Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual report on Form 10-K. This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the following sections, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For a detailed discussion of these risks and uncertainties, see the “Risk Factors” section in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We caution the reader not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s analysis only as of the date of this Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements, which reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this Form 10-K.
Overview
We are a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company. Our strategy is to focus our efforts on the development of immune modulator product candidates with the potential to treat solid cancers, T cell lymphomas, autoimmune, allergic and infectious diseases. We have three product candidates that are in clinical development for treatment of various solid tumors, lymphomas and autoimmune diseases.
Our lead product candidate is soquelitinib (formerly CPI-818), a selective, covalent inhibitor of ITK (interleukin 2 inducible T cell kinase) and is in a multi-center Phase 1/1b clinical trial in patients with various recurrent, malignant T cell lymphomas. Soquelitinib is designed to inhibit the proliferation of certain malignant T cells and also to affect the differentiation of normal T cells, which could enhance immunity to tumor cells. We believe these properties have the potential to regulate the growth and activity of both abnormal malignant T cells and abnormal T cells involved in autoimmunity and allergy.
Our second product candidate, ciforadenant, is an oral, small molecule antagonist of the A2A receptor for adenosine designed to disable a tumor’s ability to subvert attack by the immune system by blocking the binding of immunosuppressive adenosine in the tumor microenvironment to the A2A receptor. We are collaborating with the Kidney Cancer Research Consortium to evaluate ciforadenant in an open label Phase 1b/2 clinical trial as a first line therapy for metastatic RCC in combination with ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4) and nivolumab (anti-PD-1).
Our third product candidate is mupadolimab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that is designed to react with a specific site on CD73. In both preclinical and in vivo studies, mupadolimab has demonstrated binding to various immune cells and the enhancement of immune responses by activating B cells. While we believe mupadolimab has the potential to be an important new therapeutic agent with a novel mechanism of action for the treatment of a broad range of cancers and infectious diseases, we are waiting to initiate a potential Phase 2 randomized clinical trial in order to prioritize the development of our other two lead product candidates. Angel Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. (“Angel Pharmaceuticals”) is continuing the development of mupadolimab in China and is enrolling patients in a Phase 1 trial with mupadolimab alone and together with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced NSCLC and head and neck cancer.
Our molecularly targeted product candidates are designed to exhibit a high degree of specificity, which we believe have the potential to provide greater safety compared to other cancer therapies and may facilitate their development either as monotherapies or in combination with other cancer therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors or chemotherapy.
We believe the breadth and status of our pipeline demonstrates our management team’s expertise in understanding and developing immunology focused assets as well as in identifying product candidates that can be in-licensed and further developed internally to treat many types of cancer. We hold worldwide rights to all of our product candidates (other than in greater China).
Our diverse and versatile product candidates also have enabled us to take steps to address markets in foreign countries. In October 2020, we announced the formation and launch of Angel Pharmaceuticals, a China-based biopharmaceutical company with a mission to bring innovative quality medicines to Chinese patients for treatment of
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serious diseases including cancer, autoimmune diseases and infectious diseases. We formed Angel Pharmaceuticals as a wholly owned subsidiary and it launched with a post-money valuation of approximately $106.0 million, based on an approximate $41.0 million cash investment from a Chinese investor group that includes funds associated with Tigermed and Betta Pharmaceuticals, Hisun Pharmaceuticals and Zhejiang Puissance Capital. Such cash is not available for our use. Contemporaneously with the financing, Angel Pharmaceuticals licensed the rights to develop and commercialize our three clinical- stage candidates — soquelitinib, ciforadenant and mupadolimab — in greater China and obtained global rights to our BTK inhibitor preclinical programs. Under the collaboration, we currently have a 49.7% equity interest in Angel Pharmaceuticals, excluding 7% of Angel’s equity reserved for issuance under the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, and are entitled to designate three individuals on Angel’s five-person board of directors.
To date, the majority of our efforts have been focused on the research, development and advancement of soquelitinib, ciforadenant, and mupadolimab, and we have not generated any revenue from product sales and, as a result, we have incurred significant losses. We expect to continue to incur significant research and development and general and administrative expenses related to our operations. Our net loss for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $27.0 million and $41.3 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of $334.7 million. We expect our losses will increase as we continue our development of, seek regulatory approval for and begin to commercialize soquelitinib, ciforadenant and mupadolimab, and as we develop other product candidates. Even if we achieve profitability in the future, we may not be able to sustain profitability in subsequent periods.
Since our inception and through December 31, 2023, we have funded our operations primarily through the sale and issuance of stock, including through our initial public offering (“IPO”) in March 2016, in which we raised net proceeds of approximately $70.6 million, a follow-on offering of our common stock in March 2018, in which we raised net proceeds of approximately $64.9 million and a follow on offering in February 2021, in which we raised net proceeds of approximately $32.0 million, in each case net of underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses. Immediately prior to the consummation of the IPO, all of our outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock were converted into 14.3 million shares of our common stock.
In March 2020, we entered into an open market sale agreement (the “2020 Sales Agreement”) with Jefferies LLC (“Jefferies”) to sell shares of our common stock, from time-to-time, with aggregate gross sales proceeds of up to $50,000,000, through an at-the-market equity offering program under which Jefferies will act as our sales agent. In November 2021, we entered into another Sale Agreement (“2021 Sales Agreement”) with Jefferies to sell shares of our common stock from time-to-time, with aggregate gross sales proceeds of up to $40,000,000.
On March 28, 2023, we terminated both the 2020 Sales Agreement and the 2021 Sales Agreement and concurrently entered into a new open market sale agreement (the “2023 Sales Agreement”) with Jefferies to sell shares of our common stock, from time-to-time, with aggregate gross sales proceeds of up to $90,000,000, through an at-the-market equity offering program under which Jefferies will act as our sales agent. The issuance and sale of shares of common stock pursuant to the 2023 Sales Agreement are deemed an “at-the-market” offering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Jefferies is entitled to compensation for its services equal to 3.0% of the gross proceeds of any shares of common stock sold through Jefferies under the 2023 Sales Agreement.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we sold 2,461,903 shares of common stock under our at-the-market offering program resulting in net proceeds of $7.8 million. As of December 31, 2023, $81.9 million remained available for sale under the 2023 Sales Agreement.
Our three product candidates, soquelitinib, ciforadenant and mupadolimab, are in clinical development by us and / or our partner, Angel Pharmaceuticals. Except for Greater China, we own the world-wide rights to these product candidates.
We plan to focus our development efforts in 2024 on soquelitinib with the start of a potentially registrational Phase 3 clinical trial of soquelitinib in relapsed PTCL and a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 1 trial of soquelitinib in patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. As a result of our ongoing development efforts, we anticipate needing to spend substantial resources for the foreseeable future. Consequently, we will need additional financing to support our continuing operations. Until such time as we can generate significant revenue from product sales, if ever, we
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expect to finance our operations through a combination of public or private equity or debt financings or other sources, which may include collaborations with third parties. Such financing could result in dilution to stockholders and may include the imposition of debt covenants and repayment obligations or other restrictions that may affect our business. If we raise additional capital through strategic collaboration agreements, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our product candidates, including potential future revenue streams. Adequate additional financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. For example, the trading prices for our and other biopharmaceutical companies’ stock have been highly volatile as a result of factors such as the impacts of pandemics, such as COVID-19, and increases in inflation rates or interest rates. As a result, we may face difficulties raising capital through sales of our common stock and any such sales may be on unfavorable terms. Our inability to raise capital as and when needed would have a negative impact on our financial condition and our ability to pursue our business strategy. We will need to generate significant revenue to achieve profitability, and we may never do so.
As of December 31, 2023, we had capital resources consisting of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of approximately $27.1 million. Based on our currently available cash resources and our currently planned level of operations and cash flows for the twelve-month period subsequent to the date of issuance of the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we will require additional funding prior to the end of 2024. In accordance with applicable accounting standards, we evaluated whether there are conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern within 12 months after the date of the issuance of the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Under the applicable accounting standards, the receipt of potential funding from future equity issuances cannot be considered probable, as these events are outside our control. Accordingly, management has concluded that substantial doubt exists about our ability to continue as a going concern for 12 months from the date the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are issued. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Limited Operating History, Financial Condition and Need for Additional Capital.”
We currently have no manufacturing capabilities and do not intend to establish any such capabilities. We have no commercial manufacturing facilities for our product candidates. As such, we are dependent on third parties to supply our product candidates according to our specifications, in sufficient quantities, on time, in compliance with appropriate regulatory standards and at competitive prices.
Components of Results of Operations
Revenue
To date, we have not generated any revenues. We do not expect to receive any revenues from any product candidates that we develop unless and until we obtain regulatory approval and commercialize our products or enter into revenue-generating collaboration agreements with third parties.
Research and Development Expenses
Our research and development expenses consist primarily of costs incurred to conduct research and development of our product candidates. We record research and development expenses as incurred. Research and development expenses include:
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● license fees; and
We plan to increase our research and development expenses substantially as we continue the development and potential commercialization of our product candidates. Our current planned research and development activities include the following:
● completion of our ongoing Phase 1/1b clinical trial of soquelitinib;
● a potential Phase 3 registrational clinical trial for soquelitinib in PTCL;
● a potential clinical trial of soquelitinib in solid tumors;
● a potential clinical trial of soquelitinib in atopic dermatitis;
In addition to our product candidates that are in clinical development, we believe it is important to continue substantial investment in potential new product candidates to build the value of our product candidate pipeline and our business.
Our expenditures on current and future preclinical and clinical development programs are subject to numerous uncertainties related to timing and cost to completion. The duration, costs and timing of clinical trials and development of product candidates will depend on a variety of factors, including many of which are beyond our control. The process of conducting the necessary clinical research to obtain regulatory approval is costly and time consuming, and the successful development of our product candidates is uncertain. The risks and uncertainties associated with our research and development projects are discussed more fully in “Part II, Item 1A—Risk Factors.” As a result of these risks and uncertainties, we are unable to determine with any degree of certainty the duration and completion costs of our research and development projects or if, when or to what extent we will generate revenues from the commercialization and sale of any of our product candidates that obtain regulatory approval. We may never succeed in achieving regulatory approval for any of our product candidates.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses include personnel costs, expenses for outside professional services and allocated expenses. Personnel costs consist of salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation. Outside professional services consist of legal, accounting and audit services and other consulting fees. Allocated expenses consist of rent expense related to our office and research and development facility.
We expect that our general and administrative expenses will increase in the future as we increase our headcount to support our continued research and development and potential commercialization of one or more of our product candidates.
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Results of Operations
Comparison of the periods below as indicated (in thousands):
Year ended December 31, Change Change
Operating expenses:
Gain from sale of property and equipment — 22 — (22) 22
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, consisted of the following costs by program (specific program costs consist solely of external costs):
Year ended December 31, Change Change
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the increase in soquelitinib costs of $1.5 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily consisted of an increase of $1.3 million in outside services and an increase of $0.6 million in clinical trial expenses, which was partially offset by a decrease of $0.4 million in drug manufacturing costs.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the decrease in ciforadenant costs of $0.4 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily consisted of a decrease of $0.3 million in drug manufacturing costs and a decrease of $0.4 million in other outside services, which was partially offset by an increase of $0.3 million in clinical trial expenses.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the decrease in mupadolimab costs of $9.0 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily consisted of a decrease of $7.3 million in drug manufacturing costs, a decrease of $1.4 million in clinical trial expenses and a decrease of $0.3 million in other outside services.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the decrease in unallocated costs compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, was negligible.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the increase in soquelitinib costs of $2.9 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily consisted of an increase of $1.1 million in manufacturing costs, an increase of $0.3 million in clinical trial expenses and an increase of $0.9 million in other outside services. Additionally, $0.6 million
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in drug manufacturing costs, which were expensed in prior years, were billed to Angel Pharmaceuticals during the year ended December 31, 2021.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the decrease in ciforadenant costs of $0.2 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily consisted of a decrease of $0.5 million in clinical trial expenses, which was partially offset by an increase of $0.1 million in drug manufacturing costs and an increase of $0.2 million in other outside services.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the decrease in mupadolimab costs of $4.4 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily consisted of a decrease of $8.6 million in clinical trial expenses and a decrease of $1.0 million in other outside services, which was partially offset by an increase of $5.7 million in drug manufacturing costs as a result of the purchase of antibody for our clinical trial for mupadolimab, which was subsequently paused, under a non-cancelable purchase commitment. Additionally, $0.5 million in drug manufacturing costs, which were expensed in prior years, were billed to Angel Pharmaceuticals during the year ended December 31, 2022.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the decrease in unallocated costs of $3.0 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily consisted of a decrease of $3.1 million in personnel and related costs and a decrease of $0.3 million in facility related costs, partially offset by an increase of $0.4 million in outside services.
General and Administrative Expenses
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the decrease in general and administrative expenses of $1.2 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily consisted of a decrease of $0.6 million in personnel and related costs and a decrease of $0.6 million in other outside costs.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the decrease in general and administrative expenses of $1.4 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily consisted of a decrease in personnel and related costs.
Interest Income and Other Expense, net
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the increase in interest income and other expense, net of $0.9 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily consisted of an increase in interest income earned due to an increase in interest rates.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the increase in interest income and other expense, net of $0.7 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily consisted of an increase in interest income earned due to an increase in interest rates.
Gain from sale of property and equipment
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the gain from sale of property and equipment consisted of proceeds from the sale of laboratory equipment.
Sublease income – related party
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the decrease in sublease income – related party of $0.5 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, was due to the expiration of the building sublease agreement with Angel Pharmaceuticals in January 2023.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the increase in sublease income – related party of $0.6 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, consisted of a full year of rent payments made by Angel Pharmaceuticals pursuant to the facility sublease entered into in August 2021.
Loss from equity method investment
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For the year ended December 31, 2023, the decrease in loss from equity method investment of $4.7 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily consisted of a decrease in our share of Angel Pharmaceutical’s loss for the year ended December 31, 2022.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the increase in loss from equity method investment of $5.2 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily consisted of an increase in our share of Angel Pharmaceutical’s loss for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources of Liquidity
As of December 31, 2023, we had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $27.1 million and an accumulated deficit of $334.7 million, compared to cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $42.3 million and an accumulated deficit of $307.7 million as of December 31, 2022.
Since our inception and through December 31, 2023, we have funded our operations primarily through the sale and issuance of stock, including through our IPO in March 2016, in which we raised net proceeds of approximately $70.6 million, a follow-on offering of our common stock in March 2018, in which we raised net proceeds of approximately $64.9 million and a follow on offering in February 2021, in which we raised net proceeds of approximately $32.0 million, in each case net of underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.
On March 28, 2023, we entered into the 2023 Sales Agreement with Jefferies to sell shares of our common stock, from time-to-time, with aggregate gross sales proceeds of up to $90,000,000, through an at-the-market equity offering program under which Jefferies will act as our sales agent. The issuance and sale of shares of common stock pursuant to the 2023 Sales Agreement are deemed an “at-the-market” offering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Jefferies is entitled to compensation for its services equal to 3.0% of the gross proceeds of any shares of common stock sold through Jefferies under the 2023 Sales Agreement.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we sold 2,461,903 shares of common stock under our at-the-market offering program resulting in net proceeds of $7.8 million. As of December 31, 2023, $81.9 million remained available for sale under the 2023 Sales Agreement.
Funding Requirements
Since our inception, we have incurred significant losses and negative cash flows from operations. We have an accumulated deficit of $334.7 million through December 31, 2023. We do not expect positive cash flows from operations in the foreseeable future, if ever. Historically, we have incurred operating losses as a result of ongoing efforts to develop our product candidates, including conducting ongoing research and development, clinical and preclinical studies and providing general and administrative support for these operations. We do not have any products approved for sale, and we do not expect to generate any meaningful revenue unless and until we obtain regulatory approval of and commercialize any of our current and future product candidates and/or enter into additional significant collaboration agreements with third parties, and we do not know when, or if, either will occur. We expect to continue to incur net operating losses for at least the next several years and we expect the losses to increase as we advance our soquelitinib, ciforadenant and mupdolimab product candidates, as well as any future product candidates, through clinical development, seek regulatory approval, prepare for and, if approved, proceed to commercialization and continue our research and development efforts. We are subject to all the risks typically related to the development of new product candidates, and we may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other unknown factors that may adversely affect our business. We do not yet have a sales organization or commercial infrastructure and, accordingly, we will need to incur significant expenses to develop a sales organization and commercial infrastructure in advance of generating any commercial product sales. Moreover, we incur substantial costs associated with operating as a
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public company. We anticipate that we will need substantial additional funding in connection with our continuing operations.
Until we can generate a sufficient amount of revenue from the commercialization of our product candidates or from additional significant collaboration or license agreements with third parties, if ever, we expect to finance our future cash needs through private and public equity offerings, including our “at-the-market” offering program, debt financings, and potential future collaboration, license and development agreements. Adequate funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. If we are unable to raise additional capital in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us, we will be required to significantly reduce our operating expenses and may have to significantly delay, scale back or discontinue the development of one or more of our current or future product candidates. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity or convertible debt securities, it could result in dilution to our existing stockholders and increased fixed payment obligations. In addition, as a condition to providing additional funds to us, future investors may demand, and may be granted, rights superior to those of existing stockholders. If we incur indebtedness, we could become subject to covenants that would restrict our operations and potentially impair our competitiveness, such as limitations on our ability to incur additional debt, limitations on our ability to acquire, sell or license intellectual property rights and other operating restrictions that could adversely impact our ability to conduct our business. Additionally, any future collaborations we enter into with third parties may provide capital in the near term, but we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our product candidates or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us. Any of the foregoing could significantly harm our business, financial condition and prospects.
We expect to incur substantial additional losses in the future as we conduct our planned research and development activities. We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities will only be sufficient to fund our planned operating and capital needs through the fourth quarter of 2024 and will not be sufficient to enable us to fund our projected operations through at least the next twelve months from the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern for a period of 12 months from the date of the issuance of the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. However, our forecast of the period of time through which our financial resources will be adequate to support our operations is a forward-looking statement that involves risks and uncertainties, and actual results could vary materially based on a number of factors.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared assuming that we 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. The consolidated financial statements and related notes do not reflect any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of assets or amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary if we are unable to continue as a going concern.
We have based our projections of operating capital requirements on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect and we may use all our available capital resources sooner than we expect. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with research, development and commercialization of product candidates, we are unable to estimate the exact amount of our operating capital requirements. Our future capital requirements depend on many factors, including:
● the number and scope of preclinical and clinical programs we decide to pursue;
● the cost and timing of regulatory approvals;
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● other factors described in the section of this report entitled “Risk Factors.”
Summary of Statement of Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods indicated (in thousands):
Year ended December 31, Change Change
Net cash provided by (used in):
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Cash used in operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2023 was $23.9 million, which primarily consisted of a net loss of $27.0 million, adjusted by non-cash charges of $6.7 million, primarily consisting of $2.1 million of stock compensation expense and $5.3 million in loss from equity method investment, a decrease of $0.5 million in accounts payable, a decrease of $3.6 million in accrued and other liabilities and a decrease of $0.6 million in accounts receivable – related party.
Cash used in operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2022 was $27.0 million, which primarily consisted of a net loss of $41.3 million, adjusted by non cash charges of $12.9 million, primarily consisting of $2.7 million of stock compensation expense and $10.0 million in loss from equity method investment, a decrease of $0.6 million in prepaid and other current assets, an increase of $0.4 million in accounts payable, an increase of $0.5 million in accrued and other liabilities and an increase of $0.1 million in accounts receivable – related party.
Cash used in operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $36.7 million, which primarily consisted of a net loss of $43.2 million, adjusted by non cash charges of $9.8 million, primarily consisting of $4.2 million of stock compensation expense and $4.8 million in loss from equity method investment, and an increase of $0.2 million in other assets, partially offset by a decrease of $2.4 million in accounts payable and accrued and other liabilities, an increase of $0.5 million in accounts receivable – related party, an increase of $0.3 million in prepaid and other current assets and an increase of $0.2 million in operating lease right-of-use asset, net of operating lease liability.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Cash provided by investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2023 was $15.5 million, which consisted of proceeds from maturities of marketable securities of $62.6 million, which were partially offset by purchases of marketable securities of $47.0 million.
Cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2022 was $23.3 million, which consisted of purchases of marketable securities of $66.2 million and purchases of property and equipment of $0.3 million, which were partially offset by proceeds from maturities of marketable securities of $43.2 million.
Cash provided by investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $21.6 million, which consisted of proceeds from maturities of marketable securities of $30.9 million, which were partially offset by purchases of marketable securities of $9.4 million.
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Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2023 was $7.9 million, which primarily consisted of $7.8 million in net proceeds from the issuance of common stock through our at-the-market offering program.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, there was no cash provided by or used in financing activities.
Cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $62.2 million, which consisted of $32.0 million in net proceeds from our February 2021 follow-on public offering, $29.0 million in net proceeds from the issuance of common stock through our at-the-market offering program, and $1.2 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock options.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have not entered into any off-balance sheet arrangements and do not have any holdings in variable interest entities.
Contractual Obligations
Our principal commitment consists of obligations under our non-cancelable operating lease for our facilities that expires in 2025.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires our management to make judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported revenue generated and expenses incurred during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, our management evaluates its estimates including, but not limited to: those related to the accrual for certain liabilities, including accrued clinical trial liabilities; valuations of equity awards used to determine stock-based compensation; valuation of intangible assets and long-lived assets; going concern assessment; and the amounts of deferred tax assets and liabilities, including the related allowance. We base our estimates on our historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these judgments and estimates under different assumptions or conditions and any such differences may be material. We believe our critical accounting policies relating to clinical trial accruals and stock-based compensation reflect the more significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10 K.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities
We consider all highly liquid investment securities with remaining maturities at the date of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Investments with remaining maturities, at the date of purchase, greater than three months, but less than one year are considered short-term. We determined the appropriate classification of marketable securities at the time of purchase and evaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. To date, all marketable securities have been classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, if any, included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity (deficit). Interest and realized gains and losses are included in interest income. Realized gains and losses are recognized based on the specific identification method.
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Research and Development Expenses
We record research and development expenses as incurred. We account for nonrefundable advance payments for goods and services that will be used in future research and development activities as expenses when the goods have been received or when the service has been performed rather than when the payment is made. Research and development expenses consist of costs incurred by us for the discovery and development of our product candidates and include:
● license fees; and
Clinical Trial Accruals
Costs for preclinical studies and clinical trial activities are recognized based on an evaluation of the vendors’ progress towards completion of specific tasks. We apply significant judgment in developing estimates for clinical trial accruals based on assumptions related to vendors’ progress towards completion. In developing these estimates, we estimate vendors’ progress towards completion using data such as clinical site activations, patient enrollment or information provided to us by our vendors regarding their actual costs incurred. Payments for these activities are based on the terms of individual contracts and payment timing may differ significantly from the period in which the services are performed. We determine accrual estimates through reports from and discussions with applicable personnel and outside service providers as to the progress or state of completion, or the services completed. Our estimates of accrued expenses as of each balance sheet date are based on the facts and circumstances known at the time.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Segment Information
We have one primary business activity and operate as one reportable segment.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates. We had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $27.1 million as of December 31, 2023, which consisted of cash, U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. government agency securities. The interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk; however, historical fluctuations of interest income have not been significant. Due to the short-term duration of our investment portfolio and the low risk profile of our investments, an immediate 10% increase in interest rates would not have a material effect on the fair market value of our portfolio.
We do not have any foreign currency or other derivative financial instruments.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
CORVUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 238) 87
Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets 89
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss 90
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity 91
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 92
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 93
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, of stockholders’ equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Substantial Doubt About the Company’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has incurred significant net operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since inception that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial
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statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Clinical Trial Accruals
As described in Notes 2 and 7 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company recorded $2.3 million in clinical trial accruals as of December 31, 2023. Management applies significant judgment in developing estimates for clinical trial accruals based on assumptions related to the vendors’ progress towards completion. Management estimates the vendors’ progress towards completion using data such as clinical site activations, patient enrollment or information provided to the Company by its vendors regarding actual costs incurred. Management determines accrual estimates through reports from and discussions with applicable personnel and outside service providers as to the progress or stage of completion, or the services completed.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to clinical trial accruals is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management in estimating the clinical trial accruals and (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and evaluating management’s significant assumption related to the vendors’ progress towards completion of clinical trials.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included, among others (i) testing management’s process for estimating the clinical trial accruals; (ii) evaluating the appropriateness of the method used by management to develop the estimate; (iii) testing the completeness and accuracy of data used to develop the estimate; and (iv) evaluating the reasonableness of the significant assumption related to the vendors’ progress towards completion of clinical trials. Evaluating management’s assumption related to the vendors’ progress towards completion of clinical trials involved (i) confirming patient visits on a test basis; (ii) obtaining and examining contract terms on a test basis to evaluate the completeness and consistency of the costs in the contract with the costs used in developing the estimate; and (iii) considering whether this assumption was consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
San Jose, California
March 19, 2024
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2015
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CORVUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
December 31, December 31,
Assets
Current assets:
Accounts receivable - related party 26 588
Prepaid and other current assets 781 773
Property and equipment, net 236 353
Operating lease right-of-use asset 1,149 2,217
Investment in Angel Pharmaceuticals 16,123 21,877
Other assets 89 129
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Operating lease liability 1,374 1,228
Accrued and other liabilities 3,970 7,548
Operating lease liability — 1,373
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Stockholders’ equity:
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (967) (563)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 45,553 $ 68,240
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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CORVUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Year Ended December 31,
Operating expenses:
Interest income and other expense, net 1,584 654 (15)
Gain from sale of property and equipment — 22 —
Sublease income - related party 78 587 235
Loss from equity method investment (5,284) (10,005) (4,831)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted $ (0.56) $ (0.89) $ (1.03)
Other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities 66 (48) (7)
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment (470) (2,384) 1,872
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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CORVUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands, except share data)
Accumulated
Additional Other Total
Common Stock Paid-in Comprehensive Accumulated Stockholders’
Shares Amount Capital Income (Loss) Deficit Equity
Stock-based compensation expense — — 4,232 — — 4,232
Unrealized loss on marketable securities — — — (7) — (7)
Net loss — — — — (43,241) (43,241)
Stock-based compensation expense — — 2,692 — — 2,692
Unrealized loss on marketable securities — — — (48) — (48)
Net loss — — — — (41,307) (41,307)
Stock-based compensation expense — — 2,147 — — 2,147
Unrealized gain on marketable securities — — — 66 — 66
Net loss — — — — (27,029) (27,029)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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CORVUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
Cash flows from operating activities
Depreciation and amortization 151 367 460
Accretion related to marketable securities (894) (170) 239
Gain from sale of property and equipment — (22) —
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable - related party 562 (81) (507)
Prepaid and other current assets (8) 581 (277)
Operating lease right-of-use asset 1,068 973 (1,542)
Accrued and other liabilities (3,578) 467 (523)
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment (34) (269) (5)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment — 22 –
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities 15,541 (23,276) 21,560
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options 12 — 1,215
Net cash provided by financing activities 7,855 — 62,158
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (539) (50,299) 47,003
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period 13,159 63,458 16,455
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period $ 12,620 $ 13,159 $ 63,458
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Purchases of property and equipment incurred but not paid $ — $ — $ 5
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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CORVUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Organization
Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Corvus” or the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on January 27, 2014 and commenced operations in November 2014. Corvus is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. The Company’s operations are located in Burlingame, California.
Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Corvus Biopharmaceuticals, Ltd. and Corvus Hong Kong Limited. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.
Initial Public Offering
On March 22, 2016, the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-208850) relating to its initial public offering (“IPO”) of its common stock was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the shares of its common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market on March 23, 2016. The public offering price of the shares sold in the IPO was $15.00 per share. The IPO closed on March 29, 2016, pursuant to which the Company sold 4,700,000 shares of its common stock. On April 26, 2016, the Company sold an additional 502,618 shares of its common stock to the underwriters upon partial exercise of their over-allotment option, at the initial offering price of $15.00 per share. The Company received aggregate net proceeds of approximately $70.6 million, after underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses. Immediately prior to the consummation of the IPO, all outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock were converted into common stock.
Follow-on Public Offering
In March 2018, the Company completed a follow-on public offering in which the Company sold 8,117,647 shares of common stock at a price of $8.50 per share, which included 1,058,823 shares issued pursuant to the underwriters’ exercise of their option to purchase additional shares of common stock. The aggregate net proceeds received by the Company from the offering were approximately $64.9 million, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by the Company.
In February 2021, the Company completed a follow-on public offering in which the Company sold 9,783,660 shares of common stock at a price of $3.50 per share, which included 1,212,231 shares issued pursuant to the underwriters’ exercise of their option to purchase additional shares of common stock. The aggregate net proceeds received by the Company from the offering were approximately $32.0 million, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.
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, contract manufacturer and contract research organizations, compliance with government regulations and the need to obtain additional financing to fund operations. Since commencing operations in 2014, the majority of the Company’s efforts have been focused on the research and development of soquelitinib, ciforadenant and mupadolimab. The Company believes that it will continue to expend substantial resources for the foreseeable future as it continues clinical development of, seek regulatory approval for and, if approved, prepare for the commercialization of soquelitinib, ciforadenant and mupadolimab, as well as product candidates under the Company’s other development programs. These expenditures will include costs associated with research and development, conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approvals,
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manufacturing and supply, sales and marketing and general operations. In addition, other unanticipated costs may arise. Because the outcome of any clinical trial and/or regulatory approval process is highly uncertain, the Company may not be able to accurately estimate the actual amounts necessary to successfully complete the development, regulatory approval process and commercialization of soquelitinib, ciforadenant and mupadolimab or any other product candidates.
The Company has incurred significant losses and negative cash flows from operations in all periods since inception. The Company had net losses of $27.0 million, $41.3 million, and $43.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. The Company used net cash of $23.9 million, $27.0 million, and $36.7 million through its operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. The Company had an accumulated deficit of $334.7 million and $307.7 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. To date, none of the Company’s product candidates have been approved for sale and therefore the Company has not generated any revenue from sales of commercial products. Management expects operating losses to continue for the foreseeable future. The Company has funded its operations to date primarily through the sale of redeemable convertible preferred stock and common stock. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $27.1 million. The Company’s cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities are not sufficient to fund the Company’s planned operations for a period of 12 months from the date these consolidated financial statements are issued. To fund the Company's planned operations, the Company will need to raise additional capital. The Company intends to raise additional capital through private and public equity offerings, including its “at-the-market” offering program, debt financings, and potential future collaboration, license and development agreements. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in acquiring additional funding at levels sufficient to fund its operations or on terms acceptable to the Company or at all. If the Company is unsuccessful in its efforts to raise additional capital or if sufficient funds on acceptable terms are not available when needed, the Company could be required to significantly reduce operating expenses and delay, reduce the scope of or eliminate one or more of its development programs, out-license intellectual property rights to its product candidates and sell unsecured assets, or a combination of the above, any of which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and/or its ability to fund its obligations on a timely basis or at all. Failure to manage discretionary spending or raise additional capital, as needed, may adversely impact the Company’s ability to achieve its intended business objectives. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of one year from the date of the issuance of these consolidated financial statements. The accompanying consolidated 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. The consolidated financial statements do not reflect any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.
Exchange Warrants
On November 8, 2019, the Company entered into an exchange agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) with an investor and its affiliates (the “Exchanging Stockholders”), pursuant to which the Company exchanged an aggregate of 1,458,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, owned by the Exchanging Stockholders for pre-funded warrants (the “Exchange Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate of 1,458,000 shares of common stock (subject to adjustment in the event of any stock dividends and splits, reverse stock split, recapitalization, reorganization or similar transaction, as described in the Exchange Warrants), with an exercise price of $0.0001 per share. The Exchange Warrants were exercisable at any time prior to expiration except that the Exchange Warrants could not be exercised by the Exchanging Stockholders if, after giving effect thereto, the Exchanging Stockholders would have beneficially owned more than 9.99% of the Company’s common stock, subject to certain exceptions. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 505, Equity, and Accounting Research Bulletin 43, the Company recorded the retirement of the common stock exchanged as a reduction of common shares outstanding and elected to record the excess over par value as a debit to additional paid-in-capital at the fair value of the Exchange Warrants on the issuance date. The Exchange Warrants were classified as equity in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, and Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and the fair value of the Exchange Warrants was recorded as a credit to additional paid-in capital and is not subject to remeasurement. The Company determined that the fair value of the Exchange Warrants was substantially similar to the fair value of the retired shares on the issuance date due to the negligible exercise price for the Exchange
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Warrants.
In September 2021, the Exchange Warrants were fully exercised, resulting in the issuance of 1,457,947 shares of common stock on a net exercise basis.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company’s functional and reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, except for its investment in its equity method investee which is the Chinese renminbi (RMB). The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going-concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and discharge of liabilities in the normal course of business. Since its inception, the Company has incurred significant losses and negative cash flows from operations. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $334.7 million and cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $27.1 million. The Company has financed its operations primarily with the proceeds from the sale of stock. The Company will need to raise additional capital to meet its business objectives. The Company believes that its current cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities will be sufficient to fund its planned expenditures and meet its obligations through at least the next twelve months from the issuance of these financial statements.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from such estimates.
Concentrations of Credit Risk and Other Risks and Uncertainties
Substantially all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are deposited in accounts with two financial institutions that management believes are of high credit quality. Such deposits may, at times, exceed federally insured limits. The Company maintains its cash with an accredited financial institution and accordingly, such funds are subject to minimal credit risk. The Company’s marketable securities consist of investments in U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. government agency securities, which can be subject to certain credit risks. However, the Company mitigates the risks by investing in high-grade instruments, limiting its exposure to any one issuer, and monitoring the ongoing creditworthiness of the financial institutions and issuers. The Company has not experienced any losses on its deposits of cash, cash equivalents or marketable securities.
The Company is subject to a number of risks similar to other early stage biopharmaceutical companies, including, but not limited to, the need to obtain adequate additional funding, possible failure of preclinical testing or clinical trials, its reliance on third parties to conduct its clinical trials, the need to obtain marketing approval for its product candidates, competitors developing new technological innovations, the need to successfully commercialize and gain market acceptance of the Company’s product candidates, its right to develop and commercialize its product candidates pursuant to the terms and conditions of the licenses granted to the Company, and protection of proprietary technology. If the Company does not successfully commercialize or partner any of its product candidates, it will be unable to generate product revenue or achieve profitability.
Segments
Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision-maker in making decisions regarding resource allocation and assessing performance. The Company views its operations and manages its business in one operating segment, that of the development of and commercialization of drugs and antibodies that target critical elements of the immune system.
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Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities
The Company considers all highly liquid investment securities with remaining maturities at the date of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Investments with remaining maturities, at the date of purchase, greater than three months are classified as “available-for-sale” and are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, if any, included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. Interest and realized gains and losses are included in interest income. Realized gains and losses are recognized based on the specific identification model.
Fair Value Measurements
Fair value accounting is applied for all financial assets and liabilities and non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities.
Investments in Equity Securities
The Company uses the equity method of accounting for its equity investment if the investment provides the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over operating and financial policies of the investee.
The Company’s proportionate share of the net income (loss) resulting from the equity method investment is reported under the line item captioned “loss from equity method investment” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss and the carrying value of the equity method investments is reported under the line captioned “Investment in Angel” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s equity method investments are reported at cost and adjusted each period for the Company’s share of the investee’s income or loss and the foreign currency translation adjustment as applicable.
For equity method investees with a functional currency different than the Company’s reporting currency, the Company follows the guidance under ASC 830-10-15-5, pursuant to which, the foreign currency financial statements of a foreign investee accounted for by the equity method should be translated to the reporting entity's reporting currency.
The Company evaluates equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment might not be recoverable. Factors considered by the Company when reviewing an equity method investment for impairment include the length of time (duration) and the extent (severity) to which the fair value of the equity method investment has been less than cost, the investee’s financial condition and near-term prospects and the intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery. An impairment that is other-than-temporary is recognized in the period identified.
See Note 5 Equity Method Investment, for further information.
Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets:
Laboratory equipment 5 years
Computer equipment and purchased software 3 years
Maintenance and repairs that do not extend the life or improve the asset are expensed when incurred. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation or amortization are removed from the balance sheet and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in operations.
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Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company regularly reviews the carrying value and estimated lives of all of its long-lived assets, including property and equipment, to determine whether indicators of impairment may exist which warrant adjustments to carrying values or estimated useful lives. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset group to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group. Should impairment exist, the impairment loss to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the projected discounted future net cash flows arising from the asset. All long-lived assets are maintained in the United States of America.
Clinical Trial Accruals
Costs for preclinical studies and clinical trial activities are recognized based on an evaluation of the vendors’ progress towards completion of specific tasks. The Company applies significant judgment in developing estimates for clinical trial accruals based on assumptions related to vendors’ progress towards completion. In developing these estimates, management estimates vendors’ progress towards completion using data such as clinical site activations, patient enrollment or information provided to the Company by its vendors regarding their actual costs incurred. Payments for these activities are based on the terms of individual contracts and payment timing may differ significantly from the period in which the services are performed. The Company determines accrual estimates through reports from and discussions with applicable personnel and outside service providers as to the progress or state of completion, or the services completed. The Company’s estimates of accrued expenses as of each balance sheet date are based on the facts and circumstances known at the time.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company maintains incentive plans under which incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options may be granted to employees and non-employee service providers.
The Company accounts for stock-based employee compensation arrangements in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation.” For stock options granted to employees, the Company recognizes compensation expense for all stock-based awards based on the grant-date estimated fair values. The value of the award is recognized as an expense ratably over the requisite service period. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Forfeitures are accounted for when they occur.
Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options granted to non-employees is recognized based on the fair value of the stock options, determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The awards generally vest over the time period the Company expects to receive service from the non-employee.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. The Company estimates actual current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differences in accounting for reporting purposes and tax purposes for certain items, such as accruals and allowances not currently deductible for tax purposes. These temporary differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in the Company’s balance sheets. In general, deferred tax assets represent future tax benefits to be received when certain expenses previously recognized in the Company’s statements of operations and comprehensive loss become deductible expenses, under applicable income tax laws or when net operating loss or credit carryforwards are utilized. Accordingly, realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets is dependent on future taxable income against which these deductions, losses and credits can be utilized.
The Company must assess the likelihood that the Company’s deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and a valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be recovered. The Company applies judgment in the determination of the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Based on the available evidence, the
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Company is unable, at this time, to support the determination that it is more likely than not that its deferred tax assets will be utilized in the future. Accordingly, the Company recorded a full valuation allowance for all periods presented. The Company intends to maintain a valuation allowance until sufficient evidence exists to support its reversal.
The Company recognizes benefits of uncertain tax positions if it is more likely than not such positions will be sustained upon examination based solely on their technical merits as the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not to be realized upon the ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes any material interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The Company is required to file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction. The Company currently is not under examination by the Internal Revenue Service or other jurisdictions for any tax years.
Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive loss includes net loss as well as other changes in stockholders’ equity that result from transactions and economic events other than those with stockholders. The Company’s elements of other comprehensive loss in any period presented were unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale marketable securities and cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments.
Net Loss per Share
Basic net loss per share is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and Exchange Warrants outstanding during the period, without consideration of potentially dilutive securities. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 260, Earnings Per Share, the Exchange Warrants are included in the computation of basic net loss per share because the exercise price is negligible and they are fully vested and exercisable at any time after the original issuance date. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares, Exchange Warrants, and potentially dilutive securities outstanding for the period. Diluted net loss per share is the same as basic net loss per share for all periods presented since the effect of potentially dilutive securities is anti-dilutive given the net loss of the Company.
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. ASU 2019-12 simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions to the guidance in ASC 740 related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. ASU 2019-12 is effective in 2021 and interim periods within that year and permits for an early adoption. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 effective January 1, 2021. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on its financial statements and related disclosures.
In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-06, Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC's Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative, which modifies the disclosure or presentation requirements related to variety of FASB Accounting Standard Codification topics. The effective date for each amendment will be the date on which the SEC's removal of that related disclosure from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K is effective. If by June 30, 2027, the SEC has not removed the applicable requirement from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K, the pending content of the associated amendment will be removed from the Codification and will not become effective for any entities. We are currently evaluating the effect of adopting this ASU.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which amends the guidance in ASC 740, Income Taxes. The ASU is intended to improve the transparency of income tax disclosures by requiring (1) consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and (2) income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. It also includes certain other amendments to improve the effectiveness of income tax disclosures. The ASU’s amendments are effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Entities are permitted to early adopt the standard “for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance.” As adoption is either prospectively or retrospectively, the Company will adopt this ASU on a prospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU but does not expect any material impacts upon adoption.
3. Net Loss per Share
The following table shows the calculation of net loss per share (in thousands, except share and per share data):
Year Ended December 31,
Numerator:
Denominator:
Less: weighted average common shares subject to repurchase — — —
Net loss per share, basic and diluted $ (0.56) $ (0.89) $ (1.03)
The amounts in the table below were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share, due to their anti-dilutive effect:
Year Ended December 31,
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4. Fair Value Measurements
Financial assets and liabilities are measured and recorded at fair value. The Company is required to disclose information on all assets and liabilities reported at fair value that enables an assessment of the inputs used in determining the reported fair values. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes valuation inputs based on the observable nature of those inputs. The fair value hierarchy applies only to the valuation inputs used in determining the reported fair value of the investments and is not a measure of the investment credit quality. The hierarchy defines three levels of valuation inputs:
● Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
There have been no transfers of assets and liabilities between levels of hierarchy.
The Company’s Level 2 investments are valued using third-party pricing sources. The pricing services utilize industry standard valuation models, including both income and market-based approaches, for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly, to estimate fair value. These inputs include reported trades of and broker/dealer quotes on the same or similar investments, issuer credit spreads, benchmark investments, prepayment/default projections based on historical data and other observable inputs.
The following tables present information as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 about the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and indicate the level of the fair value hierarchy the Company utilized to determine such fair values (in thousands):
Fair Value Measured Using Total
(Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Balance
Assets
Fair Value Measured Using Total
(Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Balance
Assets
As of December 31, 2023, marketable securities had a maximum remaining maturity of eleven months.
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As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the fair value of available for sale marketable securities by type of security were as follows (in thousands):
Gross Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
Cost Gains Losses Value
U.S. Treasury securities $ 10,348 $ 8 $ — $ 10,356
U.S. Government agency securities 4,166 7 — 4,173
Gross Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
Cost Gains Losses Value
U.S. Government agency securities 7,175 — (32) 7,143
5. Equity Method Investment
In August 2020, the Company established Angel Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. (“Angel”), a wholly-owned corporate venture in the People’s Republic of China (“China”) designed to develop, manufacture, and commercialize soquelitinib, ciforadenant and mupadolimab compounds for distribution within the countries of China, Taiwan, Macao, and Hong Kong (collectively, the “Territories”) based on intellectual property licenses to be contributed to Angel by the Company.
In October 2020, Angel raised financing from third-party investors, the licenses were entered into and the Company’s ownership interest was reduced to 53.2%. Under the license agreements, the Company is required to provide manufacturing supply services for future supply of drug products for use in clinical trials, research and development, operational support, and participate in the joint steering committee which oversees the development and commercialization of the compounds. Angel is not required to make any payments to the Company regarding the licensed compounds or the additional services outlined in the agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, during the Exclusive Grant Back Period, Angel grants to Corvus an exclusive, fully paid-up and sublicensable license for sole and jointly owned IP. After the 7 year Exclusive Grant Back Period, the licenses for sole and jointly owned IP that Angel grants to the company will be non-exclusive, fully paid, and sublicensable.
As a result of the financing, the Company reassessed its interest in Angel and determined that while Angel is a VIE, the Company is not considered the primary beneficiary of such VIE since Corvus does not have the power, through voting or similar rights and the license agreements, to direct the activities of Angel that most significantly impact Angel’s economic performance. Further, the Company determined that as it has a significant influence over Angel, and, therefore, it shall account for its investment in Angel using the equity method starting in October 2020, the date it lost control over Angel. At the date of loss of control, the Company derecognized all of Angel’s assets and liabilities from its balance sheet, recognized the retained equity interest at its fair value of $37.5 million, and recognized a gain of $37.5 million, which is included in gain on deconsolidation of Angel Pharmaceuticals on the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s ownership interest in Angel was approximately 49.7%, excluding 7% of Angel’s equity reserved for issuance under the Angel ESOP. The Company recognized its share of losses in Angel for the total amount of $5.3 million, $10.0 million and $4.8 million as loss from equity method investment on the consolidated statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Since inception through December 31, 2023, Angel has not recorded any revenue.
The Company evaluates its equity method investment in Angel for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment might not be recoverable. For further discussion of the
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Company’s impairment policy, see Note 2.
Summary Financial Information
Summary financial information for Angel Pharmaceuticals is as follows:
As of As of
(in thousands)
Non-current liabilities 648 985
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
Revenue $ — $ — $ —
Gross Profit — — —
6. License and Collaboration Agreements
Scripps Licensing Agreement
In December 2014, the Company entered into a license agreement with The Scripps Research Institute (“Scripps”), pursuant to which it was granted a non-exclusive, world-wide license for all fields of use under Scripps’ rights in certain know-how and technology related to a mouse hybridoma clone expressing an anti-human CD73 antibody, and to progeny, mutants or unmodified derivatives of such hybridoma and any antibodies expressed by such hybridoma, from which we developed CPI-006. Scripps also granted the Company the right to grant sublicenses in conjunction with other proprietary rights the Company holds, or to others collaborating with or performing services for the Company. Under this license agreement, Scripps has agreed not to grant any additional commercial licenses with respect to such materials, other than march-in rights granted to the U.S. government.
Upon execution of the agreement, the Company made a one-time cash payment to Scripps of $10,000 in 2015 and is also obligated to pay a minimum annual fee to Scripps of $25,000. The one-time cash payment was recorded as research and development expense as technological feasibility of the asset had not been established and there was no alternative future use. A minimum annual fee payment is due on each anniversary of the effective date of the agreement for the term of the agreement. The Company is also required to make performance-based cash payments upon successful completion of clinical and sales milestones. The aggregate potential milestone payments are $2.5 million. The Company is also required to pay royalties on net sales of licensed products (including CPI-006) sold by it, its affiliates and its sublicensees at a rate in the low-single digits. In addition, should the Company sublicense the rights licensed under the agreement, it has agreed to pay a percentage of sublicense revenue received at specified rates that start at double digit percentages and decrease to single digit percentages based on the elapsed time from the effective date of the agreement and the time of entry into such sublicense. To date, no milestone payments have been made.
The Company’s license agreement with Scripps will terminate upon expiration of its obligation to pay royalties to Scripps under the license agreement. The Company’s license agreement with Scripps is terminable by the consent of the parties, at will by the Company upon providing 90 days written notice to Scripps, or by Scripps for certain material breaches, or if the Company undergoes a bankruptcy event. In addition, Scripps may terminate the license on a
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product-by-product basis, or the entire agreement, if the Company fails to meet specified diligence obligations related to the development and commercialization of licensed products. Scripps may also terminate the agreement after the third anniversary of the effective date of the agreement if it reasonably believes, based on reports the Company provides to Scripps, that the Company has not used commercially reasonable efforts as required under the agreement, subject to a specified notice and cure period.
Vernalis Licensing Agreement
In February 2015, the Company entered into a license agreement with Vernalis (R&D) Limited (“Vernalis”), which was subsequently amended as of November 5, 2015, and, pursuant to which the Company was granted an exclusive, worldwide license under certain patent rights and know-how, including a limited right to grant sublicenses, for all fields of use to develop, manufacture and commercialize products containing certain adenosine receptor antagonists, including ciforadenant. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company made a one-time cash payment to Vernalis in the amount of $1.0 million, which was recorded as research and development expense as technological feasibility of the asset had not been established and there was no alternative future use. The Company is also required to make cash milestone payments to Vernalis upon the successful completion of clinical and regulatory milestones for licensed products depending on the indications for which such licensed products are developed and upon achievement of certain sales milestones. In February 2017, the Company made a milestone payment of $3.0 million to Vernalis following the expansion of a cohort of patients with renal cell cancer treated with single agent ciforadenant in the Company’s Phase 1/1b clinical trial. During the year ended December 31, 2023, no clinical or regulatory milestones were completed or paid to Vernalis and the aggregate potential milestone payments were approximately $220 million for all indications as of December 31, 2023. The Company has also agreed to pay Vernalis tiered incremental royalties based on the annual net sales of licensed products containing ciforadenant on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis, subject to certain offsets and reductions. The tiered royalty rates for products containing ciforadenant range from the mid-single digits up to the low-double digits on a country-by-country net sales basis. The royalties on other licensed products that do not include ciforadenant also increase with the amount of net sales on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis and range from the low-single digits up to the mid-single digits on a country-by-country net sales basis. The Company is also obligated to pay to Vernalis certain sales milestones as indicated above when worldwide net sales reach specified levels over an agreed upon time period.
The agreement will expire on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis upon the expiration of the Company’s payment obligations to Vernalis in respect of a particular product and country. Both parties have the right to terminate the agreement for an uncured material breach by the other party. The Company may also terminate the agreement at its convenience by providing 90 days written notice, provided that the Company has not received notice of its own default under the agreement at the time the Company exercises such termination right. Vernalis may also terminate the agreement if the Company challenges a licensed patent or undergoes a bankruptcy event.
Monash License Agreement
In April 2017, the Company entered into a license agreement with Monash University (“Monash”), pursuant to which the Company was granted an exclusive, sublicensable worldwide license under certain know-how, patent rights and other intellectual property rights controlled by Monash to research, develop, and commercialize certain antibodies directed to CXCR2 for the treatment of human diseases.
Upon execution of the agreement, the Company made a one-time cash payment to Monash of $275,000 and reimbursed Monash for certain patent prosecution costs incurred prior to execution of the agreement. The Company recorded these payments as research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company is also obligated to pay an annual license maintenance fee to Monash of $25,000 until a certain development milestone is met with respect to the licensed product, after which no further maintenance fee will be due. The Company is also required to make development and sales milestone payments to Monash with respect to the licensed products. During the year ended December 31, 2023, no development or sales milestones were completed or paid to Monash and the aggregate potential milestones were $45.1 million as of December 31, 2023. The Company is also required to pay to Monash tiered royalties on net sales of licensed products sold by it, its affiliates and its sublicensees at a rate ranging in the low-single digits. In addition, should the Company sublicense its rights under the agreement, the Company has
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agreed to pay a percentage of sublicense revenue received at specified rates that are currently at low double digit percentages and decrease to single digit percentages based on the achievement of development milestones.
The term of the Company’s agreement with Monash continues until the expiration of its obligation to pay royalties to Monash thereunder. The license agreement is terminable at will by the Company upon providing 30 days written notice to Monash, or by either party for material breaches by the other party. In addition, Monash may terminate the entire agreement or convert the license to a non-exclusive license if the Company has materially breached its obligation to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize a licensed product, subject to a specified notice and cure mechanism.
7. Balance Sheet Components (in thousands):
December 31,
Prepaid and Other Current Assets
Interest receivable $ 37 $ 45
Prepaid research and development manufacturing expenses 149 192
Prepaid facility expenses 196 182
Prepaid insurance 179 252
Property and Equipment
Computer equipment and purchased software 171 142
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization (4,697) (4,546)
Accrued and Other Liabilities
Accrued clinical trial expense $ 2,302 $ 2,934
Accrued manufacturing expense 675 3,254
Accrued legal and accounting 64 89
During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, the Company recorded $0.2 million, $0.4 million and $0.5 million in depreciation expense, respectively.
8. Common Stock
As of December 31, 2023, the amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes the Company to issue 290 million shares of common stock and 10 million shares of preferred stock.
Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote. Common stockholders are entitled to dividends if and when declared by the board of directors. As of December 31, 2023, no dividends on common stock had been declared.
On March 28, 2023, the Company entered into an open market sale agreement (the “2023 Sales Agreement”) with Jefferies to sell shares of the Company’s common stock, from time-to-time, with aggregate gross sales proceeds of up to $90,000,000, through an at-the-market equity offering program under which Jefferies will act as its sales agent. The issuance and sale of shares of common stock by the Company pursuant to the 2023 Sales Agreement are deemed an “at-the-market” offering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Jefferies is entitled to compensation for its services equal to 3.0% of the gross proceeds of any shares of common stock sold through Jefferies under the 2023 Sales Agreement.
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During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company sold 2,461,903 shares of common stock under its at-the-market offering program resulting in net proceeds of $7.8 million. As of December 31, 2023, $81.9 million remained available for sale under the 2023 Sales Agreement.
The Company has reserved shares of common stock, for issuance as follows:
December 31,
9. Stock Option Plans
In February 2014, the Company adopted the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”), which was subsequently amended in November 2014, July 2015 and September 2015, under which it granted incentive stock options (“ISOs”) or non-qualified stock options (“NSOs”). Terms of stock agreements, including vesting requirements, are determined by the board of directors or a committee authorized by the board of directors, subject to the provisions of the 2014 Plan. In general, awards granted by the Company vest over four years and have maximum exercise term of 10 years. The 2014 Plan provides that grants must be at an exercise price of 100% of fair market value of the Company’s common stock as determined by the board of directors on the date of the grant.
In connection with the consummation of the IPO in March 2016, the 2016 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “2016 Plan”), became effective. Under the 2016 Plan, incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock purchase rights and other stock-based awards may be granted. Terms of stock agreements, including vesting requirements, are determined by the board of directors or a committee authorized by the board of directors, subject to the provisions of the 2016 Plan. In general, awards granted by the Company vest over four years and have a maximum exercise term of 10 years. The 2016 Plan provides that grants must be at an exercise price of 100% of fair market value of the Company’s common stock as determined by the board of directors on the date of the grant. In conjunction with adopting the 2016 Plan, the 2014 Plan was terminated and no further awards will be granted under the 2014 Plan. Options outstanding under the 2014 Plan as of the effective date of the 2016 Plan that are forfeited or lapse unexercised may be re-issued under the 2016 Plan, up to a maximum of 1,136,229 shares.
Activity under the Company’s stock option plans is set forth below:
Options Outstanding
Weighted ‐
Shares Average
Available Number of Exercise
for Grant Options Price
Additional shares authorized 1,862,000 — —
The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, was $1.12, $0.69 and $1.93, respectively.
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Options outstanding that had vested or were expected to vest at December 31, 2023 were as follows:
Weighted
Average Aggregate
Weighted Remaining Intrinsic
Number Average Contractual Value
of shares Exercise Price Life (years) (in thousands)
In the table above, aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the exercise price of the options to purchase common stock and the fair value of the Company’s common stock of $1.76 per share as of December 31, 2023.
The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, was less than $0.1 million, $0.0 million and $1.0 million, respectively.
The total fair value of options that vested in the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, was $2.1 million, $2.8 million, and $4.5 million, respectively.
10. Stock-Based Compensation
The Company’s results of operations include expenses relating to stock-based awards as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Valuation Assumptions
The Company estimated the fair value of employee stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The fair value of employee stock options is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the awards. The fair value of employee stock options were estimated using the following assumptions for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
Year Ended December 31,
Risk-free interest rate 3.9 % 3.0 % 0.9 %
Expected term (in years) 5.7 5.5 6.0
Expected dividend yield 0 % 0 % 0 %
Risk-free Interest Rate: The risk-free interest rate is estimated based on the U.S. Treasury securities with maturity dates commensurate with the expected term of the equity award.
Volatility: The expected volatility in 2023 was determined based on the Company’s historical stock price volatility. In 2022 and 2021, the Company utilized the average historical stock price volatility of a peer group of publicly traded companies to represent its expected future stock price volatility, due to the insufficient trading history of the Company’s common stock. For purposes of identifying these peer companies, the Company considered the industry, stage of development, size and financial leverage of potential comparable companies. For each grant, the Company measured historical volatility over a period equivalent to the expected term.
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Expected Term: The Company uses the simplified method prescribed in the ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, to calculate the expected term of options granted to employees and directors.
Expected Dividends: The Company has not paid and does not anticipate paying any dividends in the near future.
At December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the unrecognized compensation expense associated with respect to options granted to employees was $4.5 million, $3.9 million and $5.9 million, respectively, and is expected to be recognized on a straight-line basis over 2.27, 2.44, and 2.69 years, respectively.
11. Income Taxes
The components of loss before income tax is as follows (in thousands):
December 31,
Foreign — — —
During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded noincometax benefits for the net operating losses (NOLs) incurred due to the uncertainty of realizing a benefit from those items.
A reconciliation of the Company’s effective tax rate to the U.S. Federal statutory rate is as follows:
December 31,
Federal tax benefit at statutory rate 21 % 21 % 21 %
State tax, net of Federal benefit 8 % 8 % 9 %