Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes.
Overview
We are a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on advancing AAV-based gene therapies for the treatment of severe monogenic diseases of the central nervous system, or CNS. Our lead clinical program TSHA-102 is in development for the treatment of Rett syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder with no approved disease-modifying therapies that address the genetic root cause of the disease. With a singular focus on developing transformative medicines, we aim to address severe unmet medical needs and dramatically improve the lives of patients and their caregivers. Our management team has proven experience in gene therapy development and commercialization. We leverage this experience, our manufacturing process and a clinically and commercially proven AAV9 capsid in an effort to rapidly translate treatments from bench to bedside.
We currently are conducting two Phase 1/2 clinical trials for TSHA-102: an adolescent/adult study in the United States and Canada and a pediatric study in the United States. In addition, we received approval to expand the pediatric study into the United Kingdom in 2024 following clearance of the CTA by the U.K. MHRA and received approval to expand the pediatric study into Canada in 2024 following clearance of the CTA by Health Canada.
In early 2025, we announced the completion of dosing of the 10 patients in Part A, the dose escalation portion of both REVEAL Phase 1/2 trials, that is expected to serve as primary dataset to support advancement toward the Part B registrational trial. Cohort one (low dose cohort of 5.7x1014 total vg) consists of four patients and cohort two (high dose cohort of 1x1015 total vg) consists of six patients across both REVEAL trials. In early 2025, we announced TSHA-102 was generally well-tolerated with no serious adverse events (SAEs) or dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) related to TSHA-102 in the 10 pediatric, adolescent and adult patients dosed across the two REVEAL Phase 1/2 trials as of the February 17, 2025, data cutoff.
We have received orphan drug designation and rare pediatric disease designation from the United States Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, and orphan drug designation from the European Commission for TSHA-102 for the treatment of Rett syndrome. We also received Fast Track Designation from the FDA for TSHA-102 for the treatment of Rett syndrome. We also received CTA clearance from the United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, or U.K. MHRA, in early 2024 for pediatric patients with Rett syndrome. In February 2024, we received Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway, or ILAP, designation for TSHA-102 from the U.K. MHRA. The ILAP aims to facilitate patient access to novel treatments by accelerating time to market through opportunities for enhanced engagements with U.K. regulatory authorities and other stakeholders. In April 2024, the FDA granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy, or RMAT, designation for TSHA-102 in Rett syndrome. Sponsor companies receiving RMAT designation can benefit from increased interactions with the FDA involving senior managers, with the goal of expediting drug development.
We completed a CMC-focused Type D with the FDA in the fourth quarter of 2024. The FDA endorsed our intended Good Manufacturing Practice, or GMP, commercial manufacturing process, proposed analytical methods, and corresponding qualification and validation plans, including key mechanism of action potency release assays. We also established analytical comparability between the clinical product and the product derived from the final commercial manufacturing process, and received FDA permission to use the GMP product in future clinical studies of TSHA-102.
We have a limited operating history. Since our inception, our operations have focused on organizing and staffing our company, business planning, raising capital and entering into collaboration agreements for conducting preclinical and clinical development activities for our product candidates. Our lead product candidate is still in the clinical stage. We do not have any product candidates approved for sale and have not generated any revenue from product sales. Through December 31, 2024, we have funded our operations primarily through: (i) the sale of equity, raising an aggregate of $671.0 million of gross proceeds from our initial public offering, or the IPO, sales of common stock pursuant to our Sales Agreement (as defined below), our October 2022 follow-on offering, our 2023 private placement and our June 2024 Offering (as defined below); (ii) pre-IPO private placements of our convertible preferred stock; (iii) our Term Loan Agreement (as defined below) and subsequently the Trinity Term Loan Agreement (as defined below); and (iv) the Astellas Transactions.
On November 13, 2023, or the Trinity Closing Date, we entered into a Loan and Security Agreement, or the Trinity Term Loan Agreement, by and among us, the lenders party thereto from time to time, or the Trinity Lenders, and Trinity Capital Inc., as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Trinity Lenders, or Trinity. The Trinity Term Loan Agreement provided for, on the Trinity Closing Date, $40.0 million aggregate principal amount of term loans, or, collectively, the Trinity Term Loans. We drew the Trinity Term Loans in full on the Trinity Closing Date. The proceeds of the Trinity Term Loans were used to repay our obligations
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under the Loan and Security Agreement, or the Term Loan Agreement, with the lenders party thereto from time to time, or the Lenders and Silicon Valley Bank, as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Lenders, or the Agent, in full. The Term Loan Agreement with Silicon Valley Bank was terminated concurrently with entry into the Trinity Term Loan Agreement.
Since our inception, we have incurred significant operating losses. Our net losses were $89.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and $111.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $602.3 million. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and operating losses for the foreseeable future. We anticipate that our expenses will increase significantly in connection with our ongoing activities, as we:
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continue to advance the clinical development of our product candidates and, if we determine to do so in the future, reprioritize the advancement of our preclinical and discovery programs;
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conduct our ongoing clinical trials of TSHA-102 and any other current and future product candidates that we advance;
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seek regulatory approval for any product candidates that successfully complete clinical trials;
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continue to develop our gene therapy product candidate pipeline;
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scale up our clinical and regulatory capabilities;
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work with CMOs for the manufacture current Good Manufacturing Practice, or cGMP material for clinical trials or potential commercial sales;
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establish a commercialization infrastructure and scale up internal and external manufacturing and distribution capabilities to commercialize any product candidates for which we may obtain regulatory approval;
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adapt our regulatory compliance efforts to incorporate requirements applicable to marketed products;
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maintain, expand and protect our intellectual property portfolio;
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hire additional clinical, manufacturing quality control, regulatory, manufacturing and scientific and administrative personnel;
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add operational, financial and management information systems and personnel, including personnel to support our product development and planned future commercialization efforts; and
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incur additional legal, accounting and other expenses in operating as a public company.
License Agreements
Research, Collaboration and License Agreement with The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
In November 2019, we entered into the UT Southwestern Agreement with The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System on behalf of UT Southwestern, as amended in April 2020.
In connection with the UT Southwestern Agreement, we obtained an exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license under certain patent rights of UT Southwestern and a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license under certain know-how of UT Southwestern, in each case to make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale and import licensed products for use in certain specified indications. We are required to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop, obtain regulatory approval for, and commercialize at least one licensed product. Additionally, we obtained a right of first refusal to negotiate for an exclusive license under certain additional patent rights and know-how of UT Southwestern.
In connection with the UT Southwestern Agreement, we issued to UT Southwestern 2,179,000 shares of our common stock. We do not have any future milestone or royalty obligations to UT Southwestern under the UT Southwestern Agreement, other than costs related to the maintenance of patents.
License Agreement with Abeona (CLN1 Disease)
In August 2020, we entered into the Abeona CLN1 Agreement with Abeona. In connection with the Abeona CLN1 Agreement, we obtained an exclusive, worldwide, royalty-bearing license, with the right to grant sublicenses under certain patents, know-how and materials originally developed by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Abeona to research, develop, manufacture, have manufactured, use, and commercialize licensed products for gene therapy for the prevention, treatment, or diagnosis of CLN1 Disease (one of the forms of Batten disease) in humans.
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Subject to certain obligations of Abeona, we are obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop at least one product and commercialize at least one product in the United States.
In connection with the license grant, we paid Abeona a one-time upfront license fee of $3.0 million during fiscal year 2020. We are obligated to pay Abeona up to $26.0 million in regulatory-related milestones and up to $30.0 million in sales-related milestones per licensed product and high single-digit royalties on net sales of licensed products. Royalties are payable on a licensed product-by-licensed product and country-by-country basis until the latest of the expiration or revocation or complete rejection of the last licensed patent covering such licensed product in the country where the licensed product is sold, the loss of market exclusivity in such country where the product is sold, or, if no licensed product exists in such country and no market exclusivity exists in such country, ten years from first commercial sale of such licensed product in such country. In addition, concurrent with the Abeona CLN1 Agreement we entered into a purchase and reimbursement agreement with Abeona, pursuant to which we purchased specified inventory from Abeona and reimbursed Abeona for certain research and development costs previously incurred for total consideration of $4.0 million paid in fiscal year 2020. In December 2021 a regulatory milestone was triggered in connection with the Abeona CLN1 Agreement. No additional milestone payments were made or triggered during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024.
The Abeona CLN1 Agreement expires on a country-by-country and licensed product-by-licensed product basis upon the expiration of the royalty term of a licensed product in such country. Either party may terminate the agreement upon an uncured material breach of the agreement or insolvency of the other party. We may terminate the agreement for convenience upon specified prior written notice to Abeona.
License Agreement with Abeona (Rett Syndrome)
In October 2020, we entered into the Abeona Rett Agreement with Abeona pursuant to which we obtained an exclusive, worldwide, royalty-bearing license, with the right to grant sublicenses under certain patents, know-how and materials originally developed by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Edinburgh and Abeona to research, develop, manufacture, have manufactured, use, and commercialize licensed products for gene therapy and the use of related transgenes for Rett syndrome.
Subject to certain obligations of Abeona, we are required to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop at least one licensed product and commercialize at least one licensed product in the United States.
In connection with the Abeona Rett Agreement, we paid Abeona a one-time upfront license fee of $3.0 million during fiscal year 2020. We are obligated to pay Abeona up to $26.5 million in regulatory-related milestones and up to $30.0 million in sales-related milestones per licensed product and high single-digit royalties on net sales of licensed products. Royalties are payable on a licensed product-by-licensed product and country-by-country basis until the latest of the expiration or revocation or complete rejection of the last licensed patent covering such licensed product in the country where the licensed product is sold, the loss of market exclusivity in such country where the product is sold, or, if no licensed product exists in such country and no market exclusivity exists in such country, ten years from first commercial sale of such licensed product in such country.
In March 2022, our CTA filing for TSHA-102 for the treatment of Rett Syndrome was approved by Health Canada and therefore triggered a regulatory milestone payment in connection with the Rett Agreement. We recorded a $1.0 million charge within research and development expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022. This milestone fee was paid in July 2022 and has been classified as an investing outflow in the consolidated statements of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2022. In May 2023, we dosed the first patient with TSHA-102 in the Phase 1/2 REVEAL trial evaluating the safety and preliminary efficacy of TSHA-102 in adult patients with Rett syndrome and therefore triggered a milestone payment in connection with this agreement. We recorded $3.5 million within research and development expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023. This milestone fee was paid in August 2023 and has been classified as an investing cash outflow in the consolidated statements of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2023. No additional milestone payments were made or triggered in connection with this agreement during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024.
The Abeona Rett Agreement expires on a country-by-country and licensed product-by-licensed product basis upon the expiration of the royalty term of a licensed product in such country. Either party may terminate the agreement upon an uncured material breach of the agreement or insolvency of the other party. We may terminate the agreement for convenience upon specified prior written notice to Abeona.
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Option Agreement with Astellas
On the Effective Date we entered into the Option Agreement with Astellas.
TSHA-120 Giant Axonal Neuropathy
Under the Option Agreement, we granted to Astellas the GAN Option. Subject to certain extensions, the GAN Option was exercisable from the Effective Date through a specified period of time following Astellas’ receipt of (i) the formal minutes from the Type B end-of-Phase 2 meeting between us and the FDA in response to our meeting request sent to the FDA on September 19, 2022 for the 120 GAN Product, (ii) all written feedback from the FDA with respect to the Type B end-of-Phase 2 Meeting, and (iii) all briefing documents sent by us to the FDA with respect to the Type B end-of-Phase 2 Meeting. Following the receipt of Type C meeting feedback from the FDA regarding a registrational path for TSHA-120 in September 2023, Astellas elected not to exercise the GAN Option.
TSHA-102 Rett Syndrome
Under the Option Agreement, we also granted to Astellas the Rett Option. Subject to certain extensions, the Rett Option is exercisable for the Rett Option Period related to the Rett Product.
The parties have agreed that, if Astellas exercises an Option, the parties will, for a specified period, negotiate a license agreement in good faith on the terms and conditions outlined in the Option Agreement, including payments by Astellas of a to-be-determined upfront payment, certain to-be-determined milestone payments, and certain to-be-determined royalties on net sales of GAN Products and/or Rett Products, as applicable.
Components of Results of Operations
Revenue
Revenue for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was derived from the Astellas Transactions. We recognize revenue as research and development activities related to our Rett program are performed. Revenue related to the material rights associated with the Rett Option and the GAN Option must be recognized at a point in time when the options are exercised or the option period expires. In September 2023, Astellas elected not to exercise the GAN Option, therefore we recognized revenue related to the GAN Option during the year ended December 31, 2023.
To date, we have not recognized any revenue from product sales, and we do not expect to generate any revenue from the sale of products, if approved, in the foreseeable future. If our development efforts for our product candidates are successful and result in regulatory approval, or license agreements with third parties, we may generate revenue in the future from product sales. However, there can be no assurance as to when we will generate such revenue, if at all.
Operating Expenses
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses primarily consist of preclinical development of our product candidates and discovery efforts, including conducting preclinical studies, manufacturing development efforts, preparing for clinical trials and activities related to regulatory filings for our product candidates. Research and development expenses are recognized as incurred and payments made prior to the receipt of goods or services to be used in research and development are capitalized until the goods or services are received. Costs incurred in obtaining technology licenses through asset acquisitions are charged to research and development expense if the licensed technology has not reached technological feasibility and has no alternative future use. Research and development expenses include or could include:
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employee-related expenses, including salaries, bonuses, benefits, stock-based compensation, other related costs for those employees involved in research and development efforts;
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license maintenance fees and milestone fees incurred in connection with various license agreements;
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external research and development expenses incurred under agreements with consultants, contract research organizations, or CROs, investigative sites and consultants to conduct our preclinical studies;
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costs related to manufacturing material for our preclinical studies and clinical trials, including fees paid to contract manufacturing organizations, or CMOs;
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laboratory supplies and research materials;
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costs related to compliance with regulatory requirements; and
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facilities, depreciation and other allocated expenses, which include direct and allocated expenses for rent, maintenance of facilities, insurance and equipment.
Research and development activities are central to our business model. Product candidates in later stages of clinical development generally have higher development costs than those in earlier stages of clinical development, primarily due to the increased size and duration of later-stage clinical trials. We have increased, and expect to continue to increase for the foreseeable future, our research and development spend with respect to the Rett clinical trials as we continue the development of TSHA-102 and manufacturing processes and conduct discovery and research activities for our preclinical programs. We cannot determine with certainty the timing of initiation, the duration or the completion costs of current or future preclinical studies and clinical trials of our product candidates due to the inherently unpredictable nature of preclinical and clinical development. Clinical and preclinical development timelines, the probability of success and development costs can differ materially from expectations. We anticipate that we will make determinations as to which product candidates to pursue and how much funding to direct to each product candidate on an ongoing basis in response to the results of ongoing and future preclinical studies and clinical trials, regulatory developments and our ongoing assessments as to each product candidate’s commercial potential. We will need to raise substantial additional capital in the future. Our clinical development costs are expected to increase significantly as we commence clinical trials. Our future expenses may vary significantly each period based on factors such as:
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expenses incurred to conduct preclinical studies required to advance our product candidates into clinical development;
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per patient trial costs, including based on the number of doses that patients received;
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the number of patients who enroll in each trial;
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the number of trials required for approval;
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the number of sites included in the trials;
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the countries in which the trials are conducted;
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the length of time required to enroll eligible patients;
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the drop-out or discontinuation rates of patients;
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potential additional safety monitoring requested by regulatory agencies;
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the duration of patient participation in the trials and follow-up;
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the phase of development of the product candidate;
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third-party contractors failing to comply with regulatory requirements or meet their contractual obligations to us in a timely manner, or at all;
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the cost to manufacture our product candidates;
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the ability of our CMOs to manufacture our product candidates;
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regulators or institutional review boards requiring that we or our investigators suspend or terminate clinical development for various reasons, including noncompliance with regulatory requirements or a finding that the participants are being exposed to unacceptable health risks; and
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the efficacy and safety profile of our product candidates.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist or will consist principally of salaries and related costs for personnel in executive and administrative functions, including stock-based compensation, travel expenses and recruiting expenses. Other general and administrative expenses include professional fees for legal, consulting, accounting and audit and tax-related services and insurance costs.
We anticipate that our general and administrative expenses as a result of payments for accounting, audit, legal, consulting services, as well as costs associated with maintaining compliance with Nasdaq listing rules and SEC requirements, director and officer liability insurance, investor and public relations activities and other expenses associated with operating as a public company may increase in the near future. In addition, we expect to incur legal fees in connection with the shareholder derivative lawsuit against
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certain of our current and former directors in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. See “Part II, Item 8, Note 13—Commitments and Contingencies” in this Annual Report.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
Impairment of long-lived assets are the result of an asset group's carrying value exceeding the fair value. In November 2022, we decided not to continue building out our manufacturing facility in North Carolina. We recorded a non-cash impairment charge related to the construction in progress and right-of-use lease assets at the manufacturing facility. We recorded additional impairment charges related to the construction in progress and assets held for sale at the manufacturing facility in the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024.
Other Income (Expense)
Other income (expense) consists primarily of dividends earned from our money market fund and interest income on our cash and cash equivalents, interest expense on borrowings under the Trinity Term Loan, and non-cash changes in the fair value of our outstanding warrant liability and the Trinity Term Loan.
Results of Operations
Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
The following table summarizes our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
For the YearEnded December 31,
Operating expenses:
Impairment of long-lived assets 4,838 1,065
Other income (expense):
Change in fair value of warrant liability 16 (34,718 )
Change in fair value of term loan (4,583 ) (1,538 )
Loss on debt extinguishment — (1,398 )
Other expense (110 ) (47 )
Total other income (expense), net 2,161 (39,127 )
Revenue
Revenue was $8.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $15.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Revenue for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was derived entirely from the Astellas Transactions. The revenue recorded for the year ended December 31, 2024 is the result of Rett syndrome research and development activities performed during the year of $8.3 million. The revenue recorded for the year ended December 31, 2023 is the result of Rett syndrome research and development activities performed during the year of $13.2 million and the expiration of the material right associated with the GAN Option of $2.3 million.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses were $66.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $56.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The $9.2 million increase was primarily driven by higher GMP batch activities during the year ended December 31, 2024, which is representative of the intended commercial manufacturing process for TSHA-102 in Rett syndrome and additional clinical trial activities in the TSHA-102 Phase 1/2 REVEAL clinical trials for the year ended December 31, 2024.
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General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses were $29.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $30.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease of $1.0 million was primarily due to the issuance costs allocated to the liability-classified 2023 Pre-Funded Warrants (as defined below) during the year ended December 31, 2023 as a result of the August 2023 Private Placement, which did not occur in 2024.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
We recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $4.8 million related to our manufacturing facility and assets previously classified as held for sale which were marketed for sale or sublease for the year ended December 31, 2024. We recorded non-cash impairment charges of $1.1 million related to assets held for sale and construction in progress for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Other Income (Expense)
Change in fair value of warrant liability
Change in fair value of warrant liability was a non-cash gain totaling less than $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 related to the SSI Warrants (as defined below) compared to a non-cash expense totaling $34.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 related to the 2023 Pre-Funded Warrants and the SSI Warrants. The expense for the year ended December 31, 2023 is primarily due to the substantial increase in the fair value of the common stock underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants from the date of issuance through the date the warrants were reclassified into equity, which resulted in a non-recurring expense of $34.5 million. As the Pre-Funded Warrants were classified into equity during the year ended December 31, 2023, there will be no additional fair value adjustments related to these warrants. The change in fair value related to the SSI Warrants was $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Change in fair value of term loan
We elected the fair value option for the Trinity Term Loan and changes to fair value, other than changes that are directly attributed to instrument-specific credit risk, were recorded as a component of other income (expense). The change in fair value was $4.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Loss on debt extinguishment
Loss on debt extinguishment was a non-recurring expense totaling $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 due to the early payoff of the Term Loan with Silicon Valley Bank in November 2023.
Interest income
Interest income was $6.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in income is primarily attributable to dividends earned from our money market fund and interest earned on our savings account following the investment of proceeds raised in our August 2023 Private Placement and our June 2024 Offering.
Interest expense
Interest expense was $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $5.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease of $4.9 million was primarily attributable to interest expense incurred under the Term Loan Agreement with Silicon Valley Bank during the year ended December 31, 2023. No interest expense was recorded on the Trinity Term Loan for the period ended December 31, 2024 due to the election of the fair value option.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Since our inception, we have not generated any revenue from product sales and have incurred significant operating losses. As of December 31, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $139.0 million. Through December 31, 2024, we have funded our operations primarily through equity financings, raising an aggregate of $671.0 million in gross proceeds from equity financings, including from pre-IPO private placements of convertible preferred stock, our IPO, and subsequent sales of common stock in public and private securities offerings, our term loans and the Astellas Transactions.
On August 12, 2021, or the Closing Date, we entered into a Loan and Security Agreement, or the Term Loan Agreement, with the lenders party thereto from time to time, or the Lenders and Silicon Valley Bank, as administrative agent and collateral agent
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for the Lenders, or the Agent. We drew $30.0 million in term loans on the Closing Date and an additional $10.0 million in term loans on December 29, 2021. We did not draw on any of the additional $20.0 million tranches prior to their expiration on September 30, 2022 and March 31, 2023. The loan repayment schedule provided for interest only payments until August 31, 2024, followed by consecutive monthly payments of principal and interest. All unpaid principal and accrued and unpaid interest with respect to each term loan was due and payable in full on August 1, 2026.
On the Trinity Closing Date, we entered the Trinity Term Loan Agreement. The Trinity Term Loan Agreement provides for, on the Trinity Closing Date, $40.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Trinity Term Loans. We drew the Trinity Term Loans in full on the Trinity Closing Date. The interest rate applicable to the Trinity Term Loans is the greater of (a) the WSJ Prime Rate plus 4.50% or (b) 12.75% per annum. The Trinity Term Loans are interest only from the Trinity Closing Date through 36 months from the Trinity Closing Date, which may be extended to 48 months from the Trinity Closing Date upon the satisfaction of certain milestones set forth in the Trinity Term Loan Agreement, after which we are required to pay equal monthly installments of principal through November 13, 2028, or the Maturity Date. The Trinity Term Loans may be prepaid in full (i) from the Trinity Closing Date through November 13, 2024, with payment of a 3.00% prepayment premium, (ii) from November 13, 2024 through November 13, 2025, with payment of a 2% prepayment premium, and (iii) from November 13, 2025 through, but excluding, the Maturity Date, with payment of a 1% prepayment premium. On the Trinity Closing Date, we paid to Trinity a commitment fee of 1.00% of the original principal amount of the Trinity Term Loans. Upon repayment in full of the Trinity Term Loans, we will pay to Trinity an end of term payment equal to 5.00% of the original principal amount of the Trinity Term Loans.
The obligations under the Trinity Term Loan Agreement are secured by a perfected security interest in all of our assets except for certain customarily excluded property pursuant to the terms of the Trinity Term Loan Agreement. There are no financial covenants and no warrants associated with the Trinity Term Loan Agreement. The Trinity Term Loan Agreement contains various covenants that limit our ability to engage in specified types of transactions without the consent of Trinity and the Trinity Lenders which include, among others, incurring or assuming certain debt; merging, consolidating or acquiring all or substantially all of the capital stock or property of another entity; changing the nature of our business; changing our organizational structure or type; licensing, transferring or disposing of certain assets; granting certain types of liens on our assets; making certain investments; and paying cash dividends. The Trinity Term Loan Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties, and also includes customary events of default, including payment default, breach of covenants, change of control, and material adverse effects. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, a default interest rate of an additional 5% per annum may be applied to the outstanding loan balances, and the Trinity Lenders may declare all outstanding obligations immediately due and payable and exercise all of its rights and remedies as set forth in the Trinity Term Loan Agreement and under applicable law. The proceeds of the Trinity Term Loans were used to repay our obligations under the Term Loan Agreement (as defined below) with Silicon Valley Bank in full. The Term Loan Agreement with Silicon Valley Bank was terminated concurrently with entry into the Trinity Term Loan Agreement.
On October 5, 2021, we filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC in relation to the registration of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants and units or any combination thereof up to a total aggregate offering price of $350.0 million. We also simultaneously entered into a Sales Agreement, or the Sales Agreement with SVB Leerink LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, or the Sales Agents, pursuant to which we may issue and sell, from time to time at our discretion, shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $150.0 million through the Sales Agents. In March 2022, we amended the Sales Agreement to, among other things, include Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC as an additional Sales Agent. In April 2022, we sold 2,000,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the Sales Agreement and received net proceeds of $11.6 million. On December 13, 2024, we filed a new shelf registration statement on Form S-3 following the expiration of our prior registration statement, in relation to the registration of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants and units or any combination thereof up to a total aggregate offering price of $300.0 million, including up to $100.0 million shares of common stock that may be offered and sold pursuant to the Sales Agreement. No other shares of common stock have been issued and sold pursuant to the Sales Agreement as of December 31, 2024.
On October 21, 2022, we entered into the Option Agreement with Astellas granting Astellas an exclusive option to obtain exclusive, worldwide, royalty and milestone-bearing rights and licenses related to TSHA-120 and TSHA-102. As partial consideration for the rights granted to Astellas under the Option Agreement, Astellas paid us a one-time payment in the amount of $20.0 million, or the Upfront Payment, in November 2022.
Also on October 21, 2022, we entered into the Securities Purchase Agreement with Astellas, pursuant to which we agreed to issue and sell to Astellas in a private placement, or the Private Placement, an aggregate of 7,266,342 shares of our common stock, or the Private Placement Shares, for aggregate proceeds of $30.0 million. The Private Placement closed on October 24, 2022. Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, in connection with the Private Placement, Astellas has the right to designate one individual to attend all meetings of the Board in a non-voting observer capacity. We also granted Astellas certain registration rights with respect to the Private Placement Shares.
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On October 26, 2022, we entered into the Underwriting Agreement, to issue and sell 14,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.00001 per share, in an underwritten public offering pursuant to effective registration statement on Form S-3 and a related prospectus and prospectus supplement. The offering price to the public was $2.00 per share and the Underwriter purchased the shares from us pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement at a price of $1.88 per share. In addition, we granted the Underwriter an option to purchase, for a period of 30 days, up to an additional 2,100,000 shares of our common stock. The Follow-on Offering closed on October 31, 2022 and we received net proceeds of $26.0 million after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses. On November 10, 2022, the Underwriter exercised their option to purchase an additional 765,226 shares of our common stock and we received net proceeds of $1.4 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions.
In April 2023, we entered into a securities purchase agreement, or the SSI Securities Purchase Agreement, with two affiliates of SSI Strategy Holdings LLC, or SSI, named therein, or the SSI Investors, pursuant to which we agreed to issue and sell to the SSI Investors in a private placement, or the SSI Private Placement, 705,218 shares of our common stock, or the SSI Shares, and warrants, or the SSI Warrants, to purchase an aggregate of 525,000 shares of our common stock, or the Warrant Shares. SSI provides certain consulting services to us. Each SSI Warrant has an exercise price of $0.7090 per Warrant Share, which was the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on April 4, 2023. The SSI Warrants issued in the SSI Private Placement provide that the holder of the SSI Warrants will not have the right to exercise any portion of its SSI Warrants until the achievement of certain clinical and regulatory milestones related to our clinical programs. The SSI Private Placement closed on April 5, 2023. Gross proceeds of the SSI Private Placement were $0.5 million.
On August 14, 2023, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement, or the August 2023 Securities Purchase Agreement, with certain institutional and other accredited investors, or the Purchasers, pursuant to which we agreed to sell and issue to the Purchasers in a private placement transaction, or the August 2023 Private Placement, that closed on August 16, 2023: (i) 122,412,376 shares of our common stock and (ii) with respect to certain Purchasers, pre-funded warrants, or the 2023 Pre-Funded Warrants, to purchase 44,250,978 shares of common stock in lieu of shares of common stock. The closing of the August 2023 Private Placement, or the Closing, occurred on August 16, 2023. The total gross proceeds to us at the Closing were $150.0 million, and after deducting placement agent commissions and offering expenses payable by us, net proceeds were $140.3 million.
On June 26, 2024, we entered into an underwriting agreement, or the June 2024 Underwriting Agreement, with Jefferies LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters set forth therein, or, collectively, the Underwriters, to issue and sell 14,361,113 shares of our common stock and pre-funded warrants to purchase 18,972,221 shares of our common stock, or the June 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants, pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 and a related prospectus and prospectus supplement, or the June 2024 Offering. The offering price to the public was $2.25 per share of common stock and $2.249 per June 2024 Pre-Funded Warrant, which is the price to the public of each share of common stock sold in the June 2024 Offering, minus the $0.001 exercise price per June 2024 Pre-Funded Warrant. The Underwriters purchased the shares and the June 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants from us pursuant to the June 2024 Underwriting Agreement at a price of $2.115 per share and $2.114 per pre-funded warrant, respectively. The initial closing of the June 2024 Offering occurred on June 27, 2024 and we received net proceeds of $70.0 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses. In addition, we granted the Underwriters an option to purchase, for a period of 30 days, up to an additional 5,000,000 shares of our common stock. On July 9, 2024, the Underwriters exercised their option to purchase an additional 3,235,000 shares of common stock and we received additional net proceeds of $6.7 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses. The total net proceeds received from the June 2024 Offering were $76.7 million after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and other offering expenses payable by us.
Funding Requirements
To date, we have not generated any revenues from the commercial sale of approved drug products, and we do not expect to generate substantial revenue for at least the next few years. If we fail to complete the development of our product candidates in a timely manner or fail to obtain their regulatory approval, our ability to generate future revenue will be compromised. We do not know when, or if, we will generate any revenue from our product candidates, and we do not expect to generate significant revenue unless and until we obtain regulatory approval of, and commercialize, our product candidates. We have increased, and expect to continue to increase for the foreseeable future, our research and development expenses, particularly with respect to our Rett clinical trials, as we continue the development of our product candidates and manufacturing processes and conduct discovery and research activities for our preclinical programs. If we obtain approval for any of our product candidates, we expect to incur significant commercialization expenses related to sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution. We anticipate that we will need substantial additional funding in connection with our continuing operations. If we are unable to raise capital when needed or on attractive terms, we could be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our research and development programs or future commercialization efforts.
As of December 31, 2024, our material cash requirements consisted of $28.6 million in total lease payments under our noncancelable leases for equipment, laboratory space and office space. These leases are described in further detail in Note 5 to our
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audited consolidated financial statements located in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our most significant purchase commitments consist of $12.5 million in cancellable purchase obligations to our CROs and other clinical trial vendors.
We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents will enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital requirements into the fourth quarter of 2026. We will require additional capital to fund the research and development of our product candidates, to fund our manufacturing activities, to fund precommercial activities of our programs and for working capital and general corporate purposes. The assessment of our ability to meet our future obligations is inherently judgmental, subjective and susceptible to change.
Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with research, development and commercialization of biological products, we are unable to estimate the exact amount of our operating capital requirements. Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to:
•
the scope, progress, costs and results of discovery, preclinical development, laboratory testing and clinical trials for TSHA-102 and any current and future product candidates that we advance;
•
our ability to access sufficient additional capital on a timely basis and on favorable terms;
•
the extent to which we develop, in-license or acquire other product candidates and technologies in our gene therapy product candidate pipeline;
•
the costs and timing of process development and manufacturing scale-up activities associated with our product candidates and other programs as we advance them through preclinical and clinical development;
•
the number and development requirements of product candidates that we may pursue;
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the costs, timing and outcome of regulatory review of our product candidates;
•
our headcount growth and associated costs as we expand our research and development capabilities and establish a commercial infrastructure;
•
the costs and timing of future commercialization activities, including product manufacturing, marketing, sales, and distribution, for any of our product candidates for which we receive marketing approval;
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the costs and timing of preparing, filing and prosecuting patent applications, maintaining and enforcing our intellectual property rights and defending any intellectual property-related claims;
•
the costs incurred in defending ourselves in any legal proceedings that we may be subject to;
•
the revenue, if any, received from commercial sales of our product candidates for which we receive marketing approval; and
•
the costs of operating as a public company.
Identifying potential product candidates and conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials is a time-consuming, expensive and uncertain process that takes many years to complete, and we may never generate the necessary data or results required to obtain marketing approval and achieve product sales. In addition, our product candidates, if approved, may not achieve commercial success. Our commercial revenues, if any, will be derived from sales of product candidates that we do not expect to be commercially available in the near term, if at all. Accordingly, we will need to continue to rely on additional financing to achieve our business objectives. Adequate additional financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the terms of these equity securities may restrict our ability to operate. The Trinity Term Loan Agreement contains negative covenants, including, among other things, restrictions on indebtedness, liens investments, mergers, dispositions, prepayment of other indebtedness and dividends and other distributions. Any future additional debt financing and equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting and restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures, entering into profit-sharing or other arrangements or declaring dividends. If we raise additional funds through collaborations, strategic alliances or marketing, distribution or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may be required to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams, research programs or product candidates or to grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us.
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Cash Flows
The following table shows a summary of our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
For the Year Ended December 31,
Net cash used in operating activities $ (81,225 ) $ (73,018 )
Net cash used in investing activities (363 ) (7,352 )
Net cash provided by financing activities 76,684 136,393
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ (4,904 ) $ 56,023
Operating Activities
For the year ended December 31, 2024, our net cash used in operating activities of $81.2 million primarily consisted of a net loss of $89.3 million, primarily attributable to our spending on research and development expenses. The net loss of $89.3 million was partially offset by $20.5 million in adjustments for non-cash items and other adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities, primarily due to stock-based compensation expense and impairment of long-lived assets. Additional cash used in operating activities of $12.4 million, resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities was primarily due to a decrease in deferred revenue related to the Astellas Transactions.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, our net cash used in operating activities of $73.0 million primarily consisted of a net loss of $111.6 million, primarily attributable to our spending on research and development expenses. The net loss of $111.6 million was partially offset by $56.6 million in adjustments for non-cash items and other adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities, primarily due to the change in fair value of warrant liability of $34.7 million and stock-based compensation expense. Additional cash used in operating activities of $18.0 million, resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities was primarily due to a decrease in deferred revenue related to the Astellas Transactions.
Investing Activities
During the year ended December 31, 2024, investing activities used $0.4 million of cash primarily attributable to the purchase of lab equipment.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, investing activities used $7.4 million of cash primarily attributable to capital expenditures related to the close out of our in-house manufacturing facility project and payment of a milestone license fee.
Financing Activities
During the year ended December 31, 2024, financing activities provided $76.7 million of cash, which was primarily attributable to the closing of the June 2024 Offering.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, financing activities provided $136.4 million of cash, which was primarily attributable to the proceeds from the August 2023 Private Placement.
Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates
This management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our financial statements. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we evaluate our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis, including those related to research and development expenses, stock-based compensation, the Astellas Transactions and accounting for the Trinity Term Loans at fair value. We base our estimates on historical experience, known trends and events, and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
We define our critical accounting policies as those accounting principles that require us to make subjective estimates and judgments about matters that are uncertain and are likely to have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations, as well as the specific manner in which we apply those principles. While our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements located in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we believe
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the following are the critical accounting policies used in the preparation of our financial statements that require significant estimates and judgments.
Research and Development Costs
We have entered into research and development contracts with research institutions and other companies. These agreements are generally cancelable, and related payments are recorded as research and development expenses as incurred. Payments for these activities are based on the terms of the individual agreements, which may differ from the pattern of costs incurred, and are reflected on the balance sheet as prepaid or accrued expenses. We record accruals for estimated ongoing research costs. When evaluating the adequacy of the accrued liabilities, we analyze progress of the studies, including the phase or completion of events, invoices received and contracted costs.
Research and development costs primarily consist of payroll, stock-based compensation, clinical trial expense, certain manufacturing costs, laboratory costs and other supplies, and the cost to acquire third-party licenses.
Costs incurred in obtaining technology licenses through asset acquisitions are charged to research and development expense if the licensed technology has not reached technological feasibility and has no alternative future use.
To date, we have not experienced significant changes in our estimates of accrued research and development liabilities after a reporting period. However, due to the nature of estimates, there is no assurance that we will not make changes to our estimates in the future as we become aware of additional information about the status or conduct of our clinical studies and other research activities.
Stock‐Based Compensation
We account for all stock-based payments to employees and non-employees, including grants of stock options, restricted stock awards, or “RSAs” and restricted stock units or, “RSUs” based on their respective grant date fair values. We estimate the fair value of stock option grants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which is affected principally by the estimated fair value of shares of our common stock and requires management to make a number of other assumptions, including the expected life of the option, the volatility of the underlying shares, the risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. Expected volatility is based on the historical share volatility of a set of comparable publicly traded companies over a period of time equal to the expected term of the options. Due to the lack of historical exercise history, the expected term of our stock options is determined using the “simplified” method. The risk-free interest rate is determined by reference to the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant of the award for time periods approximately equal to the expected term of the award. Expected dividend yield is zero based on the fact that we have never paid cash dividends and do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Prior to September 23, 2020, the fair value of common stock underlying our stock options, RSAs and RSUs was estimated by our board of directors considering, among other things, contemporaneous valuations of our common stock prepared by unrelated third-party valuation firms. After the IPO, the fair value of common stock is based on the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market as reported on the date of the grant.
The RSAs and RSUs are valued based on the fair value of our common stock on the date of grant. We expense stock-based compensation related to stock options, RSAs and RSUs, which contain service-based vesting conditions, over the requisite service period using the straight-line method. For awards with both performance and service conditions, we recognize expense based on the fair value of the performance awards over the estimated service period using the accelerated attribution method to the extent the achievement of the related performance criteria is estimated to be probable. At each reporting date, we evaluate whether any performance conditions related to a performance-based award have changed. The effect of any change in performance conditions is recognized as a cumulative catch-up adjustment in the period such change occurs. Stock-based compensation costs are generally recorded in research and development expense or general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations based upon the respective employee’s roles within our Company. Forfeitures are recorded as they occur.
Astellas Transactions
In October 2022, we entered into the Securities Purchase Agreement with Astellas, pursuant to which we agreed to issue and sell to Astellas an aggregate of 7,266,342 shares of our common stock, for aggregate proceeds of $30.0 million. Upon closing of the Private Placement and transferring 7,266,342 shares to Astellas, we recorded the issuance of shares at fair value. Fair value of the shares transferred to Astellas was calculated in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement by analyzing our stock price for a period of time prior to and after the transaction date as traded on the NASDAQ. The NASDAQ trading data is considered an active market and a Level 1 measurement under ASC 820. The fair value was determined to be $13.95 million or $1.92 per share. The $16.1
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million difference between the $30.0 million paid by Astellas and the fair market value of shares issued was allocated to the transaction price of the Option Agreement.
We determined that the Option Agreement falls within the scope of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers as the development of TSHA-102 for the treatment of Rett Syndrome and TSHA-120 for the treatment of GAN are considered ordinary activities for us. In accordance with ASC 606, we evaluated the Option Agreement and identified three separate performance obligations: (1) option to obtain licensing right to GAN, (2) option to obtain licensing right to Rett and (3) performance of research and development activities associated with our Rett program. The transaction price is determined to be $36.1 million which is comprised of the $20.0 million Upfront Payment and the $16.1 million allocated from the Private Placement.
To determine the standalone selling price, or the SSP, of the Rett and GAN options which we concluded represent material rights, we utilized the probability-weighted expected return, or PWERM, method. The PWERM method contemplates the probability and timing of an option exercise. At contract inception, we used significant judgment to estimate the probability of exercise of each option at 50%. The SSP of the Rett research and development activities was estimated using an expected cost-plus margin approach. The standalone selling prices of the material rights and Rett research and development activities were then used to proportionately allocate the $36.1 million transaction price to the three performance obligations.
Revenue allocated to the material rights will be recognized at a point in time when each option period expires or when a decision is made by Astellas to exercise or not exercise each option. Revenue from the Rett research and development activities will be recognized as activities are performed using an input method, according to the costs incurred as related to the total costs expected to be incurred to satisfy the performance obligation. The transfer of control occurs over this time period and is a reliable measure of progress towards satisfying the performance obligation. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we determined that the total estimated costs to be incurred to satisfy the performance obligation associated with the Rett research and development activities had increased from the cost estimate used for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Fair Value Option
On November 13, 2023 we entered into the Trinity Term Loan Agreement with the Trinity Lenders. The Trinity Term Loan Agreement provides for, on the Trinity Closing Date, $40.0 million aggregate principal amount of Trinity Term Loans. We drew the Trinity Term Loans in full on the Trinity Closing Date.
We determined that we are eligible to elect the fair value option under ASC 825, Financial Instruments. The Trinity Term Loans contains various embedded features and the election of the fair value option allows us to bypass analysis of potential embedded derivatives and further analysis of bifurcation of any recognized financial liabilities. Under the fair value option, the financial liability is initially measured at its fair value on the issue date and subsequently remeasured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis at each reporting date. Changes in the fair value of the Trinity Term Loans, which include accrued interest, if any, are recorded as a component of other expense (income) in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. We have not elected to present interest expense separately from changes in fair value and therefore will not present interest expense associated with the Trinity Term Loans. Any changes in fair value caused by instrument-specific credit risk are presented separately in other comprehensive income or loss if material. Under the fair value option, debt issuance costs are expensed as incurred.
In connection with the Trinity Term Loans, we entered into a Success Fee Agreement with Trinity which specifies the terms regarding a fee in the amount of 10% of the principal amount of the funded Trinity Term Loans. The Success Fee is payable upon the achievement of certain corporate development value-inflection milestones. The Success Fee survives the termination of the Trinity Term Loans and expires on the earlier of ten years, or payment in full in cash of the Success Fee. We determined that the Success Fee represents a freestanding financial instrument and should be accounted for as a derivative liability under ASC 815 and recorded a liability within other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet, at fair value on the Trinity Closing Date and will be marked-to-market at the end of each reporting period with gains and losses recognized as a component of other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations. The proceeds from the Trinity Term Loans were allocated to the Success Fee and Trinity Term Loans based on their respective fair values on the Trinity Closing Date. The fair values were determined utilizing a probability-weighted income approach, including variables for the timing of a success event and other probability estimates. The fair value of the Trinity Term Loans is determined to be $39.2 million and the fair value of the Success Fee liability is determined to be $0.8 million in the consolidated balance sheet at issuance. We calculated the discounted cash flows of the Success Fee liability, then adjusted for the probability of achievement of certain corporate development value-inflection milestones.
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements located in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of recent accounting pronouncements applicable to our financial statements.
Emerging Growth Company and Smaller Reporting Company Status
In April 2012, the JOBS Act was enacted. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for complying with new or revised accounting standards. Thus, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We elected the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, which delays the adoption of these accounting standards until they would apply to private companies. In addition, as an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of specified reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include:
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an exception from compliance with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended;
•
reduced disclosure about our executive compensation arrangements in our periodic reports, proxy statements and registration statements;
•
exemptions from the requirements of holding non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements; and
•
an exemption from compliance with the requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the communication of critical audit matters in the auditor’s report on financial statements. We expect that our eligibility to qualify as an “emerging growth company” will end on December 31, 2025, the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of our initial public offering. We may choose to take advantage of some but not all of these reduced reporting burdens. We have taken advantage of certain reduced reporting requirements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other filings with the SEC. Accordingly, the information contained herein may be different than you might obtain from other public companies in which you hold equity interests.
We are also a “smaller reporting company,” meaning that the market value of our shares held by non-affiliates is less than $700 million and our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year. We may continue to be a smaller reporting company if either (i) the market value of our shares held by non-affiliates is less than $250 million or (ii) our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of our shares held by non-affiliates is less than $700 million. If we are a smaller reporting company at the time we cease to be an emerging growth company, we may continue to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are available to smaller reporting companies. Specifically, as a smaller reporting company, we may choose to present only the two most recent fiscal years of audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and, similar to emerging growth companies, smaller reporting companies have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information required under this item.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Taysha Gene Therapies, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Taysha Gene Therapies, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders' equity, and cash flows, for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Dallas, Texas
February 26, 2025
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.
F-1
Taysha Gene Therapies, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,645 3,479
Assets held for sale — 2,000
Property, plant and equipment, net 7,485 10,826
Operating lease right-of-use assets 8,381 9,582
Other non-current assets 217 304
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 12,862 12,284
Operating lease liability, net of current portion 17,361 18,953
Other non-current liabilities 1,309 1,577
Commitments and contingencies - Note 13
Stockholders' equity
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (4,031 ) —
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 160,364 $ 172,731
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-2
Taysha Gene Therapies, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
For the YearEnded December 31,
Operating expenses:
Impairment of long-lived assets 4,838 1,065
Other income (expense):
Change in fair value of warrant liability 16 (34,718 )
Change in fair value of term loan (4,583 ) (1,538 )
Loss on debt extinguishment — (1,398 )
Other expense (110 ) (47 )
Total other income (expense), net 2,161 (39,127 )
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted $ (0.36 ) $ (0.96 )
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-3
Taysha Gene Therapies, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
For the Year Ended December 31,
Other comprehensive loss:
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-4
Taysha Gene Therapies, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(in thousands, except share data)
Additional
Common Stock Paid-in Accumulated Accumulated Other Total
Shares Amount Capital Deficit Comprehensive Loss Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation — — 7,905 — — 7,905
Issuance of common stock under ESPP 68,320 — 68 — — 68
Issuance of common stock under ESPP 93,970 — 89 — — 89
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options 58,832 — 40 — — 40
Loss on instrument-specific credit risk — — — — (4,031 ) (4,031 )
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5
Taysha Gene Therapies, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
For the YearEnded December 31,
Cash flows from operating activities
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Research and development license expense — 3,500
Change in fair value of warrant liability (16 ) 34,718
Issuance costs for pre-funded warrant liability — 2,567
Non-cash loss on debt extinguishment — 1,366
Non-cash change in fair value of term loan (597 ) 1,278
Impairment of long-lived assets 4,838 1,065
Debt issuance costs expensed under the fair value option — 867
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other assets 207 6,011
Accrued expenses and other liabilities (1,421 ) (6,277 )
Net cash used in operating activities (81,225 ) (73,018 )
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of research and development license — (3,500 )
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (374 ) (3,869 )
Net cash used in investing activities (363 ) (7,352 )
Cash flows from financing activities
Debt issuance costs for term loan (18 ) (399 )
Repayment of SVB Term Loan — (43,000 )
Proceeds from Trinity tern loan, net — 39,550
Proceeds from issuance of common stock from private placement — 500
Payment of shelf registration costs — (387 )
Proceeds from common stock issuances under ESPP 89 68
Net cash provided by financing activities 76,684 136,393
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Reclassification of warrants to additional paid-in capital — 74,342
Allocation of proceeds to Success Fee liability — 770
Recognition of asset retirement obligation — 449
Issuance of warrants in connection with private placement — 252
Property, plant and equipment in accounts payable and accrued expenses 346 —
Offering costs not yet paid 46 18
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-6
Taysha Gene Therapies, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1—Organization and Description of Business Operations
Taysha Gene Therapies, Inc. (the “Company” or “Taysha”) was originally formed under the laws of the State of Texas on September 20, 2019. Taysha converted to a Delaware corporation on February 13, 2020, which had no impact to the Company’s par value or issued and authorized capital structure.
Taysha is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on advancing AAV-based gene therapies for severe monogenic diseases of the central nervous system.
Sales Agreement
On October 5, 2021, the Company entered into a Sales Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with SVB Securities LLC (f/k/a SVB Leerink LLC) and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (collectively, the “Sales Agents”), pursuant to which the Company may issue and sell, from time to time in its sole discretion, shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $150.0 million through the Sales Agents. In March 2022, the Company amended the Sales Agreement to, among other things, include Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC as an additional Sales Agent. The Sales Agents may sell common stock by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at-the-market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, including sales made directly on or through the Nasdaq Global Select Market or any other existing trade market for the common stock, in negotiated transactions at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or at prices related to prevailing market prices, or any other method permitted by law. The Sales Agents are entitled to receive 3.0% of the gross sales price per share of common stock sold under the Sales Agreement. In April 2022, the Company sold 2,000,000 shares of common stock under the Sales Agreement and received $11.6 million in net proceeds. On December 13, 2024, the Company filed a new shelf registration statement on Form S-3 following the expiration of its prior registration statement, in relation to the registration of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants and units or any combination thereof up to a total aggregate offering price of $300.0 million, including up to $100.0 million shares of common stock that may be offered and sold pursuant to the Sales Agreement. No other shares of common stock have been issued and sold pursuant to the Sales Agreement as of December 31, 2024.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company has incurred operating losses since inception and expects to continue to incur significant operating losses for the foreseeable future and may never become profitable. Losses are expected to continue as the Company continues to invest in its research and development activities. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $602.3 million. The Company expects to continue to incur significant expenses and operating losses for the foreseeable future.
On June 26, 2024, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement (the “June 2024 Underwriting Agreement”) with Jefferies LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters set forth therein (collectively, the “Underwriters”), to issue and sell 14,361,113 shares of the Company’s common stock and, in lieu of common stock to certain investors, pre-funded warrants to purchase 18,972,221 shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering (the “June 2024 Offering”), pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 and a related prospectus and prospectus supplement. The offering price to the public was $2.25 per share of common stock and $2.249 per pre-funded warrant, which was the price to the public of each share of common stock sold in the June 2024 Offering minus the $0.001 exercise price per pre-funded warrant. The Underwriters purchased the shares and the pre-funded warrants from the Company pursuant to the June 2024 Underwriting Agreement at a price of $2.115 per share and $2.114 per pre-funded warrant, respectively. See Note 10 for additional information. The initial closing of the June 2024 Offering occurred on June 27, 2024. In addition, the Company granted the Underwriters an option to purchase, for a period of 30 days, up to an additional 5,000,000 shares of common stock. On July 9, 2024, the Underwriters exercised their option to purchase an additional 3,235,000 shares of common stock. The total net proceeds from the June 2024 Offering were approximately $76.7 million, including the proceeds from the Underwriter’s option, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.
Future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including the timing and extent of spending on research and development and the market acceptance of the Company’s products. The Company will need to obtain additional financing in order to complete clinical studies and launch and commercialize any product candidates for which it receives regulatory approval. There can be no assurance that such financing will be available or will be on terms acceptable to the Company. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $139.0 million which the Company believes will be sufficient to fund its planned operations for a period of at least twelve months from the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements. The Company has based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and its operating plan may change as a result of many factors currently unknown to it. As a result, the Company could deplete its capital resources sooner than it currently expects. The Company expects to finance its future cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, strategic alliances or licensing arrangements. If the Company is unable to obtain funding, the Company would be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate some or all of its research and development programs, preclinical and clinical testing or commercialization efforts, which could adversely affect its business prospects.
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Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The Company’s financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) as determined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and include all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position for the periods presented.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Taysha and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Emerging Growth Company
From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB, or other standard setting bodies and adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements upon adoption. Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended, the Company meets the definition of an emerging growth company and has elected the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, which delays the adoption of these accounting standards until they would apply to private companies.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates and assumptions in the Company’s financial statements relate to the determination of the fair value of the common stock prior to the IPO (as an input into stock-based compensation), estimating manufacturing accruals and accrued or prepaid research and development expenses, the measurement of impairment of long-lived assets, the valuation of the Trinity Term Loans that are carried at fair value, and the allocation of consideration received in connection with the Astellas Transactions. These estimates and assumptions are based on current facts, historical experience and various other factors believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the recording of expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates. To the extent there are material differences between the estimates and actual results, the Company’s future results of operations will be affected.
Risks and Uncertainties
The Company is subject to risks common to companies in the biotechnology industry, including, but not limited to, development by the Company or its competitors of technological innovations, risks of failure of clinical studies, dependence on key personnel, protection of proprietary technology, compliance with government regulations, and ability to transition from preclinical manufacturing to commercial production of products.
The Company’s product candidates require approvals from the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory agencies prior to commercial sales in their respective jurisdictions. There can be no assurance that any product candidates will receive the necessary approvals. If the Company was denied approval, approval was delayed or the Company was unable to maintain approval for any product candidate, it could have a materially adverse impact on the Company.
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 as a single operating segment, the gene therapy segment, which is the business of developing AAV-based gene therapies for the treatment of rare monogenic diseases of the central nervous system. See Note 16 for additional information.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not have any significant long-lived assets located outside of the United States.
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Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, (“ASC 606”). Revenues consist of activities in connection with the Astellas Transactions, including the exclusive option to license intellectual property and the performance of research and development activities. See Note 7 for additional information.
The Company evaluates the agreement to determine if the other party is a customer, and then determines the units of account within the agreement to determine which promised goods or services are distinct. In order for a promised good or service to be considered “distinct” under ASC 606, the customer can benefit from the good or service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer (i.e., the good or service is capable of being distinct), and the entity’s promise to transfer the good or service to the customer is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract (i.e., the promise to transfer the good or service is distinct within the context of the contract).
For any units of account that fall within the scope of ASC 606, where the other party is a customer, the Company (i) evaluates the separate performance obligation(s) under each contract, (ii) determines the transaction price, (iii) allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation considering the estimated standalone selling prices of the services and (iv) recognizes revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies the performance obligation(s).
At the inception of an arrangement that includes options for a customer to purchase additional services or products at agreed upon prices in the future, the Company evaluates whether each option provides a material right. An option that provides a material right will be accounted for as a separate performance obligation.
As part of the accounting for arrangements under ASC 606, the Company must use significant judgment to determine the performance obligations, the transaction price, and the standalone selling price (“SSP”) for each performance obligation identified in the contract for the allocation of the transaction price. The SSP is the price at which an entity would sell a promised good or service separately to a customer. Management estimates the SSP of each of the identified performance obligations, maximizing the use of observable inputs. Because the Company has not sold the same goods or services in its contracts separately to any customers on a standalone basis, the Company utilizes similar observable transactions in the marketplace or estimates the SSP of each performance obligation in its customer arrangements at contract inception based on either (1) its estimate of costs to be incurred to fulfill its obligations associated with the performance obligation, plus a reasonable margin, or (2) an estimate that reflects the discount that the customer would obtain when exercising its option adjusted for (i) any discount that the customer could receive without exercising the option and (ii) the likelihood that the option will be exercised. The Company allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation in proportion to its SSP.
A performance obligation is satisfied and revenue is recognized when “control” of the promised good or service is transferred, either over time or at a point in time, to the customer. A customer obtains control of a good or service if it has the ability to (1) direct its use and (2) obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from it.
Amounts received prior to satisfying the revenue recognition criteria listed above are recorded as deferred revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Amounts expected to be recognized as revenue within 12 months of the balance sheet date are classified as current deferred revenue, including the amounts allocated to material rights which are subject to customer exercise at any point. Amounts not expected to be recognized as revenue within the following 12 months of the balance sheet date are classified as deferred revenue, net of current portion. The Company does not incur commission or other costs to fulfill customer contracts and as such, no capitalized contract costs are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of funds held in a standard checking account, a standard savings account and a money market fund. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $138.3 million in cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $142.4 million in cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash consists of cash that the Company has placed in an escrow account which is pledged as collateral under certain lease agreements and letters of credit.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents. Periodically, the Company may maintain deposits in financial institutions in excess of government insured limits. On March 10, 2023, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation closed the Silicon Valley Bank, Santa Clara, California (“SVB”), and appointed the FDIC as receiver. On March 12, 2023, the Treasury Department announced that depositors of SVB will have
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access to all of their money starting March 13, 2023. On March 14, 2023, the Company regained access to the full amount of its cash that was deposited with SVB. Management believes that the Company is not exposed to significant credit risk as the Company’s deposits are held at financial institutions that management continues to believe to be of high credit quality. The Company has not experienced any losses on these deposits.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company’s financial assets and liabilities are accounted for in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements which defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs when measuring fair value and classifies those inputs into three levels:
Level 1—Observable inputs, such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2—Inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the instrument’s anticipated life.
Level 3—Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
To the extent the valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair values requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized as Level 3. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
The carrying values reported in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities are reasonable estimates of their fair values due to the short-term nature of these items.
Fair Value Option
The fair value option provides an election that allows a company to irrevocably elect to record certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value on an instrument-by-instrument basis at initial recognition. The Company has elected to apply the fair value option to the Trinity Term Loans.
The term loans accounted for under the fair value option election are each a debt host financial instrument containing embedded features that would otherwise be required to be bifurcated from the debt-host and recognized as separate derivative liabilities subject to initial and subsequent periodic estimated fair value measurements in accordance with GAAP. Notwithstanding, when the fair value option election is applied to financial liabilities, bifurcation of an embedded derivative is not required, and the financial liability is initially measured at its issue-date estimated fair value and then subsequently remeasured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis as of each reporting period date.
The portion of the change in fair value attributed to a change in the instrument-specific credit risk is recognized as a component of other comprehensive income or loss if material and the remaining amount of the fair value adjustment is recognized as a component of other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations.
Deferred Offering Costs
The Company capitalizes costs directly associated with equity financings until such financings are consummated, at which time such costs are recorded in additional paid-in capital against the gross proceeds of the equity financings. Costs associated with the shelf registration statement on Form S-3, filed with the SEC on October 5, 2021 were capitalized and reclassified to additional paid-in capital on a pro rata basis when the Company completed offerings under the shelf registration. At the end of the three-year term of the shelf registration, the remaining deferred offering costs were charged to operations. Costs associated with the shelf registration statement on Form S-3, filed with the SEC on December 13, 2024 were capitalized and will be reclassified to additional paid-in capital on a pro rata basis when the Company completes offerings under the shelf registration. At the end of the three-year term of the shelf registration, the remaining deferred offering costs, if any, will be charged to operations
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Property, Plant and Equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment, net are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and consist of computer equipment, laboratory equipment and leasehold improvements. Depreciation expense is recognized using the straight-line method over its estimated useful life of three to seven years.
Upon retirement or sale, the cost of assets disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in loss from operations. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred.
Leases
Effective January 1, 2022, the Company adopted ASC 842, Leases using the modified retrospective approach and utilizing the effective dates as its date of initial application.
At the inception of an arrangement, the Company determines whether the arrangement is or contains a lease based on the unique facts and circumstances present in the arrangement. Leases with a term greater than one year are recognized on the balance sheet as right-of-use assets and short-term and long-term lease liabilities, as applicable.
Operating lease liabilities and their corresponding right-of-use assets are initially recorded based on the present value of lease payments over the expected remaining lease term. Certain adjustments to the right-of-use asset may be required for items such as incentives received. The interest rate implicit in lease contracts is typically not readily determinable. As a result, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate to discount lease payments, which reflects the fixed rate at which the Company could borrow on a collateralized basis the amount of the lease payments in the same currency, for a similar term, in a similar economic environment. To estimate its incremental borrowing rate, a credit rating applicable to the Company is estimated using a synthetic credit rating analysis since the Company does not currently have a rating agency-based credit rating.
The Company has elected not to recognize leases with an original term of one year or less on the balance sheet. The Company typically only includes an initial lease term in its assessment of a lease arrangement. Options to renew a lease are not included in the Company’s assessment unless there is reasonable certainty that the Company will renew. Assumptions made by the Company at the commencement date are re-evaluated upon occurrence of certain events, including a lease modification. A lease modification results in a separate contract when the modification grants the lessee an additional right of use not included in the original lease and when lease payments increase commensurate with the standalone price for the additional right of use. When a lease modification results in a separate contract, it is accounted for in the same manner as a new lease.
The Company has elected to account for lease and non-lease components together as a single lease component for all underlying assets.
Assets Held for Sale
Assets and liabilities are classified as held for sale when all of the following criteria for a plan of sale have been met: (1) management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the assets; (2) the assets are available for immediate sale, in their present condition, subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets; (3) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the assets have been initiated; (4) the sale of the assets is probable and is expected to be completed within one year; (5) the assets are being actively marketed for a price that is reasonable in relation to their current fair value; and (6) actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or the plan will be withdrawn. When all of these criteria have been met, the assets and liabilities are classified as held for sale in the balance sheet. Assets classified as held for sale are reported at the lower of their carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. The Company recorded a partial impairment of $0.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 in connection with the classification of certain assets to assets held for sale. Depreciation and amortization of assets ceases upon designation as held for sale.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company evaluates its long-lived assets, which consist of property, plant and equipment as well as right-of-use assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset group. In November 2022, the Company decided not to continue the build-out of the North Carolina manufacturing facility, resulting in a change in use of this asset group. The Company performed an undiscounted cash flow analysis over the long-lived assets associated with the manufacturing facility and determined that the carrying value of the asset group is not recoverable. Significant assumptions used to determine this non-recurring fair value measurement include the time to sublease the facility, the amount of sublease income expected to be generated over the remaining lease term, and the discount rate used to measure the present value of the net cash flows associated with this asset group. During the year
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ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $36.4 million in connection with the North Carolina manufacturing facility which was allocated on a pro rata basis across the assets within the asset group. The impairment charge was estimated using a discounted cash flow model. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded additional impairment charges of $4.8 million and $0.5 million related to the North Carolina manufacturing facility and equipment. See Note 4 for additional information.
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt issuance costs associated with the Term Loan Agreement (as defined in Note 6) are deferred and presented as a reduction to long-term debt. Debt issuance costs are amortized using the effective interest rate method over the term of the loan. Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs are included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
Debt issuance costs related to the Trinity Term Loans are expensed as incurred due to the election of the fair value option.
Research and Development
The Company has entered into research and development contracts with research institutions and other companies. These agreements are generally cancelable, and related payments are recorded as research and development expenses as incurred. Payments for these activities are based on the terms of the individual agreements, which may differ from the pattern of costs incurred, and are reflected on the consolidated balance sheets as prepaid or accrued expenses. The Company records accruals for estimated ongoing research costs. When evaluating the adequacy of the accrued liabilities, the Company analyzes progress of the studies, including the phase or completion of events, invoices received and contracted costs.
Research and development costs primarily consist of payroll, stock-based compensation, certain manufacturing costs, laboratory costs and other supplies, and the cost to acquire third-party licenses. Costs incurred in obtaining technology licenses through asset acquisitions are charged to research and development expense if the licensed technology has not reached technological feasibility and has no alternative future use. Payments of such upfront license fees and subsequent development milestones are included as investing cash outflows in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for all stock-based payments to employees and non-employees, including grants of stock options, restricted stock awards (“RSAs”), and restricted stock units (“RSUs”), based on their respective grant date fair values. The Company estimates the fair value of stock option grants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which is affected principally by the estimated fair value of shares of the Company’s common stock and requires management to make a number of other assumptions, including the expected life of the option, the volatility of the underlying shares, the risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. Expected volatility is based on the historical share volatility of a set of comparable publicly traded companies over a period of time equal to the expected term of the options. Due to the lack of historical exercise history, the expected term of the Company’s stock options is determined using the “simplified” method. The risk-free interest rate is determined by reference to the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant of the award for time periods approximately equal to the expected term of the award. Expected dividend yield is zero based on the fact that the Company has never paid cash dividends and does not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Prior to September 23, 2020, the fair value of common stock underlying the Company’s stock options, RSAs and RSUs was estimated by the Company’s board of directors considering, among other things, contemporaneous valuations of the Company’s common stock prepared by unrelated third-party valuation firms. After the IPO, the fair value of common stock is based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock as reported on the date of the grant.
The RSAs and RSUs are valued based on the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The Company expenses stock-based compensation related to stock options, RSAs and RSUs which contain only service-based vesting conditions over the requisite service period using the straight-line method. For awards with both performance and service conditions, the Company recognizes expense based on the fair value of the performance awards over the estimated service period using the accelerated attribution method to the extent the achievement of the related performance criteria is estimated to be probable. At each reporting date, the Company evaluates whether any performance conditions related to a performance-based award have changed. The effect of any change in performance conditions is recognized as a cumulative catch-up adjustment in the period such change occurs. Stock-based compensation costs are initially recorded in research and development expense or general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations in a manner consistent with the classification of the respective employee’s payroll costs. Forfeitures are recorded as they occur.
Warrants
The Company accounts for warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in FASB ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”) and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments
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pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to the Company’s own common shares and whether the warrant holders could potentially require “net cash settlement” in a circumstance outside of the Company’s control, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent reporting period while the warrants are outstanding.
For issued or modified warrants that meet all of the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital at the time of issuance, or when the conditions for equity classification are met, and are not remeasured. For issued or modified warrants that do not meet all the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded at their initial fair value on the date of issuance, and each balance sheet date thereafter. Liability-classified warrants are recorded at their fair value, and the Company adjusts such warrants to fair value at each reporting period. This liability is subject to remeasurement at each balance sheet date until the warrants are exercised or expire, and any change in fair value is recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are recorded in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), which provides for deferred taxes using an asset and liability approach. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse, and net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards and research and development tax credit (“R&D Credit”) carryforwards. Valuation allowances are provided if, based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company has recorded a full valuation allowance to reduce its net deferred income tax assets to zero. In the event the Company were to determine that it would be able to realize some or all of its deferred income tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred income tax asset valuation allowance would increase income in the period such determination was made.
The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740. When uncertain tax positions exist, the Company recognizes the tax benefit of tax positions to the extent that the benefit would more likely than not be realized assuming examination by the taxing authority. The determination as to whether the tax benefit will more likely than not be realized is based upon the technical merits of the tax position as well as consideration of the available facts and circumstances. During the year ended December 31, 2024 the Company recorded increases in the amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits of $1.8 million. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded decreases in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits of $0.4 million. The Company also reduced its uncertain tax positions during 2023 by $7.8 million related to prior year positions largely as a result of the Section 382 ownership shift analysis performed during 2023 (see Note 12). The unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would not affect the effective income tax rate due to the valuation allowance that currently offsets deferred tax assets. The Company does not expect the unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly over the next 12 months. The Company would recognize any corresponding interest and penalties associated with its income tax positions in income tax expense. There was no income tax interest or penalties incurred for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive income includes charges and credits to shareholders' equity that are not the result of transactions with shareholders. Our total comprehensive loss consists of net income and changes in fair value attributed to instrument-specific credit risk from the Trinity Term Loans (as defined below). The items of comprehensive loss, with the exception of net loss, are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheets and statements of shareholders' equity.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting - Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, to improve segment disclosure requirements under ASC 280, Segment Reporting, through enhancing disclosures about significant segment expenses. The guidance requires entities to provide significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the CODM and other segment expenses included in each reported measure of segment profitability. The ASU also enhances interim segment reporting requirements by aligning interim disclosures with information that must be disclosed annually in accordance with ASC 280. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2024, applied retrospectively with early adoption permitted. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. The Company has included additional disclosures as required by this ASU in Note 16.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures, to improve expense disclosure requirements under ASC 220, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive
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Income, through enhancing disclosures about significant segment expenses. The guidance requires entities to provide additional disclosure about specific expenses by requiring entities to disaggregate, in a tabular presentation, each relevant expense caption on the face of the income statement that includes any of the following natural expenses (1) purchases of inventory, (2) employees compensation, (3) depreciation, (4) intangible asset amortization, and (5) depreciation, depletion and amortization recognized as part of oil - and gas - producing activities or other types of depletion expenses. The tabular disclosure would also include certain other expenses, when applicable. The ASU also enhances interim segment reporting requirements by aligning interim disclosures with information that must be disclosed annually in accordance with ASC 220. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027, applied either prospectively or retrospectively with early adoption permitted. The Company is still evaluating the impact this ASU will have on its disclosures.
Note 3—Fair Value Measurements
The Company’s financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis consist of money market funds, the Trinity Term Loans, a success fee derivative liability and certain of the Company’s warrant liabilities.
The following tables present information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and indicate the level of the fair value hierarchy used to determine such fair values (in thousands):
Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Assets:
Cash equivalents – money market funds $ 138,308 $ 138,308 $ — $ —
Liabilities:
Success Fee Derivative liability 930 — — 930
SSI Warrant liability 438 — — 438
Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Assets:
Cash equivalents – money market funds $ 142,425 $ 142,425 $ — $ —
Liabilities:
Success Fee Derivative liability 800 — — 800
SSI Warrant liability 454 — — 454
The Company classifies its money market funds, which are valued based on quoted market prices in an active market with no valuation adjustment, as Level 1 assets within the fair value hierarchy.
The Company’s Trinity Term Loans and Success Fee liability are classified as Level 3 measurements under the fair value hierarchy as the fair values were determined based on significant inputs not observable in the market. The fair values were determined utilizing a probability-weighted income approach, including variables for the timing of a success event and other probability estimates. See Note 6 for additional information on the Trinity Term Loans and Success Fee.
The Company’s SSI Warrant liability is classified as Level 3 measurements under the fair value hierarchy as the fair values were determined based on significant inputs not observable in the market. The fair values were determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to determine the fair value of the SSI Warrants (as defined below). See Note 10 for additional information on the SSI Warrants.
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Note 4—Supplemental Financial Information
Property, plant and equipment, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
Accumulated depreciation (3,584 ) (2,979 )
Property, plant and equipment, net $ 7,485 $ 10,826
Property, plant and equipment, net includes $0.7 million and $1.0 million of assets capitalized as finance leases as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Depreciation expense was $1.2 million and $1.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company committed to a plan to sell specific pieces of equipment originally intended for use in the Company’s manufacturing facility in Durham, North Carolina. The Company determined that this equipment met the requirements to be classified as held for sale as the equipment sales were expected to be completed within one year. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $0.6 million which was the difference between the carrying value and fair value less cost to sell. In September 2024, while continuing efforts to sell these specific pieces of equipment, the Company evaluated its long-lived assets for impairment and determined that the carrying value of the North Carolina manufacturing facility asset group and the held for sale equipment may not be recoverable. The Company recorded an impairment loss of $4.8 million. The impairment charge was estimated using a discounted cash flow model and recorded in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
Lease liabilities, current portion 1,877 1,646
Accrued research and development 1,714 3,467
Accrued professional and consulting fees 725 330
Accrued property, plant and equipment 207 —
Accrued severance — 390
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities $ 12,862 $ 12,284
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
Prepaid clinical trial $ 1,112 $ 802
Prepaid research and development 841 1,412
Deferred offering costs 135 681
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 2,645 $ 3,479
F-15
Note 5— Leases
The Company leases certain office, laboratory, and manufacturing space.
Dallas Lease
On January 11, 2021, the Company entered into a lease agreement (the “Dallas Lease”) with Pegasus Park, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Dallas Landlord”), pursuant to which the Company leases approximately 15,000 square feet of office space at 3000 Pegasus Park Drive, Dallas, Texas 75247 (the “Office Space”).
The Dallas Lease commenced on May 27, 2021, and has a term of approximately ten years. The Company has an option to extend the term of the Dallas Lease for one additional period of five years.
The Dallas Landlord has the right to terminate the Dallas Lease, or the Company’s right to possess the Office Space without terminating the Dallas Lease, upon specified events of default, including the Company’s failure to pay rent in a timely manner and upon the occurrence of certain events of insolvency with respect to the Company.
Dallas Lease Expansion
On December 14, 2021, the Company amended the Dallas Lease (the “Dallas Lease Amendment”) with the Dallas Landlord, pursuant to which the Company leases approximately 18,000 square feet of office space adjacent to the Office Space at 3000 Pegasus Park Drive, Dallas, Texas 75247 (the “Expansion Premises”).
The Dallas Lease Amendment commenced on July 1, 2022, and has a term of ten years.
The Company is obligated to pay operating costs and utilities applicable to the Expansion Premises. Total future minimum lease payments under the Dallas Lease Amendment over the initial 10-year term are approximately $6.0 million. The Company is responsible for costs of constructing interior improvements within the Expansion Premises that exceed a $40.00 per rentable square foot construction allowance provided by the Dallas Landlord.
The Company has a right of first refusal with respect to certain additional office space on the 15th floor at 3000 Pegasus Park Drive, Dallas, Texas 75247 before the Dallas Landlord accepts any offer for such space.
Durham Lease
On December 17, 2020, the Company entered into a lease agreement (the “Durham Lease”) with Patriot Park Partners II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Durham Landlord”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to lease approximately 187,500 square feet of a manufacturing facility located at 5 National Way, Durham, North Carolina (the “Facility”). The Durham Lease commenced on April 1, 2021 and is expected to have a term of approximately fifteen years and six months. The Company has two options to extend the term of the Durham Lease, each for a period of an additional five years.
The Company was not required to provide a security deposit in connection with its entry into the Durham Lease. The Company was responsible for constructing interior improvements within the Facility. The Company was required to place $2.6 million in an escrow account which was to be released when the improvements were substantially complete. In December 2023, the Company entered into an agreement with the landlord whereby the Company agreed to remove specified leasehold improvements which will be funded by the escrowed funds. The escrow funds are recorded as restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 with $0.5 million recorded in current assets and $2.1 million in noncurrent assets. The Durham Landlord has the right to terminate the Durham Lease upon specified events of default, including the Company’s failure to pay rent in a timely manner and upon the occurrence of certain events of insolvency with respect to the Company.
Summary of all lease costs recognized under ASC 842
The following table summarizes the lease costs recognized under ASC 842 and other information pertaining to the Company’s operating leases for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
For the Year Ended December 31,
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Supplemental information related to the remaining lease term and discount rate are as follows:
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) – Finance leases 1.88 2.88
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) – Operating leases 9.98 10.75
Weighted average discount rate – Finance leases 10.54 % 10.52 %
Weighted average discount rate – Operating leases 7.84 % 7.80 %
Supplemental cash flow information related to the Company’s operating leases are as follows (in thousands):
For the Year Ended December 31,
Operating cash flows for operating leases $ 2,815 $ 2,824
As of December 31, 2024, future minimum commitments under ASC 842 under the Company’s operating and finance leases were as follows (in thousands):
Year Ending December 31, Operating Finance
Less: imputed interest (8,861 ) (83 )
Lease liabilities, current 1,486 391
Lease liabilities, non-current 17,361 379
Note 6 – Term Loans
Loan with Trinity Capital
On November 13, 2023 (the “Trinity Closing Date”), the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Trinity Term Loan Agreement”), by and among the Company, the lenders party thereto from time to time (the “Trinity Lenders”) and Trinity Capital Inc., as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Trinity Lenders (“Trinity”). The Trinity Term Loan Agreement provides for, on the Trinity Closing Date, $40.0 million aggregate principal amount of term loans (collectively, the “Trinity Term Loans”). The Company drew the Trinity Term Loans in full on the Trinity Closing Date.
The interest rate applicable to the Trinity Term Loans is the greater of (a) the WSJ Prime Rate plus 4.50% or (b) 12.75% per annum. The Trinity Term Loans are interest only from the Trinity Closing Date through 36 months from the Trinity Closing Date, which may be extended to 48 months from the Trinity Closing Date upon the satisfaction of certain milestones set forth in the Trinity Term Loan Agreement, after which the Company is required to pay equal monthly installments of principal through November 13, 2028 (the “Maturity Date”). As of December 31, 2024, $40.0 million was outstanding on the Trinity Term Loan, recorded as Term Loan, net on the consolidated balance sheet.
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Future principal debt payments on the Trinity Term Loan Agreement as of December 31, 2024 are as follows (in thousands):
Year Ending December 31,
Total principal payments $ 40,000
The Trinity Term Loans may be prepaid in full (i) from the Trinity Closing Date through November 13, 2024, with payment of a 3.00% prepayment premium, (ii) from November 13, 2024 through November 13, 2025, with payment of a 2% prepayment premium, and (iii) from November 13, 2025 through, but excluding, the Maturity Date, with payment of a 1% prepayment premium. On the Trinity Closing Date, the Company paid to Trinity a commitment fee of 1.00% of the original principal amount of the Trinity Term Loans. Upon repayment in full of the Trinity Term Loans, the Company will pay to Trinity an end of term payment equal to 5.00% of the original principal amount of the Trinity Term Loans.
The obligations under the Trinity Term Loan Agreement are secured by a perfected security interest in all of the Company’s assets except for certain customarily excluded property pursuant to the terms of the Trinity Term Loan Agreement. There are no financial covenants and no warrants associated with the Trinity Term Loan Agreement. The Trinity Term Loan Agreement contains various covenants that limit the Company’s ability to engage in specified types of transactions without the consent of Trinity and the Trinity Lenders which include, among others, incurring or assuming certain debt; merging, consolidating or acquiring all or substantially all of the capital stock or property of another entity; changing the nature of the Company’s business; changing the Company’s organizational structure or type; licensing, transferring or disposing of certain assets; granting certain types of liens on the Company’s assets; making certain investments; and paying cash dividends. As of December 31, 2024, the Company is in compliance with all covenants of the Trinity Term Loans.
The Trinity Term Loan Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties, and also includes customary events of default, including payment default, breach of covenants, change of control, and material adverse effects. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, a default interest rate of an additional 5% per annum may be applied to the outstanding loan balances, and the Trinity Lenders may declare all outstanding obligations immediately due and payable and exercise all of its rights and remedies as set forth in the Trinity Term Loan Agreement and under applicable law.
The proceeds of the Trinity Term Loans were used to repay the Company’s obligations under the Term Loan Agreement (as defined below) with Silicon Valley Bank in full. The Term Loan Agreement with Silicon Valley Bank was terminated concurrently with entry into the Trinity Term Loan Agreement.
The Company assessed the terms and features of the Trinity Term Loans and determined that the Company is eligible to elect the fair value option under ASC 825, Financial Instruments. The Trinity Term Loans contains various embedded features and the election of the fair value option allows the Company to bypass analysis of potential embedded derivatives and further analysis of bifurcation of any recognized financial liabilities. Under the fair value option, the financial liability is initially measured at its fair value on the issue date and subsequently remeasured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis at each reporting date. Changes in the fair value of the Trinity Term Loans, which include accrued interest, if any, are recorded as a component of other expense (income) in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company has not elected to present interest expense separately from changes in fair value and therefore will not present interest expense associated with the Trinity Term Loans. Any changes in fair value caused by instrument-specific credit risk are presented separately in other comprehensive income or loss if material. Under the fair value option, debt issuance costs are expensed as incurred. The Company incurred $0.9 million of debt issuance costs, which were recorded within general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023.
In connection with the Trinity Term Loans, the Company entered into a Success Fee Agreement with Trinity which specifies the terms regarding a fee in the amount of 10% of the principal amount of the funded Trinity Term Loans (the “Success Fee”). The Success Fee is payable upon the achievement of certain corporate development value-inflection milestones. The Success Fee survives the termination of the Trinity Term Loans and expires on the earlier of ten years, or payment in full in cash of the Success Fee. The Company determined that the Success Fee represents a freestanding financial instrument and should be accounted for as a derivative liability under ASC 815 and recorded a liability within other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet, at fair value on the Trinity Closing Date and will be marked-to-market at the end of each reporting period with gains and losses recognized as a component of other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations.
The proceeds from the Trinity Term Loans were allocated to the Success Fee and Trinity Term Loans based on their respective fair values on the Trinity Closing Date. The fair values were determined utilizing a probability-weighted income approach, including variables for the timing of a success event and other probability estimates.
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The Company determined the fair value of the Trinity Term Loans and the Success Fee using a probability-weighted income approach and recorded the loan at fair value of $39.2 million and the Success Fee liability at fair value of $0.8 million in the consolidated balance sheet at issuance.
The Company calculated the discounted cash flows of the Trinity Term Loans using a discount rate of 15.68% and adjusted for the probability of various repayment scenarios. The Company calculated the discounted cash flows of the Success Fee liability, using a discount rate of 15.68% then adjusted for the probability of achievement of certain corporate development value-inflection milestones.
The Company remeasured the fair value of the Trinity Term Loans and Success Fee as of December 31, 2024 using a probability-weighted income approach. The Company calculated discounted cash flows of the Trinity Term Loans using a discount rate of 11.12% and adjusted for the probability of various repayment scenarios. The Company calculated the discounted cash flows of the Success Fee liability, using a discount rate of 11.12% then adjusted for the probability of achievement of certain corporate development value-inflection milestones.
The following table reconciles the change in fair value of the Trinity Term Loans during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
Trinity Term Loans
Beginning fair value balance at November 13, 2023 $ 39,230
Principal payments —
Change in fair value reported in statements of operations 1,278
Change in fair value reported in comprehensive loss —
Ending fair value balance as of December 31, 2023 $ 40,508
Principal payments —
Change in fair value reported in statements of operations (597 )
Change in fair value reported in comprehensive loss 4,031
Ending fair value balance as of December 31, 2024 $ 43,942
During the year ended December 31, 2024 the Company recorded $5.2 million of interest expense within change in fair value of term loans, all of which was paid as of December 31, 2024. During the year ended December 31, 2023 the Company recorded $0.7 million of interest expense within change in fair value of term loans, all of which was paid as of December 31, 2023.
The following table reconciles the change in fair value of the Success Fee liability during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
Success Fee
Beginning fair value balance at November 13, 2023 $ 770
Change in fair value of Success Fee 30
Ending fair value balance as of December 31, 2023 $ 800
Change in fair value of Success Fee 130
Ending fair value balance as of December 31, 2024 $ 930
Loan with Silicon Valley Bank
On August 12, 2021 (the “Closing Date”), the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Term Loan Agreement”), by and among the Company, the lenders party thereto from time to time (the “Lenders”) and Silicon Valley Bank, as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Lenders (“Agent”). The Term Loan Agreement provided for (i) on the Closing Date, $40.0 million aggregate principal amount of term loans available through December 31, 2021, (ii) from January 1, 2022 until September 30, 2022, an additional $20.0 million term loan facility available at the Company’s option upon having three distinct and active clinical stage programs, determined at the discretion of the Agent, at the time of draw, (iii) from October 1, 2022 until March 31, 2023, an additional $20.0 million term loan facility available at the Company’s option upon having three distinct and active clinical stage programs, determined at the discretion of the Agent, at the time of draw and (iv) from April 1, 2023 until December 31, 2023, an additional $20.0 million term loan facility available upon approval by the Agent and the Lenders (collectively, the “Term Loans”). The Company drew $30.0 million in term loans on the Closing Date and $10.0 million in term loans in December 2021. The Company did not draw on the two additional $20.0
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million tranches prior to expiration on September 30, 2022 and March 31, 2023. The Term Loan Agreement with Silicon Valley Bank was terminated concurrently with entry into the Trinity Term Loan Agreement in November 2023.
The interest rate applicable to the Term Loans was the greater of (a) the WSJ (“Wall Street Journal”) Prime Rate plus 3.75% or (b) 7.00% per annum. The Term Loans were interest only from the Closing Date through August 31, 2024, after which the Company was required to pay equal monthly installments of principal through August 1, 2026, the maturity date.
The Term Loans could have been prepaid in full through August 12, 2023, with payment of a 1.00% prepayment premium, after which they could be prepaid in full with no prepayment premium. An additional final payment of 7.5% of the amount of Terms Loans advanced by the Lenders (“Exit Fee”) was due upon prepayment or repayment of the Term Loans in full. The Exit Fee of $3.0 million was recorded as debt discount. The debt discount was being accreted using the effective interest method over the term of the Term Loans within interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
The obligations under the Term Loan Agreement were secured by a perfected security interest in all of the Company’s assets except for intellectual property and certain other customarily excluded property pursuant to the terms of the Term Loan Agreement.
Upon termination of the Term Loan Agreement with Silicon Valley Bank, the Company made a prepayment of $43.2 million to satisfy the Company’s principal and interest obligations and related fees under the Term Loan Agreement. The payoff amount paid by the Company in connection with the Term Loans included payment of the Exit Fee of $3.0 million and accrued interest of $0.2 million. In connection with the repayment of the Term Loans, the remaining balance of debt discount of $1.4 million was recognized as a component of other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized interest expense related to the Term Loans of $4.9 million.
Note 7—Astellas Agreements
On October 21, 2022 (the “Effective Date”), the Company entered into the Option Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) with Astellas Gene Therapies, Inc. (f/k/a Audentes Therapeutics, Inc. (d/b/a Astellas Gene Therapy))(“Astellas”), pursuant to which the Company granted to Astellas an exclusive option to obtain an exclusive, worldwide, royalty and milestone-bearing right and license (A) to research, develop, make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale, have sold, import, export and otherwise exploit, or, collectively, exploit, the product known, as of the Effective Date, as TSHA-120 (the “120 GAN Product”), and any backup products with respect thereto for use in the treatment of Giant Axonal Neuropathy (“GAN”) or any other gene therapy product for use in the treatment of GAN that is controlled by Taysha or any of its affiliates or with respect to which the Company or any of its affiliates controls intellectual property rights covering the exploitation thereof (a “GAN Product”), and (B) under any intellectual property rights controlled by Taysha or any of its affiliates with respect to such exploitation (the “GAN Option”). Subject to certain extensions, the GAN Option was exercisable from the Effective Date through a specified period of time following Astellas’ receipt of (i) the formal minutes from the Type B end-of-Phase 2 meeting between Taysha and the FDA in response to the Company’s meeting request sent to the FDA on September 19, 2022 for the 120 GAN Product (the “Type B end-of-Phase 2 Meeting”), (ii) all written feedback from the FDA with respect to the Type B end-of-Phase 2 Meeting, and (iii) all briefing documents sent by Taysha to the FDA with respect to the Type B end-of-Phase 2 Meeting. In September 2023, Astellas provided written notice of its decision not to exercise the GAN Option.
Under the Option Agreement, the Company also granted to Astellas an exclusive option to obtain an exclusive, worldwide, royalty and milestone-bearing right and license (A) to exploit any Rett Product (as defined below), and (B) under any intellectual property rights controlled by Taysha or any of its affiliates with respect to such exploitation (the “Rett Option,” and together with the GAN Option, each, an “Option”). Subject to certain extensions, the Rett Option is exercisable from the Effective Date through a specified period of time following Astellas’ receipt of (i) certain clinical data from the female pediatric trial and (ii) certain specified data with respect to TSHA-102, such period, the Rett Option Period, related to (i) the product known, as of the Effective Date, as TSHA-102 and any backup products with respect thereto for use in the treatment of Rett syndrome, and (ii) any other gene therapy product for use in the treatment of Rett syndrome that is controlled by Taysha or any of its affiliates or with respect to which the Company or any of its affiliates controls intellectual property rights covering the exploitation thereof (a “Rett Product”).
The parties have agreed that, if Astellas exercises an Option, the parties will, for a specified period, negotiate a license agreement in good faith on the terms and conditions outlined in the Option Agreement, including payments by Astellas of a to be determined upfront payment, certain to be determined milestone payments, and certain to be determined royalties on net sales of GAN Products and/or Rett Products, as applicable.
During the Rett Option Period, the Company has agreed to (A) not solicit or encourage any inquiries, offers or proposals for, or that could reasonably be expected to lead to, a Change of Control (as defined in the Option Agreement), or (B) otherwise initiate a process for a potential Change of Control, in each case, without first notifying Astellas and offering Astellas the opportunity to submit an offer or proposal to the Company for a transaction that would result in a Change of Control. If Astellas fails or declines to submit any such offer within a specified period after the receipt of such notice, the Company will have the ability to solicit third party bids for a Change of Control transaction. If Astellas delivers an offer to the Company for a transaction that would result in a Change of Control, the Company
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and Astellas will attempt to negotiate in good faith the potential terms and conditions for such potential transaction that would result in a Change of Control for a specified period, which period may be shortened or extended by mutual agreement.
As partial consideration for the rights granted to Astellas under the Option Agreement, Astellas paid the Company an upfront payment of $20.0 million (the “Upfront Payment”). Astellas or any of its affiliates shall have the right, in its or their discretion and upon written notice to the Company, to offset the amount of the Upfront Payment (in whole or in part, until the full amount of the Upfront Payment has been offset) against (a) any payment(s) owed to Taysha or any of its affiliates (or to any third party on behalf of the Company) under or in connection with any license agreement entered into with respect to any GAN Product or Rett Product, including, any upfront payment, milestone payment or royalties owed to Taysha or any of its affiliates (or to any third party on behalf of the Company) under or in connection with any such license agreement or (b) any amount owed to Taysha or any of its affiliates in connection with a Change of Control transaction with Astellas or any of its affiliates. As further consideration for the rights granted to Astellas under the Option Agreement, the Company and Astellas also entered into the Astellas Securities Purchase Agreement (as defined below).
Astellas Securities Purchase Agreement
On October 21, 2022, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Astellas (the “Astellas Securities Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell to Astellas in a private placement (the “Astellas Private Placement”), an aggregate of 7,266,342 shares (the “Astellas Private Placement Shares”), of its common stock, for aggregate gross proceeds of $30.0 million. The Astellas Private Placement closed on October 24, 2022. Pursuant to the Astellas Securities Purchase Agreement, in connection with the Astellas Private Placement, Astellas has the right to designate one individual to attend all meetings of the Board in a non-voting observer capacity. The Company also granted Astellas certain registration rights with respect to the Astellas Private Placement Shares.