Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc. 10-Q

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc. Balance Sheets (In thousands, except for share and per share amounts) (Unaudited) As of As of December 31, March 31, 2021 2022 Assets Current assets: Cash $ 16,579 $ 13,620 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,832 1,844 Total current assets 18,411 15,464 Right of use asset, net 305 268 Property, plant and equipment, net 28 28 Total assets $ 18,744 $ 15,760 Liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 742 $ 589 Accrued liabilities 1,212 1,658 Operating lease liability - current 151 155 Total current liabilities 2,105 2,402 Operating lease liability – long term 155 114 Total liabilities 2,260 2,516 Commitments and contingencies (Note 8) Stockholders’ (deficit) equity: Preferred stock: $ 0.001 par value per share— 10,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022; no shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022 $ - $ - Common stock, $ 0.001 par value per share – 200,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022; 14,996,534 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021, and 15,020,517 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2022 15 15 Additional paid-in capital 32,408 32,705 Accumulated deficit ( 15,939 ) ( 19,476 ) Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity 16,484 13,244 Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity $ 18,744 $ 15,760 See accompanying notes to the financial statements 1 Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc. Statements of Operations (In thousands, except for share and per share amounts) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2022 Operating expenses: Research and development $ 450 $ 1,933 General and administrative 281 1,604 Total operating expenses 731 3,537 Loss from operations ( 731 ) ( 3,537 ) Other expenses: Interest expense ( 252 ) - Gain on extinguishment of debt 19 - Total other expenses ( 233 ) - Net loss $ ( 964 ) $ ( 3,537 ) Net loss per share, basic and diluted $ ( 0.11 ) $ ( 0.24 ) Weighted-average shares outstanding used in computing net loss per share, basic and diluted 8,576,422 15,004,617 See accompanying notes to the financial statements 2 Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc. Statements of Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity (In thousands, except share amounts) (Unaudited) Additional Preferred Stock Common Stock Paid-In Accumulated Stockholders’ Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital Deficit Deficit Balance at December 31, 2020 - $ - 8,514,070 $ 9 $ 3,242 $ ( 5,922 ) $ ( 2,671 ) Net loss - - - - - ( 964 ) ( 964 ) Issuance of common stock for exercise of options - - 233,819 - 31 - 31 Stock-based compensation expense - - - - 202 - 202 Balance at March 31, 2021 - $ - 8,747,889 $ 9 $ 3,475 $ ( 6,886 ) $ ( 3,402 ) Additional Preferred Stock Common Stock Paid-In Accumulated Stockholders’ Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital Deficit Equity Balance at December 31, 2021 - $ - 14,996,534 $ 15 $ 32,408 $ ( 15,939 ) $ 16,484 Net loss - - - - - ( 3,537 ) ( 3,537 ) Issuance of common stock for exercise of options - - 23,983 - 7 - 7 Stock-based compensation expense - - - - 290 - 290 Balance at March 31, 2022 - $ - 15,020,517 $ 15 $ 32,705 $ ( 19,476 ) $ 13,244 See accompanying notes to the financial statements 3 Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc. Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2022 Cash flows from operating activities Net loss $ ( 964 ) $ ( 3,537 ) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation expense - 2 Stock-based compensation expense 202 290 Convertible debt discount amortization 197 - Convertible debt non-cash interest 56 - Amortization of operating lease right of use asset - 37 Gain on extinguishment of debt ( 19 ) - Deferred compensation to CEO 37 - Changes in assets and liabilities: Prepaid expense and other current assets ( 80 ) 263 Prepaid related party service fee ( 10 ) - Accounts payable and accrued liabilities ( 83 ) 24 Operating lease liability - ( 36 ) Related party service fee payable ( 9 ) - Net cash used in operating activities ( 673 ) ( 2,957 ) Cash flows from investing activities Purchases of property, plant, and equipment - ( 2 ) Net cash used in investing activities - ( 2 ) Cash flows from financing activities Proceeds from loan from stockholder 151 - Proceeds from convertible notes 1,010 - Repayment of loan from stockholder ( 460 ) - Proceeds from exercise of options 119 - Net cash provided by financing activities 820 - Net increase (decrease) in cash 147 ( 2,959 ) Cash at the beginning of the period - 16,579 Cash at the end of the period $ 147 $ 13,620 Supplemental cash flow information Deferred offering costs included in accrued liabilities $ 72 $ - Deferred preclinical charges included in prepaid expenses and other current assets - 275 Cash paid for income taxes $ - $ - See accompanying notes to the financial statements 4 Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc. Notes to the Financial Statements (Unaudited) 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 Nicorandill 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, 2021 and March 31, 2022, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $ 15.9 million and $ 19.5 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 $ 13.6 million as of March 31, 2022, the Company believes that it will need funding before the end of the second quarter 2023 to continue operations, satisfy its obligations and fund the future expenditures that will be required to conduct the clinical and regulatory work to develop its product candidates. 5 The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. There is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for one year after the date that these financial statements are available to be issued. The financial statements do not reflect any adjustments relating to the recoverability and reclassification of assets and liabilities that might be necessary from the outcome of this uncertainty. 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”). The accompanying unaudited financial statements of the Company as of March 31, 2022 have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and, accordingly, they do not include all information and footnote disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”). The Company believes the footnotes and other disclosures made in the financial statements are adequate for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods presented. The financial statements include all adjustments (solely of a normal recurring nature) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to make the information presented not misleading. You should read these financial statements and the accompanying notes in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 31, 2022. 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. 6 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. 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 March 31, 2022, 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, and accounts payable. The carrying amounts of these items approximate fair value as of December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022 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. 7 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. 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 the 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. 8 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. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 eliminated the option to immediately deduct research and development expenditures in the year incurred under Section 174, which became effective January 1, 2022. We are monitoring legislation for any further changes to Section 174 and the impact, if any, to the financial statements in 2022. 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 adopted the standard on January 1, 2022, and the adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s 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. 9 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. On July 13, 2021, the Company’s initial public offering 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 represented 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 and deliverables for the initial SOW were completed by December 31, 2021. 10 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. Related payments totaling approximately $ 883,000 have been paid to Syneos as of March 31, 2022, and approximately $ 738,000 of this amount is recorded as prepaid expense in the accompanying balance sheet as of March 31, 2022. On January 6, 2022, the Company entered into a Master Services Agreement with Quotient Sciences Limited (“Quotient”), a UK based company that provides drug development and analysis services, for the purpose of performing clinical research in support of UNI-494. The budget for the initial study is approximately $ 3.2 million. Related payments totaling approximately $ 321,000 have been paid to Quotient as of March 31, 2022, and approximately $ 306,000 of this amount is recorded as prepaid expense in the accompanying balance sheet as of March 31, 2022. On February 9, 2022, the Company entered into a Master Services Agreement with CBCC Global Research Inc. (“CBCC”), a California based company that provides clinical trial and related service, for the purpose of performing clinical research in support of Renazorb. The budget for the initial study is approximately $ 1.4 million. Related payments totaling approximately $ 94,000 have been paid to CBCC as of March 31, 2022, and approximately $ 58,000 of this amount is recorded as prepaid expense in the accompanying balance sheet as of March 31, 2022. 4. Balance Sheet Components Prepaid expenses and other current assets as of December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022 consisted of the following (in thousands): As of As of December 31, March 31, 2021 2022 Prepaid directors and officers liability insurance premiums $ 821 $ 433 Prepaid preclinical services 885 1,274 Other 126 137 Total $ 1,832 $ 1,844 Property, plant and equipment as of December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022 consisted of the following (in thousands): As of As of December 31, March 31, 2021 2022 Leasehold improvements $ 15 $ 15 Furniture and fixtures 14 16 Subtotal 29 31 Less accumulated depreciation ( 1 ) ( 3 ) Net $ 28 $ 28 Accounts payable as of December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022 consisted of the following (in thousands): As of As of December 31, March 31, 2021 2022 Trade accounts payable $ 713 $ 562 Credit card liability 29 27 Total $ 742 $ 589 11 Accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022 consisted of the following (in thousands): As of As of December 31, March 31, 2021 2022 Accrued labor costs $ 691 $ 1,015 Accrued drug development costs 369 496 Other 152 147 Total $ 1,212 $ 1,658 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, 2021or March 31, 2022. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company reflected amortization of right-of-use asset of approximately $ 37,000 , resulting in a right of use asset balance of $ 268,000 . During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company made cash payments on the lease of $ 42,000 towards the lease liabilities. As of March 31, 2022, the total lease liability was $ 269,000 . 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 three months ended March 31, 2022 was approximately $ 43,000 . As of March 31, 2022, maturities of the Company’s lease liabilities are as follows (in thousands, unaudited): Operating Lease Year ending December 31, 2022 $ 127 Year ending December 31, 2023 162 Total lease payments 289 Less imputed interest rate / present value discount ( 20 ) Present value of lease liability 269 Less current portion ( 155 ) Long term portion $ 114 12 6. Debt Convertible Notes In January through May 2021, the Company issued convertible notes (the “2021 Notes”) in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $ 1,098,000 . 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 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. In July through November 2020, the Company issued convertible notes (the “2020 Notes”) in the aggregate principal amount of $1,290,000. 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 accounted for the 2020 Notes as stock-settled debt and was 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 Company’s initial public offering on July 13, 2021, approximately $ 2,387,000 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 was included as loss on debt conversion in the statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 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 three months ended March 31, 2021. 7. Related Party Transactions Loan from Chief Executive Officer and Stockholder The Company received advances from the stockholder of $ 150,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2021. The Company repaid amounts owed to the stockholder of $ 144,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2021. The Company repaid all amounts owed to the stockholder during the year ended December 31, 2021. 13 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. During the fourth quarter of 2021, after initially 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. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, after determining that although a shared office space is no longer utilized, consulting services continue to be provided, the Company plans to amend the Service Agreement to reflect the consulting services and a reduced service fee of $ 6,000 per month. 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 March 2021, the Company signed an advisory services agreement with The Benchmark Company LLC (“Benchmark”) pursuant to which the Company would pay Benchmark a $ 150,000 advisory fee upon the closing of the initial public offering, and Benchmark would provide advisory services with respect to the public offering. The Company paid the 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. 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 $ 19,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively. 14 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 three months ended March 31, 2022: 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, 2021 4,784,193 6.00 4.54 - Warrants granted - - - - Warrants exercised - - - - Outstanding, March 31, 2022 4,784,193 6.00 4.29 - During the three months ended March 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 March 31, 2022, 52,414 of the options remained unvested. Proceeds received related to the unvested options of $53,000 at March 31, 2022 were recorded 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. Proceeds received related to the vested portion of options of $ 31,000 and $ 7,000 were reclassified to equity at March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, respectively. The vested portion of the exercises was 331,300 shares at March 31, 2022. 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, 2021 and March 31, 2022, 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. 15 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 three months ended March 31, 2022: 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, 2021 1,211,068 3.19 8.66 321 Options granted - Options forfeited - Options exercised ( 23,983 ) 0.31 Outstanding, March 31, 2022 1,187,085 3.25 8.53 172 Options vested and exercisable as of March 31, 2022 399,634 $ 3.14 8.02 $ 121 As of March 31, 2022, the unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding stock options was $ 1.8 million, which is expected to be recognized as expense over approximately 2.3 years. The Company has recorded stock-based compensation expense, which includes expense related to restricted stock units, allocated by functional cost as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2022 (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2022 Research and development $ 184 $ 99 General and administrative 18 191 Total stock-based compensation $ 202 $ 290 16 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 initial public offering 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. 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 three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2022: Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2022 Expected volatility 104.00 – 105.00 % - % Risk-free interest rate 0.92 % - % Dividend yield - % - % Expected term 5.13 – 6.25 years - 11. 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): Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2022 Numerator: Net loss $ ( 964 ) $ ( 3,537 ) Denominator: Weighted-average shares outstanding used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted 8,576,422 15,004,617 Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted $ ( 0.11 ) $ ( 0.24 ) 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: Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2022 Options to purchase common stock 684,322 1,187,085 Warrants to purchase common stock - 4,784,193 Total 684,322 5,971,278 17