Canton Strategic Holdings, Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Jun 30, 2024

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In addition to historical information, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed below. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those identified below, and those discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as may be amended, supplemented, or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC. All amounts in this report are in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted.

Throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, references to “we,” “our,” “us,” the “Company,” or “Tharimmune,” refer to Tharimmune, Inc. (formerly, Hillstream BioPharma, Inc.), individually, or as the context requires, collectively with its subsidiaries.

Overview

Tharimmune is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapeutic candidates in immunology and inflammation with high unmet need. On November 3, 2023, we entered into a patent license agreement (the “Avior License Agreement”) with Avior Inc. d/b/a Avior Bio, LLC (“Avior”) pursuant to which we received an exclusive sublicensable right and license to Licensed Patent Rights and Licensed Technology to, among other things, Develop, have Developed, make, have made, use, sell, import, export and commercialize TH104 and TH103 and to practice the Licensed Technology in connection with the foregoing, throughout the world, each as defined in the Avior License Agreement. See “Recent Developments” below for additional information. In February 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approved an investigational new drug (“IND”) application for TH104. TH104 has a dual mechanism of action by affecting multiple receptors, known to suppress chronic, debilitating pruritis or “uncontrollable itching.” With respect to TH104, we intend to first seek approval for the treatment of moderate-to-severe chronic pruritis in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (“PBC”), an orphan rare form of liver disease with no known cure in which more than 70% of patients suffer from debilitating chronic pruritis, and with respect to TH103, we intend to develop the product candidate and potentially file an IND.

We are also developing an early-stage pipeline of novel therapeutic candidates targeting validated high value immuno-oncology (“IO”) targets including human epidermal growth factor (“EGF”) receptor 2 (“HER2”), human EGF receptor 3 (“HER3”) and programmed cell death protein 1 (“PD-1”). We are developing antibodies including bispecific antibodies, antibody drug conjugates (“ADCs”) and small molecular weight bovine-derived Picobodies™ or antibody “knob” domains which have the potential to target and bind more tightly to “undruggable” epitopes better than full sized antibodies. We are advancing TH3215, a bispecific against both HER2 and HER3 antibody which targets a novel “bridging epitope” encompassing multiple domains of the HER2 extracellular domain (“ECD”) as well as ligand-dependent and independent blocking of the ECD of HER3 into IND-enabling studies in 2025. In addition, we anticipate that TH0059, a HER2/HER3 bispecific ADC (“bsADC”), and TH1940, a PD-1 Picobody, will progress to enter IND-enabling studies in 2025.

We have deprioritized our previous preclinical candidate, HSB-1216, due to a strategic reprioritization of our vision to focus on therapeutics in high unmet need cancers focused on novel epitopes of certain antitumor drug targets.

The critical components of our business strategy to achieve our goals include:

• Develop TH104 as a transmucosal buccal film product for the treatment of moderate-to-severe chronic pruritis in PBC and other inflammatory diseases;
• Continue to advance TH3215 as an anti-HER2/HER3 BspAb for multiple tumor types including high unmet need cancers;
• Effectively create a strategy to develop TH0059 as a bispecific ADC specifically targeted to both HER2 and HER3 receptors in high unmet need standard-of-care resistant tumors with a high capacity to metastasize;

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• Create a preclinical and clinical path forward for our third product candidate, TH1940, a unique PD-1 Picobody with unique binding differentiation compared to full length antibodies for IO vulnerable tumors;
• Hasten the discovery of next generation multi-specific (bi- and tri) antibodies with binding capabilities to novel epitopes of combinations of HER2, HER3, PD-1, PD-L1, TROP2 with and without toxin delivery capacity to multiple high unmet need rare cancers and other validated immunology and metabolic targets;
• Pursue strategic collaboration opportunities to maximize the value of our pipeline to bring novel therapies to patients suffering from high unmet need conditions

Applied Biomedical Research Institute Research and Development Collaboration and License Agreement

On July 5, 2023 (the “ABSI Effective Date”), we entered into a Research and Development Collaboration and License Agreement (the “ABSI Agreement”) with Applied Biomedical Science Institute (“ABSI”) pursuant to which ABSI granted us an exclusive royalty-bearing, sublicensable license to the ABSI Patents and a non-exclusive, royalty-bearing, sublicensable license to the ABSI Know-How to Exploit the ABSI Products for the treatment, diagnosis, prediction, detection or prevention of disease in humans and animals worldwide (the “Territory”). Pursuant to the ABSI Agreement, the parties shall form a committee to manage the preclinical, IND- enabling studies and such other activities as shall lead to the initiation of a Phase 1 clinical trial of the ABSI Product. The parties will collaborate on a Target-by-Target basis to identify and evaluate ABSI Products directed against such Target with a view to identifying or generating suitable Products for our Company to Exploit. “Target” means ErB2 (Her2) and ErbB3. Upon completion of the Discovery Timeline for a Target, subject to the terms and conditions of ABSI Agreement, we shall exclusively own any ABSI Products against such Target. In the event the committee determines that the discovery activities are unsuccessful with respect to a Target, we may propose an additional target, which, upon approval by ABSI, shall replace a failed Target, each capitalized term as defined in the ABSI Agreement.

As part of the ABSI Agreement, on July 26, 2023, we issued 1,674 shares of our common stock with a per share value of $149.34, representing total compensation expense of $250,000.

On March 11, 2024, we entered into an addendum to the ABSI Agreement to fund research services with quarterly payments of $50,000 beginning March 18, 2024 with subsequent payments due on the 18th of each calendar quarter.

Avior Patent License Agreement

On November 3, 2023 (the “Avior Effective Date”), we entered into the Avior Patent License Agreement with Avior pursuant to which we received an exclusive sublicensable right and license to Licensed Patent Rights and Licensed Technology to, among other things, Develop, have Developed, make, have made, use, sell, import, export and commercialize TH104 and TH103 and to practice the Licensed Technology in connection with the foregoing, throughout the world. Pursuant to the Avior Patent License Agreement, we paid Avior a mid-six digit up front license fee within ten days of the Avior Effective Date and an additional mid-six digit license fee which shall be paid in four equal installments within ten days of the end of each fiscal quarter following the Avior Effective Date. In addition, we shall pay Avior a high single digit percentage of any upfront payments received by us as a result of the grant of any sublicenses with respect to TH104. We shall also pay Avior milestone payments in the aggregate amount of $24.25 million upon the occurrence of various development milestones (the “Development Milestone Payments”). Furthermore, we shall pay Avior certain fees based upon sales milestones. The payments for such sales milestones range from the low seven digits to the low eight digits with higher sales being subject to higher fees. Finally, we shall pay Avior royalties based on net sales. Such royalties range from low single digit percentages to mid-single digit percentages with higher sales being subject to lower percentages. The Avior Patent License Agreement shall expire upon the expiration of the final payment obligation due to Avior as set forth in such agreement. Upon the expiration of the Avior Patent License Agreement, we shall have a fully paid-up, irrevocable, freely transferable and sublicensable worldwide license to the Licensed Patent Rights and Licensed Technology to Develop, have Developed, make, have made, use, have used sell, offer for sale, have sold, import, have imported, export, have exported, commercialize or have commercialized any and all Licensed Products and to practice the Licensed Technology worldwide. Pursuant to the Avior Patent License Agreement, we may terminate the agreement at any time without cause, upon 30 days’ prior written notice to Avior along with payment of the next unpaid Development Milestone Payment, if any. Furthermore, either we or Avior may terminate the Avior Patent License Agreement (i) on written notice to the other party if the other party materially breaches any provision of the Avior Patent License Agreement and fails to cure such breach within 30 days after the breaching party receives written notice thereof or (ii) on written notice in the event that either party (A) becomes insolvent or admits its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; (B) becomes subject, voluntarily or involuntarily, to any proceeding under any domestic or foreign bankruptcy or insolvency law, which is not fully dismissed or vacated within 60 days; (C) is dissolved or liquidated or takes any corporate action for such purpose; (D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (E) has a receiver, trustee, custodian or similar agent appointed by order of any court of competent jurisdiction to take charge of or sell any material portion of its property or business. Upon termination of the Avior Patent License Agreement, the license granted pursuant to such agreement shall terminate and all rights in the Licensed Patent Rights and Licensed Products shall revert back to Avior.

Enkefalos License Agreement

On June 17, 2024 (the “Enkefalos Effective Date”), we signed a letter of intent (the “Enkefelos LOI”) to enter into the Enkefalos License Agreement with Enkefalos Biosciences Inc. pursuant to which we are licensing the global rights in all fields of use for the products related to the compounds knows as cyclotides to deliver HER2 antibodies across the blood-brain barrier and all associated know-how, technology, intellectual property and related information and constructs, and any associated authorized generic rights and all related assets (collectively, the “Products” referred to in this letter as ENBI-01) from Enkefalos Biosciences, Inc. Pursuant to the Enkefalos License Agreement, we paid Enkefalos an upfront license fee of $150,000 upon signing of the Enkefalos LOI and an additional $150,000 license fee to be paid 6 months after the Enkefalos Effective Date. In addition, we shall pay Enkefalos a $50,000 annual license fee and milestone payments in the aggregate amount of up to $8,500,000 upon the occurrence of various development milestones (the “Enkefalos Development Milestone Payments”). Furthermore, we shall pay Enkefalos royalties based on net sales. Such royalties range from low-single digit percentages to mid-single digit percentages with higher sales being subject to lower percentages. The Enkefalos License Agreement shall expire upon the expiration of the final payment obligation due to Enkefalos as set forth in such agreement. Upon the expiration of the Enkefalos Patent License Agreement, we shall have a fully paid, irrevocable, freely transferable and sublicensable worldwide license to the Licensed Patent Rights and Licensed Technology to Develop, have Developed, make, have made, use, have used sell, offer for sale, have sold, import, have imported, export, have exported, commercialize or have commercialized any and all Licensed Products and to practice the Licensed Technology worldwide. Pursuant to the Enkefalos License Agreement, either the Company or Enkefalos may terminate the Enkefalos License Agreement on written notice to the other party. Upon termination of the Enkefalos License Agreement, the license granted pursuant to such agreement shall terminate and all rights in the Licensed Patent Rights and Licensed Products shall revert back to Enkefalos.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, we incurred milestone fees of $150,000 in accordance with the terms of the Enkefalos LOI.

Recent Developments

On June 10, 2024, we reported positive results from our Phase 1 clinical trial with TH104. Results from healthy subjects demonstrated consistent pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles across buccal and intravenous routes of administration with a comparable safety and tolerability profile between routes of administration. This Phase 1 trial was a single-dose, single-center, open-label, randomized 2-way crossover study comparing 16 mg of TH104 with 1 mg intravenous nalmefene administered under fasting conditions, with a 7-day washout period between doses. Twenty healthy subjects were enrolled to complete both doses of the crossover design. All 20 subjects completed TH104 buccal dosing, while 19 of 20 subjects also completed the intravenous dosing. The primary objective was to evaluate the absolute bioavailability of TH104, as well as to assess safety and tolerability. Findings from the study indicated that the primary endpoint of the study which was absolute bioavailability (F) of TH104, or fraction (or percentage) of the administered dose absorbed into the systemic circulation compared to an equivalent intravenous dose of nalmefene, was 0.459 (45.9%). The median time to maximum concentration (Cmax) of TH104 was 2.0 hours, and mean half-life (T1/2) as measured in the blood of subjects was 14 hours after a single buccal administration of TH104, compared to 9 hours for the 1mg intravenous dose of nalmefene. These data were consistent and within range of previous findings of nalmefene in the literature and the Company believes PK results from this Phase 1 trial show proportional kinetics consistent with published findings of oral and intravenous formulations, suggesting TH104 could be developed for once-daily dosing in a target population of moderate-to-severe chronic pruritus in PBC patients. The Phase 1 trial also demonstrated that a 16mg dose of TH104 had a comparable safety and tolerability profile to the FDA-approved 1mg dose of nalmefene intravenous formulation. Treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) in this study were reported in 8 subjects (40.0%) in the TH104 group and 7 subjects (36.8%) in the intravenous group. All reported TEAEs were considered mild in severity. The most frequently reported TEAE for both TH104 and intravenous treatments was dizziness (4 subjects in the TH104 group; 7 subjects in the intravenous group). TEAEs reported in at least 2 subjects in any treatment group were nausea (3 subjects in each group) and somnolence (3 subjects in each group). There were no serious adverse events reported during this study. No subjects discontinued the study due to adverse events. No subjects exhibited abnormal results for the visual examinations of the buccal mucosa pre- or post-dosing with TH104 buccal film.

On June 17, 2024, we reported positive Type C meeting feedback from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for our Phase 2 clinical trial with TH104, confirming our plan to pursue a 505(b)(2) approval pathway, which permits inclusion of data from external studies when the active ingredient is already approved in the United States. The FDA also agreed that the nonclinical studies submitted to the FDA in advance of the meeting appear sufficient to support the proposed Phase 2 clinical trial. In addition, the FDA provided feedback on study design and certain recommendations regarding PBC patient inclusion, the primary endpoint to assess pruritus in these patients, and considerations for monitoring for adverse events in this patient population. Based on this interaction, we believe we have a path forward to a Phase 2 trial with TH104 in moderate-to-severe chronic pruritus in PBC patients and anticipates initiating the trial in the latter part of 2024.

Components of Results of Operations

Revenue

We did not recognize revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses include personnel costs associated with research and development activities, including third-party contractors to perform research, conduct clinical trials, and manufacture drug supplies and materials as well as stock-based compensation for our research and development personnel. Research and development expenses are charged to operations as incurred.

We accrue costs incurred by external service providers, including contract research organizations and clinical investigators, based on estimates of service performed and costs incurred. These estimates include the level of services performed by third parties, patient enrollment in clinical trials, administrative costs incurred by third parties, and other indicators of the services completed. Based on the timing of amounts invoiced by service providers, we may also record payments made to those providers as prepaid expenses that will be recognized as expense in future periods as the related services are rendered.

We have incurred research and development expenses related to the development of HSB-1216, which has been deprioritized. We expect that our research and development expenses will increase as we plan for and commence our clinical trials of TH3215 and TH1940.

We cannot determine with certainty the duration and costs of future clinical trials of our product candidates, TH3215 and TH1940, or any other product candidates we may develop or if, when or to what extent we will generate revenue from the commercialization and sale of any of our product candidates for which we obtain marketing approval. We may never succeed in obtaining marketing approval for any of our product candidates. The duration, costs and timing of clinical trials and development of our current and future product candidates will depend on a variety of factors, including:

• the scope, rate of progress, expense and results of clinical trials of our current product candidates, as well as of any future clinical trials of our future product candidates and other research and development activities that we may conduct;
• uncertainties in clinical trial design and patient enrollment rates;
• the actual probability of success for our product candidates, including their safety and efficacy, early clinical data, competition, manufacturing capability and commercial viability;
• significant and changing government regulations and regulatory guidance; and
• the timing and receipt of any marketing approvals.

A change in the outcome of any of these variables with respect to the development of a product candidate could mean a significant change in the costs and timing associated with the development of that product candidate. For example, if the FDA or another regulatory authority were to require us to conduct clinical trials beyond those that we anticipate will be required for the completion of clinical development of a product candidate, or if we experience significant delays in our clinical trials due to slower than expected patient enrollment or other reasons, we would be required to expend significant additional financial resources and time on the completion of clinical development.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation and consulting related expenses, including stock-based compensation for our general and administrative personnel. General and administrative expenses also include professional fees and other corporate expenses, including legal fees relating to corporate matters; professional fees for accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting services; insurance costs; travel expenses and other operating costs that are not specifically attributable to research activities.

We expect that our general and administrative expenses will increase in the future as we increase our personnel headcount to support our continued research activities and development of our product candidates. We also incur expenses associated with being a public company, including expenses related to compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq, directors and officers insurance expenses, corporate governance expenses, investor relations activities and other administrative and professional services.

Interest Income

Interest income consists of interest income from funds held in our cash accounts.

Deferred Offering Costs

Deferred offering costs consisted of legal, accounting, printing, and filing fees that were capitalized and offset against the proceeds from our common stock offerings. Deferred offering costs prior to the Company’s public offering of its shares of common stock which closed on May 2, 2023 consisted of professional services incurred for filing of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 using a “shelf” registration process for additional securities offerings. These deferred offering costs were offset against the proceeds from the public offering of the Company’s common stock. At June 30, 2024, deferred offering costs of approximately $60,000 represents professional services incurred related to the At the Market Offering Agreement (the “ATM Agreement”), the Company may sell, from time to time through the applicable sales manager, shares of common stock in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $1.65 million. See Notes 2 and 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 Compared to the Three Months Ended June 30, 2023

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses decreased by less than $0.1 million, or 3%, to approximately $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 from $1.03 million for three months ended June 30, 2023. The decrease was primarily the result of a decrease in pre-clinical vendor expenses of approximately $0.5 million. These decreases were offset by increases in clinical trial expenses of approximately $0.2 million due to the launch of our Phase 1 clinical trial in TH104 and licensing fees of approximately $0.3 million.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses increased by less than $0.1 million, or 3%, to $1.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 from $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The change in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to increases of $0.3 million in personnel expenses due to appointing a Chief Operating Officer in July 2023 and general corporate of approximately $0.1 million. These increases were offset by decreases of approximately $0.1 million in investor relations expenses, $0.1 million in professional fees expenses, and $0.1 million in insurance expense.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased by approximately $1,300, or 20%, to $5,217 for the three months ended June 30, 2024 from $6,517 for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The decrease in interest expense was primarily related to the decrease in D&O insurance premium financing liability.

Interest Income

Interest income increased by $19,415, or 57%, to $53,614 for the three months ended June 30, 2024 from $34,199 for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase in interest income was primarily due to the increase in cash from the November 2023 Offering and the June 2024 PIPE Offering.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 Compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2023

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses decreased by less than $0.1 million, or 3%, to $2.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 from $2.1 million for six months ended June 30, 2023. The decrease was primarily the result of a decrease in pre-clinical vendor expenses of approximately $0.7 million, and a decrease of less than $0.1 million in stock-based compensation expense related to a decrease in stock options vested during the period of our research and development personnel. These decreases were offset by increases in clinical trial expenses of approximately $0.4 million due to the launch of our Phase 1 clinical trial in TH104 and licensing fees of approximately $0.4 million.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses decreased by $0.3 million, or 10%, to $2.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 from $3.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The change in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to a increases of $0.5 million in personnel expenses due to appointing a Chief Operating Officer in July 2023 and general corporate of approximately $0.2 million. These increases were offset by decreases of approximately $0.5 million in investor relations expenses, $0.3 million in professional fees expenses, $0.2 million in insurance expense, and $0.1 million in stock-based compensation expense of our general and administrative personnel.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased by $2,738, or 22%, to $9,917 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 from $12,655 for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The decrease in interest expense was primarily related to the decrease in D&O insurance premium financing liability.

Interest Income

Interest income increased by $83,061, or 125%, to $149,508 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 from $66,447 for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase in interest income was primarily due to the increase in cash from the November 2023 Offering and the June 2024 PIPE Offering.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis that we are a going concern, which contemplates, among other things, the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, we incurred operating losses of approximately $4.7 million, expended approximately $5.0 million in cash in operating activities, and had an accumulated deficit of approximately $29.3 million as of June 30, 2024. We have financed our working capital requirements through June 30, 2024 primarily through the issuance of common stock in various public and private offerings. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we received gross proceeds of approximately $13.6 million through public offerings of our common stock in the May Offering and November Offering which generated net proceeds to us of approximately $2.1 million and $9.7 million, respectively. In addition, on June 7, 2024, we filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process pursuant to which, under an At the Market Offering Agreement (the “ATM Agreement”), we may sell, from time to time through the applicable sales manager, shares of common stock in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $1.65 million. Further, on June 17, 2024, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain accredited investors for the issuance and sale in a private placement (the “PIPE Offering”), consisting of an offering of shares of our common stock and/or pre-funded warrants to acquire shares of our common stock and warrants to acquire shares of our common stock, with net proceeds of approximately $1.8 million. See Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for details regarding these offerings.

Based on our limited operating history, recurring negative cash flows from operations, current plans and available resources, we will need substantial additional funding to support future operating activities. We have concluded that the prevailing conditions and ongoing liquidity risks faced by us raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern for at least one year following the date these condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are issued. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern.

We may seek to raise additional funding through the sale of additional equity or debt securities, enter into strategic partnerships, grants or other arrangements or a combination of the foregoing to support our future operations; however, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional capital on terms acceptable to us, on a timely basis, or at all. The failure to obtain sufficient additional funding could adversely affect our ability to achieve our business objectives and product development timelines and may result in delaying or terminating clinical trial activities which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Cash Flow Activities for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023

The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods presented.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $5.1 million which consisted of net loss of $4.6 million, increase in prepaid and other current assets of $0.3 million and decrease in operating liabilities of $0.5 million, partially offset by non-cash stock-based compensation and stock issuance of $0.3 million.

Cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $5.0 million which consisted of net loss of $5.0 million and an increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $0.5 million, partially offset by an increase in operating liabilities of less than $0.1 million and non-cash stock-based compensation of $0.5 million.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $2.0 million. The net increase in financing activities was due to proceeds from the Private Placement of $2.1 million and insurance premium financing liability of $0.4 million, offset by payments of deferred offering costs of $0.3 million and repayments of insurance premium financing liability of $0.2 million.

Cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $2.4 million. The net increase in financing activities was due to net proceeds from the May Offering of $2.65 million and proceeds from insurance premium financing liability of $0.7 million, offset by repayments of insurance premium financing liability of $0.4 million and payments of deferred offering costs of $0.6 million.

Reverse Stock Split

On May 24, 2024, the Company effectuated an additional reverse split of shares of its common stock at a ratio of 1-for-15 pursuant to an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State and approved by the Company’s board of directors and stockholders. The par value of the Company’s common stock was not adjusted as a result of the reverse split. All issued and outstanding common stock share and per share amounts contained in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the reverse split for all periods presented.

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The estimation process often may yield a range of potentially reasonable estimates of the ultimate future outcomes, and management must select an amount that falls within that range of reasonable estimates. Estimates are used in the following areas, among others: research and development expense recognition, stock-based compensation, allowances of deferred tax assets, and cash flow assumptions regarding going concern considerations. Although management believes the estimates that have been used are reasonable, actual results could vary from the estimates that were used.

Critical Accounting Policies

Research and development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses include personnel costs associated with research and development activities, including third-party contractors to perform research, conduct clinical trials and manufacture drug supplies and materials. We accrue for costs incurred by external service providers, including contract research organizations and clinical investigators, based on our estimates of service performed and costs incurred. These estimates include the level of services performed by third parties, patient enrollment in clinical trials, administrative costs incurred by third parties, and other indicators of the services completed.

Stock-based compensation

Stock-based compensation represents the cost related to stock-based awards granted to our employees, directors, consultants, and affiliates. We measure stock-based compensation costs at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award and recognize the cost over the requisite service period.

We recognize compensation costs resulting from the issuance of stock-based awards to employees, non-employees and directors as an expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations over the requisite service period based on a measurement of fair value for each stock-based award. The fair value of each option grant to employees, non-employees and directors is estimated as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, net of actual forfeitures. The fair value is amortized as compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the awards, which is generally the vesting period.

The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Prior to January 12, 2022, we were a private company and our common stock has only been publicly traded since that date. As a result, we lack company-specific historical and implied volatility information. Therefore, we have estimated our expected stock price volatility based on the historical volatility of a publicly traded set of peer companies. The expected term of stock options granted was between five and seven years. The risk-free interest rate was 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.

Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Standards

See Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

JOBS Act

On April 5, 2012, the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (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 for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies.

We have chosen to take advantage of the extended transition periods available to emerging growth companies under the JOBS Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies provided under the JOBS Act. As a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to those of companies that comply with public company effective dates for complying with new or revised accounting standards.

Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, as an “emerging growth company,” we intend to rely on certain of these exemptions, including, without limitation, (i) providing an auditor’s attestation report on our internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and (ii) complying with the requirement adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the communication of critical audit matters in the auditor’s report on financial statements. We will remain an “emerging growth company” until the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenues of $1.235 billion or more; (ii) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the completion of our IPO; (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in nonconvertible debt during the previous three years; or (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the SEC.

The Company is not required to provide the information required by this Item as it is a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer evaluated the effectiveness of our “disclosure controls and procedures” as of June 30, 2024, the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The term “disclosure controls and procedures” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under 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 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 under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to a company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2024, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control

There were no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the six months ended June 30, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures

In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedure, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedure relative to their costs.

Risk factors that affect our business and financial results are discussed in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 as filed with the SEC on February 23, 2024 (“Annual Report”). There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those previously disclosed in our Annual Report. You should carefully consider the risks described in our Annual Report which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report are not the only risks we face. Additional risks 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. If any of the risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations could be negatively affected.