UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number:
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
|
||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
|
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
|
|
|
|
||
(Address of principal executive offices) |
|
(Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
Trading Symbol |
Name of each exchange on which registered |
The |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer |
|
☐ |
|
Accelerated filer |
|
☐ |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
☒ |
|
Smaller reporting company |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
Emerging growth company |
|
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No
As of May 13, 2024, the registrant had
Table of Contents
|
|
|
Page |
|
PART I. |
|
|
4 |
|
Item 1. |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss |
|
5 |
|
|
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Equity |
|
6 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
Item 2. |
|
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
|
21 |
Item 3. |
|
|
27 |
|
Item 4. |
|
|
27 |
|
PART II. |
|
|
29 |
|
Item 1. |
|
|
29 |
|
Item 1A. |
|
|
29 |
|
Item 2. |
|
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
|
29 |
Item 3. |
|
Defaults Upon Senior Securities |
|
29 |
Item 4. |
|
Mine Safety Disclosures |
|
29 |
Item 5. |
|
Other Information |
|
29 |
Item 6. |
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
|
31 |
1
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INDUSTRY DATA
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Aileron Therapeutics, Inc. (“Aileron,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”) contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenue, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management and expected market growth are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “would,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.
These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements about:
We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions
2
and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. We have included important factors in the cautionary statements included, or incorporated by reference in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly in the “Risk Factors” section, that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, collaborations, joint ventures or investments that we may make or enter into.
You should read this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the documents that we reference herein and have filed or incorporated by reference hereto completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes or incorporates by reference statistical and other industry and market data that we obtained from industry publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties. Industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies generally indicate that their information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, although they do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information.
3
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
AILERON THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Restricted cash |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Operating lease, right-of-use asset, current portion |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Property and equipment, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Goodwill |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Intangible assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other non-current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total assets |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Accounts payable |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Operating lease liabilities, current portion |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Deferred tax liability |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Convertible preferred stock, $ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Stockholders’ equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Common stock, $ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Additional paid-in capital |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Accumulated deficit |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Total liabilities, convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ equity |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
AILERON THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
Revenue |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Research and development |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
General and administrative |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Restructuring and other costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Loss from operations |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Other income, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net loss |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
Net loss per share—basic and diluted |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic and diluted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Comprehensive loss: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net loss |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
Other comprehensive gain: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Unrealized gain on investments, net of tax of $ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total other comprehensive gain |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total comprehensive loss |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
AILERON THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except share data)
|
|
Convertible Series X Preferred Stock |
|
|
Common Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Additional |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ |
|
||||||||
Balances at December 31, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
||||||
Issuance of common stock in connection with conversion of Series X preferred stock |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|||
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
||
Net loss |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Balances at March 31, 2024 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Balances at December 31, 2022 |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
||||
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
||
Unrealized loss on investments |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
||
Net loss |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Balances at March 31, 2023 |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
AILERON THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net loss |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net amortization of premiums and discounts on investments |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Loss on disposition of property and equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Accounts payable |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Operating lease liabilities |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Proceeds from sales or maturities of investments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net cash provided by investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Restricted cash at end of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Conversion of Series X preferred stock into common stock shares |
|
$ |
|
|
|
— |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
7
AILERON THERAPEUTICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
1. Nature of the Business
Aileron Therapeutics, Inc. (“Aileron” or the “Company”) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapies for the treatment of orphan pulmonary and fibrosis indications with no approved or limited effective treatments. The Company currently has two product candidates in clinical development, LTI-03 and LTI-01, and multiple candidates in preclinical development focused on fibrosis indications.
On October 31, 2023, Aileron acquired Lung Therapeutics, Inc. (“Lung Therapeutics” or “Lung”) pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated October 31, 2023 (the “Lung Acquisition Agreement”), by and among the Company, AT Merger Sub I, Inc., a Delaware corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary (“First Merger Sub”), AT Merger Sub II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and its wholly owned subsidiary (“Second Merger Sub”) and Lung. Pursuant to the Lung Acquisition Agreement, First Merger Sub merged with and into Lung, pursuant to which Lung was the surviving entity and became its wholly owned subsidiary (the “First Merger”). Immediately following the First Merger, Lung merged with and into Second Merger Sub, pursuant to which Second Merger Sub was the surviving entity (such merger, together with the First Merger, the “Lung Acquisition”). Lung was incorporated on November 13, 2012 under the laws of the state of Texas. Following the Lung Acquisition, the Company shifted its operating disease focus to advancing a pipeline of first-in-class medicines to address significant unmet medical needs in orphan pulmonary and fibrosis indications with the potential to greatly improve patient outcomes over currently available treatments. Following expiration of the operating lease agreement to rent an office space for its corporate headquarters in Austin, Texas, on March 31, 2024, the Company expects to operate virtually for the foreseeable future (see Note 15 for further details).
The Company is subject to risks and uncertainties common to clinical-stage companies in the biotechnology industry, including, but not limited to the risk that the Company never achieves profitability, the need for substantial additional financing, the risk of relying on third parties, risks of clinical trial failures, dependence on key personnel, protection of proprietary technology, and compliance with government regulations. The Company’s lead product candidate, LTI-03, is being developed for the treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (“IPF”) and has completed a healthy volunteer Phase 1a clinical trial. LTI-03 is currently in a Phase 1b clinical trial in IPF patients. The Company’s second product candidate, LTI-01, is in development for loculated pleural effusion (“LPE”). The Company has completed Phase 1b and Phase 2a clinical trials in LPE patients.
Liquidity and Going Concern
In accordance with Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-15, Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40), the Company has evaluated whether there are conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the accompanying consolidated financial statements were issued. This evaluation initially does not take into consideration the potential mitigating effect of management’s plans that have not been fully implemented as of the date the condensed consolidated financial statements are issued. When substantial doubt exists, management evaluates whether the mitigating effect of its plans sufficiently alleviates substantial doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The mitigating effect of management’s plans, however, is only considered if both (1) it is probable that the plans will be effectively implemented within one year after the date that the consolidated financial statements are issued, and (2) it is probable that the plans, when implemented, will mitigate the relevant conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. Generally, to be considered probable of being effectively implemented, the plans must have been approved before the date that the consolidated financial statements are issued.
The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue to operate as a going concern, which contemplates the continuity of operations, realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. Through March 31, 2024, the Company has financed its operations primarily through $
On May 1, 2024, Aileron entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Titan Partners Group LLC, a division of American Capital Partners, LLC, as underwriter, relating to an underwritten offering (the “Offering”) of
8
After the Offering, management considers that, based on the Company’s current operating plan, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents of $
These conditions support the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for at least one year from the date those condensed consolidated financial statements are issued. However, the Company could use its available capital resources sooner than it currently expects. The Company’s future viability is dependent on its ability to raise additional capital, enter into a financing, consummate a successful acquisition, merger, business combination, or a sale of assets or other transaction. If the Company becomes unable to continue as a going concern, it may have to liquidate its assets and the values it receives for its assets in liquidation or dissolution could be significantly lower than the values reflected in its consolidated financial statements.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Lung Therapeutics, LLC, Lung Therapeutics Australia Pty Ltd, and Lung Therapeutics Limited. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and assumptions reflected in these condensed consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, the accrual for research and development expenses, the prepaid research and development expenses, and the value of stock-based compensation. Estimates are periodically reviewed in light of changes in circumstances, facts and experience. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Unaudited Interim Financial Information
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2024 and for the three months then ended have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial statements. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 that was filed with the SEC on April 15, 2024.
The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair statement of the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2024, the results of its operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 and its cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. The financial data and other information disclosed in these notes related to the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are unaudited. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2024, any other interim periods, or any future year or period. The accompanying balance sheet as of December 31, 2023 has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K that was filed with the SEC on April 15, 2024.
The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 that was filed with the SEC on April 15, 2024.
9
Concentration of Credit Risk and of Significant Suppliers
Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents. Periodically, the Company maintains balances in operating accounts above federally insured limits. The Company deposits its cash in financial institutions that it believes have high credit quality. The Company has not experienced any losses on such accounts and does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.
The Company is dependent on third-party manufacturers to supply products for research and development activities of its programs, including preclinical and clinical testing. In particular, the Company relied on a small number of manufacturers to supply it with its requirements for the active pharmaceutical ingredients and formulated drugs related to these programs. These programs could have been adversely affected by a significant interruption in the supply of active pharmaceutical ingredients and formulated drugs.
Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In March 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-02—Codification Improvements—Amendments to Remove References to the Concepts Statements, that contains amendments to the Codification that remove references to various FASB Concepts Statements. This effort facilitates Codification updates for technical corrections such as conforming amendments, clarifications to guidance, simplifications to wording or the structure of guidance, and other minor improvements. The amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. Early application of the amendments in this ASU is permitted for all entities, for any fiscal year or interim period for which financial statements have not yet been issued (or made available for issuance). If an entity adopts the amendments in an interim period, it must adopt them as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. The Company is currently assessing the effect of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In March 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-01—Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope Application of Profits Interest and Similar Awards, to improve GAAP by adding an illustrative example that includes four fact patterns to demonstrate how an entity should apply the scope guidance in paragraph 718-10-15-3 to determine whether a profits interest award should be accounted for in accordance with Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. For public business entities, the amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for both interim and annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. If an entity adopts the amendments in an interim period, it should adopt them as of the beginning of the annual period that includes that interim period. The Company is currently assessing the effect of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
3. Business Acquisition
On October 31, 2023, Aileron acquired
Immediately following the closing of the Lung Acquisition, on October 31, 2023, Aileron entered into a Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with a group of accredited investors, pursuant to which Aileron issued and sold (i) an aggregate of
The net proceeds from the PIPE Financing of approximately $
The Lung Acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting under ASC 805, Business Combinations. Under the acquisition method, the total purchase price of the acquisition is allocated to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the fair values as of the date of the acquisition. Consideration transferred is the sum of the acquisition-date fair values of the assets transferred, the liabilities incurred by the acquirer to the former owners of the acquiree, and the equity interests issued by the acquirer to the former owners of the acquiree (except for the measurement of share-based payment awards). The Company recorded the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of the Lung Acquisition based on the information available at that date.
10
4. Fair Value of Financial Assets
The following tables present information about the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and indicate the level of the fair value hierarchy utilized to determine such fair values:
|
|
March 31, 2024 |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|
Total |
|
||||
Cash equivalents: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Money market funds |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
|
||
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
December 31, 2023 |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|
Total |
|
||||
Cash equivalents: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Money market funds |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
|
||
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
|
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and the year ended December 31, 2023, there were
5. Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
Prepaid research and development |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Other current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
6. Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
$
7. Other Assets
Other assets consisted of the following:
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
Non-current prepaid research and development |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Other assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total other non-current assets |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
8. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following:
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
External research and development services |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Payroll and payroll-related costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Professional fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
11
9. Preferred Stock
The Company is authorized to issue
On March 5, 2024, based upon existing beneficial ownership limitations,
On October 31, 2023, Aileron acquired Lung. Under the terms of the Lung Acquisition Agreement, at the closing of the Lung Acquisition, Aileron issued to the stockholders of Lung
Immediately following the closing of the Lung Acquisition, on October 31, 2023, Aileron entered into the Purchase Agreement with a group of accredited investors, pursuant to which Aileron issued and sold
The Company evaluated the Series X Preferred Stock for liability classification in accordance with the provisions of ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity ("ASC 480"), and determined that equity treatment was appropriate because the Series X Preferred Stock did not meet the definition of the liability instruments. Specifically, the Series X Preferred Stock is not mandatorily redeemable and does not embody an obligation to buy back the shares outside of the Company’s control in a manner that could require the transfer of assets. The Company determined that the Series X Preferred Stock would be recorded as temporary equity, based on the guidance of ASC 480, given that it is contingently redeemable.
Each share of Series X Preferred Stock is convertible into
The Series X Preferred Stock has the following characteristics:
Voting
Except as otherwise required by law, the Series X Preferred Stock does not have voting rights. However, as long as any shares of Series X Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Company will not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of the Series X Preferred Stock, (i) alter or change adversely the powers, preferences or rights given to the Series X Preferred Stock or alter or amend the Certificate of Designation, amend or repeal any provision of, or add any provision to, the Certificate of Incorporation or by-laws of the Company, or file any articles of amendment, certificate of designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights of any series of preferred stock, if such action would adversely alter or change the preferences, rights, privileges or powers of, or restrictions provided for the benefit of the Series X Preferred Stock, (ii) issue further shares of Series X Preferred Stock or increase or decrease (other than by conversion) the number of authorized shares of Series X Preferred Stock, or (iii) enter into any agreement with respect to any of the foregoing.
Dividends
Holders of Series X Preferred Stock are entitled to receive dividends on shares of Series X Preferred Stock equal, on an as-if-converted-to-common-stock basis, and in the same form as dividends actually paid on shares of the common stock. Such dividends are not cumulative. Since the Company’s inception,
Liquidation, dissolution or winding up
The Series X Preferred Stock does not have a preference upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company.
Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the Series X preferred stockholders shall be entitled to receive an equivalent amount of distributions as would be paid on the common stock underlying the Series X Preferred Stock, determined on an as-converted basis, pari passu with any distributions to the common stock shareholders.
Conversion
The Series X Preferred Stock is convertible into common stock at a rate of
12
that a holder of Series X Preferred Stock is prohibited from converting shares of Series X Preferred Stock into shares of common stock if, as a result of such conversion, such holder (together with its affiliates and any other persons acting as a group together with the holder or any of its affiliates) would beneficially own more than a specified percentage (to be initially set at
Redemption
Shares of the Series X Preferred Stock are not redeemable at the election of the holder.
Maturity
The Series X Preferred Stock shall be perpetual unless converted.
10. Common Stock
On February 28, 2024, the Company held its 2023 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2023 Annual Meeting”), at which the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock of the Company from
As of March 31, 2024, the Company had
In the event of liquidation or dissolution, the holders of the common stock are entitled to receive proportionately all assets available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all debts and other liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any outstanding preferred stock.
Issuance of Common Stock
At the 2023 Annual Meeting, the Company’s stockholders also approved the issuance, in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(a), of shares of common stock, upon conversion of the Company’s outstanding Series X Preferred Stock. On March 5, 2024, based upon existing beneficial ownership limitations,
On October 31, 2023, Aileron acquired Lung. Under the terms of the Lung Acquisition Agreement, at the closing of the Lung Acquisition, Aileron issued to the stockholders of Lung
Immediately following the closing of the Lung Acquisition, on October 31, 2023, Aileron entered into the Purchase Agreement with a group of accredited investors, pursuant to which Aileron issued and sold
Under the terms of the PIPE Warrants, the Company shall not effect the exercise of any portion of any PIPE Warrant, and a holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of any PIPE Warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, the holder (together with its affiliates and any other persons acting as a group together with the holder or any of its affiliates), would beneficially own in excess of a percentage elected by the holder up to
13
excess of
The Company has assessed the PIPE Warrants for appropriate equity or liability classification and determined the PIPE Warrants are freestanding instruments that do not meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480 and do not meet the definition of a derivative pursuant to ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The PIPE Warrants are indexed to the Company’s common stock and meet all other conditions for equity classification under ASC 480 and ASC 815. Accordingly, the PIPE Warrants are classified as equity and accounted for as a component of additional paid-in capital at the time of issuance. The PIPE Warrants were initially recognized at their relative fair value in the amount of $
As of March 31, 2024,
Accordingly, as of March 31, 2024, out of the
11. Stock-Based Awards
As of March 31, 2024, the Company had
As of March 31, 2024, the Company had
Under the 2021 Plan, shares that are expired, terminated, surrendered or canceled without having been fully exercised will be available for future awards. In addition, shares of common stock that are tendered to the Company by a participant to exercise an award are added to the number of shares of common stock available for the grant of awards.
The exercise price for stock options granted may not be less than the fair market value of the common stock as of the date of grant.
2021 Stock Incentive Plan
The Company’s 2021 Plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders on June 15, 2021 and became effective on June 16, 2021. At the 2023 Annual Meeting, the stockholders of the Company approved an amendment (the “Plan Amendment”) to the 2021 Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock issuable under the 2021 Plan by
Under the 2021 Plan, the Company may grant incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, awards of restricted stock units and other stock-based awards. The Company’s employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors are eligible to receive awards under the 2021 Plan; however, incentive stock options may only be granted to employees. The 2021 Plan is administered by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) or, at the discretion of the Board, by a committee of the Board. The number of shares of common stock covered by options and the date those options become exercisable, type
14
of options to be granted, exercise prices, vesting and other restrictions are determined at the discretion of the Board, or its committee if so delegated.
Stock options granted under the 2021 Plan with service-based vesting conditions generally vest over
The total number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2021 Plan was
2017 Stock Incentive Plan
The 2017 Plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders on June 16, 2017, and became effective on June 28, 2017. Under the 2017 Plan, the Company could grant incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, awards of restricted stock units and other stock-based awards. The Company’s employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors were eligible to receive awards under the 2017 Plan; however, incentive stock options could only be granted to employees. The 2017 Plan is administered by the Board or, at the discretion of the Board, by a committee of the Board. The number of shares of common stock covered by options and the date those options become exercisable, type of options granted, exercise prices, vesting and other restrictions were determined at the discretion of the Board, or its committee if so delegated.
Stock options granted under the 2017 Plan with service-based vesting conditions generally vest over
As of the effective date of the 2021 Plan, the Board determined to grant no further awards under the 2017 Plan.
Shares that are expired, terminated, surrendered or canceled without having been fully exercised under the 2017 Plan will be available for future awards under the 2021 Plan. In addition, shares of common stock that are tendered to the Company by a participant to exercise an award are added to the number of shares of common stock available for the grant of awards under the 2021 Plan.
2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
2013 Stock Incentive Plan
The Company assumed the 2013 Plan as a result of the Lung Acquisition. In October 2013, Lung’s Board of Directors (“Lung Board”) approved the 2013 Plan to provide long-term incentives for its employees, non-employee directors and certain consultants. As of March 31, 2024,
Before the Lung Acquisition, the 2013 Plan was administered by the Lung Board or, at the discretion of the Lung Board, by a committee of the Lung Board. The exercise prices, vesting and other restrictions were determined at the discretion of the Lung Board, or its committee if so delegated, except that the exercise price per share of stock options may not be less than
Stock Option Valuation
The assumptions that the Company used to determine the grant-date fair value of the stock options granted to employees and directors during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows, presented on a weighted average basis:
15
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
Risk-free interest rate |
|
|
% |
|
|
% |
||
Expected term (in years) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Expected volatility |
|
|
% |
|
|
% |
||
Expected dividend yield |
|
|
% |
|
|
% |
Stock Options
The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity since January 1, 2023:
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
Aggregate |
|
||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Granted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|||
Exercised |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Forfeited/Canceled |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Expired |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
||
Outstanding at March 31, 2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Options exercisable at March 31, 2024 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Options vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2024 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Options exercisable at December 31, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Options vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
The weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $
The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the stock options and the fair value of the Company’s common stock for those stock options that had exercise prices lower than the fair value of the Company’s common stock. There were
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense related to stock options in the following expense categories of its statements of operations and comprehensive loss:
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
Research and development expenses |
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
General and administrative expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
As of March 31, 2024, the Company had an aggregate of $
On March 11, 2024, the Company and Manuel C. Alves-Aivado, M.D., Ph.D., agreed that his employment with the Company would cease and he would resign from his position as Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of the Company, effective as of March 11, 2024. Dr. Aivado remains a member of the Company’s Board. Dr. Aivado’s resignation from the Company was not the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to its operations, policies or practices. As a non-employee director, following the separation date, Dr. Aivado will be compensated in accordance with the terms of the Company’s non-employee director compensation program. In addition, Dr. Aivado will continue to vest in all unvested stock option awards pursuant to the original vesting terms. The resignation of Dr. Aivado as CEO was considered a significant reduction in service and his original awards were deemed to have been modified and accounted for as a Type III modification with no material effect on these condensed consolidated financial statements.
16
12. Net Loss per Share
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders was calculated as follows:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
Numerator: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net loss |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
Denominator: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic and diluted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
The Company’s potential dilutive securities, which include stock options as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, have been excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders whenever the effect of including them would be to reduce the net loss per share. In periods where there is a net loss, the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding used to calculate both basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is the same.
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
Options to purchase common stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Warrants to issue shares of common stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Series X Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, as converted |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
13. Income Taxes
As of March 31, 2024, the Company has not recorded any U.S. federal or state income tax benefits for either the net losses it has incurred or its earned research and orphan drug credits, due to the uncertainty of realizing a benefit from those items in the future.
14. Related Party Transactions
On March 5, 2024, entities and individuals affiliated with Bios Partners (collectively, the “Bios Entities”) converted
On March 5, 2024, the Board of Regents of the University of Texas System, or UT System, on behalf of University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, or UTHSCT, converted
15. Commitments and Contingencies
Operating Leases
On August 16, 2021, Lung entered into an operating lease agreement to rent approximately
Legal Proceedings
The Company may from time to time be party to litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. As of March 31, 2024, the Company was not party to any legal proceedings and no material legal proceedings are currently pending or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, threatened.
17
Intellectual Property Licenses
Harvard and Dana-Farber Agreement
In August 2006, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement with President and Fellows of Harvard College (“Harvard”) and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (“DFCI”). The agreement granted the Company an exclusive worldwide license, with the right to sublicense, under specified patents and patent applications to develop, obtain regulatory approval for and commercialize specified product candidates based on cell-permeating peptides. Under the agreement, the Company is obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize one or more licensed products and to achieve specified milestone events by specified dates. In connection with entering into the agreement, the Company paid an upfront license fee and issued to Harvard and DFCI shares of its common stock.
In February 2010, the agreement was amended and restated (the “Harvard/DFCI agreement”) under which additional patent rights were added to the scope of the license agreement and the annual license maintenance fees were increased. Under the Harvard/DFCI agreement, the Company is obligated to make aggregate milestones payments of up to $
The Harvard/DFCI agreement requires the Company to pay annual license maintenance fees of $
As of March 31, 2024, the Company had not developed a commercial product using the licensed technologies and no royalties under the agreement had been paid or were due.
Under the Harvard/DFCI agreement, the Company is responsible for all patent expenses related to the prosecution and maintenance of the licensed patents and applications in-licensed under the agreement as well as cost reimbursement of amounts incurred for all documented patent-related expenses. The agreement will expire on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis upon the last to expire of any valid patent claim pertaining to licensed products covered under the agreement. The Company incurred $
Agreement with the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler
In June 2013, Lung entered into a patent and technology license agreement with UT System, on behalf of UTHSCT. The patent and technology license agreement with UT System (the “UTHSCT Agreement”) provides Lung access to patents and technology related to the development of LTI-01 and LTI-03. As part of the UTHSCT Agreement, Lung has (i) a royalty-bearing, exclusive license under the patent rights to manufacture, distribute, and sell certain intellectual property; (ii) a non-exclusive license under the technology rights to manufacture, distribute and sell the licensed product; and (iii) a sublicensing right that allows Lung to grant sublicenses to affiliates and third parties to use the licensed product in the field of use and approved territories outlined in the UTHSCT Agreement. In December 2013, the UTHSCT Agreement was amended and restated to include certain patents in all fields worldwide. In May 2017, the UTHSCT Agreement was amended and restated to modify the specific milestone criteria.
In consideration of the UTHSCT Agreement, Lung granted UT System (via UTHSCT and UT Horizon Fund affiliates) (i)
Pursuant to the UTHSCT Agreement, Lung is required to use diligent efforts to commercialize the licensed technology as soon as commercially practicable, including maintaining active research and development, regulatory, marketing and sales program, all as commercially reasonable.
The Company may terminate the UTHSCT Agreement for convenience with 90 days’ notice. UTHSCT may also terminate the UTHSCT Agreement, but only if the Company breaches the terms of the agreement. The Company did not incur any expense in the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
Agreement with the University of Texas at Austin
In May 2015, Lung entered into a patent license agreement with UT Austin on behalf of UT System. This license agreement with UT Austin (the “UT Austin 6607 Agreement”) relates to the patent rights to polypeptide therapeutics and uses thereof. Pursuant to the
18
UT Austin 6607 Agreement Lung has (i) a royalty-bearing, exclusive license under the patent rights to manufacture, distribute, and sell the licensed product; and (ii) a sublicensing right that allows Lung to grant sublicenses to affiliates and third parties to use the licensed product in the field of use and approved territories outlined in the agreement. The UT Austin 6607 Agreement was amended and restated in January 2017, November 2018, and June 2019. The amendments related to extension of milestone payment dates and specific terminology around the milestone achievement criteria.
In consideration of the UT Austin 6607 Agreement, Lung agreed to pay past and ongoing patent expenses, milestone fees upon certain development and regulatory milestone events, annual license fees, tiered sublicense fees, assignment fees, low single digit royalties on net sales and a Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) Priority Review Voucher fee if Lung sells or transfers this voucher.
Pursuant to the UT Austin 6607 Agreement, Lung is required to use diligent efforts to commercialize the licensed products, including maintaining active research and development, regulatory, marketing and sales program. Moreover, Lung is required to meet certain development and regulatory milestones by specific dates.
The Company may terminate the UT Austin 6607 Agreement for convenience with 90 days’ notice. UT Austin may also terminate the UT Austin 6607 Agreement, but only if the Company breaches the terms of the agreement. The Company did not incur any expense in the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
Agreement with Medical University of South Carolina
In March 2016, Lung entered into a license agreement with Medical University of South Carolina Foundation for Research Development, or MUSC. Pursuant to this license agreement with MUSC (the “MUSC Agreement”) Lung has patent rights related to protecting against lung fibrosis by up regulating Cav1. The MUSC Agreement granted (i) a royalty-bearing, exclusive license under the patent rights to make, use and sell the license product; and (ii) a sublicensing right that allows Lung to grant sublicenses to affiliates and third parties to use the licensed product in the field of use and approved territories outlined in the agreement. In September 2018, the agreement was amended and restated to include definitions of related methods, related products and related rights.
In consideration of the MUSC Agreement, Lung agreed to pay a non-refundable license fee, patent expenses, milestone fees upon certain development, regulatory and commercial milestone events, sublicense fees, assignment fees and low single digit royalties on net sales, with a fixed minimum royalty payment starting in 2019 and a transaction fee upon Lung’s liquidation.
Pursuant to the MUSC Agreement, Lung is required to use diligent efforts to develop, manufacture and sell the licensed products.
The Company may terminate the MUSC Agreement for convenience by providing a written notice to MUSC effective 90 days following the receipt of notice, and either party may terminate the agreement for a breach of contract. The Company incurred $
Agreement with Vivarta Therapeutics LLC
In March 2018, Lung entered into a license agreement with Vivarta Therapeutics, LLC, or Vivarta. This license agreement with Vivarta (the “Vivarta Agreement”) relates to intellectual property relating to epithelial sodium channel inhibitors and methods to treat pulmonary disease. Pursuant to the Vivarta Agreement Lung has (i) a royalty-bearing, exclusive license under the intellectual property rights to make, use and sell the licensed product, and (ii) a sublicensing right that allows Lung to grant sublicenses to affiliates and third parties to use the licensed product in the field of use and approved territories outlined in the agreement.
In consideration for the Vivarta Agreement, Lung agreed to grant Vivarta a warrant to purchase an aggregate of
Pursuant to the Vivarta Agreement, Lung is required to use diligent efforts to develop, manufacture and sell the licensed products.
The Company may terminate the Vivarta Agreement for convenience by providing a written notice to Vivarta effective 90 days following the receipt of notice, and either party may terminate the agreement for a breach of contract. The Company did not incur any expense in the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
Manufacturing Commitments
As of March 31, 2024, the Company has non-cancellable purchase obligations and a prepaid balance with its contract manufacturer in the amount of $
Aggregate future service and purchase commitments with manufacturer as of March 31, 2024 are as follows:
19
|
|
March 31, 2024 |
|
|
2024 |
|
$ |
- |
|
2025 and thereafter |
|
|
|
|
Total purchase commitments |
|
|
|
Indemnification Agreements
In the ordinary course of business, the Company may provide indemnification of varying scope and terms to vendors, lessors, business partners and other parties with respect to certain matters including, but not limited to, losses arising out of breach of such agreements or from intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties. In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with members of its board of directors and officers that will require the Company, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is, in many cases, unlimited. To date, the Company has not incurred any material costs as a result of such indemnifications. The Company does not believe that the outcome of any claims under indemnification arrangements will have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows, and it had not accrued any liabilities related to such obligations in its consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2024 or December 31, 2023.
16. Subsequent Event
As discussed in Note 1 – Nature of the Business – Liquidity and Going Concern, on May 1, 2024, the Company entered into the Underwriting Agreement and sold
Each Offering Share was offered and sold together with an accompanying Offering Warrant at a combined offering price of $
Each Offering Warrant is callable by the Company during the
On May 8, 2024, the Bios Entities provided notice to the Company and converted
20
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis are meant to provide material information relevant to an assessment of the financial condition and results of operations of our Company, including an evaluation of the amounts and certainty of cash flows from operations and from outside sources, so as to allow investors to better view our Company from management’s perspective. You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2024, included 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 anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors. We discuss factors that we believe could cause or contribute to these differences below and elsewhere in this report, including those set forth under Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 and in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (the “Form 10-K”).
Overview and Recent Developments
We are a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapies for the treatment of orphan pulmonary and fibrosis indications with no approved or limited effective treatments. We currently have two product candidates in clinical development, LTI-03 and LTI-01, and multiple candidates in preclinical development focused on fibrosis indications. Our pipeline includes:
On May 1, 2024, we announced positive data from Cohort 1 of the ongoing Phase 1b clinical trial evaluating the safety and tolerability of inhaled LTI-03 in patients diagnosed with IPF.
The Phase 1b trial of LTI-03 is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 1b clinical trial of LTI-03 in IPF patients, which is being conducted at 11 centers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany and Australia. We plan to enroll a total of 24 patients. In the trial, these patients have a bronchoscopy at a baseline screening followed by either LTI-03 or placebo twice a day for 14 days. On day 14, shortly after the final dose, patients receive a second bronchoscopy and are monitored thereafter for seven days. In cohort 1, patients in the active arm inhaled a single 2.5 mg capsule of LTI-03 twice daily. In Cohort 2, patients will receive two 2.5 mg capsules of LTI-03 for inhalation twice daily.
Of the 12 patients enrolled in Cohort 1 of the trial, three were randomized to the placebo arm and nine to the active arm. In addition to the safety and tolerability of LTI-03, in the trial, various biomarkers relating to epithelial damage, fibrosis and inflammation in blood cells were assessed. The eight biomarkers that the Company evaluated in Cohort 1 included: thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), galectin-7 (GAL-7), interleukin-11 (IL-11), collagen 1 alpha chain (Col-1α1), phosphorylated SMAD2/3 (pSMAD2/3/tSMAD2/3), phosphorylated AKT kinase (pAKT), soluble (sol) receptor for advanced glycation end-products (solRAGE), and CXC chemokine 7 (CXCL7).
In Cohort 1, a positive trend was observed in seven out of the eight biomarkers with data from three biomarkers being statistically significant (based on a one-tailed t-test). The findings from Cohort 1 include:
21
Announcement of Exploration of Strategic Alternatives
Prior to the termination of development of our main product candidate in February 2023 and the Lung Acquisition (as described below), our focus was the development of our main product candidate, ALRN-6924, a MDM2/MDMX dual inhibitor that leveraged our proprietary peptide drug technology. Since our inception, we have devoted a substantial portion of our resources to developing our product candidates, including ALRN-6924, developing our proprietary stabilized cell-permeating peptide platform, building our intellectual property portfolio, business planning, raising capital and providing general and administrative support for these operations.
In February 2023, we announced a review of initial data from our Phase 1b chemoprotection trial of ALRN-6924 in patients with p53-mutated breast cancer. Based on these findings, we decided to terminate the Phase 1b breast cancer trial and further development of ALRN-6924. We also announced that we were exploring a range of strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value. We engaged Ladenburg Thalmann & Co., Inc. to act as a strategic advisor for this process. Strategic alternatives that were being evaluated included, but were not limited to, an acquisition, a merger, a business combination, a sale of assets or other transactions. In addition, in February 2023, we determined to reduce our workforce from nine to three full-time employees, which we completed in the second quarter of 2023.
The Lung Acquisition
On October 31, 2023, we acquired Lung Therapeutics, Inc., or Lung, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Lung Acquisition Agreement”). Following our acquisition of Lung (the “Lung Acquisition”) the business conducted by Lung became the business primarily conducted by the Company and we shifted our operating disease focus to advancing a pipeline of first-in-class medicines to address significant unmet medical needs in orphan pulmonary and fibrosis indications.
Under the terms of the Lung Acquisition Agreement, at the closing of the Lung Acquisition, we issued to the stockholders of Lung 344,345 shares of our common stock and 19,903 shares of our newly designated Series X Preferred Stock. Each share of Series X Preferred Stock is convertible into 1,000 shares of common stock. In addition, we assumed all Lung stock options and all warrants exercisable for Lung common stock immediately outstanding prior to the closing of the Lung Acquisition, each subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the Lung Acquisition Agreement.
Immediately following the closing of the Lung Acquisition, we entered into a Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with a group of accredited investors led by Bios Partners, the majority stockholder of Lung prior to the closing of the Lung Acquisition, and including Nantahala Capital, as well as additional undisclosed investors, pursuant to which we issued and sold (i) an aggregate of 4,707 shares of Series X Preferred Stock, and (ii) warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,353,500 shares of common stock (the “PIPE Warrant Shares”) for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $18.4 million, which included the conversion of certain convertible promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $1.6 million issued by Lung to Bios Partners prior to the closing of the Lung Acquisition at a 10% discount to the per share price of the Series X Preferred Stock (the “PIPE Financing”). The PIPE Financing closed on November 2, 2023.
On February 28, 2024, we held our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders in which our stockholders approved the issuance, in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(a), of shares of common stock, upon conversion of our outstanding Series X Preferred Stock. Following approval of the conversion of outstanding Series X Preferred Stock, the Company had approximately 29,495,512 shares of common stock issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis, which gives effect to the full conversion of the Series X Preferred Stock as of the date of our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders, without regard to beneficial ownership limitations that may limit the ability of certain holders of Series X Preferred Stock to convert such shares to common stock as such time. On March 5, 2024, based upon existing beneficial ownership limitations, 11,957 shares of Series X Preferred Stock were automatically converted into 11,957,000 shares of common stock and approximately 12,653 shares of Series X Preferred Stock (which are convertible into 12,653,000 shares of common stock) remained convertible at the option of the holder thereof, subject to certain beneficial ownership limitations.
Components of our Results of Operations
Revenue
We have not generated any revenue from product sales and we do not expect to generate any revenue from the sale of products in the foreseeable future.
Operating Expenses
Our expenses since inception have consisted solely of research and development costs, general and administrative, and restructuring costs.
Research and Development Expenses
For the periods presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, research and development expenses consist primarily of costs incurred for our research activities, including our discovery efforts, and the development of our product candidates, and include:
22
We expense research and development costs as incurred. We recognize costs for certain development activities, such as clinical trials, based on an evaluation of the progress to completion of specific tasks using data such as patient enrollment, clinical site activations or information provided to us by our vendors and our clinical investigative sites. Payments for these activities are based on the terms of the individual agreements, which may differ from the pattern of costs incurred, and are reflected in our financial statements as prepaid or accrued research and development expenses.
In addition, we typically used our employee and infrastructure resources across our development programs. We tracked outsourced development costs and milestone payments made under our licensing arrangements by product candidate or development program, but we did not allocate personnel costs, license payments made under our licensing arrangements or other internal costs to specific development programs or product candidates because these costs are deployed across multiple programs and, as such, are not separately classified.
Research and development activities are central to our business model. The duration, costs and timing of clinical trials and development of a product candidate will depend on a variety of factors, including:
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 have required us to conduct clinical trials beyond those that we anticipated would be required for the completion of clinical development of a product candidate, or if we experienced significant trial delays due to patient enrollment or other reasons, we would have been 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 salaries and other related costs, including stock-based compensation, for personnel in our executive, finance and corporate and administrative functions. General and administrative expenses are comprised of professional fees associated with being a public company including costs of accounting, auditing, legal, regulatory, tax and consulting services associated with maintaining compliance with exchange listing and the SEC requirements, director and officer insurance costs; and both public and investor relations costs. General and administrative expenses also include legal fees relating to patent and corporate matters; legal and other professional fees relating to our strategic process; other insurance costs; travel expenses; and facility-related expenses, which include direct depreciation costs and allocated expenses for rent and maintenance of facilities and other operating costs.
23
Restructuring Costs
Restructuring-related charges are comprised of one-time termination costs in connection with the reduction-in-workforce, including severance, benefits, and related costs.
Other Income, net
Interest and Other Income
Interest income consists of interest income earned on our cash and cash equivalents. Historically, our interest income had not been significant due to low investment balances and low interest earned on those balances. We anticipate that our interest income will fluctuate in the future in response to our cash and cash equivalents and the interest rate environment.
Other income, net consists of gains or losses recognized from non-routine items such as accretion on short-term investments, and gains or losses recognized from foreign currency transactions, and the disposal of fixed assets.
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:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|
Increase |
|
||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
|||
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
|||||||||
Revenue |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Research and development |
|
|
3,463 |
|
|
|
1,810 |
|
|
|
1,653 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
3,742 |
|
|
|
2,179 |
|
|
|
1,563 |
|
Restructuring and Other Costs |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,022 |
|
|
|
(1,022 |
) |
Total operating expenses |
|
|
7,205 |
|
|
|
5,011 |
|
|
|
2,194 |
|
Loss from operations |
|
|
(7,205 |
) |
|
|
(5,011 |
) |
|
|
(2,194 |
) |
Other income (expense), net |
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
232 |
|
|
|
(140 |
) |
Net loss |
|
$ |
(7,113 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,779 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,334 |
) |
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 were $3.5 million, compared to $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase of $1.7 million was primarily a result of the Lung Acquisition in October 2023. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, Aileron spent $1.1 million on clinical trials, $1.6 million on manufacturing, and $0.2 million on regulatory and development consulting as well as $0.6 million on employee and related expenses associated with clinical programs acquired in the Lung Acquisition. These programs and related activities did not exist during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and were offset by the termination of ALRN-6924 activities during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses were $3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase of $1.5 million was primarily due to increased professional fees of $1.0 million and increased employee and related expenses of $0.3 million as a result of the Lung Acquisition, and increased facilities and other expenses of $0.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2024 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Restructuring and Other Costs
There were no restructuring-related expenses incurred in the three months ended March 31, 2024. On February 16, 2023, our Board of Directors determined to reduce the Company’s remaining workforce from nine to three full-time employees. As a result, we incurred restructuring-related charges of $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Restructuring-related charges were comprised of one-time termination costs in connection with the reduction-in-workforce, including severance, benefits, and related costs. All restructuring-related expenses incurred and were paid in 2023.
Other Income, net
Other income, net for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was less than $0.1 million. Other income, net, in the three months ended March 31, 2024 was primarily driven by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest of our money market funds.
24
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Since inception, we have not generated any revenue from product sales and have incurred significant operating losses and negative cash flows from operations. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and operating losses for the foreseeable future as we advance the clinical development of our lead candidates, LTI-03 and LTI-01, or any future product candidates. We expect that our research and development and general and administrative costs will continue to increase significantly, including in connection with conducting clinical trials and manufacturing for our lead product candidates or any future product candidates to support potential future commercialization and providing general and administrative support for our operations, including the costs associated with operating as a public company. As a result, we will need additional capital to fund our operations, which we may obtain from additional equity or debt financings, collaborations, licensing arrangements or other sources. See the section titled “Risk Factors” found elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on April 15, 2024 for additional risks associated with our substantial capital requirements.
To date, we have funded our operations through sales of common stock in our initial public offering and follow-on public offerings, sales of common stock and warrants in a private placement, sales of common stock in “at-the-market” offerings, sales of common stock under our equity line with Lincoln Park Capital LLC, sales of preferred stock prior to our initial public offering, payments received under a collaboration agreement and sales of common stock, preferred stock and warrants in connection with the Lung Acquisition and the Financing. As of March 31, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $12.0 million.
On May 1, 2024, we entered into an underwriting agreement with Titan Partners Group LLC, a division of American Capital Partners, LLC, as underwriter, relating to an underwritten offering (the “Offering”) of 4,273,505 shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share and accompanying warrants to purchase 4,273,505 shares of our common stock. All of the shares and warrants were sold by May 3, 2024 for the net proceeds from the Offering of approximately $17.9 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, and excluding any proceeds that may be received from exercise of the warrants. We expect to use the net proceeds from the Offering, together with our existing cash and cash equivalents, to fund the development and commercialization of our product candidates, including an ongoing Phase 1b clinical trial of LTI-03; and for working capital and other general corporate purposes.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our sources and uses of cash for each of the periods presented:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
|||||
Cash used in operating activities |
|
$ |
(5,271 |
) |
|