwriters, pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell and issue to the Underwriters an aggregate of 13,690,000
shares, or the December 2024 Shares, of common stock of the Company, par value $ 0.001 per share and, for certain purchasers, pre-funded
warrants, or the December 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants, to purchase an aggregate of 2,325,372 shares of common stock, or the December 2024
Public Offering. The price to the public in the December 2024 Public Offering was $ 6.25 per December 2024 Share and $ 6.249 per December
2024 Pre-Funded Warrant, which is the price per share at which the December 2024 Shares were sold to the public in the December 2024 Public
Offering, minus the $ 0.001 exercise price per December 2024 Pre-Funded Warrant. In addition, under the terms of the Underwriting Agreement
the Company granted the Underwriters the option, for 30 days, to purchase up to an additional 2,402,305 shares of common stock at the
public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions, or the Underwriters’ Option.
The
December 2024 Public Offering closed on December 11, 2024, resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $ 100.1 million and net proceeds
of approximately $ 93.4 million, reflecting approximately $ 6.7 million of underwriters’ fees, legal costs and other expenses connected
with the transaction.
The
December 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants are exercisable at any time, at an exercise price of $ 0.001 per share. The December 2024 Pre-Funded
Warrants contain standard adjustments to the exercise price, including for stock splits, stock dividends and pro rata distributions and
contain customary terms regarding the treatment of such December 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants in the event of a fundamental transaction, which
include but are not limited to a merger or consolidation involving the Company, a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company or a business combination resulting in any person acquiring more than 50% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company.
Additionally, the December 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants include restrictions on exercise in the event the Purchaser’s beneficial ownership
of the Company’s common stock would exceed 4.99 % of the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect
to the exercise.
The
Company concluded that the December 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants met the requirements to be classified in stockholders’ equity.
The
fair market value of the December 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants has been determined as the spread between the price paid by the Underwriters
and the share price of our stock on the agreement date. The estimated fair values of the December 2024 Shares and December 2024 Pre-Funded
Warrants have been recorded in additional paid in capital.
On
January 8, 2025, the Underwriters notified the Company of their determination to exercise the Underwriters’ Option in part, and
purchased an additional 438,738 shares of common stock, at the public offering price less underwriting discounts and commissions. Closing
for the partial exercise of the Underwriters’ Option occurred on January 13, 2025. The transaction costs were charged to additional
paid in capital in the period the Underwriters’ Option was exercised.
The
exercise of the Underwriters’ Option resulted in gross proceeds of approximately $ 2.7 million and net proceeds of approximately
$ 2.5 million, reflecting approximately $ 0.2 million of underwriters’ fees, legal costs and other expenses connected with the transaction.
11
Protara Therapeutics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements
(amounts in thousands, except share and per
share data)
As
of March 31, 2025, 1,700,272 December 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants were outstanding. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, 625,100
December 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants were exercised and none expired.
11 . Stock-Based Compensation
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
On October 3, 2014, the stockholders
approved the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan. On June 20, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors amended the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan,
or the Amended and Restated 2014 Plan. On July 31, 2017, the stockholders approved this amendment. On January 1, 2020, Protara Therapeutics,
Inc. amended its Amended and Restated 2014 Plan to increase the number of shares of stock available for issuance under the Amended and
Restated 2014 Plan to 1,048,300 shares and made conforming changes and updates pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended.
The Amended and Restated
2014 Plan, as amended, provides for the grant of incentive and non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock
and stock unit awards, performance units, stock grants and qualified performance-based awards. The Amended and Restated 2014 Plan, as
amended, provided that the number of shares reserved and available for issuance would automatically increase each January 1, by four percent
of the Company’s common stock on the immediately preceding December 31, adjusted for the number of shares of the Company’s
common stock issuable upon conversion of any security that the Company may issue that is convertible into or exchangeable for the Company’s
common stock, or such lesser number of shares as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. Terms of the stock awards, including
vesting requirements, are determined by the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated 2014 Plan, as amended.
Certain awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control as defined in the Amended and Restated 2014 Plan, as amended.
On January 1, 2024, pursuant
to the annual evergreen feature of the Amended and Restated 2014 Plan, as amended, the number of shares authorized under the Amended and
Restated 2014 Plan, as amended, was increased by 911,380 shares to 4,474,683 shares. Following the approval of the Company’s 2024
Equity Incentive Plan, or 2024 EIP, by the stockholders of the Company on June 7, 2024, no additional awards will be made under the Amended
and Restated 2014 Plan, as amended.
As of March 31, 2025, there
were 3,563,504 shares of common stock subject to outstanding awards under the Amended and Restated 2014 Plan, as amended.
2017 Equity Incentive Plan
On August 10, 2017, Private
ArTara (a predecessor of the Company), its Board of Directors and its stockholders approved the ArTara Therapeutics, Inc. 2017 Equity
Incentive Plan to enable Private ArTara and its affiliates to recruit and retain highly qualified personnel and to incentivize personnel
for productivity and growth.
The total number of shares
authorized under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan was 2,000,000 for the issuance of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted
stock and restricted stock units to among others, members of the Board of Directors, employees, consultants and service providers to the
Company and its affiliates. As of January 9, 2020, no additional awards will be made under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.
As of March 31, 2025, there
were 134,328 shares of common stock subject to outstanding awards under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.
2020 Inducement Plan
On March 26, 2020, the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors, or the Compensation Committee, approved the 2020 Inducement Plan in order to award nonstatutory stock
options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards and other stock-based awards to persons not previously an employee or director
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. The Compensation Committee also adopted a form of stock option grant notice and stock option agreement and forms of
restricted stock unit grant notice and restricted stock unit agreement for use with the 2020 Inducement Plan.
On March 3, 2025, the Compensation Committee approved a Certificate
of First Amendment to the 2020 Inducement Plan, or the Amended 2020 Inducement Plan, to increase the number of shares provided for under
the Amended 2020 Inducement Plan by 600,000 shares to 1,200,000 shares.
As of March 31, 2025,
there were 512,900 shares of common stock subject to outstanding awards and 687,100 shares of common stock available for future issuance
under the Amended 2020 Inducement Plan.
12
Protara Therapeutics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements
(amounts in thousands, except share and per
share data)
2024 Equity Incentive
Plan
On June 7, 2024, the stockholders
approved the 2024 EIP. The 2024 EIP provides for the grant of 1,500,000 shares of common stock for stock options, stock appreciation rights,
restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units, performance shares and other stock and cash awards.
Terms of the stock awards,
including vesting requirements, are determined by the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of the 2024 EIP.
As of March 31, 2025, there
were 1,376,644 shares of common stock subject to outstanding awards and 123,356 shares of common stock available for future issuance under
the 2024 EIP.
2024 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan
On June 7, 2024, the stockholders
of the Company approved the 2024 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or 2024 ESPP. The number of shares authorized under the 2024 ESPP is 1,000,000 .
As of March 31, 2025, the
number of shares available for issuance under the 2024 ESPP was 1,000,000 . During the three months ended March 31, 2025, no shares were
issued under the 2024 ESPP.
Restricted Stock Units
The following table summarizes
restricted stock unit, or RSU, activity for the three months ended March 31, 2025:
Restricted
Stock
Units
Weighted
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
Non-vested as of December 31, 2024
295,914
$ 2.69
Granted
219,881
4.53
Forfeited
( 1,999 )
2.13
Vested
( 129,203 )
3.30
Non-vested as of March 31, 2025
384,593
$ 3.54
The fair value of RSUs is amortized
on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the respective awards. As of March 31, 2025, the unamortized value of RSUs
was $ 1,247 . As of March 31, 2025, the weighted average remaining amortization period was 2.28 years. As of March 31, 2025 and December
31, 2024, 289,500 RSUs have vested but have not yet been settled into shares of the Company’s common stock.
During the three months ended
March 31, 2025, the Company issued 92,959 shares of the Company’s common stock from the net settlement of 129,203 RSUs. The Company
paid $ 185 in connection with the net share settlement of these RSUs.
Stock Options
The following table summarizes
stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2025:
Options Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(years) Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (1)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2024 3,855,478 $ 7.30 7.66 $ 6,736
Granted 1,063,763 4.53
Exercised -
-
Forfeited ( 5,958 ) 2.28
Expired -
-
Outstanding as of March 31, 2025 4,913,283 $ 6.71 7.94 $ 4,224
Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2025 4,913,283 $ 6.71 7.94 $ 4,224
Exercisable as of March 31, 2025 2,361,687 10.22 6.80 1,614
(1) Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the exercise price of the option and the closing market price of our common stock on December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2025, respectively. The intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $ 0 .
13
Protara Therapeutics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements
(amounts in thousands, except share and per
share data)
The weighted average grant
date fair value per share of the options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 was $ 3.61 and $ 1.52 , respectively.
As of March 31, 2025, there was approximately $ 6,682 of unrecognized stock-based compensation for unvested stock option grants, which
is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.85 years. The total unrecognized stock-based compensation cost will be
adjusted for actual forfeitures as they occur.
Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Expense
The following tables summarize
total stock-based compensation costs recognized:
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
2025
2024
Stock Options
$ 712
$ 1,075
RSUs
121
151
Total
$ 833
$ 1,226
Stock-based compensation
expense was reflected within the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss as:
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
2025
2024
General and administrative
$ 641
$ 852
Research and development
192
374
Total
$ 833
$ 1,226
12. Net Income (Loss) per Common Share
The following table sets
forth the computation of the net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted:
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
2025
2024
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
$ ( 11,914 )
$ ( 11,095 )
Denominator
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, basic and diluted
40,707,937
11,420,948
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted
$ ( 0.29 )
$ ( 0.97 )
14
Protara Therapeutics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements
(amounts in thousands, except share and per
share data)
The weighted-average number
of shares of common stock outstanding during the period includes any contingently issuable shares for which there is no circumstance under
which those shares would not be issued and shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase common stock for no or nominal consideration.
This includes 289,500 RSUs that have vested but that have not yet been settled into shares of the Company’s common stock, 1,700,000
April 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants and 1,700,272 December 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants.
Since the Company was in
a net loss position for all periods presented, net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders was the same, on a basic
and diluted basis, as the inclusion of all potential common equivalent shares outstanding would have been anti-dilutive. The Company excluded
the following potential shares of common stock, presented based on amounts outstanding at each period end, from the computation of diluted
net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders for the periods indicated because including them would have had an anti-dilutive
effect:
As of March 31,
2025
2024
April 2024 Common Warrants
10,118,380
-
Series 1 Convertible Preferred Stock
5,616,973
7,993,217
Stock options
4,913,283
4,001,878
Restricted stock units
384,593
632,395
Total potentially dilutive shares
21,033,229
12,627,490
13. Segment Information
The Company’s Chief
Executive Officer is the chief operating decision maker, or CODM. The CODM allocates resources and assesses performance of the Company’s
single reportable segment by regularly reviewing the segment net income (loss) that also is reported on the income statement as consolidated
net income (loss). The measure of segment assets is reported on the balance sheet as total consolidated assets.
The following table sets
forth information about the Company’s single reportable segment and the significant expenses reviewed by the CODM, including a reconciliation
to consolidated net income (loss):
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
2025
2024
Research and development expenses:
TARA-002 in NMIBC
$ 3,557
$ 2,789
TARA-002 in LMs
549
933
IV Choline Chloride
2,515
258
Other research and development
2,335
3,394
General and administrative expenses
4,335
3,251
Stock-based compensation expense
833
1,226
Income (loss) from operations
( 14,124 )
( 11,851 )
Other income (expense), net
2,210
756
Segment net income (loss)
( 11,914 )
( 11,095 )
Adjustments and reconciling items
-
-
Net income (loss)
$ ( 11,914 )
$ ( 11,095 )
Other research and development
expenses consist of personnel-related expenses as well as other external research and development expenses that are not directly attributable
to a specific program.
15
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, 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 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. We are also pursuing intravenous, or IV, Choline Chloride, an investigational phospholipid substrate replacement
therapy, for patients receiving parenteral support, or PS, which includes both nutrition and fluids.
Neither TARA-002 nor IV Choline
Chloride have been approved for use for any indications.
TARA-002 in NMIBC
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.
16
Following the completion
of Phase 1a and 1b clinical trials to evaluate safety, preliminary efficacy and the dosing of TARA-002, at the 40KE (Klinische Einheit,
or KE, is a German term indicating a specified weight of dried cells in vial) dose level, we initiated and are currently conducting our
ADVANCED-2 clinical trial. ADVANCED-2 is a Phase 2 open-label clinical trial evaluating intravesical TARA-002 in at least 102 patients
with high-grade carcinoma in situ, or CIS. Cohort A of the Phase 2 has completed enrollment and enrolled 31 patients with CIS (±
Ta/T1 with Ta defined as non-invasive papillary carcinoma and T1 as defined as carcinoma invading the lamina propria), BCG-Naïve
or BCG-Exposed, who have not received intravesical BCG for at least 24 months prior to CIS diagnosis. Cohort B of the Phase 2 trial is
expected to enroll 75-100 patients with BCG-Unresponsive CIS (± Ta/T1) and is expected to be registrational based on the Food and
Drug Administrations, or FDA’s, August 2024 Draft Guidance on BCG-Unresponsive Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: Developing Drugs
and Biological Products for Treatment.
We presented interim data
from the ADVANCED-2 trial at the American Urology Association annual conference in April 2025 via a poster presentation with an April
16, 2025 data cutoff. The BCG-Unresponsive dataset included a total of five patients, all of whom were six- and nine-month evaluable,
and three of whom were evaluable at 12 months. The complete response, or CR, rate at any time in BCG-Unresponsive patients was 100% (5/5).
The CR rate in BCG-Unresponsive patients was 100% (5/5) at six months, 80% (4/5) at nine months, and 67% (2/3) at 12 months.
The BCG-Naïve dataset
included a total of 21 patients, including 16 evaluable at six months, eight at nine months, and seven at 12 months. The CR rate at any
time in BCG-Naïve patients was 76% (16/21). The CR rate in BCG-Naïve patients was 63% (10/16) at six months, 63% (5/8) at nine
months, and 43% (3/7) at 12 months.
The majority of adverse events
were Grade 1 and transient with no Grade 3 or greater treatment-related adverse events, or TRAEs, as assessed by study investigators.
No patients discontinued treatment due to TRAEs. The most common adverse events were in line with typical responses to bacterial immunopotentiation,
such as flu-like symptoms. The most common urinary symptoms reflect urinary tract instrumentation effects, such as bladder spasm, burning
sensation, and urinary tract infection. Most bladder irritations resolved shortly after administration or within a few hours to a few
days.
We
expect to share an interim analysis in Cohort B (BCG-Unresponsive) of the clinical trial by the end of 2025, which will include data from
approximately 25 six-month evaluable patients. Based on the positive responses demonstrated by TARA-002 in BCG-Naïve patients, we
expect to engage with FDA on the design of a registration study
in BCG-Naïve patients, as a potential follow-on indication for TARA-002.
We intend to discuss with the FDA a protocol for a registrational trial
evaluating TARA-002 in BCG-Naïve patients, and expect to provide an update on the design of this clinical trial following regulatory
alignment in the second half of 2025.
In addition to the ADVANCED-2
trial, we plan to continue to explore the anti-tumor activity related to the administration of TARA-002 via systemic administration. We
continue to believe that combination therapy may play a meaningful role in the NMIBC treatment paradigm and intend to evaluate TARA-002
in combination with other therapies. Given what we have observed to date of TARA-002’s mechanism of action and safety profile, we
believe it has strong potential as a combination agent, and we continue to evaluate potential combination therapy options for our clinical
program. We also 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, and 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.
IV Choline Chloride Program
for Parenteral Support
We are also pursuing IV Choline
Chloride, an investigational phospholipid substrate replacement therapy, for patients receiving PS, which includes both nutrition and
fluids. 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, neurotransmission, muscle function and bone health. PS
patients are unable to synthesize choline from enteral nutrition sources, and there are currently no available PS formulations containing
choline. Every year in the U.S. there are approximately 90,000 people who require PS at home and of those approximately 30,000 are on
long-term PS. IV Choline Chloride has the potential to become the first FDA-approved IV choline formulation for PS patients.
An IV formulation of choline
is recommended for patients on parenteral nutrition, or 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 and/or treatment of choline deficiency in patients on long-term
PN. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, has issued us a U.S. patent claiming a choline composition and a U.S. patent claiming
a method for treating choline deficiency with a choline composition, each with a term expiring in 2041.
In April 2024, we announced
alignment with the FDA on a registrational path forward for IV Choline Chloride. 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 as a source of choline
when oral or enteral nutrition is not possible, insufficient, or contraindicated. Feedback from the FDA on our IV Choline Chloride program
indicated that a single study with an endpoint of restoring choline levels in PS patients could serve as the basis for a regulatory submission
for IV Choline Chloride.
In September 2024, we presented the results of THRIVE-1, a prospective, observational study evaluating the prevalence of choline deficiency
and liver injury in patients dependent on PS in the U.S., U.K, and Europe at the ESPEN Congress. The study found that 78% of patients
who are dependent on PS were choline deficient, and that 63% of choline deficient participants had liver dysfunction, including steatosis,
cholestasis and hepatobiliary injury, underscoring the need for IV Choline supplementation in this patient population.
17
We plan to advance the development of IV Choline Chloride as a source of choline for adult and adolescent patients
on long-term PS and intend to initiate THRIVE-3, a registrational Phase 3 clinical trial, in the third quarter of 2025. THRIVE-3 is a
seamless Phase 2b/3 trial with a dose confirmation portion (n=24) followed by a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled portion
to assess the efficacy and safety of IV Choline Chloride over 24 weeks in adolescents and adults on long-term PS when oral or enteral
nutrition is not possible, insufficient, or contraindicated (n=100). The primary endpoint of the clinical trial is a pharmacokinetic,
or PK, endpoint measuring the change from baseline in plasma choline concentration. We also plan to include a number of secondary endpoints
related to liver, bone, and memory. The FDA has also granted IV Choline Chloride Fast Track Designation as a source of choline when oral
or enteral nutrition is not possible, insufficient, or contraindicated.
TARA-002 in LMs
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 Commission 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 open investigational
new drug application, or IND, for TARA-002 in LMs with the Vaccines and Related Products Division of the FDA, or Vaccines Division.
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 in the U.S. Including an age de-escalation safety lead-in, the clinical 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 clinical trial is the
proportion of participants with macrocystic LMs and mixed-cystic LMs who demonstrated clinical success, defined as having either a CR
(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.
In
September 2024, we announced interim data from the first safety cohort in the STARBORN-1 trial. Of three patients treated in the first
cohort, which enrolled individuals six years to less than 18 years of age, two patients treated with TARA-002 achieved a CR after receiving
one injection of TARA-002; the responses were seen in a patient with a macrocystic LM and a patient with a maxillofacial cyst called
a ranula. The tolerability observed in this cohort was consistent with patients’ historical experience with OK-432 and included
treatment emergent adverse events, or TEAEs, of pain, swelling, fatigue and body temperature increases. All TEAEs were mild to moderate
and resolved. We expect to provide an interim update from our STARBORN-1 trial in the second half of 2025.
Other Potential Opportunities
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 from the STARBORN-1 trial in which the one pediatric patient with a ranula achieved
a CR after a single 1KE injection 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.
Financial
Overview
We have devoted substantial
efforts to the development of our programs and do not have any approved products and have not generated any revenue from product sales.
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 March 31, 2025, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $256.9 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 March 31, 2025, we
had approximately $157.5 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and marketable debt securities.
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, external expenses incurred under agreements with
contract 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.
18
General and Administrative
General and administrative
expenses consist primarily 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 business and
market development, 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 Global Market, or
Nasdaq, listing and Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, requirements, director and officer liability insurance premiums and investor
relations costs associated with being a public company.
Other Income
(Expense), net
Other Income (Expense), net
consists of interest and investment income and other income. Interest and investment income consists of interest and dividend income on
our cash and 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 our accounting policies which have been disclosed in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 5, 2025.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Three Months Ended March
31, 2025 and 2024
The following table summarizes
our results of operations (in thousands) for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024:
For The Three Months Ended
March 31,
Period-to-
Period
2025
2024
Change
Operating expenses:
Research and development
$ 9,148
$ 7,748
$ 1,400
General and administrative
4,976
4,103
873
Total operating expenses
14,124
11,851
2,273
Loss from operations
(14,124 )
(11,851 )
(2,273 )
Other income (expense), net:
Interest and investment income
1,729
756
973
Other income
481
-
481
Other income (expense), net
2,210
756
1,454
Net income (loss)
$ (11,914 )
$ (11,095 )
$ (819 )
19
Research and development
expenses
The following table summarizes
our research and development expenses (in thousands) for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024:
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
Period -to-
Period
2025
2024
Change
Direct expenses by product candidate:
TARA-002 in NMIBC
$ 3,557
$ 2,789
$ 768
TARA-002 in LM
549
933
(384 )
IV Choline Chloride
2,515
258
2,257
Total direct expenses by product candidate
6,621
3,980
2,641
Indirect research and development expenses
2,527
3,768
(1,241 )
Total research and development expenses
$ 9,148
$ 7,748
$ 1,400
Research and development
expenses were $9.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, which represented an increase of approximately $1.4 million as compared
to the three months ended March 31, 2024. This increase was primarily due to a $2.6 million increase in direct expenses for our product
candidates partially offset by a $1.2 million decrease in indirect expenses. The decrease in indirect expenses was primarily due to a
$0.7 million decrease in personnel-related expenses and a decrease of $0.6 other research and development expenses not directly attributable
to a single product candidate.
General and administrative
expenses
General and administrative
expenses were $5.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, which represented an increase of approximately $0.9 million as compared
to the three months ended March 31, 2024. This increase was primarily due to an increase of $0.4 million in personnel-related expenses
as well as increases in market development and investor relations activities of $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
Other income (expense),
net
Other income (expense), net
was $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, which represented an increase of approximately $1.5 million as compared to
the three months ended March 31, 2024, due primarily to higher investment returns on a higher invested balance as well as a $0.5 million
increase in other income.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
As of March 31, 2025 and
December 31, 2024, our unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and marketable debt securities were $157.5 million and $170.3 million, respectively.
We have not generated revenues since our inception and have incurred net losses of $11.9 million and $11.1 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. As of March 31, 2025, we had working capital of $119.5 million and stockholder’s equity
of $158.5 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, net cash flows used in operating activities were $14.7 million, consisting
primarily of a net loss of $11.9 million including non-cash expenses of $1.0 million, as well as working capital adjustments of $(3.8)
million. Since inception, we have met our liquidity requirements principally through the sale of our common stock, preferred stock and
pre-funded warrants in private placements and public offerings, including those described in Note 10 to our condensed consolidated financial
statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (which descriptions are summaries only, do not purport to be complete
and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the documents referenced therein and included as an exhibit to this Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q and/or the Annual Report on Form 10-K). In addition, we may receive additional proceeds upon the exercise of the common warrants
issued in the April 2024 Private Placement. More recently, on January 8, 2025, the Underwriters of the December 2024 Public Offering notified
us of their determination to exercise the Underwriters’ Option in part, and purchased an additional 438,738 shares of common stock,
at the public offering price less underwriting discounts and commissions, which resulted in net proceeds of approximately $2.5 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.
20
As a result of volatility
in the capital markets, economic conditions, general global economic uncertainty, political and regulatory change and uncertainty, 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 volatile global financial
markets, general economic uncertainty or other factors, we may need to curtail planned development activities. Despite recent moderation,
the sustained elevated interest rates in recent years have had, and may continue to have, a negative effect on market prices for common
stock of public companies, especially those in the biotech industry and those that have no current or near-term revenue. Further, a recession
or market correction, supply chain disruptions and/or continued inflation could materially affect our business and the value of our common
stock.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes
our sources and uses of cash (in thousands) for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024:
For The Three Months Ended
March 31,
Period-to-
Period
2025
2024
Change
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$ (14,713 )
$ (10,379 )
$ (4,334 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(58,354 )
23,100
(81,454 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
1,730
(76 )
1,806
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash
$ (71,337 )
$ 12,645
$ (83,982 )
Comparison of the Three Months Ended March
31, 2025 and 2024
Net cash provided by (used
in) operating activities was approximately $(14.7) million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to approximately $(10.4)
million for the three months ended December 31, 2024. The increase of approximately $4.3 million in cash used in operating activities
was primarily driven by an increase in working capital adjustments, primarily related to changes in prepaid expenses and other current
assets, accounts payable, and accrued expenses resulting from the timing of payments to our service providers of $3.0 million as well
as an increase in net loss of $0.8 million and a $0.5 million decrease in non-cash items, consisting principally of stock-based compensation
expense.
Net cash provided by (used
in) investing activities was approximately $(58.4) million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to approximately $23.1 million
for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The change in cash provided by (used in) investing activities of $81.5 million resulted primarily
from an increase of $65.8 million in marketable debt securities purchased as well as a decrease of $15.6 million in proceeds from marketable
debt securities matured.
Net cash provided by (used
in) financing activities was $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $(0.1) million for the three months ended
March 31, 2024. The change in cash provided by (used in) financing activities of approximately $1.8 million resulted primarily from the
net proceeds of $2.5 million from the issuance of common stock in connection with the exercise of the Underwriters’ option, offset
partially by $0.6 million of cash paid in connection with the December 2024 Public Offering.
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.
21
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 elsewhere 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.
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.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Management’s Evaluation of our Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls
and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or Exchange Act, that are designed
to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed,
summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (2) accumulated and communicated to
our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding
required disclosure.
As of March 31, 2025, our
management, with the participation of our principal executive and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure
controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Our management recognizes that any
controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives,
and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Our principal
executive and principal financial officer have concluded based upon the evaluation described above that, as of March 31, 2025, our disclosure
controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
We continue to review and
document our disclosure controls and procedures, including our internal controls and procedures for financial reporting, and may from
time to time make changes aimed at enhancing their effectiveness and to ensure that our systems evolve with our business.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial
Reporting
There were no changes in
our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2025, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and
15(d)-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal
control over financial reporting.
22
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may
be subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of our business activities. We are not currently
a party to any legal proceedings that, in the opinion of our management, are likely to have a material adverse effect on our business.
Regardless of outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources
and other factors.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There
were no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in “Part II, Item 1A—Risk Factors” of our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on March 5, 2025.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
and Use of Proceeds
During
the three months ended March 31, 2025, 1,191 shares of previously issued Series 1 Convertible Preferred Stock were converted in
accordance with their terms into 1,190,996 shares of common stock at the election of their holder.
As previously reported in
the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 10, 2020, on January 9, 2020, the Company issued and sold
to certain institutional investors 3,879.356 shares of Series 1 Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $7,011.47 per share, for an aggregate
purchase price of approximately $27.2 million, in reliance on an exemption under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, from the registration requirements thereof. Each of the purchasers represented that it was acquiring the securities for investment
only and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution thereof and other statutory and/or
regulatory exemptions may also apply. Each share of Series 1 Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into approximately 1,000 shares
of the Company’s common stock, at a conversion price initially equal to approximately $7.01 per common share, subject to certain
adjustments as described in the certificate of designation of preferences, rights and limitations of Series 1 Convertible Preferred Stock,
at any time at the option of the holder, provided that any conversion of Series 1 Convertible Preferred Stock by a holder into shares
of the Company’s common stock would be prohibited if, as a result of such conversion, the holder, together with its affiliates and
any other person or entity whose beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock would be aggregated with such holder’s
for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, would beneficially own more than 9.99% of
the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding after giving effect to such conversion. Upon written
notice to the Company, the holder may from time to time increase or decrease such limitation to any other percentage not in excess of 19.99%
specified in such notice.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not
applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
During the three months ended
March 31, 2025, no director or officer of the Company adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule
10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.
23
Item 6. Exhibits
The exhibits filed as part
of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are set forth on the Exhibit Index, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
3.1
Sixth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 27, 2014).
3.2
Certificate of Amendment to the Sixth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 10, 2020).
3.3
Second Certificate of Amendment to the Sixth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on May 13, 2020).
3.4
Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series 1 Convertible Non-Voting Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 10, 2020).
3.5
Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series 1 Convertible Non-Voting Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on September 23, 2020).
3.6
Composite Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 8, 2023).
3.7
Second Amended and Restated By-laws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on August 3, 2017).
4.1
Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 10, 2020).
4.2
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September 23, 2019, by and among the Registrant and the institutional investors named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on September 24, 2019).
10.1
Form of Pre-Funded Common Stock Purchase Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on December 11, 2024).
10.2
Form of Pre-Funded Common Stock Purchase Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on April 5, 2024).
10.3
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on April 5, 2024).
24
10.4
Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 5, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on April 5, 2024).
10.5
First Certificate of Amendment to Inducement Plan of the Registrant dated March 3, 2025 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 5, 2025).
10.6*†
Executive Employment Agreement, effective as of April 15, 2025, by and between the Registrant and Leonardo Nicacio, M.D.
10.7*†
Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy.
31.1*
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Required Under Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
31.2*
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Required Under Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
32.1**
Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS*
Interactive Data Files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (“Inline XBRL”)
101.SCH*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
*
Exhibits filed herewith.
**
Exhibits furnished herewith.
†
Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
25
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto
duly authorized.
PROTARA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Date: May 8, 2025
By:
/s/ Jesse Shefferman
Jesse Shefferman
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: May 8, 2025
By:
/s/ Patrick Fabbio
Patrick Fabbio
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
26
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.