Item 1. Financial Statements
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Condensed)
Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc.
Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except for share and per share
amounts)
As of
As of
December 31,
September 30,
2022
2023
(Unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 455
$ 14,345
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
2,189
4,224
Total current assets
2,644
18,569
Right of use asset, net
152
845
Property, plant and equipment, net
22
28
Total assets
$ 2,818
$ 19,442
Liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$ 892
$ 1,084
Accrued liabilities
2,237
2,530
Warrant liability
-
11,528
Operating lease liability - current
155
314
Total current liabilities
3,284
15,456
Operating lease liability – long term
-
552
Total liabilities
3,284
16,008
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity:
Series A-2 preferred stock, $ 0.001 par value per share – zero and 43,649 shares authorized at December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023, respectively; zero and 43,649 shares outstanding at December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023, respectively
-
44
Preferred stock, $ 0.001 par value per share – 10,000,000 and 9,926,161 shares authorized at December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023, respectively; zero shares outstanding at December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023
-
-
Common stock, $ 0.001 par value per share – 200,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023; 15,231,655 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022, and 34,754,401 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2023
15
35
Additional paid-in capital
33,516
60,098
Accumulated deficit
( 33,997 )
( 56,743 )
Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity
( 466 )
3,390
Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity
$ 2,818
$ 19,442
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
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2022
2023
2022
2023
Licensing revenues:
$ 951
$ -
$ 951
$ 675
Operating expenses:
Research and development
4,803
3,372
8,596
8,669
General and administrative
1,702
2,566
5,082
6,467
Total operating expenses
6,505
5,938
13,678
15,136
Loss from operations
( 5,554 )
( 5,938 )
( 12,727 )
( 14,461 )
Other income (expenses):
Interest income
-
227
-
475
Interest expense
( 3 )
( 18 )
( 3 )
( 63 )
Change in fair value of warrant liability
-
1,396
-
( 8,697 )
Total other income (expenses)
( 3 )
1,605
( 3 )
( 8,285 )
Net loss
( 5,557 )
( 4,333 )
( 12,730 )
( 22,746 )
Deemed dividend to Series A-1 preferred shareholders
-
( 72 )
-
( 867 )
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
$ ( 5,557 )
$ ( 4,405 )
$ ( 12,730 )
$ ( 23,613 )
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted
$ ( 0.37 )
$ ( 0.13 )
$ ( 0.85 )
$ ( 1.12 )
Weighted-average shares outstanding used in computing net loss per share, basic and diluted
15,061,995
32,633,074
15,050,389
21,100,206
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
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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
Equity
Balance, 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, March 31, 2022
-
-
15,020,517
15
32,705
( 19,476 )
13,244
Net loss
-
-
-
-
-
( 3,636 )
( 3,636 )
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options
-
-
23,981
-
8
-
8
Stock-based compensation expense
-
-
-
-
294
-
294
Balance, June 30, 2022
-
-
15,044,498
15
33,007
( 23,112 )
9,910
Net loss
-
-
-
-
-
( 5,557 )
( 5,557 )
Issuance of common stock for vested restricted stock units
-
-
26,738
-
-
-
-
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options
-
-
16,707
-
7
-
7
Stock-based compensation expense
-
-
-
-
266
-
266
Balance, September 30, 2022
-
$ -
15,087,943
$ 15
$ 33,280
$ ( 28,669 )
$ 4,626
Series A-1 and Series A-2
Additional
Preferred Stock
Common Stock
Paid-In
Accumulated
Stockholders’
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Deficit
Balance, December 31, 2022
-
$ -
15,231,655
$ 15
$ 33,516
$ ( 33,997 )
$ ( 466 )
Net loss
-
-
-
-
-
( 14,575 )
( 14,575 )
Issuance of Series A-1 preferred stock, net of issuance costs and allocated fair value of warrant liability
30,190
25,407
-
-
-
-
-
Deemed dividends on Series A-1 preferred stock
-
192
-
-
( 192 )
-
( 192 )
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options
-
-
2,181
-
7
-
7
Stock-based compensation expense
-
-
-
-
144
-
144
Balance, March 31, 2023
30,190
$ 25,599
15,233,836
$ 15
$ 33,475
$ ( 48,572 )
$ ( 15,082 )
Net loss
-
-
-
-
-
( 3,838 )
( 3,838 )
Deemed dividends on Series A-1 preferred stock
-
603
-
-
( 603 )
-
( 603 )
Issuance of common stock from exercise of options
-
-
2,180
-
7
-
7
Stock-based compensation expense
-
-
-
-
144
-
144
Balance, June 30, 2023
30,190
26,202
15,236,016
15
33,023
( 52,410 )
( 19,372 )
Net loss
-
-
-
-
-
( 4,333 )
( 4,333 )
Deemed dividends on Series A-1 preferred stock
-
72
-
-
( 72 )
-
( 72 )
Issuance of Series A-2 preferred stock and common stock upon conversion of Series A-1 preferred stock
13,459
-
19,516,205
20
26,211
-
26,231
Issuance of common stock from exercise of options
-
-
2,180
-
7
-
7
Stock-based compensation expense
-
-
-
-
929
-
929
Balance, September 30, 2023
43,649
$ 26,274
34,754,401
$ 35
$ 60,098
$ ( 56,743 )
$ 3,390
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Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc.
Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2022
2023
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss
$ ( 12,730 )
$ ( 22,746 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation expense
5
6
Stock-based compensation expense
850
1,217
Change in fair value of warrant liability
-
8,697
Amortization of operating lease right of use asset
114
196
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expense and other current assets
397
( 1,884 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
1,908
849
Operating lease liability
( 111 )
( 179 )
Net cash used in operating activities
( 9,567 )
( 13,844 )
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment
( 2 )
( 12 )
Net cash used in investing activities
( 2 )
( 12 )
Cash flows from financing activities
Payments on financed insurance policies
-
( 291 )
Issuance costs related to issuance of Series A-1 preferred stock and warrants
-
( 2,153 )
Proceeds from issuance of Series A-1 preferred stock and warrants
-
30,190
Net cash provided by financing activities
-
27,746
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
( 9,569 )
13,890
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
16,579
455
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
$ 7,010
$ 14,345
Supplemental cash flow information
Accrued dividends on preferred stock
$ -
$ 867
Fair value of warrants issued in connection with the issuance of preferred stock
-
2,831
Deferred preclinical and other charges included in prepaid expenses and other current assets
1,517
293
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 several
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 (“Oxylanthanum Carbonate”) 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. Future revenue streams may consist of collaboration or licensing
revenue as well as product sales. The Company has generated approximately $ 0.7 million in licensing revenue during the nine months ended
September 30, 2023.
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 in the 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 financing and loans from a stockholder to fund its operations. As of December 31, 2022, and September
30, 2023, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $ 34.0 million and $ 56.7 million, respectively.
In connection with 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 has used the net proceeds from the IPO to complete pre-clinical and clinical studies, prepare regulatory
filings for the FDA, and for general and corporate purposes, including hiring additional management and conducting market research and
other commercial planning.
On March 3, 2023, the Company entered into a securities
purchase agreement with certain healthcare-focused institutional investors that may provide up to $ 130.0 million in gross proceeds through
a private placement and that included initial upfront funding of $ 28.0 million in net proceeds.
- 5 -
The Company expects to continue incurring losses in the 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 financing, corporate collaborations, or other means. In 2021, the Company received approximately
$ 22.3 million in net proceeds from its IPO, and in March 2023 the Company received approximately $ 28.0 million in net proceeds from the
sale of preferred stock. 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. The financial impact associated with the clinical trial we will be required
to run based on recent FDA feedback is uncertain, and we expect to obtain clarifying feedback from the FDA regarding the scope of the
trial in the Fall of 2023. Based on the Company’s currently anticipated level of expenditures, the Company believes that it will
need funding by the second half of 2024 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.
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 September 30, 2023, 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, 2022, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”) on March 31, 2023.
Preferred Stock
The Company classifies its Series A-1 Preferred
Stock (as defined in Note 10) outside of stockholders’ deficit on the accompanying balance sheets as it is contingently redeemable
upon the occurrence of an event that is not solely within the Company’s control. The Company recorded the issuance of Series A-1
Preferred Stock at the residual value from proceeds after the allocation of the fair value of warrants, net of related and allocable issuance
costs. As the Series A-1 Preferred Stock is not currently redeemable, and as the Company has determined that it is not probable of becoming
redeemable, no subsequent remeasurement is required. Since the Company is obligated to pay cumulative dividends on the Series A-1 preferred
stock whether or not declared by the Board of Directors, the Company accrues the paid in-kind dividends as they are earned, based on the
stated contractual rate. See Note 10 for information about the Series A-1 Preferred Stock conversion in July 2023.
Warrant Liabilities
In conjunction with the issuance of Series A-1
Preferred Stock (see Note 10), the Company established a warrant liability as of March 3, 2023, representing the fair value of warrants
that may be issued, subject to shareholder approval, upon conversion of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock. The Company accounts for these
warrants as liabilities (in accordance with ASC 480) on the balance sheets as a result of certain redemption clauses that are not within
the control of the Company. The warrant liabilities are initially measured at fair value, resulting in an implied discount on the related
preferred stock financing arrangement (recognized as a partial offset to the carrying value of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock), and are
remeasured at fair value each reporting period. Changes in the fair value of the warrant liabilities are recognized in earnings during
each period. The warrant liabilities are measured using Level 3 fair value inputs. See Note 11 for a description of warrant liabilities
and the related valuations.
- 6 -
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 revenues, stock-based compensation, research contract accruals and prepaid amounts, and the fair value of warrant liabilities.
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 the 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 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.
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. Repair 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.
- 7 -
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 an 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. On September 30, 2023, 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
warrants, cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses, and accounts payable.
Fair value is defined as the price that would
be received for sale of an asset or paid for transfer of a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement
date. U.S. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The hierarchy
gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and
the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The Company’s warrants, recorded in the accompanying balance
sheets, are categorized based on the inputs to valuation techniques as follows:
●
Level 1 — defined as observable inputs based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets;
●
Level 2 — defined as inputs other than Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and
●
Level 3 — defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists where valuations are derived from techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable.
The fair value of the contingently issuable warrants
associated with the Company’s March 2023 private placement transaction, further described in Note 11 – Warrant Liability,
was determined as of March 3, 2023, and March 31, 2023, by using a Monte Carlo simulation technique (“MCS”) to value the embedded
derivatives associated with the warrants. The MCS methodology calculates the theoretical value of a warrant based on certain parameters,
including: (i) the threshold of exercising the warrant, (ii) the price of the underlying security, (iii) the time to expiration, or expected
term, (iv) the expected volatility of the underlying security, (v) the risk-free rate, (vi) the number of paths, and (vii) estimated probability
assumptions surrounding shareholder approval as well as the achievement by the Company of technical milestones associated with regulatory
and commercial progress.
The MCS valuation model was used for the valuations
performed as of the transaction inception at March 3, 2023 and at March 31, 2023 due to uncertainty in the timing of shareholder approval
and the potential variability in the warrant exercise price. On June 26, 2023, the Company held its annual shareholder meeting, and as
a result, shareholder approval for the issuance of common shares upon the conversion of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock was obtained and
the exercise price for the warrants became fixed. Therefore, as of September 30, 2023, the fair value of the warrants was determined using
a Black Scholes model using parameters including (i) the exercise price of the warrant, (ii) the price of the underlying security, (iii)
the time to expiration, or expected term, (iv) the expected volatility of the underlying security, (v) the risk-free rate, and (vi) estimated
probability assumptions surrounding the achievement by the Company of technical milestones associated with regulatory and commercial progress.
- 8 -
These valuation techniques involve management’s
estimates and judgment based on unobservable inputs and are classified in Level 3. The fair value estimates may not be indicative of the
amounts that would be realized in a market exchange. Additionally, there may be inherent uncertainties or changes in the underlying assumptions
used, which could significantly affect the current or future fair value estimates. Generally, a significant increase (decrease) in the
probabilities of shareholder approval and the achievement of technical milestones would have resulted in a significantly higher (lower)
fair value measurement; however, changes in other inputs such as expected term and price of the underlying common stock will have a directionally
opposite impact on fair value measurement.
The following table summarizes the fair value
hierarchy of financial liabilities measured at fair value as of September 30, 2023 (in thousands).
Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Total
Warrant liability
$ -
$ -
$ 11,528
$ 11,528
Total liabilities at fair value
$ -
$ -
$ 11,528
$ 11,528
The following table summarizes the changes in
fair value of the derivative liability classified in Level 3. Gains and losses reported in this table include changes in fair value that
are attributable to unobservable inputs.
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2023
Fair value, January 1, 2023
$ -
Issuance of Warrants (March 3, 2023)
2,831
Change in fair value of Warrants
8,697
Fair value, September 30, 2023
$ 11,528
The expense relating to the change in fair value
of the derivative liability of $ 8,697,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, is included in other income (expense) in the statements
of operations.
ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures
requires all entities to disclose the fair value of financial instruments, both assets and liabilities, for which it is practicable to
estimate fair value. As of December 31, 2022, and September 30, 2023, the recorded values of cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses,
and accounts payable approximated fair value due to the short-term nature of the instruments.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject
the Company to concentration of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents. All the Company’s cash was deposited in one account
at a financial institution during 2022, and cash balances may at times exceed federally insured limits. Beginning in 2023, the Company’s
cash and cash equivalents are distributed across multiple financial institutions. Cash and cash equivalents could be adversely impacted,
including the loss of uninsured deposits and other uninsured financial assets, if one or more of the financial institutions in which the
Company holds its cash or cash equivalents fails or is subject to other adverse conditions in the financial or credit markets.
Prepaid Expenses
Prepaid expenses represent costs incurred that
benefit future periods. These costs are amortized over specific time periods based on the agreements.
Revenue Recognition
The Company has implemented ASC 606, Revenue from
Contracts with Customers. This guidance included the development of new policies based on the five-step model provided in the new revenue
standard, ongoing contract review requirements, and gathering of information provided for disclosures. The Company recognizes revenue
from product sales or services rendered when control of the promised goods is transferred to a counterparty in an amount that reflects
the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. To achieve this core principle,
the Company applies the following five steps: identify the contract with the client, identify the performance obligations in the contract,
determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to performance obligations in the contract and recognize revenues when
or as the Company satisfies a performance obligation.
- 9 -
Research and Development Expenses
Substantially all 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, 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 (prior to the Company’s initial public offering) or the public market closing price
of the Company’s underlying common stock on the date of grant.
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 relates 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 the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
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 assesses income tax positions
and records 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. The Company is monitoring legislation for any further changes to Section 174 and the impact, if any, on the financial statements
in 2023.
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 and diluted net loss per share is presented
in conformity with the two-class method required for participating securities. Basic and diluted net loss for common stock and
for preferred stock is computed by dividing the sum of distributed earnings and undistributed earnings for each class of stock by the
weighted average number of shares outstanding for each class of stock for the period. Diluted net loss per share includes potentially
dilutive securities outstanding for the period. As the Company has reported a net loss for all periods presented, a diluted net loss per
common share is the same as basic net loss per common share for those periods.
- 10 -
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, using a modified retrospective approach, and the adoption did not result
in any adjustments to the Company’s financial statements.
3. Significant Agreements
With regards to manufacturing, testing and potential
commercial supply of Oxylanthanum Carbonate, the Company has entered into an agreement with Shilpa Medicare Ltd (“Shilpa”)
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 Oxylanthanum Carbonate following its approval by the FDA and commercial supply of the product
by the vendor (First Payment). Thereafter, the Company 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 payments of $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 in 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 (“Oxylanthanum Carbonate”) 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 Oxylanthanum
Carbonate 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. In the event an NDA filing
for Oxylanthanum Carbonate is accepted by the FDA, the Company will be required to pay $ 0.2 million to Altair Nanomaterials, Inc., (“Altair”)
in accordance with the Spectrum Agreement. In addition, in the event FDA approval for Oxylanthanum Carbonate is received, the Company
will be required to pay $ 4.5 million to Altair. 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 Oxylanthanum Carbonate 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 Oxylanthanum Carbonate Purchase Agreement. In August
2022, the Company received an upfront payment of approximately $ 1.0 million resulting from a sublicense development agreement with Lee’s
Pharmaceutical (HK) Limited. The payment represents sublicense income as described in the Spectrum Agreement, and 20 % of the amount received
has been accrued as an R&D expense in the accompanying statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022. In February
2023, the Company received an upfront payment of approximately $ 0.7 million resulting from a sublicense development agreement with Lotus
International Pte Ltd. The payment represents sublicense income as described in the Spectrum Agreement, and 20 % of the amount received
has been accrued as an R&D expense in the accompanying statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
- 11 -
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 initial budget for the study, which includes clinical pharmacology, translational sciences,
and bioanalytical services, was approximately $ 2.3 million, and the research was completed as of September 30, 2023.
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 initial budget for the study was approximately
$ 3.7 million, and subsequent revisions reduced the overall budget to $ 3.2 million. Related payments totaling approximately $ 2.3 million
have been paid to Quotient as of September 30, 2023, approximately $ 1.4 million of related expense has been recorded, and approximately
$ 0.9 million has been recorded as prepaid expense in the accompanying balance sheet as of September 30, 2023.
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 services, for the purpose of performing clinical research in support of Oxylanthanum Carbonate. The budget for the initial
study was approximately $ 1.4 million. Payments relating to the initial agreement totaling approximately $ 0.4 million have been paid to
CBCC as of March 31, 2023, and approximately $ 0.4 million of related expense has been recorded. In September 2022, a statement of work
revised the remaining services budget to approximately $ 0.1 million, and the research was completed as of March 31, 2023.
On September 29, 2022, the Company entered into an Agreement with Inotiv,
an Indiana based company that provides preclinical trial and related services, for the purpose of performing research in support of Oxylanthanum
Carbonate. The budget for these services is approximately $ 1.3 million. On April 10, 2023, the Company entered into an Agreement with
Inotiv that provides preclinical trial and related services, for the purpose of performing research in support of UNI-494. The budget
for these services is approximately $ 1.3 million. Approximately $ 1.8 million has been paid to Inotiv under these agreements as of September
30, 2023, approximately $ 1.3 million of related expense has been recorded, and approximately $ 0.6 million has been recorded as prepaid
expense in the accompanying balance sheet as of September 30, 2023.
On July 14, 2022, the Company entered into a license
agreement with Lee’s Pharmaceutical (HK) Limited (see Note 4). Under the terms of the agreement, Lee’s Pharmaceutical will
be responsible for development, registration filing and approval for Oxylanthanum Carbonate in China, Hong Kong, and certain other Asian
markets. In addition, Lee’s Pharmaceutical will have sole responsibility for the importation of the drug product from the Company
and for the costs of commercialization of Oxylanthanum Carbonate in the licensed territories. The Company has received an upfront payment
of $ 1.0 million, expects to receive up to $ 1.0 million in milestone payments upon product launch in China and will be eligible for tiered
royalties of between 7 % and 10 % upon achievement of prespecified regulatory and commercial achievements.
On July 27, 2022, the Company entered into an
Agreement with Celerion, a Nebraska based company that provides clinical trial and related services, for the purpose of performing research
in support of Oxylanthanum Carbonate. The budget for the services is approximately $ 2.7 million, and approximately $ 2.7 million has been
paid to Celerion and the research was completed as of June 30, 2023.
On February 1, 2023, the Company entered into
a license agreement with Lotus International Pte Ltd. (“Lotus”) (see Note 4). Under the terms of the agreement, Lotus will
be responsible for development, registration filing and approval for Oxylanthanum Carbonate in the licensed territory of South Korea.
In addition, Lotus will have sole responsibility for the importation of the drug product from the Company and for the costs of commercialization
of Oxylanthanum Carbonate in the licensed territory. The Company has received an upfront payment of $ 0.7 million, may receive up to $ 3.7
million in future milestone payments and will be eligible for tiered royalties upon achievement of specified commercial achievements.
On June 29, 2023, the Company entered into a services
agreement with Shilpa related to NDA filing support for Oxylanthanum Carbonate. The agreement provides for payments of up to $ 2.0 million,
and the Company has made $ 2.0 million in payments pursuant to the agreement as of September 30, 2023.
- 12 -
4. Licensing Revenues
On July 14, 2022, the Company entered into a license
agreement (“Agreement”) with Lee’s Pharmaceutical (HK) Limited (“Lee’s”). Under the terms of the agreement,
Lee’s Pharmaceutical will be responsible for development, registration filing and approval for Oxylanthanum Carbonate in China,
Hong Kong, and certain other Asian markets. In addition, Lee’s will have sole responsibility for the importation of the drug product
from the Company and for the costs of commercialization of Oxylanthanum Carbonate in the licensed territories. Both parties agreed to
enter into a separate manufacturing and supply agreement whereby Unicycive will supply Lee’s with Oxylanthanum Carbonate product.
The Company has received an upfront payment of approximately $ 1.0 million, expects to receive up to $ 1.0 million in milestone payments
upon product launch in China and will be eligible for tiered royalties of between 7 % and 10 % upon achievement of prespecified regulatory
and commercial achievements.
The Company has evaluated the Agreement in accordance
with FASB Topics 808 – Collaborative Arrangements and 606 -Revenue for Contracts from Customers. The Company first assessed whether
the contractual arrangement is within the scope of ASC 808 which defines a collaborative arrangement as a contractual arrangement that
involves a joint operating activity. Under ASC 606, the counterparty is considered a customer only if it is acquiring goods or services
that are an output of the entity’s “ordinary activities”. The Agreement is consistent with the Company’s current
ongoing operations, which is an operating model adopted by many early-stage biotech companies. The license portion of the contract as
well as the future potential transactions under a manufacturing and supply agreement both represent a vendor-customer relationship.
The Company does not believe that its promise
to provide goods under a future manufacturing and supply agreement represents a material right to Lee’s, and therefore the promise
does not represent a current performance obligation. The Company has concluded the agreement contains one performance obligation –
the IP license.
ASC 606 indicates that constrained variable consideration
should be included in the transaction price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative
revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. Variable considerations
consisting of milestone payments and sales-based royalties may be received based on the completion of certain clinical, regulatory, and
commercial activities. The Company has concluded that the future milestone payments should be excluded from the transaction price due
to the uncertainty of achievement as of September 30, 2023. The Company will reassess this conclusion at each reporting date until the
uncertainties are resolved.
- 13 -
For the sales-based royalty payments, guidance
requires an entity to recognize revenue for a sales-based royalty promised in exchange for a license of intellectual property only when
the later of 1) the subsequent sale or usage occurs, or 2) the performance obligation to which some or all the sales-based or usage-based
royalty has been allocated has been satisfied or partially satisfied. The Company has concluded that the future sales-based royalties
should be excluded from the transaction price as of September 30, 2023. The Company will reassess this conclusion at each reporting date.
The Company has concluded that at contract inception
the total transaction price is the $ 1.0 million upfront fee.
The Company has concluded that the license of
the Oxylanthanum Carbonate IP is functional IP as it contains all the necessary information for Lee’s to develop for commercialization
in the Territory. Unicycive’s ongoing activities do not significantly affect the standalone functionality of the IP. In addition,
the functionality of the IP is not expected to substantially change during the license period based on Unicycive’s activities. The
revenue should therefore be recognized at a point in time. This intellectual property was transferred to Lee’s in July 2022, and
the Company has recognized $ 1.0 million in the accompanying statements of operations as licensing revenue for the year ended December
31, 2022.
On February 1, 2023, the Company entered into
a license agreement with Lotus International Pte Ltd. (“Lotus”). Under the terms of the agreement, Lotus will be responsible
for development, registration filing and approval for Oxylanthanum Carbonate in the licensed territory of South Korea. In addition, Lotus
will have sole responsibility for the importation of the drug product from the Company and for the costs of commercialization of Oxylanthanum
Carbonate in the licensed territory. The Company has agreed to complete development of the drug product, at its own expense, as required
for obtaining regulatory approval in the U.S. Both parties agreed to enter into a separate manufacturing and supply agreement whereby
Unicycive will supply Lotus with Oxylanthanum Carbonate product. The Company has received an upfront payment of $ 0.7 million, may receive
up to $ 3.7 million in future milestone payments and will be eligible for tiered royalties upon achievement of specified commercial achievements.
The Company has evaluated the Agreement in accordance
with FASB Topics 808 – Collaborative Arrangements and 606 -Revenue for Contracts from Customers. The Company first assessed whether
the contractual arrangement is within the scope of ASC 808 which defines a collaborative arrangement as a contractual arrangement that
involves a joint operating activity. Under ASC 606, the counterparty is considered a customer only if it is acquiring goods or services
that are an output of the entity’s “ordinary activities”. The Agreement is consistent with the Company’s current
ongoing operations, which is an operating model adopted by many early-stage biotech companies. The license portion of the contract as
well as the future potential transactions under a manufacturing and supply agreement both represent a vendor-customer relationship.
The Company does not believe that its promise
to provide goods under a future manufacturing and supply agreement represents a material right to Lotus, and therefore the promise does
not represent a current performance obligation. The Company evaluated the development services and concluded that although not material
in cost, they are highly interrelated with the license grant. If a promised good or service is not distinct, an entity is required to
combine that good or service with other promised goods or services until it identifies a bundle of goods or services that is distinct.
The combination of the license grant and development services is distinct as Lotus plans to use the product of this bundled unit for developing
its regulatory applications. The Company concluded that the Lotus agreement contains one performance obligation, the bundle of the license
grant and development services.
- 14 -
ASC 606 indicates that constrained variable consideration
should be included in the transaction price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative
revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. Variable considerations
consisting of milestone payments and sales-based royalties may be received based on the completion of certain clinical, regulatory, and
commercial activities. The Company has concluded that the future milestone payments should be excluded from the transaction price due
to the uncertainty of achievement as of September 30, 2023. The Company will reassess this conclusion at each reporting date until the
uncertainties are resolved.
For the sales-based royalty payments, guidance
requires an entity to recognize revenue for a sales-based royalty promised in exchange for a license of intellectual property only when
the later of 1) the subsequent sale or usage occurs, or 2) the performance obligation to which some or all the sales-based or usage-based
royalty has been allocated has been satisfied or partially satisfied. The Company has concluded that the future sales-based royalties
should be excluded from the transaction price as of September 30, 2023. The Company will reassess this conclusion at each reporting date.
The Company has concluded that at contract inception
the total transaction price is $ 675,000 amount of the upfront payment. ASC 606 generally requires an entity to allocate the transaction
price to the performance obligations in proportion to their standalone selling prices (i.e., on a relative standalone selling price basis).
The Company identified the bundle of the license grant and development services as the single performance obligation in the agreement.
The $ 675,000 initial transaction price will therefore be entirely allocated to this obligation.
The Company has concluded that the license of
the Oxylanthanum Carbonate IP is functional IP. However, since it is not distinct, revenue must be recognized based on the combination
of the functional IP and the related development services. Lotus will not simultaneously receive and consume the benefits of the Oxylanthanum
Carbonate IP or development services. Since the performance of the development services creates an asset that will also be used by the
Company and can be licensed to other customers outside of the Territory, the Company is considered to control the asset as it is created,
and it does create an asset with an alternative use. Therefore, the Company concluded that control is not deemed to be transferred over
time and is instead transferred at a point in time. The intellectual property was transferred to Lotus in February 2023, and the development
services were determined to be immaterial to the contract. The Company has recognized a total of $ 0 and $ 675,000 in the accompanying statements
of operations as licensing revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.
5. Balance Sheet Components
Prepaid expenses and other current assets as of
December 31, 2022, and September 30, 2023, consisted of the following (in thousands):
As of
As of
December 31,
September 30,
2022
2023
Directors’ and officers’ liability insurance premiums
$ 476
$ 399
Research and development services
1,554
3,143
Other
159
682
Total
$ 2,189
$ 4,224
- 15 -
Property, plant and equipment as of December 31,
2022, and September 30, 2023, consisted of the following (in thousands):
As of
As of
December 31,
September 30,
2022
2023
Leasehold improvements
$ 15
$ 21
Furniture and fixtures
14
21
Subtotal
29
42
Less accumulated depreciation
( 7 )
( 14 )
Net
$ 22
$ 28
Accounts payable as of December 31, 2022, and
September 30, 2023, consisted of the following (in thousands):
As of
As of
December 31,
September 30,
2022
2023
Trade accounts payable
$ 846
$ 990
Credit card liability
46
94
Total
$ 892
$ 1,084
Accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2022, and
September 30, 2023, consisted of the following (in thousands):
As of
As of
December 31,
September 30,
2022
2023
Accrued labor costs
$ 1,487
$ 1,358
Accrued drug development costs
228
671
Other
522
501
Total
$ 2,237
$ 2,530
6. 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 was for two years , and there was an option to extend the lease for an additional year. On March 3, 2023, the Company
expanded its leased space through a lease amendment by an additional 2,456 square feet commencing March 15, 2023. The term of the amended
lease is for three years with an option to extend the lease for three additional years.
- 16 -
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 lease amendment represents a modification of the original
lease, and the Company evaluated the new agreement under ASC 842. The Company classified the lease as an operating lease and, on March
15, 2023, determined that the present value of the lease was approximately $ 1.0 million using a discount rate of 10.0 %. 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 three years was not considered reasonably certain on September 30, 2023. During the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2023, the Company reflected amortization of right-of-use asset of approximately $ 77,000 and $ 196,000 , respectively,
resulting in a right of use asset balance as of September 30, 2023, of approximately $ 0.8 million.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023,
the Company made cash payments on the lease of $ 236,000 towards the lease liabilities. As of September 30, 2023, the total lease liability
was approximately $ 0.9 million. 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 and
nine months ended September 30, 2023, was $ 100,000 and $ 253,000 , respectively.
As of September 30, 2023, maturities of the Company’s
lease liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
Operating
Lease
Year ending December 31, 2023
$ 94
Year ending December 31, 2024
391
Year ending December 31, 2025
424
Year ending December 31, 2026
72
Total lease payments
981
Less imputed interest rate / present value discount
( 115 )
Present value of lease liability
866
Less current portion
( 314 )
Long term portion
$ 552
7. Related Party Transactions
Loan from Chief Executive Officer and Stockholder
The Company received advances from the stockholder
of $ 210,000 during February 2023. The Company repaid amounts owed to the stockholder of $ 210,000 plus accrued interest during March 2023.
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 year ended December 31, 2022, after
determining that although a shared office space is no longer utilized, consulting services continued to be provided, the Company amended
the Service Agreement to reflect the consulting services at a reduced service fee of $ 6,000 per month and a termination date of June 30,
2022 . The Company has not entered into any additional agreements with Globavir during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
- 17 -
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.
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 terms of these indemnification agreements are 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 because 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 a 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 401(k)
Plan which covers all eligible employees of the Company (the “401(k) Plan”). Employer matching contributions are immediately
100 % vested. The Company’s 401(k) Plan provides that the Company matches each participant’s contribution at 100 % up to 4 %
of the employee’s eligible compensation. Company matching contributions to the 401(k) Plan totaled approximately $ 51,000 and $ 80,000
for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and 2023, respectively.
9. Stockholders’ Deficit
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 from
Initial Public Offering
During July 2021, due to its initial public offering,
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.
- 18 -
As a result of the initial public offering, 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 the
Company’s common stock warrants for the nine months ended September 30, 2023:
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, 2022
4,784,193
6.00
4.54
-
Warrants granted
-
-
-
-
Warrants exercised
-
-
-
-
Outstanding, September 30, 2023
4,784,193
6.00
2.79
-
See Note 11 for information on preferred stock
warrants associated with our sale in March 2023 of Series A-1 Preferred Stock.
Issuance of Common Stock Upon Conversion of
Series A-1 Preferred Stock
On June 26, 2023, the Company held its annual
shareholder meeting, and as a result, shareholder approval for the issuance of common shares upon the conversion of the Series A-1 Preferred
Stock was obtained (see Notes 10 and 11). On July 11, 2023, pursuant to the Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations
of the Series A Convertible Voting Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designation”), the Company issued a total of 19,516,205
shares of common stock in partial settlement of the auto-conversion of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights of Common Stock
Each holder of shares of common stock shall be
entitled to one vote for each share thereof held.
Note 10. Issuance of Series A Preferred Stock
As of December 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.
On March 3, 2023, the Company issued and sold,
in a private placement, 30,190 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock for an aggregate net proceeds of $ 28.0 million (the “Preferred
Stock Offering”), net of placement agent fees and offering expenses of $ 2.2 million. The Company intends to use the net proceeds
from the Preferred Stock Offering to support the Company’s New Drug Application (NDA) submission for approval of Oxylanthanum Carbonate
for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia and, if approved, for the commercial launch of Oxylanthanum Carbonate in the U.S.
Pursuant to the Certificate of Designation, as
of March 3, 2023, each share of Series A-1 Preferred Stock is, subject to approval of the Company’s stockholders, convertible into
a unit (“Unit”) consisting of: (i) shares of common stock of the Company and, if applicable, shares of Series A-2 Preferred
Stock, in lieu of common stock, (ii) a tranche A warrant to acquire approximately 46,675,940 shares (excluding deemed dividends) of Series
A-3 Preferred Stock (the “Tranche A Warrant”), (iii) a tranche B warrant to acquire approximately 42,432,672 shares (excluding
deemed dividends) of Series A-4 Preferred Stock (the “Tranche B Warrant”), and (iv) a tranche C warrant to acquire approximately
67,892,276 shares (excluding deemed dividends) of Series A-5 Preferred Stock (the “Tranche C Warrant”, together with the Tranche
A Warrant and the Tranche B Warrant, the “Warrants”). The Tranche A warrants for an aggregate exercise price of approximately
$25 million are exercisable until 21 days following the Company’s announcement of receipt of FDA approval for Oxylanthanum Carbonate,
the Tranche B warrants for an aggregate exercise price of approximately $25 million are exercisable until 21 days following the Company’s
announcement of receipt of Transitional Drug Add-On Payment Adjustment (“TDAPA”) approval for Oxylanthanum Carbonate, and
the Tranche C Warrant for an aggregate exercise price of approximately $50 million are exercisable until 21 days following four quarters
of commercial sales of Oxylanthanum Carbonate following receipt of TDAPA approval.
- 19 -
The Company has designated 30,190 shares of Series
A-1 Preferred Stock, 1,800,000 shares of Series A-2 Preferred Stock, 1,800,000 shares of Series A-3 Preferred Stock, 1,800,000 shares
of Series A-4 Preferred Stock, and 3,600,000 shares of Series A-5 Preferred Stock, together the “Series A Preferred Stock”.
The Series A Preferred Stock has a par value of $ 0.001 per share. The Certificate of Designation states that, to the extent that the conversion
of the Series A-1 preferred stock as well as the exercise of the Tranche A, B, and C warrants into Series A-2, Series A-3, Series A-4,
and Series A-5 preferred stock results in a beneficial ownership interest in excess of the maximum percentage of common stock upon conversion,
the holders will receive the as converted equivalent for the remaining shares in preferred stock.
The Company determined that the holders could
detach the warrants from the Series A-1 preferred stock, because the stock will automatically convert into shares of common stock, and
the holders will be able to sell those shares while retaining the warrants. Accordingly, the warrants are considered freestanding from
the Series A-1 preferred stock. The Company noted that at contract inception, the warrants are contingently issuable upon the occurrence
of a specified event (shareholder approval).
In connection with the Series A-1 Preferred Stock issuance, the Company
recognized liabilities for the associated Warrants, which had an aggregate fair value of $ 2.8 million at the time of issuance. Offering
costs of $ 0.2 million were allocated to the Warrants and expensed during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The fair value of the
Warrants was accounted for as a reduction to the net proceeds of the Preferred Stock Offering, which resulted in an initial carrying value
of $ 25.4 million for the Series A-1 Preferred Stock (net of $ 2.0 million of placement agent fees and offering costs allocated to the Series
A-1 Preferred Stock). Refer to Note 11 for disclosures related to the Warrants.
On June 26, 2023, the Company held its annual
shareholder meeting, and as a result, shareholder approval for the conversion of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock was obtained. On July
11, 2023, pursuant to the Certificate of Designation, the Company issued shares of Series A-2 preferred stock in partial settlement of
the auto-conversion of the Series A-1 preferred shares. As of September 30, 2023, there were zero shares of Series A-1 preferred stock
outstanding and there were 43,649 shares of Series A-2 Preferred Stock issued and outstanding.
The Series A-1 Preferred Stock have the following
rights:
Dividends: Prior to the receiving stockholder
approval, dividends will accrue, on all issued and outstanding shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock, prior to and in preference to all
other shares of capital stock of the Company, at an annual rate of eight percent ( 8 %) compounded annually on the original per share price
(plus any such accreted compounded amounts); provided that such annual dividend rate shall increase to fourteen percent ( 14 %) if stockholder
approval is not obtained at the first meeting of stockholders following the date of the Preferred Stock offering. If such dividends are
not declared and paid in cash, the dividend amounts will be added to the aggregate liquidation preference then outstanding of the Series
A-1 Preferred Stock. As of September 30, 2023, the Company recorded $ 0.9 million, or $ 28.71 per share, of deemed dividends on the Series
A-1 Preferred Stock.
Voting: Holders of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock
are entitled to vote together with the common stock on an as-if-converted-to-common-stock basis as determined by dividing the liquidation
preference with respect to such shares of Series A Preferred Stock by the conversion price. Holders of common stock are entitled to one
vote for each share of common stock held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders.
Board of Directors Designation Rights: The holders
of Series A-1 Preferred Stock have the right to appoint one member to the Board of Directors. In March 2023, Dr. Gaurav Aggarwal was appointed
to the Company’s Board of Directors.
On the tenth trading day following the announcement
of the stockholder approval, each share of Series A-1 Preferred Stock shall automatically convert into a unit consisting of: (1) the number
of shares of common stock equal to the quotient of (A) the liquidation preference with respect to such share of Series A-1 Preferred Stock,
divided by (B) the conversion price, provided that, to the extent the share conversion would cause such Holder’s beneficial ownership
to exceed 9.99%, such holder shall receive shares of Series A-2 Preferred Stock in lieu of common stock, on a one-for-one basis, with
respect to the number of shares of common stock that exceed 9.99% ownership, (2) a Tranche A Warrant, (3) a Tranche B Warrant, and (4)
a Tranche C Warrant.
- 20 -
Liquidation Preference: The Series A-1 Preferred
Stock shall have a liquidation preference of one-times the original per share price of $ 1,000 per share, plus any accrued but unpaid
dividends thereon, whether or not declared, subject to certain customary anti-dilution adjustments.
The Series A-2, A-3, A-4, and A-5 Preferred Stock
have the following rights:
Dividends: Dividends will accrue, on all issued
and outstanding shares of Series A-2, A-3, A-4, and A-5 Preferred Stock, prior to and in preference to all other shares of capital stock
of the Company, at an annual rate of eight percent ( 8 %) compounded annually on the original per share price (plus any such accreted compounded
amounts). If such dividends are not declared and paid in cash, the dividend amounts will be added to the aggregate liquidation preference
then outstanding.
Voting: Holders of the Series A-2, A-3, A-4, and
A-5 Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together with the common stock on an as-if-converted-to-common-stock basis as determined by dividing
the liquidation preference with respect to such shares of Preferred Stock by the conversion price. Holders of common stock are entitled
to one vote for each share of common stock held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders.
At the option of the holder thereof, each share
of Series A-2 Preferred Stock, Series A-3 Preferred Stock, Series A-4 Preferred Stock, or Series A-5 Preferred Stock shall be convertible
into one share of common stock.
11. Warrant Liability
In connection with the Preferred Stock Offering
(see Note 10), the Company issued Warrants, which included Warrants to purchase Series A-3 Preferred Stock, Series A-4 Preferred Stock,
and Series A-5 Preferred Stock.
Once the warrants are legally issued as a result
of the automatic conversion of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock upon shareholder approval, they will become immediately exercisable at the
option of the holder. The Company determined that the contingently issuable warrants qualify as derivative instruments pursuant to ASC
815-40 and that the warrants will be considered issued for accounting purposes concurrently with the Series A-1 Preferred Stock.
On June 26, 2023, the Company held its annual
shareholder meeting, and as a result, shareholder approval for the conversion of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock was obtained. On July
11, 2023, pursuant to the Certificate of Designation, the Company issued, in addition to common stock and Series A-2 Preferred Stock,
(i) a Tranche A Warrant to acquire 47,852,430 shares of Series A-3 Preferred Stock, (ii) a Tranche B Warrant to acquire 43,502,206 shares
of Series A-4 Preferred Stock, and (iii) a Tranche C Warrant to acquire 69,603,531 shares of Series A-5 Preferred Stock.
The Warrants are recognized as liabilities in
the balance sheets and were initially recognized at fair value at the time of issuance. The Warrants are also subject to remeasurement
at each balance sheet date after issuance. Any change in fair value is recognized as a component of other income (expense) in the statements
of operations in the period of change.
The valuation of the Warrants contains unobservable
inputs that reflect the Company’s own assumptions for which there is little market data. Accordingly, the Warrants are measured
at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs and are classified as Level 3 inputs. The significant unobservable inputs
used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s Warrants include, but are not limited to, probability of obtaining certain shareholder
approvals, probability of reaching certain technical milestones related to the development of Oxylanthanum Carbonate, and the estimated
term of the Warrants. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher (lower)
fair value measurement. Generally, a change in the assumption used for the probability of obtaining certain shareholder approvals is not
correlated to a change in the probability of reaching certain technical milestones. However, a change to the assumption used for the probability
of obtaining certain shareholder approvals or a change in the probability of reaching certain technical milestones would have been accompanied
by a directionally opposite change and a directionally similar change, respectively, in the assumption used for the estimated term.
The fair value of the contingently issuable Warrants
associated with the Company’s March 2023 private placement transaction was determined as of March 3, 2023, and March 31, 2023, by
using a Monte Carlo simulation technique (“MCS”) to value the embedded derivatives associated with the Warrants. The MCS methodology
calculates the theoretical value of a warrant based on certain parameters, including: (i) the threshold of exercising the warrant, (ii)
the price of the underlying security, (iii) the time to expiration, or expected term, (iv) the expected volatility of the underlying security,
(v) the risk-free rate, (vi) the number of paths, (vii) estimated probability assumptions surrounding shareholder approval as well as
the achievement by the Company of technical milestones associated with regulatory and commercial progress, and (viii) an estimated discount
for lack of marketability.
- 21 -
The MCS valuation model was used for the valuation
performed as of the transaction inception on March 3, 2023, and on March 31, 2023, due to uncertainty in the timing of shareholder approval
and the potential variability in the Warrant exercise price. On June 26, 2023, the Company held its annual shareholder meeting, and as
a result, shareholder approval for the issuance of common shares upon the conversion of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock was obtained and
the exercise price for the Warrants became fixed. Therefore, as of June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023, the fair value of the Warrants
was determined using a Black Scholes model using parameters including (i) the exercise price of the warrant, (ii) the price of the underlying
security, (iii) the time to expiration, or expected term, (iv) the expected volatility of the underlying security, (v) the risk-free rate,
and (vi) estimated probability assumptions surrounding the achievement by the Company of technical milestones associated with regulatory
and commercial progress.
These valuation techniques involve management’s
estimates and judgment based on unobservable inputs and are classified in Level 3. The fair value estimates may not be indicative of the
amounts that would be realized in a market exchange. Additionally, there may be inherent uncertainties or changes in the underlying assumptions
used, which could significantly affect the current or future fair value estimates. Generally, a significant increase (decrease) in the
probabilities of shareholder approval and the achievement of technical milestones would have resulted in a significantly higher (lower)
fair value measurement; however, changes in other inputs such as expected term and price of the underlying common stock will have a directionally
opposite impact on fair value measurement.
The Company uses a third-party valuation expert
to assist in the determination of the fair value of the Warrants. The tables below summarize the valuation inputs into the Black Scholes
model for the derivative liability associated with the three tranches of Warrants at September 30, 2023.
Tranche A Warrant
At
September 30,
2023
Fair value of underlying stock
$ 0.86
Exercise price
$ 0.54
Volatility
113.5 % – 149.2 %
Risk free rate
5.2 % – 5.5 %
Dividend yield
0 %
Term (in years)
0.7 – 1.7
Discount for lack of marketability
12.5 %
Probability for FDA approval
23.33 %
Tranche B Warrant
At
September 30,
2023
Fair value of underlying stock
$ 0.86
Exercise price
$ 0.59
Volatility
108.3 % – 120.5 %
Risk free rate
5.0 % – 5.4 %
Dividend yield
0 %
Term (in years)
1.3 – 2.3
Discount for lack of marketability
12.5 %
Probability for TDAPA approval
0.01 % – 12.0 %
Tranche C Warrant
At
September 30,
2023
Fair value of underlying stock
$ 0.86
Exercise price
$ 0.74
Volatility
104.6 % – 105.4 %
Risk free rate
4.8 % – 5.0 %
Dividend yield
0 %
Term (in years)
2.3 – 3.3
Discount for lack of marketability
12.5 %
Probability for commercialization
0.1 % – 12.5 %
As of the issuance date (March 3, 2023), the Company
estimated the fair value of the Warrants to be $ 2.8 million. As of September 30, 2023, the Company estimated the fair value of the Warrants
to be $ 11.5 million.
- 22 -
The following table summarizes activity for the
Company’s preferred stock warrants for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 (includes the conversion effect in the liquidation
preference of accrued dividends):
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, 2022
-
-
-
-
Warrants issued
160,958,167
0.64
2.10
229,069
Warrants exercised
-
-
-
-
Outstanding, September 30, 2023
160,958,167
0.64
2.59
35,254
12. 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 were reserved for issuance pursuant to the 2021 Plan prior to our annual
meeting on June 26, 2023. Shareholders approved an increase to the number of shares reserved on June 26, 2023, and accordingly, at September
30, 2023, approximately 12,775,996 shares are reserved for issuance. 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. As of
December 31, 2022, approximately 352,938 shares of common stock were available under the 2021 Plan. As of September 30, 2023, there are
approximately 2,797,621 shares of common stock available under the 2021 Plan.
The following table summarizes activity for stock
options under all plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2023:
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, 2022
1,342,670
$ 2.75
8.47
$ 52
Options granted
8,989,487
0.75
9.86
4,758
Options forfeited
( 4,000 )
1.66
-
-
Options exercised
( 6,541 )
3.27
-
-
Outstanding, September 30, 2023
10,321,616
1.01
9.59
5,054
Options vested and exercisable as of September 30, 2023
826,152
$ 3.28
7.19
$ 129
As of September 30, 2023, the unrecognized compensation
cost related to outstanding stock options was $ 5.6 million, which is expected to be recognized as expense over approximately 3.1 years.
During August 2023, the Company granted a consultant
10,000 restricted stock units with a grant date fair value of $ 7,500 , resulting in a fair value per share of $ 0.75 . Subject to the consultant’s
continued service, the restricted stock units shall vest upon the two-year anniversary of the date of grant. As of September 30, 2023,
the unrecognized compensation cost related to the grant was approximately $ 5,000 , which is expected to be recognized as expense over approximately
18 months.
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 September 30, 2023, 3,005 of the options remained unvested. Proceeds received related to
the unvested options of approximately $ 10,000 at September 30, 2023 were included in accrued liabilities on the accompanying balance sheet
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 approximately $ 21,000 were reclassified to equity during the nine months
ended September 30, 2023. The vested portion of the exercises was 380,709 shares at September 30, 2023.
During May 2022, the Company granted a consultant
10,000 restricted stock units with a grant date fair value of $ 7,200 , resulting in a fair value per share of $ 0.72 . Subject to the consultant’s
continued service, the restricted stock units shall vest upon the two-year anniversary of the date of grant. As of September 30, 2023,
the unrecognized compensation cost related to the grant was approximately $ 2,000 , which is expected to be recognized as expense over approximately
8 months.
- 23 -
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 . The restricted stock
units vested in July 2022.
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 and nine months
ended September 30, 2022, and 2023, (in thousands):
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
September 30,
2022
2023
2022
2023
Research and development
$ 103
$ 450
$ 303
$ 614
General and administrative
163
479
547
603
Total stock-based compensation
$ 266
$ 929
$ 850
$ 1,217
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 midpoint 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 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 – Through
September 30, 2023, the Company has never declared nor paid any cash dividends. The Company shall modify its dividend policy to state
that the Company intends to pay dividends to all stockholders, including holders of Series A Preferred Stock on an as-if-converted-to-common-stock
basis, on a quarterly basis in an amount of which the aggregate of all quarterly dividends shall equal at least seventy-five percent ( 75 %)
of its annual net cash flow from operations following the approval of Oxylanthanum Carbonate by the FDA if obtained, and the commencement
of commercial sales.
The following averaged assumptions were used to
calculate the fair value of awards granted to employees, directors and non-employees for the nine months ended September 30, 2022:
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2022
Expected volatility
101.00 – 105.00 %
Risk-free interest rate
2.90 - 2.92 %
Dividend yield
-
%
Expected term
6.25 years
The following averaged assumptions were used to
calculate the fair value of awards granted to employees, directors and non-employees for the nine months ended September 30, 2023:
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2023
Expected volatility
104.00 – 108.00 %
Risk-free interest rate
4.35 – 4.36 %
Dividend yield
-
%
Expected term
5.92 years
- 24 -
13. Net Loss Per Share
The Company computes net loss per share using
the two-class method. The two-class method uses an earnings allocation formula that determines net loss per share for common stock and
any participating securities according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings.
Diluted net loss per share includes the potential
dilutive effect of common stock equivalents as if such securities were converted or exercised during the period, when the effect is dilutive.
Common stock equivalents include: (i) outstanding stock options and restricted stock units; (ii) common stock to be issued upon the assumed
exercise of the Company’s common stock warrants; and (iii) prior to issuance, the issuable warrants related to the Company’s
March private placement financing. Because the impact of these items is generally anti-dilutive during periods of net loss, there is no
difference between basic and diluted income (loss) per common share for periods with net losses.
The following table sets forth the computation
of basic and diluted net loss per share of common and preferred stock (in thousands, except share and per share data):
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2022
2023
2022
2023
Numerator:
Net loss
$ ( 5,557 )
$ ( 4,333 )
$ ( 12,730 )
$ ( 22,746 )
Less: Deemed dividends on Series A-1 Preferred Stock
-
( 72 )
-
( 867 )
Net loss attributable to common shares, basic and diluted
( 5,557 )
( 4,405 )
( 12,730 )
( 23,613 )
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares outstanding used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted
15,061,995
32,633,074
15,050,389
21,100,206
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted
$ ( 0.37 )
$ ( 0.13 )
$ ( 0.85 )
$ ( 1.12 )
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
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2022
2023
2022
2023
Options to purchase common stock
1,165,397
10,321,616
1,165,397
10,321,616
Warrants to purchase common stock
4,784,193
4,784,193
4,784,193
4,784,193
Warrants to purchase convertible preferred stock
-
160,958,167
-
160,958,167
Total
5,949,590
176,063,976
5,949,590
176,063,976
14. Subsequent Events
None
- 25 -
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.