Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
ITEM
8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
UNICYCIVE
THERAPEUTICS, INC.
INDEX
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
Audited Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID # 199 ) F-2
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 F- 3
Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021 F- 4
Statements of Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021 F- 5
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021 F- 6
Notes to the Financial Statements F- 7
F- 1
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
of Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets
of Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related statements of operations,
stockholders’ (deficit) equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related
notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its
cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility
of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our
audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”)
and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the
standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged
to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding
of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s
internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess
the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond
to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.
Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating
the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the Company's auditor since
2019.
/s/ Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C.
San Diego, California
March 31, 2022
F- 2
Unicycive
Therapeutics, Inc.
Balance
Sheets
(in
thousands, except for share and per share amounts)
As of
As of
December 31,
December 31,
2020
2021
Assets
Current assets:
Cash
$ -
$ 16,579
Deferred offering costs
200
-
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
4
1,832
Total current assets
204
18,411
Right of use asset, net
-
305
Property, plant and equipment, net
-
28
Total assets
$ 204
$ 18,744
Liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$ 184
$ 742
Related party service fee payable
9
-
Accrued liabilities
168
1,212
Convertible notes
1,528
-
Loan from stockholder
967
-
Operating lease liability - current
-
151
Government loan
19
-
Total current liabilities
2,875
2,105
Operating lease liability – long term
-
155
Total liabilities
2,875
2,260
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity:
Preferred stock: $ 0.001 par value per share— 10,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2020 and 2021; no shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020 and 2021
$ -
$ -
Common stock, $ 0.001 par value per share – 200,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2020 and 2021; 8,514,070 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020, and 14,996,534 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021
9
15
Additional paid-in capital
3,242
32,408
Accumulated deficit
( 5,922 )
( 15,939 )
Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity
( 2,671 )
16,484
Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity
$ 204
$ 18,744
See
accompanying notes to the financial statements
F- 3
Unicycive
Therapeutics, Inc.
Statements
of Operations
(in
thousands, except for share and per share amounts)
Year Ended
December 31,
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
2021
Operating expenses:
Research and development
$ 1,015
$ 6,080
General and administrative
1,005
2,897
Total operating expenses
2,020
8,977
Loss from operations
( 2,020 )
( 8,977 )
Other expenses:
Interest expense
( 244 )
( 628 )
Loss on debt conversion
-
( 431 )
Gain on extinguishment of debt
-
19
Total other expenses
( 244 )
( 1,040 )
Net loss
$ ( 2,264 )
$ ( 10,017 )
Net loss per share, basic and diluted
$ ( 0.27 )
$ ( 0.86 )
Weighted-average shares outstanding used in computing net loss per share, basic and diluted
8,499,687
11,675,750
See
accompanying notes to the financial statements
F- 4
Unicycive
Therapeutics, Inc.
Statements
of Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity
(in
thousands, except share amounts)
Total
Additional
Stockholders’
Preferred Stock
Common Stock
Paid-In
Accumulated
(Deficit)
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2019
-
$ -
8,456,179
$ 8
$ 2,766
$ ( 3,658 )
$ ( 884 )
Net loss
-
-
-
-
-
( 2,264 )
( 2,264 )
Issuance of common stock for cash
-
-
33,263
1
141
-
142
Issuance of common stock for anti-dilution clause
-
-
24,628
-
104
-
104
Stock-based compensation expense
-
-
-
-
231
-
231
Balance at December 31, 2020
-
8,514,070
9
3,242
( 5,922 )
( 2,671 )
Net loss
-
-
-
-
-
( 10,017 )
( 10,017 )
Net proceeds from initial public offering
-
-
5,000,000
5
22,266
-
22,271
Conversion of convertible notes into common stock
-
-
736,773
1
3,684
-
3,685
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options
-
-
307,317
-
59
-
59
Issuance of common stock for anti-dilution clause
-
-
438,374
-
2,191
-
2,191
Stock-based compensation expense
-
-
-
-
966
-
966
Balance at December 31, 2021
-
$ -
14,996,534
$ 15
$ 32,408
$ ( 15,939 )
$ 16,484
See
accompanying notes to the financial statements
F- 5
Unicycive
Therapeutics, Inc.
Statements
of Cash Flows
(in
thousands)
Year Ended
Year Ended
December 31,
December 31,
2020
2021
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss
$
( 2,264
)
$
( 10,017
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation expense
-
1
R&D expense for issuance of common stock for anti-dilution clause
104
2,191
Stock-based compensation expense
232
966
Convertible debt discount amortization
186
488
Amortization of operating lease right of use asset
-
12
Convertible debt non-cash interest
53
139
Gain on extinguishment of debt
-
( 19
)
Deferred compensation to CEO
396
146
Loss on debt conversion
-
431
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expense and other current assets
1
( 1,325
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
( 68
)
1,241
Operating lease liability
-
( 12
)
Related party service fee payable
( 99
)
( 9
)
Net cash used in operating activities
( 1,459
)
( 5,767
)
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
-
( 29
)
Net cash used in investing activities
-
( 29
)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net proceeds from initial public offering
-
22,271
Issuance of common stock for cash
141
-
Proceeds from loan from stockholder
271
248
Proceeds from convertible notes
1,290
1,098
Repayment of loan from stockholder
( 160
)
( 1,361
)
Deferred offering costs
( 117
)
-
Proceeds from exercise of options
-
119
Proceeds from government loan
19
-
Net cash provided by financing activities
1,444
22,375
Net (decrease) increase in cash
( 15
)
16,579
Cash at the beginning of the period
15
-
Cash at the end of the period
$
-
$
16,579
Supplemental cash flow information
Deferred offering costs included in accrued liabilities
$
82
$
-
Deferred preclinical charges included in prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
-
$
503
Cash paid for income taxes
$
1
$
-
See
accompanying notes to the financial statements
F- 6
Notes
to the Financial Statements
1. Organization
and Description of Business
Overview
Unicycive
Therapeutics, Inc. (“the Company”) was incorporated in the State of Delaware on August 18, 2016. The Company was dormant
until July 2017 when it began evaluating a number of drug candidates for in-licensing.
The
Company in-licensed the drug candidate UNI 494 from Sphaera Pharma Pte. Ltd, a Singapore-based corporation, (“Sphaera”) (Note
3). UNI 494 is a pro-drug of Nicorandil that is being developed as a treatment for acute kidney injury.
In
September 2018, the Company purchased a second drug candidate, Renazorb RZB 012 (“Renazorb”) and its trademark, RENALAN,
and various patents from Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Spectrum”) (Note 3). Renazorb is being developed for the treatment
of hyperphosphatemia in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (“CKD”).
The
Company continues to evaluate the licensing of additional technologies and drugs, targeting orphan diseases and other renal, liver and
other metabolic diseases affecting fibrosis and inflammation.
Liquidity
The
Company is subject to risks and uncertainties common to early-stage companies in the biotechnology industry including, but not limited
to, development by competitors of new technological innovations, protection of proprietary technology, dependence on key personnel, compliance
with governmental regulations and the need to obtain additional financing to fund operations. The Company’s product candidates
currently under development will require significant additional research and development efforts prior to commercialization. The Company
has not generated revenue to date.
The
Company has incurred operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since inception and expects to continue to incur negative
cash flows from operations for the foreseeable future. As the Company increases its research and development activities, the operating
losses are expected to increase. The Company has historically relied on private equity offerings, debt financings and loans from a stockholder
to fund its operations. As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $ 5.9 million and $ 15.9 million, respectively.
As a result of its initial public offering (“IPO”),
on July 13, 2021 the Company began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “UNCY”, and on July 15, 2021 received
approximately $ 22.3 million in net proceeds after deducting the underwriting discounts, commissions and other offering expenses. The Company
intends to use the net proceeds from the IPO to complete pre-clinical and clinical studies, submit regulatory filings to the FDA, and
for general and corporate purposes, including hiring additional management and conducting market research and other commercial planning.
The Company expects to continue incurring losses for the foreseeable
future and will be required to raise additional capital in the future to complete its planned clinical trials, pursue product development
initiatives and penetrate markets for the sale of its products. Management believes that the Company will continue to have access to capital
resources through possible equity offerings, debt financings, corporate collaborations or other means. From January 2021 through May 2021,
the Company received an aggregate of $ 1.1 million upon the issuance of convertible notes. These funds were used primarily to settle outstanding
accounts payable as well as to make payments on the loan outstanding from the chief executive officer and principal stockholder. In addition,
the Company received approximately $ 22.3 million in net proceeds from its IPO. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able
to obtain additional financing on terms acceptable to the Company, on a timely basis or at all. If the Company is unable to secure additional
capital, it may be required to curtail any clinical trials and development of new or existing products and take additional measures to
reduce expenses in order to conserve its cash in amounts sufficient to sustain operations and meet its obligations. Based on the Company’s
current level of expenditures, and given the Company’s cash balance of $ 16.6 million as of December 31, 2021, the Company believes
that it has sufficient resources such that there is not substantial doubt about our ability to continue operations for at least one year
after the date that these financial statements are available to be issued.
F- 7
2. Summary
of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis
of Presentation
The
financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America (“GAAP”).
All
common share amounts and per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect a 1-for-4.3 reverse stock split of the Company’s common
stock that was effected on June 21, 2021.
Use
of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires
management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the periods presented.
Management believes that these estimates and assumptions are reasonable; however, actual results may differ and could have a material
effect on future results of operations and financial position. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include progress
estimates for material third party research and development contracts, stock-based compensation and fair value of the Company’s
common stock prior to the Company’s IPO. Actual results may materially differ from those estimates.
Segment
Information
The
Company operates and manages its business as one reportable operating segment. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, who is the
chief operating decision maker, reviews financial information on an aggregate basis for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating
financial performance.
Risks
and Uncertainties
The
Company operates in a dynamic and highly competitive industry and believes that changes in any of the following areas could have a material
adverse effect on the Company’s future financial position, results of operations, or cash flows: ability to obtain future financing;
advances and trends in new technologies and industry standards; results of clinical trials; regulatory approval and market acceptance
of the Company’s products; development of sales channels; certain strategic relationships; litigation or claims against the Company
related to intellectual property, product, regulatory, or other matters; and the Company’s ability to attract and retain employees
necessary to support its growth.
The
Company’s general business strategy may be adversely affected by any such economic downturns (including the current downturn related
to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic), volatile business environments and continued unstable or unpredictable economic and market conditions.
Any
product candidates developed by the Company will require approvals from the FDA or other international regulatory agencies prior to commercial
sales. There can be no assurance that the Company’s current product candidates or any future product candidates will receive the
necessary approvals. If the Company is denied approval, approval is delayed or the Company is unable to maintain approval, it could have
a materially adverse impact on the Company.
The
Company has expended and will continue to expend substantial funds to complete the research, development and clinical testing of its
product candidates. The Company also will be required to expend additional funds to establish commercial-scale manufacturing arrangements
and to provide for the marketing and distribution of products that receive regulatory approval. The Company will require additional funds
to commercialize its products. The Company is unable to entirely fund these efforts with its current financial resources. If adequate
funds are unavailable on a timely basis from operations or additional sources of financing, the Company may have to delay, reduce the
scope of or eliminate one or more of its research or development programs, which would materially and adversely affect its business,
financial condition and operations.
The
Company is dependent upon the services of its employees, consultants and other third parties.
F- 8
Deferred
Offering Costs
Deferred offering costs, consisting of legal, accounting and other
fees and costs relating to the Company’s IPO were capitalized and recorded as a current asset on the balance sheet. There were $ 0.2
million of deferred offering costs capitalized as of December 31, 2020. As of December 31, all previously deferred offering costs, totaling
approximately $ 0.9 million, were netted against the proceeds received upon the closing of the IPO, which occurred on July 15, 2021.
Property,
Plant and Equipment
Property,
plant and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Additions, improvements, and major renewals or replacements that
substantially extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. Repairs and maintenance expenditures are expensed as incurred. Depreciation
is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from three to seven years.
Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the remaining lease
term.
Management
assesses the carrying value of property and equipment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may
not be recoverable. If there is indication of impairment, management prepares an estimate of future cash flows expected to result from
the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If these cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment
loss is recognized to write down the asset to its estimated fair value at that time. At December 31, 2021, management determined there
were no impairments of the Company’s property and equipment.
Leases
The
Company determines whether a contract is, or contains, a lease at inception. Right-of-use assets represent the Company’s right
to use an underlying asset during the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments
arising from the lease. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at lease commencement based upon the estimated present
value of unpaid lease payments over the lease term. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available
at lease commencement in determining the present value of unpaid lease payments.
Fair
Value of Financial Instruments
The
Company’s financial instruments include cash, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, convertible notes and a loan from the Chief Executive
Officer and stockholder of the Company. The carrying amounts of these items approximate fair value as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 due
to their short-term nature.
Concentration
of Credit Risk
Financial
instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist of cash. All of the Company’s cash was
deposited in one account at a financial institution, and the account balance may at times exceed federally insured limits. Management
believes that the Company is not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial strength of the depository institution in which
the cash is held.
Prepaid
Expenses
Prepaid
expenses represent costs incurred that benefit future periods. These costs are amortized over specific time periods based on the agreements.
F- 9
Research
and Development Expenses
Substantially all of the Company’s research
and development expenses consist of expenses incurred in connection with the development of the Company’s product candidates. These
expenses include fees paid to third parties to conduct certain research and development activities on the Company’s behalf and related
progress estimates for those activities, consulting costs, costs for laboratory supplies, product acquisition and license costs, certain
payroll and personnel-related expenses, including salaries and bonuses, employee benefit costs and stock-based compensation expenses for
the Company’s research and product development employees and allocated overheads, including information technology costs and utilities
and expenses for issuance of shares pursuant to the anti-dilution clause in the purchase of IPR&D technology. The Company expenses
both internal and external research and development expenses as they are incurred.
General
and Administrative Expenses
General
and administrative expenses represent personnel costs for employees involved in general corporate functions, including finance, accounting,
legal and human resources, among others. Additional costs included in general and administrative expenses consist of professional fees
for legal (including patent costs), audit and other consulting services, stock-based compensation and other general corporate overhead
expenses as well as costs from a service agreement with a related party (See Note 7).
Patent
Costs
The
Company expenses all costs as incurred in connection with patent licenses and applications (including direct application fees, and the
legal and consulting expenses related to making such applications) and such costs are reflected in general and administrative expenses
in the statements of operations.
Stock-Based
Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation for all share-based
payments made to employees and non-employees by estimating the fair value on the date of grant and recognizing compensation expense over
the requisite service period on a straight-line basis. The Company recognizes forfeitures related to stock-based compensation as they
occur. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes model requires
the input of subjective assumptions, including expected common stock volatility, expected dividend yield, expected term, risk-free interest
rate, and the estimated fair value of the Company’s underlying common stock on the date of grant.
Common
Stock Valuations
Prior to the Company’s IPO, the fair value
of common stock was estimated with the assistance of an independent third-party valuation expert when issuing stock options and computing
their estimated stock-based compensation expense. The assumptions underlying these valuations represented management’s best estimates,
which involved inherent uncertainties and the application of significant levels of management judgment. In order to determine the fair
value, the Company considered, among other things, contemporaneous transactions involving the sale of common stock to unrelated third
parties, the lack of marketability of the common stock and the market performance of comparable publicly traded companies.
Subsequent to our IPO, the Company determines the fair value of common
stock from closing prices as quoted on the NASDAQ exchange.
Income
Taxes
The
Company accounts for corporate income taxes in accordance with GAAP as stipulated in ASC, Topic 740, Income Taxes, (“ASC 740”).
This standard entails the use of the asset and liability method of computing the provision for income tax expense. Current tax expense
results from corporate tax payable at the Federal and California jurisdictions for the Company, which relate to the current accounting
period. Deferred tax expense results primarily from temporary differences between financial statement and tax return reporting, which
result in additional tax payable in future periods. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between
the financial statement basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates and law. Net future tax benefits are subject
to a valuation allowance when management expects that it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets
will not be realized.
F- 10
Current
and non-current tax assets and liabilities are based upon an estimate of taxes refundable or payable for each of the jurisdictions in
which the Company is subject to tax. In the ordinary course of business there is inherent uncertainty in quantifying income tax positions.
The Company assess income tax positions and record the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50 % likelihood of being realized
upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions
where it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit is recognized in the financial statements.
The Company’s policy is to recognize interest or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.
Comprehensive
Loss
Comprehensive
loss includes all changes in equity (net assets) during a period from non-owner sources. There were no elements of other comprehensive
income (loss) in the periods presented, as a result comprehensive loss is the same as net loss for each period presented.
Net
Loss per Share
Basic
net loss per common share is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the
period, without consideration of potentially dilutive securities. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by
the weighted-average number of common shares and potentially dilutive securities outstanding for the period. For purposes of the diluted
net loss per share calculation, common stock options and warrants are considered to be potentially dilutive securities. Basic and diluted
net loss per share is presented in conformity with the two-class method required for participating securities. The Company
has no participating securities and as such, the net loss was attributed entirely to common stockholders. As the Company has reported
a net loss for all periods presented, diluted net loss per common share is the same as basic net loss per common share for those periods.
All common share amounts and per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect a 1-for-4.3 reverse stock split of the Company’s common
stock that was effectuated on June 21, 2021.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
From
time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) or other standard
setting bodies and adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the impact of recently issued
standards that are not yet effective are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results
of operations upon adoption.
In
August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity, which
simplifies the accounting for convertible instruments. ASU 2020-06 eliminates certain models that require separate accounting for embedded
conversion features. Additionally, among other changes, the guidance eliminates certain of the conditions for equity classification for
contracts in an entity’s own equity. The guidance also requires entities to use the if-converted method for all convertible instruments
in the diluted earnings per share calculation and include the effect of share settlement for instruments that may be settled in cash
or shares, except for certain liability-classified share-based payment awards. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning in
the first quarter of 2022 and must be applied using either a modified or full retrospective approach. Early adoption is permitted, but
no earlier than annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have
on its financial statements.
In
February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This ASU requires a lessee to recognize in the statement of financial
position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying
asset for the leases with a term of greater than 12 months. This ASU is effective for the Company’s fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2021, with early adoption permitted. The Company has adopted this standard effective as of January 1, 2019. The Company
chose to adopt certain practical expedients available from the FASB. As a policy election, the Company chose to expense and amortize,
on a straight line, the leases with terms less than 12 months. In addition, the Company chose not to separate certain lease and non-lease
components when evaluating the fair value of a lease. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s
financial statements.
F- 11
3. Significant
Agreements
With
regards to manufacturing, testing and potential commercial supply of Renazorb, the Company has entered into an agreement with Shilpa
Medicare Ltd based in India. According to the terms of the agreement Unicycive will pay the vendor $2 million in the first calendar year
when the net revenue reaches $10 million from sales of Renazorb following its approval by the FDA and commercial supply of the product
by the vendor (First Payment). Thereafter, we will pay $2 million per year for four consecutive years, after the first year’s payment,
for the total payments of $10 million, provided all commercial supplies are continued to be manufactured and supplied by the vendor.
Unicycive is not obligated to make any payments to the vendor until FDA approval of the product is obtained and commercial revenue is
generated.
In
October 2017, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement with Sphaera, a stockholder, for the rights to further develop
the drug candidate, UNI 494, for commercialization. No payments were made upon execution of the agreement but rather payments for $50,000
will be due commencing with the initiation by the Company of a second clinical trial and $50,000 on completion of such trial. At the
time the FDA accepts a NDA application submitted by the Company for the product, the Company will pay Sphaera $1.65 million. Upon commercialization
and sale of the drug product, royalty payments will also be payable quarterly to Sphaera equal to 2% of net sales on the preceding quarter.
In
September 2018, the Company entered into an Assignment and Asset Purchase Agreement with Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Spectrum
Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company purchased certain assets from Spectrum, including Spectrum’s right, title, interest
in and intellectual property related to Renazorb RZB 012, also known as RENALAN™ (“Renalan”) and RZB 014, also known
as SPI 014 (“SPI” and together with Renalan, the “Compounds”), to further develop and commercialize Renazorb
and related compounds. In partial consideration for the Spectrum Agreement, the Company issued 313,663 shares of common stock to Spectrum
valued at approximately $ 4,000 which represented four percent of the Company on a fully-diluted basis at the date of the execution of
the Spectrum Agreement. The Spectrum Agreement has an anti-dilution provision, which provides that Spectrum maintain its ownership interest
in the Company at 4 % of the Company’s shares on a fully-diluted basis. Fully-diluted shares of common stock for purposes of the
Renazorb Purchase Agreement assumes conversion of any security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for common stock or any
combination thereof, including any common stock reserved for issuance under a stock option plan, restricted stock plan, or other equity
incentive plan approved by the Board of Directors of the Company immediately following the issuance of additional shares of the Company’s
common stock (but prior to the issuance of any additional shares of common stock to Spectrum). Spectrum’s ownership shall not be
subject to dilution until the earlier of thirty-six months from the first date the Company’s stock trades on a public market, or
the date upon which the Company attains a public market capitalization of at least $ 50 million. As part of the anti-dilution clause,
the Company issued 149,762 and 105,897 shares of common stock during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively. The Company
recognized $ 145,000 and $ 104,000 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively, as research and development expenses as
cost to issue those shares. On July 13, 2021, the Company’s IPO resulted in a public market capitalization
of at least $ 50 million, and as a result the Company was required to issue 438,374 anti-dilution shares of common stock. This issuance
represents the final anti-dilution calculation required under the Spectrum Agreement, and no further anti-dilution shares will be issued.
The Company calculated the fair value of the shares and recognized $ 2.2 million to research and development expenses as cost to issue
those shares during the third quarter of 2021. The Company is also required to pay Spectrum 40% of all of the Company’s sublicense
income for any sublicense granted to certain sublicensees during the first 12 months after the Closing Date (as that term is defined
in the Renazorb Purchase Agreement) and 20% of all other sublicense income. The Company’s payment obligations to Spectrum will
expire on the twentieth (20 th ) anniversary of the Closing Date of the Renazorb Purchase Agreement.
On February 8, 2021, the Company entered into
a Master Services Agreement (the “Renazorb Development Agreement”) with Ascent Development Services, Inc. (“Ascent”)
pursuant to which Ascent will provide strategic services related to the development of Renazorb or other investigational products (the
“Compounds”) for clinical use and regulatory approval in Japan and other Asian countries. The Renazorb Development Agreement
anticipates services to be provided by Ascent will include market research, facilitation of informal and formal meetings with Japan’s
Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency (“PMDA”), management of contract research organizations and clinical trials, and
government applications and regulatory filings related to the Asian development of the Compounds. Unicycive will supply the Compounds
or other materials necessary for Ascent to perform the development services. The initial Statement of Work (“SOW”) under the
Renazorb Development Agreement encompasses the development of clinical strategy as well as both informal and formal meetings with the
PMDA. The budget for the initial SOW is approximately 24,000,000 Japanese Yen, and an upfront payment of approximately $87,000, was paid
to Ascent upon the execution of the Renazorb Development Agreement. Deliverables for the initial SOW were completed by December 31, 2021.
F- 12
On July 19, 2021, the Company entered into an
agreement with Syneos Health LLC (“Syneos”) pursuant to which Syneos will provide preclinical research and analysis services
related to the development of UNI-494. The budget for the initial study, which will also include clinical pharmacology, translational
sciences, and bioanalytical services, is approximately $1.9 million, and related payments totaling approximately $379,000 have
been paid to Syneos during the year ended December 31, 2021.
4. Balance
Sheet Components
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 consisted of the following (in thousands):
As of
As of
December 31,
December 31,
2020
2021
Prepaid directors and officers
liability insurance premiums
$ -
$ 821
Prepaid preclinical services
-
885
Other
4
126
Total
$ 4
$ 1,832
Property,
plant and equipment as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 consisted of the following (in thousands):
As of
As of
December 31,
December 31,
2020
2021
Leasehold improvements
$ -
$ 15
Furniture and fixtures
-
14
Subtotal
-
29
Less accumulated depreciation
-
( 1 )
Net
$ -
$ 28
Accounts
payable as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 consisted of the following (in thousands):
As of
As of
December 31,
December 31,
2020
2021
Trade accounts payable
$ 183
$ 713
Credit card liability
1
29
Total
$ 184
$ 742
Accrued
liabilities as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 consisted of the following (in thousands):
As
of
As
of
December 31,
December 31,
2020
2021
Accrued labor costs
$ -
$ 691
Accrued drug development costs
-
369
Other
168
152
Total
$ 168
$ 1,212
F- 13
5. Operating
Lease
The
Company leases office space under an operating lease. In December 2021, the Company entered into a lease agreement for 2,367 square feet
of office space commencing December 1, 2021. The initial lease term is for two years, and there is an option to extend the lease for
an additional year.
In
accounting for the leases, the Company adopted ASC 842 Leases on January 1, 2019, which requires a lessee to record a right-of-use asset
and a corresponding lease liability at the inception of the lease initially measured at the present value of the lease payments. The
Company classified the lease as an operating lease and, at December 1, 2021, determined that the present value of the lease was approximately
$ 318,000 using a discount rate of 8.0 %. In accordance with ASC 842, the right-of-use asset will be amortized over the life of the underlying
lease. The Company determined that the option to extend the lease for an additional year was not considered reasonably certain at December
31, 2021. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company reflected amortization of right-of-use asset of approximately $ 12,000 ,
resulting in a right of use asset balance of $ 305,000 .
During
the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company made cash payments on the lease of $ 14,000 towards the lease liabilities. As of December
31, 2021, the total lease liability was $ 306,000 . ASC 842 requires recognition in the statement of operations of a single lease cost,
calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term, generally on a straight-line basis. Rent expense for the lease
for the year ended December 31, 2021 was approximately $ 14,000 .
Maturities
of the Company’s lease liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
Operating
Lease
Year ending December 31, 2022
$ 170
Year ending December 31, 2023
161
Total lease payments
331
Less imputed interest
rate / present value discount
( 25 )
Present value of lease liability
306
Less current portion
( 151 )
Long term portion
$ 155
6. Debt
Convertible
Notes
In January through May 2021, the Company issued convertible notes (the
“2021 Notes”) in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $ 1.1 million. The 2021 Notes bear interest at a rate of 12%
per annum, payable at maturity, and mature between January and May, 2022. The 2021 Notes shall automatically convert into shares of the
Company’s common stock upon the closing of a financing pursuant to which the Company receives gross proceeds of at least $500,000
(a “Qualified Financing”) or upon a change of control. The 2021 Notes shall convert into such numbers of shares of the Company’s
common stock equal to the conversion amount divided by the Conversion Price. “Conversion Price” means (i) in the event of
a Qualified Financing, 70% of the price per share (or conversion price, as applicable) of common stock (or securities convertible into
common stock, as applicable) sold in such financing or (ii) in the event of a change of control, the price per share reflected in such
transaction.
The
Company has accounted for the 2021 Notes as stock-settled debt and was accreting the carrying amount of the 2021 Notes to the settlement
amount through maturity.
F- 14
In July through November 2020, the Company issued convertible notes
(the “2020 Notes”) in the aggregate principal amount of $1.3 million. The 2020 Notes bear interest at a rate of 12% per annum,
payable at maturity, and mature between July and November, 2021. The 2020 Notes shall automatically convert into shares of the Company’s
common stock upon the closing of a financing pursuant to which the Company receives gross proceeds of at least $500,000 (a “Qualified
Financing”) or upon a change of control. The 2020 Notes shall convert into such numbers of shares of the Company’s common
stock equal to the conversion amount divided by the Conversion Price. “Conversion Price” means (i) in the event of a Qualified
Financing, 70% of the price per share (or conversion price, as applicable) of common stock (or securities convertible into common stock,
as applicable) sold in such financing or (ii) in the event of a change of control, the price per share reflected in such transaction.
The
Company has accounted for the 2020 Notes as stock-settled debt and is accreting the carrying amount of the 2020 Notes to the settlement
amount through maturity. As of December 31, 2020, unpaid and accrued interest of $ 53,000 as well as debt discount accretion expense of
approximately $ 186,000 was included with the convertible notes on the balance sheet.
As a result of the completion of the Company’s IPO on July 15,
2021, approximately $ 2.4 million of principal and $ 191,000 of unpaid accrued interest related to the 2021 and 2020 Notes was converted
into shares of common stock. Additionally the noteholders were granted warrants equal to 25 % of the conversion shares issued. The conversion
resulted in a loss of $ 431,000 that is included as loss on debt conversion in the accompanying statements of operations for the year ended
December 31, 2021.
Paycheck
Protection Program Loan
On
April 23, 2020, the Company entered into an $18,000 loan with Silicon Valley Bank pursuant to the Small Business Administration’s
(“SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) as well as a $1,000 loan pursuant to the Economic Injury Disaster
Assistance Program. The PPP loan proceeds are intended to be used for payroll over the eight-week period following the date of the loan.
The loan terms provide that no principal or interest payments are due and interest will accrue at 1% per annum commencing on April 23,
2020 through October 23, 2020 (deferral period). Commencing one month after the deferral period and continuing monthly through the maturity
of the loan on April 23, 2022, equal monthly payments of principal and interest are due. The Company classified the loans as a current
liability, has applied for and received loan forgiveness in February 2021, and recorded a gain on extinguishment of debt in the statement
of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021.
7. Related
Party Transactions
Loan
from Chief Executive Officer and Stockholder
The Company received advances from a stockholder of $ 248,000 during
the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company repaid amounts owed to the stockholder of $ 1.4 million during the year ended December 31,
2021. As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, the current liability loan from a stockholder was approximately $ 967,000 and $ 0 , respectively.
F- 15
Common Stock Purchase Agreement and Service
Agreement with Globavir
On July 1, 2017, the Company entered into a Common
Stock Purchase Agreement (“Stock Agreement”) with Globavir. The Company’s principal stockholder is also the principal
stockholder in Globavir. The Stock Agreement provided for the distribution of 62,181 shares of the Company’s common stock, valued
at $ 0.013 per share, to Globavir’s stockholders as payment for Globavir’s services and shared costs rendered on behalf of
the Company in 2017, which were issued in 2018.
On
July 1, 2017, as amended on April 6, 2020, the Company entered into a Service Agreement with Globavir Biosciences, Inc. (“Globavir”),
a related party (the “Service Agreement”). Globavir provides administrative and consulting services and shared office space
and other costs in connection with the Company’s drug development programs. The initial amended term of the Service Agreement expired
on December 31, 2020, and the agreement automatically renews for successive one month periods after the initial termination date. Pursuant
to the Service Agreement, the Company paid Globavir $50,000 per month through December 31, 2019 and $10,000 per month commencing on January
1, 2020. As of December 31, 2020, $9,000 was payable to Globavir for service fees. During the fourth quarter of 2021, after determining
that future services under the Service Agreement were no longer required, the Company wrote off the $28,000 remaining prepaid balance
due from Globavir as of December 31, 2021. Service fee expenses were $120,000 and $148,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and
2021, respectively, and were recorded as general and administrative expenses in the statements of operations.
8. Commitments
and Contingencies
Contingencies
The
Company is subject to claims and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. Such matters are inherently uncertain,
and there can be no guarantee that the outcome of any such matter will be decided favorably to the Company or that the resolution of
any such matter will not have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s financial statements. The Company currently has no pending
claims or legal proceedings.
In September 2020, the Company signed an engagement
letter (the “Benchmark Agreement”) with The Benchmark Company LLC (“Benchmark”) to act as the lead or managing
underwriter in connection with the Company’s planned IPO. In connection with this agreement the Company agreed to pay a nonaccountable
expense allowance to Benchmark equal to 1.0 % of the gross proceeds received in the Company’s planned IPO. In addition to the non-accountable
expense allowance, the Company has also agreed to pay or reimburse the underwriters for certain of the underwriters’ out-of-pocket
expenses relating to the offering, including all reasonable fees and expenses of the underwriters’ outside legal counsel, and background
checks, which shall not exceed in the aggregate $ 132,500 .
In March 2021, the Benchmark Agreement was terminated. Concurrent with
the termination, the Company signed an advisory services agreement pursuant to which the Company will pay Benchmark $ 150,000 upon the
closing of the planned IPO, and Benchmark provided advisory services with respect to the public offering. The Company paid the $ 150,000
advisory fee in July 2021.
Indemnifications
In
the normal course of business, the Company enters into contracts and agreements that contain a variety of representations and warranties
and provide for general indemnifications, including for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party, in connection with any
trade secret, copyright, patent or other intellectual property infringement claim by any third party with respect to its technology.
The term of these indemnification agreements is generally perpetual any time after the execution of the agreement. The Company’s
exposure under these agreements is unknown because it involves claims that may be made against the Company in the future, but that have
not yet been made. To date, the Company has not paid any claims or been required to defend any action related to its indemnification
obligations.
F- 16
The
Company believes that the likelihood of conditions arising that would trigger these indemnities is remote and, historically, the Company
had not made any significant payment under such indemnification provisions. Accordingly, the Company has not recorded any liabilities
relating to these agreements. However, the Company may record charges in the future as a result of these indemnification obligations.
Additionally,
the Company has agreed to indemnify its directors and officers for certain events or occurrences while the director or officer is, or
was serving, at the Company’s request in such capacity. The indemnification period covers all pertinent events and occurrences
during the director’s or officer’s service.
Employee Benefit Plan
In December 2021, the Company implemented a 401K
Plan which covers all eligible employees of the Company (the “401K Plan”). Employer matching contributions are immediately
100 % vested. The Company’s 401K Plan provides that the Company match each participant's contribution at 100 % up to 4 % of the employee’s
eligible compensation. Company contributions to the 401K Plan totaled approximately $ 0 and $ 6,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020
and 2021, respectively.
9. Stockholders’
(Deficit) Equity
Authorized
Common Stock
The
Company is authorized to issue up to 200,000,000 shares of common stock at par value of $ 0.001 per share.
Issuance
of Common Stock and Warrants
During July 2021, as a result of its IPO, the
Company issued 5,000,000 shares of common stock and 4,000,000 warrants to investors in exchange for cash at $ 5.00 per unit, consisting
of $ 4.99 per share of common stock and $.0125 per four fifths of a warrant. The warrants have a 5 -year term and an exercise price of $ 6.00
per warrant. The underwriters exercised their option to purchase an additional 600,000 warrants, and the Company received $ 7,500 in proceeds.
As a result of the IPO, the Company’s outstanding convertible
notes and unpaid accrued interest were converted into 736,773 shares of common stock. Additionally, in accordance with the original terms
of the warrant agreements convertible noteholders were granted a total of 184,193 common stock warrants with a 5 -year term and with an
exercise price of $ 6.00 per warrant.
The
following table summarizes activity for warrants for the year ended December 31, 2021:
Weighted-
Number of
Average
Shares
Weighted-
Remaining
Aggregate
Underlying
Average
Contractual
Intrinsic
Outstanding
Exercise
Term
Value
Warrants
Price
(in
Years)
(in thousands)
Outstanding, December
31, 2020
-
-
-
-
Warrants granted
4,784,193
6.00
4.54
-
Warrants exercised
-
-
-
-
Outstanding, December
31, 2021
4,784,193
6.00
4.54
-
During
July 2021, 438,374 shares of common stock were allocated to Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in accordance with the anti-dilution provisions
of the Company’s Assignment and Asset Purchase Agreement with Spectrum.
During
the year ended December 31, 2021, employees and consultants exercised a total of 383,721 stock options and the Company received $119,000
in proceeds. A portion of these options were exercised early (prior to vesting), and as of December 31, 2021, 76,397 of the options remained
unvested. Proceeds received related to the unvested options of $60,000 at December 31, 2021 were included in accrued liabilities on the
accompanying balance sheets and will be reclassified to equity as vesting occurs, provided the employees and consultants continue to
provide services to the Company. The vested portion of the exercises was 307,317 shares at December 31, 2021.
During
the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company issued 33,263 shares to investors in exchange for cash at $ 4.21 per share and 24,627 shares
to Spectrum following its anti-dilution provision (Note 3).
F- 17
Voting
Rights of Common Stock
Each
holder of shares of common stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share thereof held.
Preferred
Stock
As
of December 31, 2020 and 2021, the Company had 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized, par value of $ 0.001 per share and no
shares of preferred stock were issued or outstanding.
10. Stock-based
Compensation
On
July 15, 2021, in connection with the completion of the Company’s IPO, the Company adopted a new comprehensive equity incentive
plan, the 2021 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”). Following the effective date of the 2021 Plan, no further
awards may be issued under the 2018 Plan or the 2019 Plan (collectively, the “Prior Plans”). However, all awards under the
Prior Plans that are outstanding as of the effective date of the 2021 Plan will continue to be governed by the terms, conditions and
procedures set forth in the Prior Plans and any applicable award agreements. A total of 1,302,326 shares of common stock are reserved
for issuance pursuant to the 2021 Plan. The 2021 Plan provides for the issuance of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options,
stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and other stock-based awards.
In
October 2019, the Company adopted the 2019 Stock Option Plan (“2019 Plan”) which allowed for the granting of incentive stock
options (“ISO”), non-qualified stock options (“NSO”) to the employees, members of the board of directors and
consultants of the Company. In 2019 and during the first seven months of 2020, the Company granted ISOs and NSOs to consultants and directors
from the 2019 Plan. As of December 31, 2019, 232,558 shares were authorized for issuance and 75,581 shares were available for future
grant under the 2019 Plan. On April 6, 2020 the Company increased the shares authorized for issuance to 348,837 shares total. On February
17, 2021, the Company increased the shares authorized for issuance to 1,767,442 shares total. As of July 15, 2021, no further awards
may be issued under the 2019 Plan due to the adoption of the Company’s 2021 Plan.
In
2018, the Company adopted the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (“2018 Plan”) which allowed for the granting of incentive stock
options (“ISO”), non-qualified stock options (“NSO”), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted
stock units to the employees, members of the board of directors and consultants of the Company. In 2018, the Company granted ISOs and
NSOs to consultants and directors from this plan. As of December 31, 2020, 465,116 shares were authorized for issuance and 17,442 shares
were available for future grant under the 2018 Plan. As of July 15, 2021, no further awards may be issued under the 2018 Plan due to
the adoption of the Company’s 2021 Plan.
The
following table summarizes activity for stock options under all plans for the year ended December 31, 2021:
Weighted-
Number of
Average
Shares
Weighted-
Remaining
Aggregate
Underlying
Average
Contractual
Intrinsic
Outstanding
Exercise
Term
Value
Options
Price
(in Years)
(in thousands)
Outstanding, December 31, 2020
786,047
$
1.42
8.28
$
2,201
Options granted
760,245
$
3.82
Options forfeited
( 27,907
)
$
3.27
Options exercised
( 307,317
)
$
0.19
Outstanding, December 31, 2021
1,211,068
$
3.19
8.66
$
321
Options vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2021
301,862
$
3.19
7.94
$
182
The
grant date fair value of options granted during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $ 2.1 million.
As
of December 31, 2021, the unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding stock options was $ 2.0 million, which is expected to
be recognized as expense over approximately 2.4 years.
F- 18
During
July 2021, the Company granted a director 26,738 restricted stock units with a grant date fair value of $ 100,000 , resulting in a fair
value per share of $ 3.74 . Subject to the director’s continued service, the restricted stock units shall vest upon the one-year
anniversary of the date of grant. As of December 31, 2021, the unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding restricted stock
units was approximately $ 54,000 , which is expected to be recognized as expense over approximately 7 months.
The
Company has recorded stock-based compensation expense, which includes expense related to restricted stock units, allocated by functional
cost as follows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021 (in thousands):
Year
Ended December 31, 2020
Year
Ended December 31, 2021
Research and development
$ 174
$ 721
General and administrative
58
245
Total stock-based compensation
$ 232
$ 966
Fair
Value of Stock Options
The
assumptions are based on the following for each of the periods presented:
Expected
Term - The expected term is calculated using the simplified method which is used when there is insufficient historical data about
exercise patterns and post-vesting employment termination behavior. The simplified method is based on the vesting period and the contractual
term for each grant, or for each vesting-tranche for awards with graded vesting. The mid-point between the vesting date and
the maximum contractual expiration date is used as the expected term under this method.
Common
Stock Fair Value - The fair value of the common stock underlying the Company’s stock
options prior to the IPO was estimated at each grant date and was determined on a periodic basis and based either on transactions with
third parties in which common stock was sold for cash or with the assistance of an independent third-party valuation expert. Subsequent
to our IPO, the fair value underlying the Company’s common stock is determined based on the public market closing price on each
date of grant. The assumptions underlying these valuations represented management’s best estimates, which involved inherent uncertainties
and the application of significant levels of management judgment.
Volatility
- The expected volatility being used is derived from the historical stock volatilities of a representative industry peer group of
comparable publicly listed companies over a period approximately equal to the expected term of the options.
Risk-free
Interest Rate - The risk-free interest rate is based on median U.S. Treasury zero coupon issues with remaining terms similar to the
expected term on the options.
Expected
Dividend - The Company has never declared nor paid any cash dividends and does not plan to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable
future, and therefore, used an expected dividend yield of zero.
The
following averaged assumptions were used to calculate the fair value of awards granted to employees, directors and non-employees for
the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021:
Year
Ended
December 31,
2020
Year
Ended
December 31,
2021
Expected volatility
114.00
%
101.00 – 105.00
%
Risk-free interest rate
0.44 - 0.51
%
0.61 – 1.34
%
Dividend yield
-
%
-
%
Expected term
6.25
years
5.13 – 6.25 years
F- 19
11.
Income Taxes
A
reconciliation of the provision for income taxes to the amount computed by applying the statutory income tax rate of 21 % to the net loss
is summarized for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021 is as follows:
Year Ended
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
December 31,
2021
Income taxes (benefit) at statutory
rates
21.00 %
21.00 %
State income tax (benefit), net of federal
benefit
6.20
-
Change in valuation allowance
( 26.30 )
( 16.27 )
Interest on convertible notes
( 2.20 )
( 2.22 )
Others
1.30
( 2.51 )
Effective income tax rate
-
%
-
%
For
the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021, the Company did not record a deferred income tax expense or benefit. Income tax expense has
been nominal for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021.
Deferred
tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected tax consequences attributable to the differences between financial reporting
and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities and operating loss carryforward, and they are measured using enacted tax rates expected
to be in effect when differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded for loss carryforwards and other deferred
tax assets where it is more likely than not that such loss carryforward and deferred tax asset will not be realized. Significant components
of the Company’s deferred tax assets at December 31, 2020 and 2021 are shown below (in thousands):
December 31,
December 31,
2020
2021
Deferred tax assets:
Stock-based
compensation
$ 71
$ 226
Net operating losses carryforwards
1,072
2,257
Depreciation and Amortization
63
468
Accrued
expenses
251
135
Gross deferred tax assets
1,457
3,086
Less: Valuation allowance
( 1,457 )
( 3,086 )
Deferred tax assets, net
of valuation allowance
$ -
$ -
The
valuation allowance increased by $ 1.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. We have concluded, based upon ASC 740, that it
is more likely than not we will not realize any benefit from the deferred tax assets related to certain Federal and state’s net
operating loss and credit carryforward. Accordingly, the Company has established a full valuation allowance against its Federal and state
deferred tax assets.
As
of December 31, 2021, the Company had available Federal and California net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $ 9.5 million
and $ 3.9 million to reduce future taxable income, if any. Federal net operating losses generated prior to 2018 and all state net operating
losses generated expire in varying amounts beginning in 2037. These net operating losses, generated after 2017, do not expire and will
be able to offset 80% of taxable income generated in the future.
As
of December 31, 2021, the Company had research and development credit carryforwards of approximately $ 900 and $ 100,000 available to reduce
future taxable income, if any, for federal and state income tax purposes, respectively. These credits have been provided a full reserve
under ASC 740-10. The federal credit carryforwards begin to expire in 2037, and the state credit carryforwards can be carried forward
indefinitely.
F- 20
Utilization
of net operating losses and tax credits may be subject to an annual limitation due to ownership change limitations provided in the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and similar state provisions. The effect of an ownership change would be the
imposition of annual limitation on the use of net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards attributable to periods before the
change in ownership. An assessment of such ownership changes under Section 382 of the Code was not completed through December 31, 2021
and, as such the Company is not able to determine the impact on the NOLs and tax credit carryforwards, if any, as of the date of the
financial statements. To the extent that an assessment is completed in the future, the Company’s ability to utilize tax attributes
could be restricted on a year-by-year basis and certain attributes could expire before they are utilized.
On
March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was enacted in response to the COVID-19
pandemic. The CARES Act, among other things, permits NOL carryovers and carrybacks to offset 100% of taxable income for taxable years
beginning before 2021. In addition, the CARES Act allows NOLs incurred in 2018, 2019, and 2020 to be carried back to each of the five
preceding taxable years to generate a refund of previously paid income taxes. Due to the Company’s history of NOLs, the CARES Act
is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
The
Company applies the guidance under ASC 740, subtopic 10-50-15, Unrecognized Tax Benefit Related Disclosures (formerly FASB Interpretation
48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes). For benefits to be realized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained
upon examination by tax authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 % likely
of being realized upon settlement. This interpretation also provides guidance on measurement, de-recognition, classification, interest
and penalties.
The
following table summarizes the changes to the Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2020 and
2021 (in thousands):
Year Ended
December 31,
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
2021
Beginning balance
$ 12
$ 29
Additions related to current year positions
17
72
Ending balance
$ 29
$ 101
As
of December 31, 2020 and 2021, the total unrecognized tax benefit was approximately $ 29,000 and $ 101,000 , respectively. The Company does
not expect any material changes to the estimated amount of liability associated with its uncertain tax positions within the next 12 months.
The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. As of December
31, 2021, the Company had no accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions.
The
Company files U.S. and state income tax returns with varying statutes of limitations. Tax years 2017 and forward remain open to examination
due to the carryover of NOL carryforwards. There are no ongoing examinations by taxing authorities at this time.
F- 21
12. Net
loss per share
The
following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share (in thousands, except share and per share data):
Year
Ended December 31, 2020
Year
Ended December 31, 2021
Numerator:
Net loss
$ ( 2,264 )
$ ( 10,017 )
Denominator:
Weighted-average
shares outstanding used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted
8,499,687
11,675,750
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders,
basic and diluted
$ ( 0.27 )
$ ( 0.86 )
The
following outstanding shares of potentially dilutive securities were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share for
the periods presented because including them would have been antidilutive:
Year
Ended December 31, 2020
Year
Ended December 31, 2021
Options to purchase common stock
786,047
1,211,068
Warrants to purchase
common stock
-
4,784,193
Total
786,047
5,995,261
13. Subsequent
Events
On January 6, 2022, the Company entered into a
Master Services Agreement with Quotient Sciences Limited, a UK based company that provides drug development and analysis services, for
the purpose of performing clinical research in support of UNI-494.
On February 9, 2022, the Company entered into
a Master Services Agreement with CBCC Global Research Inc., a California based company that provides clinical trial and related service,
for the purpose of performing clinical research in support of Renazorb.
F- 22
ITEM
9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.