# Cogent Biosciences, Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Mar 31, 2024

- Company: [Cogent Biosciences, Inc.](/companies/cogt.md) (CIK 1622229)
- Form: 10-Q
- Filed: 2024-05-07
- Accepted by EDGAR: May 7, 2024, 12:26 ET
- Period: 2024-03-31
- Accession: 0000950170-24-053977
- Inline XBRL: yes
- Main document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1622229/000095017024053977/cogt-20240331.htm
- All documents and exhibits: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1622229/000095017024053977/

## Figures reported in this filing

Standardized XBRL line items for the period ended 2024-03-31.

| Line item | Period | Value | XBRL concept |
| --- | --- | ---: | --- |
| Research and development | 3 months, 2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31 | $52.7m | us-gaap:ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense |
| Operating income | 3 months, 2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31 | −$62.4m | us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss |
| Net income | 3 months, 2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31 | −$58.3m | us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss |
| Diluted EPS | 3 months, 2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31 | −$0.62 | us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted |
| Basic EPS | 3 months, 2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31 | −$0.62 | us-gaap:EarningsPerShareBasic |
| Diluted shares (weighted) | 3 months, 2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31 | 94,804,659 shares | us-gaap:WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding |
| Operating cash flow | 3 months, 2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31 | −$52.5m | us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities |
| Capital expenditure | 3 months, 2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31 | $70.0k | us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment |
| Cash and equivalents | at 2024-03-31 | $215.8m | us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue |
| Current assets | at 2024-03-31 | $441.9m | us-gaap:AssetsCurrent |
| Total assets | at 2024-03-31 | $476.1m | us-gaap:Assets |
| Current liabilities | at 2024-03-31 | $36.7m | us-gaap:LiabilitiesCurrent |
| Total liabilities | at 2024-03-31 | $53.8m | us-gaap:Liabilities |
| Shareholders' equity | at 2024-03-31 | $422.3m | us-gaap:StockholdersEquity |

## Management's discussion and analysis

As filed, 48,318 characters.

*The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our Annual Report on Form 10-K. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including but not limited to those set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.*

### Overview

We are a biotechnology company focused on developing precision therapies for genetically defined diseases. Our approach is to design rational precision therapies that treat the underlying cause of disease and improve the lives of patients. Our most advanced program is bezuclastinib, also known as CGT9486, a highly selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor designed to potently inhibit the KIT D816V mutation as well as other mutations in KIT exon 17. In the vast majority of cases, KIT D816V is responsible for driving Systemic Mastocytosis (“SM”), a serious and rare disease caused by unchecked proliferation of mast cells. Exon 17 mutations are also found in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (“GIST”), a type of cancer with strong dependence on oncogenic KIT signaling. Bezuclastinib is a highly selective and potent KIT inhibitor with the potential to provide a new treatment option for these patient populations. We are developing bezuclastinib in patients living with Advanced Systemic Mastocytosis (“AdvSM”), Non-Advanced Systemic Mastocytosis (“Non-AdvSM”) and GIST. In addition to bezuclastinib, the Cogent Research Team is developing a portfolio of novel targeted therapies to help patients fighting serious, genetically driven diseases initially targeting mutations in FGFR2, ErbB2 and PI3Kα.

The following is an illustration of the status of our current clinical and pre-clinical programs:

#### Our Pipeline

#### Bezuclastinib- SM

The vast majority of AdvSM and Non-AdvSM patients have a KIT D816V mutation. Patients with AdvSM have a significantly diminished lifespan with a median survival of less than 3.5 years. For patients with Non-AdvSM, while their lifespan is not impacted by the disease, these patients suffer from a poor quality of life and new treatment options are badly needed. The FDA has granted orphan drug designation to bezuclastinib for the treatment of Mastocytosis.

#### SUMMIT (Non-AdvSM)

SUMMIT is our randomized, global, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-part Phase 2 clinical trial for patients with Non-AdvSM. The study is designed to explore the safety and efficacy of bezuclastinib in patients with moderate to severe Non-AdvSM, which includes Indolent Systemic Mastocytosis (“ISM”), Smoldering Systemic Mastocytosis (“SSM”) and Bone Marrow Mastocytosis. SUMMIT Part 1 completed enrollment in the third quarter of 2023, including over enrollment at 54 patients across Part 1a and Part 1b. SUMMIT Part 2 is a registration-directed study that is currently enrolling and expected to include 159 patients. We are on-track to complete enrollment in the second quarter of 2025, with top-line results expected by the end of 2025.

From the data collected in Part 1 of SUMMIT and in accordance with FDA guidelines, we are developing a novel patient reported outcomes measure (“PROM”) called Mastocytosis Symptom Severity Daily Diary (“MS2D2”). Based on literature review, patient and physician interviews, and data from SUMMIT Part 1 we believe our MS2D2 is a reliable, valid and fit-for-purpose PROM. The MS2D2 Total Symptom Score (“TSS”) is comprised of 11 items, and scored on a 0-110 scale. Pending alignment with the FDA regarding MS2D2 scoring, a comparison of week 24 mean absolute change from baseline in MS2D2 TSS between bezuclastinib and placebo will serve as the measurement of the primary endpoint of the SUMMIT Part 2 study.

In February 2024, we presented data from SUMMIT Part 1b at the 2024 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (“AAAAI”). Thirty four patients were enrolled in Part 1b and were treated with either bezuclastinib or placebo plus best supportive care. Patients were enrolled with the following sub-types: 33 patients with ISM and one patient with SSM. One patient had received prior avapritinib. These patients were evaluated for signs of clinical activity over 12 weeks, including well-accepted biomarkers of disease burden. Based on the totality of the results from Summit Part 1, the data support 100 mg QD as the optimal dose of bezuclastinib in Part 2 of SUMMIT for patients with Non-AdvSM (“RP2D”).

At the RP2D and as of the cut-off date of December 18, 2023, 100% of patients with baseline tryptase ≥20ng/mL achieved \<20ng/mL at week 12 versus 0% of placebo patients. Additionally, 100% of patients with detectable baseline KIT D816V variant allele fraction (“VAF”) achieved ≥50% reduction in KIT D816V VAF at week 12 versus 0% of placebo patients and 86% of patients with evaluable bone marrow samples achieved ≥50% reduction in bone marrow mast cell burden at week 12 versus 40% of placebo patients.

Patients enrolled in SUMMIT Part 1b were evaluated for signs of clinical activity over 12 weeks using multiple PRO measures, including MS2D2 and the Mast Cell Quality-of-Life (“MC-QoL”). At the RP2D, patients reported a 51% mean improvement in overall symptom severity MS2D2 TSS from baseline at week 12 for bezuclastinib 100 mg versus 18% improvement for placebo. Additionally, patients at the RP2D reported a statistically significant reduction in total symptom severity after 12 weeks when compared to placebo (-23.78 vs. -9.03; p=0.0003) and 70% of patients at the RP2D achieved ≥50% reduction in MS2D2 TSS at Week 12 versus 8% placebo patients. Patients at the RP2D reported a 49% mean improvement in quality of life (MC-QoL) versus 24% for placebo. Additionally, patients at the RP2D reported a statistically significant improvement in quality of life after 12 weeks when compared to placebo (–24.86 vs. -12.39, p=0.046).

The majority of treatment emergent adverse events were low grade and reversible with no bleeding or cognitive impairment events reported across cohorts. There were no dose reductions in the 100 mg cohort and two dose reductions in the 150 mg cohort (Grade 1 ALT and Grade 2 abdominal pain). Only one serious adverse event (“SAE”) was reported across both cohorts, which occurred in the 150mg cohort, when a patient experienced ALT/AST increase that led to discontinuation. SUMMIT Part 2 is currently ongoing using the RP2D.

#### APEX (AdvSM)

APEX is our global, open-label, multi-center, Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with AdvSM evaluating the safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic profiles of bezuclastinib. In June 2022, we reported positive interim clinical data from Part 1 of the APEX trial at the 2022 European Hematology Association Annual Congress, and we presented updated positive clinical data from Part 1 in an oral presentation at the American Society of Hematology (“ASH”) Annual Meeting in December 2022. In April 2023, we initiated the registration-directed Part 2 of the APEX trial at 150 mg daily dose of bezuclastinib. We are on-track to complete enrollment in the APEX study by the end of 2024, with top-line results expected by mid-2025.

In December 2023, at the 2023 ASH meeting, we reported positive clinical data from Part 1 of the APEX trial. As of the data cutoff date of September 25, 2023, 32 patients had been treated in Part 1 at one of four dose levels (50 mg BID, 100 mg BID, 200 mg BID or 400 mg QD). Patients were enrolled with the following sub-types: seven patients with ASM, 23 patients with SM-AHN, and two patients with MCL. As of the cut-off date of September 25, 2023, 32 patients enrolled were evaluated for signs of clinical activity and 27 patients were evaluable for response per the modified IWG-MRT-ECNM criteria. An objective response rate ("ORR") of 52% (including complete remission (“CR”), CR with partial hematologic remission (“CRh”), partial remission (“PR”)) was achieved, including a 56% ORR for TKI-treatment-naïve patients. An ORR of 75% was achieved by pure pathological response (“PPR”) criteria, including an ORR of 86% for TKI-treatment-naïve patients. All patients receiving the 100mg BID achieved PR or better and remain on trial with 3 patients at ≥ 30 cycles of treatment. The 150mg QD dose selected for APEX Part 2 is expected to deliver patient exposures consistent with Part 1. An additional APEX cohort was also initiated in the third quarter of 2023 and is designed to allow concomitant administration of bezuclastinib with azacitadine in patients with SM with an associated hematologic neoplasm.

#### Bezuclastinib- GIST

We are also pursuing the development of bezuclastinib in combination with sunitinib as a potential second line treatment for patients living with GIST. GIST is a cancer frequently driven by KIT mutations, and resistance to currently available therapeutics is frequently associated with the emergence of other KIT mutations. First-line therapy for the vast majority of GIST patients is imatinib, followed by sunitinib monotherapy as the current second-line therapy for the majority of patients that eventually develop resistance to imatinib.

#### PEAK (GIST)

PEAK is our randomized open-label, global Phase 3 clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of bezuclastinib in combination with sunitinib compared to sunitinib alone in patients with locally advanced, unresectable or metastatic GIST who have received prior treatment with imatinib. The FDA and EMA have granted orphan drug designation to bezuclastinib for the treatment of GIST. PEAK is on-track to complete enrollment by the end of 2024, with top-line results expected by the end of 2025.

Initial safety and pharmacokinetic data from the lead-in portion of the PEAK study was presented at the 2022 Connective Tissue Oncology Society (“CTOS”) annual meeting in November 2022. In June 2023, we presented additional positive lead-in data from PEAK at the 2023 annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (“ASCO”). As of the cutoff date of March 29, 2023, the combination of bezuclastinib and sunitinib was generally well-tolerated with an encouraging safety profile. Data were immature to estimate median progression free survival. The data demonstrated 55% Disease Control Rate (“DCR”) in heavily pre-treated GIST patients, including 100% DCR and 17% overall response rate in efficacy evaluable 2nd-line GIST patients. In November 2023, we presented updated clinical data from the lead-in portion of the PEAK trial at the CTOS annual meeting. Safety and tolerability data have remained consistent with the data previously presented at ASCO. Updated clinical activity from a subset of 2nd-line GIST patients demonstrates a 33% confirmed overall response rate (“ORR”) with ongoing median duration of therapy greater than 14 months. Together with clinical data previously reported, four of ten evaluable 2nd-line GIST patients treated with the combination have reached confirmed partial response status.

Worldwide rights to develop and commercialize bezuclastinib are exclusively licensed from Plexxikon Inc., a member of the Daiichi Sankyo Group (“Plexxikon”). Under the terms of the license agreement, Plexxikon received an upfront payment and is eligible for additional development milestones of up to $7.5 million upon the satisfaction of certain clinical milestones and up to $25.0 million upon the satisfaction of certain regulatory milestones. During the second quarter of 2022, as a result of the progression of the Peak study, the first clinical milestone was achieved, resulting in payment of $2.5 million to Plexxikon in June 2022. As of March 31, 2024, no other milestone payments have been made. Patents protecting bezuclastinib include composition of matter claims which have been issued in the US and other key territories and provide exclusivity through 2033 and potentially beyond through patent term extensions. In addition, we filed a patent application in 2023 seeking to protect our optimized formulation of bezuclastinib that is currently being used in all three of our on-going clinical trials, which could potentially provide exclusivity through at least 2043.

#### Research programs

The Cogent Research Team, based in Boulder, Colorado, is focused on pioneering best-in-class, small molecule therapeutics to expand our pipeline and deliver novel precision therapies for patients living with unmet medical needs. Our research team is building a pipeline of small molecule inhibitors, with our first efforts aimed toward targeting currently undrugged mutations in fibroblast growth factor receptor (“FGFR”). FGFR mutations are well-established oncogenic drivers in multiple diseases, but approved medicines fail to capture the full landscape of FGFR altered tumor types, with FGFR1-mediated hyperphosphatemia serving as the most common dose-limiting toxicity for pan-FGFR inhibitors. For FGFR2, ErbB2 and PI3K, we see opportunities to provide a more robust molecular response compared to existing therapies.

#### FGFR

In April 2023, we reported preclinical data at the American Association for Cancer Research (“AACR”) 2023 Annual Meeting providing the first published evidence of CGT4859 a reversible, selective FGFR2 inhibitor with coverage of activating and emerging resistance mutations that spares inhibition of FGFR1. Preclinical data demonstrate a profile that delivers equipotent coverage across both key gatekeeper and molecular brake mutations (V564X, N549X) in FGFR2, while avoiding any evidence of FGFR1-linked hyperphosphatemia at efficacious plasma concentrations. In October 2023, we presented updated preclinical data at the 2023 AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics. Preclinical data demonstrate a profile that exhibits low namomolar potency on WT FGFR2 and FGFR2 mutations and is selective against the kinome, as well as a panel of channels and receptors. Exploratory pharmacokinetics studies conducted across species showed CGT4859 to be a low-clearance compound with high oral bioavailability. Further, in a mutant-driven mouse model, CGT4859 demonstrated dose-responsive tumor growth inhibition with complete regressions at 5 mg/kg PO, and was well-tolerated. In addition, as a reversible inhibitor, the Cogent program retains enzymatic potency against potential cysteine 491 mutations. We have selected our FGFR2 clinical candidate, CGT4859. IND-enabling studies are on-going, and we expect to initiate a clinical trial by the end of 2024.

#### ErbB2

Our research team is also advancing a novel, ErbB2 mutant program, which is focused on actionable and underserved mutations in a variety of solid tumor indications. In April 2023, we reported preclinical data at AACR describing a series of novel compounds which potently inhibit several key ErbB2 mutations, including YVMA insertions, while sparing inhibition of EGFR. An exemplar compound from these series demonstrates advantages versus tucatinib, an approved benchmark compound, on tumor growth inhibition in a peripheral ErbB2 L755S driven mutant model, as well as in an ErbB2 driven intracranial model. Recent program advances with a novel chemotype have further improved ErbB2 mutational potency and selectivity and improved human whole blood stability to nearly 24 hours, suggesting a favorable profile for optimal clinical efficacy. Updated data was presented in November 2023 at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (“SABCS”) and at AACR in April 2024. The updated data presented shows that CGT4255 demonstrated low nM potency against ErbB2 wild-type and oncogenic ErbB2 mutations with 100-fold selectivity over wild-type-EGFR. In addition to impressive selectivity across a broad range of kinases, receptors and ion channels, CGT4255 has exceptional half-life in human whole blood and liver cytosol fractions. Dose ascending PK data in mice showed low clearance and high oral bioavailability at all doses, with best-in-class 80% brain penetrance at 100 mg/kg. Maximum inhibition of pErbB2 was observed at a 30 mg/kg PO dose in both NIH/3T3 ErbB2-YVMA and ErbB2-L755S tumor models, with complete regressions at 100 mg/kg PO BID in the NIH3T3 ErbB2-L755S TGI model and was well tolerated. These advances continue to highlight a favorable profile for optimal clinical efficacy. We selected our ErbB2 clinical candidate and expect to initiate IND-enabling studies in mid-2024.

#### PI3Kα

Our research team is also developing a potential best-in-class, wild-type-sparing, PI3Kα inhibitor that provides coverage for the H1047R mutation, which affects \>30,000 cancer patients each year. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (“PI3K”) pathway is a key cell cycle regulating pathway that has an established role in tumor growth and development. PI3Kα mutations are highly prevalent in many solid tumors and are present in 36% of all breast cancer patients. The approved agents for these patients often lead to dose limitations, resulting from activity against wild-type PI3Kα. Preclinical data was presented at SABCS in November 2023 and highlighted that CGT4824 is an allosteric inhibitor of PI3K, was well-tolerated in the tumor growth inhibition efficacy models and has been profiled as lead series exemplar based on its selectivity for H1047R over WT PI3K. CGT4824 demonstrated low nM potency in H1047R mutant PI3K cell lines, differentiated dose ascending PK in mice with high bioavailability and low clearance. CGT4824 also showed \>95% inhibition of pAKT in a H1047R PD model, importantly without increases in insulin or C-peptide. Its efficacy profile was superior to a clinically-relevant dose of alpelisib in the NCI H1048 mouse tumor growth inhibition model. Additional lead series analogs were also described, highlighting our more recent advances toward increasing selectivity and potency against H1047R mutants.

### Financial Operations Overview

Since our inception in 2014, we have focused significant efforts and financial resources on establishing and protecting our intellectual property portfolio, conducting research and development of our product candidates, manufacturing drug product material for use in preclinical studies and clinical trials, staffing our company, and raising capital. We do not have any products approved for sale and have not generated any revenue from product sales. Our ability to generate product revenue sufficient to achieve profitability will depend heavily on the successful development and eventual commercialization of one or more of our product candidates. Our net losses were $58.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to net losses of $38.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $662.0 million. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and operating losses for at least the next several years. We expect that our expenses and capital requirements will increase substantially in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly if and as we:

- initiate and increase enrollment for our existing and planned clinical trials for our product candidates;
- continue to discover and develop additional product candidates;
- acquire or in-license other product candidates and technologies;
- maintain, expand, and protect our intellectual property portfolio;
- hire additional research, clinical, scientific, and commercial personnel;
- establish a commercial manufacturing source and secure supply chain capacity sufficient to provide commercial quantities of any product candidates for which we may obtain regulatory approval;
- seek regulatory approvals for any product candidates that successfully complete clinical trials;
- establish a sales, marketing, and distribution infrastructure to commercialize any products for which we may obtain regulatory approval; and
- add operational, financial, and management information systems and personnel, including personnel to support our product development and planned future commercialization efforts.

We will not generate revenue from product sales unless and until we successfully complete clinical development and obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates. If we obtain regulatory approval for any of our product candidates and do not enter into a commercialization partnership, we expect to incur significant expenses related to developing our internal commercialization capability to support product sales, marketing, and distribution.

As a result, we will need substantial additional funding to support our continuing operations and pursue our growth strategy. Until such time as we can generate significant revenue from product sales, if ever, we expect to finance our operations through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, strategic alliances, and marketing, distribution, or licensing arrangements. We may be unable to raise additional funds or enter into such other agreements or arrangements when needed on favorable terms, or at all. If we fail to raise capital or enter into such agreements as, and when, needed, we may have to significantly delay, scale back, or discontinue the development and commercialization of one or more of our product candidates.

Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with pharmaceutical product development, we are unable to accurately predict the timing or amount of increased expenses or when, or if, we will be able to achieve or maintain profitability. Even if we are able to generate product sales, we may not become profitable. If we fail to become profitable or are unable to sustain profitability on a continuing basis, then we may be unable to continue our operations at planned levels and be forced to reduce or terminate our operations.

As of March 31, 2024, we had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $435.7 million. Based on our current plans, we expect that our current cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities will be sufficient to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into 2027 and through clinical readouts from ongoing SUMMIT, PEAK, and APEX registration-directed trials.

### Components of Our Results of Operations

#### Operating Expenses

#### Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs incurred for our research activities, including our drug discovery efforts, and the development of our product candidates, which include:

- expenses incurred in connection with the discovery, preclinical and clinical development of our product candidates, including under agreements with third parties, such as consultants, contractors and contract research organizations (“CROs”);
- the cost of manufacturing drug products for use in our preclinical studies and clinical trials, including under agreements with third parties, such as consultants, contractors and contract manufacturing organizations (“CMOs”);
- employee-related expenses, including salaries, related benefits and stock-based compensation expense for employees engaged in research and development functions;
- laboratory supplies and animal care;
- facilities, depreciation and other expenses, which include direct and allocated expenses for rent and maintenance of facilities and insurance; and
- payments made under third-party licensing agreements.

We expense research and development costs as incurred. Advance payments that we make for goods or services to be received in the future for use in research and development activities are recorded as prepaid expenses. The prepaid amounts are expensed as the related goods are delivered or the services are performed.

Certain of our direct research and development expenses are tracked on a program-by-program basis and consist of costs, such as fees paid to consultants, contractors, CMOs, and CROs in connection with our discovery, preclinical and clinical development activities. We do not allocate employee costs, costs associated with the manufacture of bezuclastinib, costs associated with our discovery efforts, laboratory supplies, and facilities, including depreciation or other indirect costs, to specific product development programs because these costs are deployed across multiple product development programs and, as such, are not separately classified.

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 expect that our research and development expenses will increase substantially in connection with our planned clinical and preclinical development activities in the near term and in the future. At this time, we cannot reasonably estimate or know the nature, timing, and costs of the efforts that will be necessary to complete the preclinical and clinical development of any of our product candidates. The successful development and commercialization of our product candidates is highly uncertain. This is due to the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with product development and commercialization, including the following:

- the timing and progress of our preclinical and clinical development activities;
- the number and scope of preclinical and clinical programs we decide to pursue;
- the progress of the development efforts of parties with whom we have entered, or may enter, into collaboration arrangements;
- our ability to maintain our current research and development programs and to establish new ones;
- the enrollment rates in our clinical trials;
- our ability to establish new licensing or collaboration arrangements;
- the future productivity of the Cogent Research Team in Boulder, CO and its ability to discover new product candidates and build our pipeline;
- the successful completion of clinical trials with safety, tolerability, and efficacy profiles that are satisfactory to the FDA or any comparable foreign regulatory authority;
- the receipt of regulatory approvals from applicable regulatory authorities;
- the success in establishing and operating a manufacturing facility, or securing manufacturing supply through relationships with third parties;
- our ability to obtain and maintain patents, trade secret protection, and regulatory exclusivity, both in the United States and internationally;
- our ability to protect our rights in our intellectual property portfolio;
- the commercialization of our product candidates, if and when approved;
- the acceptance of our product candidates, if approved, by patients, the medical community, and third-party payors;
- competition with other products; and
- a continued acceptable safety profile of our therapies following approval.

A change in the outcome of any of these variables with respect to the development of any of our product candidates could significantly change the costs and timing associated with the development of that product candidate. We may never succeed in obtaining regulatory approval for any of our product candidates.

#### General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and related costs, including stock-based compensation, for personnel in executive, finance, and administrative functions. General and administrative expenses also include direct and allocated facility-related costs as well as professional fees for legal, patent, consulting, investor and public relations, accounting, and audit services. We anticipate that our general and administrative expenses will increase in the future as a result of the costs associated with the expansion of operations to support our on-going discovery, preclinical and clinical activities and any future commercialization activities.

#### Interest Income

Interest income consists of interest earned on our cash equivalents and marketable securities balances.

#### Other Income, Net

Other income consists of miscellaneous income and expense unrelated to our core operations, primarily income from subleasing a portion of our former headquarters facilities.

#### Change in Fair Value of the CVR liability

This consists of changes in the fair value of the contingent value right (“CVR”) liability.

#### Income Taxes

Since our inception, we have not recorded any current or deferred tax benefit for the net losses we have incurred in each year or for our tax credits generated, as we believe, based upon the weight of available evidence, that it is more likely than not that our net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits will not be realized. Accordingly, a full valuation allowance has been established against the deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2023. We reevaluate the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits at each reporting period. As of December 31, 2023, we had U.S. federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of $195.7 million and $110.6 million, respectively, which may be available to offset future taxable income and begin to expire in 2035. Of the federal net operating loss carryforwards at December 31, 2023, $192.4 million is available to be carried forward indefinitely but we are permitted to offset a maximum of 80% of taxable income per year. As of December 31, 2023, we had U.S. federal and state research and development tax credit carryforwards of $14.0 million and $3.1 million, respectively, which may be available to offset future income tax liabilities and begin to expire in 2040 and 2035, respectively. The Company also had federal orphan drug tax credits of $12.4 million which may be available to offset future income tax liabilities and begin to expire in 2041.

Utilization of the U.S. federal and state net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards may be subject to annual limitation under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and corresponding provisions of state law, due to ownership changes that have occurred previously or that could occur in the future. These ownership changes may limit the amount of carryforwards that can be utilized annually to offset future taxable income. In general, an ownership change, as defined by Section 382, results from transactions increasing the ownership of certain stockholders or public groups in the stock of a corporation by more than 50% over a three-year period.

We have recorded a full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets at each balance sheet date.

### Results of Operations

#### Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:

*(in thousands)*

| Operating expenses: | Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | 2023 | Change |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Research and development | $52,705 | $36,038 | $16,667 |
| General and administrative | 9,699 | 7,199 | 2,500 |
| Total operating expenses | 62,404 | 43,237 | 19,167 |
| Loss from operations | (62,404) | (43,237) | (19,167) |
| Other income: |  |  |  |
| Interest income | 4,057 | 2,268 | 1,789 |
| Other income, net | (1) | 682 | (683) |
| Change in fair value of CVR liability | — | 1,700 | (1,700) |
| Total other income, net | 4,056 | 4,650 | (594) |
| Net loss | $(58,348) | $(38,587) | $(19,761) |

#### Research and Development Expenses

The following table summarizes our research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:

*(in thousands)*

| Direct external research and development expenses: | Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | 2023 | Change |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Bezuclastinib | $27,292 | $15,779 | $11,513 |
| Preclinical research and discovery | 6,520 | 4,281 | 2,239 |
| Unallocated expenses: |  |  |  |
| Personnel related (including stock-based compensation) | 15,318 | 12,073 | 3,245 |
| Laboratory supplies, facility related and other | 3,575 | 3,905 | (330) |
| Total research and development expenses | $52,705 | $36,038 | $16,667 |

Total research and development expense increased by $16.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023, driven by higher external research and development costs associated with the manufacture and development of bezuclastinib, including costs associated with the accelerated enrollment of the SUMMIT and PEAK trials and ongoing cost of the APEX trial, and the continued development of our research pipeline. Additionally, there was an increase in unallocated expenses driven by higher personnel costs due to an increase in headcount, including stock-based compensation expense which increased by $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023.

#### General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 were $9.7 million, compared to $7.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to higher personnel costs driven by an increase in headcount, including stock-based compensation expense which increased by $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023.

#### Interest Income

Interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $4.1 million, compared to $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase is due to higher average interest rates and invested balances in cash equivalents and marketable securities.

#### Other Income, Net

Other income, net for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was nil compared to $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Other income represented sublease income recognized resulting from the sublease of a portion of our former corporate headquarters space and the decrease in other income, net is driven by the expiration of our former corporate headquarters lease and associated sublease in April 2023.

#### Change in Fair Value of the CVR liability

The change in fair value of CVR liability for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was nil, compared to $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. We recorded a decrease in fair value of the liability of $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2023, reducing the liability to zero as the probability of additional CVR payments occurring prior to the expiration of CVR term was remote. The CVRs expired on August 6, 2023 and no further payments will be made to CVR holders

### Liquidity and Capital Resources

Since our inception, we have incurred significant operating losses. We have generated limited revenue to date from funding arrangements with our former collaboration partner. We have not yet commercialized any of our product candidates and we do not expect to generate revenue from sales of any product candidates for several years, if at all. We have historically funded our operations primarily through the public offering and private placement of our securities and consideration received from our collaborative agreements.

On May 6, 2022, we filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC. The shelf registration statement allows us to sell from time-to-time up to $300.0 million of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants or units comprised of any combination of these securities, for our own account in one or more offerings. The terms of any offering under the shelf registration statement will be established at the time of such offering and will be described in a prospectus supplement filed with the SEC prior to the completion of any such offering.

Additionally, on May 6, 2022, pursuant to the Form S-3, we entered into a Sales Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with Guggenheim Securities, LLC (“Guggenheim Securities”), pursuant to which we may issue and sell, from time to time, shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $75.0 million through Guggenheim Securities, as the sales agent. As of March 31, 2024, no shares have been sold under the Sales Agreement.

On June 13, 2022, we completed an underwritten public offering of 17,899,698 shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $8.25 per share (including the exercise in full by the underwriters of their 30-day option to purchase up to 2,730,000 additional shares of common stock) and, in lieu of common stock to certain investors, pre-funded warrants to purchase 3,030,302 shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $8.24 per underlying share. The net proceeds from the offering were approximately $161.9 million, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses.

On February 10, 2023, we filed a Form S-3ASR with the SEC (“2023 Shelf Registration”) for the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, rights, debt securities and units, which became effective immediately upon filing. At the time any of the securities covered by the 2023 Shelf Registration Statement are offered for sale, a prospectus supplement will be prepared and filed with the SEC containing specific information about the terms of any such offering.

In June 2023, we completed an underwritten public offering of 14,375,000 shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $12.00 per share (including the exercise in full by the underwriters of their 30-day option to purchase up to 1,875,000 additional shares of common stock). The net proceeds from the offering were approximately $161.8 million, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.

On February 13, 2024, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) for a private placement (the “Private Placement”) with certain institutional and accredited investors (each, a “Purchaser” and collectively, the “Purchasers”). The closing of the Private Placement occurred on February 16, 2024. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Purchasers purchased (i) an aggregate of 17,717,997 shares of our common stock at a price per share of $7.50, and (ii) 12,280 shares of our Series B Non-voting Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”), at a price per share of $7,500.00. Net proceeds were approximately $213.4 million after deducting placement fees and offering costs. Each share of Series B Preferred Stock is convertible into 1,000 shares of common stock, subject to approval by our stockholders of an increase to the authorized shares of common stock.

On March 21, 2024, we entered into exchange agreements (the “Exchange Agreements”) with certain of the Purchasers (the “Exchange Stockholders”), pursuant to which the Exchange Stockholders agreed to exchange an aggregate of 8,300,000 shares of our common stock for an aggregate of 8,300 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock (the “Exchange”).

As of March 31, 2024, we have 135,415,706 shares outstanding on an as-converted basis, which consists of (i) 95,613,396 shares of common stock outstanding, (ii) pre-funded warrants that are exercisable for 606,060 shares of common stock, (iii) 74,465 shares of

Series A Preferred Stock that are convertible into 18,616,250 shares of common stock and (iv) 20,580 shares of Series B Preferred Stock that are convertible into 20,580,000 shares of common stock, subject to approval by our stockholders of an increase to the authorized shares of common stock.

As of March 31, 2024, we had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $435.7 million, which we believe will be sufficient to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into 2027 and through clinical readouts from ongoing SUMMIT, PEAK, and APEX registration-directed trials.

#### Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our sources and uses of cash for each of the periods presented:

*(in thousands)*

|  | Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | 2023 |
| --- | ---: | ---: |
| Cash used in operating activities | $(52,529) | $(39,517) |
| Net cash used in investing activities | 1,044 | 59,884 |
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 214,057 | 445 |
| Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $162,572 | $20,812 |

#### Operating Activities

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, operating activities used $52.5 million of cash, primarily resulting from our net loss of $58.3 million and net cash used in changes in our operating assets and liabilities of $(3.2) million, partially offset by net noncash charges of $9.1 million. Changes in our operating assets and liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 consisted primarily of a $1.8 million decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities, a $1.1 million decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets and a $0.3 million decrease in the operating lease liability.

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, operating activities used $39.5 million of cash, primarily resulting from our net loss of $38.6 million and net cash used in changes in our operating assets and liabilities of $4.7 million, partially offset by net noncash charges of $3.8 million. Net cash used in changes in our operating assets and liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 consisted primarily of a $4.2 million decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities, a $0.3 million increase in prepaid expenses other current assets and a $0.2 million decrease in the operating lease liability.

#### Investing Activities

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, net cash provided by investing activities was $1.0 million which consisted of purchases of property and equipment and marketable securities, partially offset by maturities and sales of marketable securities.

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, net cash provided by investing activities was $59.9 million which consisted of purchases of property and equipment and marketable securities, partially offset by maturities and sales of marketable securities.

#### Financing Activities

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, net cash provided by financing activities was $214.1 million, which consisted of $213.7 million in proceeds from the issuance of common stock and Series B Preferred Stock in the Private Placement, net of paid offering costs (excluding $0.3 million of accrued offering costs) and proceeds from the issuance of common stock under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, net cash provided by financing activities was $0.4 million, which consisted of the proceeds from the issuance of common stock under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and proceeds from the issuance of common stock upon stock option exercises.

#### Funding Requirements

We expect our expenses to increase in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we advance the clinical development of our current and any future product candidates and conduct additional research, development and preclinical activities. The timing and amount of our operating expenditures will depend largely on:

- the initiation, progress, timing, and completion of preclinical studies and clinical trials for our current and future potential product candidates;
- any delay in our regulatory filings for our product candidates and any adverse development or perceived adverse development with respect to the applicable regulatory authority’s review of such filings, including without limitation the FDA’s issuance of a “refusal to file” letter or a request for additional information;
- adverse results or delays in clinical trials;
- our decision to initiate a clinical trial, not to initiate a clinical trial, or to terminate an existing clinical trial;
- adverse regulatory decisions, including failure to receive regulatory approval of our product candidates;
- changes in laws or regulations applicable to our products, including but not limited to clinical trial requirements for approvals;
- adverse developments concerning our manufacturers;
- our inability to obtain adequate product supply for any approved product or our inability to do so at acceptable prices;
- our inability to establish collaborations, if desired or needed;
- our failure to commercialize our product candidates;
- additions or departures of key scientific or management personnel; and
- unanticipated serious safety concerns related to the use of our product candidates.

Based on our current plans, we believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $435.7 million as of March 31, 2024 will enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into 2027 and through clinical readouts from ongoing SUMMIT, PEAK, and APEX registration-directed trials. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could exhaust our available capital resources sooner than we expect. We will require additional funding to complete the critical activities planned to support ongoing research and development programs.

Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial product revenue, we expect to finance our operations through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, strategic alliances, and marketing, distribution, or licensing arrangements. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, existing ownership interests will be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of common stockholders. Debt financing and preferred equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making acquisitions or capital expenditures, or declaring dividends. If we raise additional funds through collaborations, strategic alliances, or marketing, distribution, or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams, research programs or drug candidates, or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings or other arrangements when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce, or terminate our research, product development, or future commercialization efforts, or grant rights to develop and market drug candidates that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves.

### Critical Accounting Estimates

There have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to those described under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

### Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We did not have during the periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in the rules and regulations of the SEC.

### Contractual Obligations and Commitments

A description of our material cash requirements, including commitments for capital expenditures, is described above and disclosed in Note 7 to our condensed consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.

### Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

A description of recently issued accounting pronouncements that may potentially impact our financial position and results of operations is disclosed in Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.

## Market risk

As filed, 184 characters.

There have been no material changes to our market risks as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on February 26, 2024.

## Controls and procedures

As filed, 2,210 characters.

### Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and President and our Chief Financial Officer (our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively), evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2024. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2024, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

### Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2024 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

## Risk factors

As filed, 463 characters.

There have been no material changes from our risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on February 26, 2024. The risks described in our Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risk and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

Filed May 7, 2024.
Source: SEC EDGAR, the filing index for accession 0000950170-24-053977. Last ingested by Listed: Oct 24, 2026, 15:14 ET. No prices; not investment advice.
