Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2025

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Concentration of Credit Risk and Other Risks and Uncertainties

The Company is subject to a number of risks similar to other biopharmaceutical companies in the early stage, including, but not limited to, the need to obtain adequate additional funding, possible failure of preclinical testing or clinical trials, the need to obtain marketing approval for its product candidates, competitors developing new technological innovations, the need to successfully commercialize and gain market acceptance of the Company’s products, and protection of proprietary technology. If the Company does not successfully obtain regulatory approval, commercialize or partner any of its product candidates, it will be unable to generate revenue from product sales or achieve profitability.

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and accounts receivable. Substantially all the Company’s cash is held by one financial institution. Such deposits may, at times, exceed federally insured limits. The Company invests its cash equivalents in highly rated money market funds and its short-term investments in U.S. Treasury securities.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Restricted cash represents a standby letter of credit issued pursuant to office leases and value added tax return.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the balance sheets that sum to the total of the amounts shown in the statements of cash flows:


	December 31
	2025		2024
	(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	12,667	$	38,052
Restricted cash - non-current assets		1,527		1,027
Total	$	14,194	$	39,079

Investments

All investments have been classified as available-for-sale (“AFS”) and are carried at fair value as determined based upon quoted market prices or pricing models for similar securities at period end. Investments that are required for use in current operations and that mature in less than 12 months are classified as short-term investments in the accompanying balance sheets. The amortized cost of securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned. Realized gains and losses are included in earnings and are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of securities sold.

The Company assesses impairment of its AFS debt securities investments at each reporting period. Unrealized gains resulting from the excess of the fair value over the amortized cost basis of an investment are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. Unrealized losses or impairments resulting from the fair value of the AFS debt security being below the amortized cost basis are evaluated, using the discounted cash flow model, for identification of credit losses and non-credit related losses. Any credit losses are charged to earnings against the allowance for credit losses of the security, limited to the difference between the fair value and the amortized cost basis of the security. Any difference between the fair value of the security and the amortized cost basis, less the allowance for credit losses, are reported in other comprehensive income (loss). Expected cash inflows due to improvements in credit are recognized through a reversal of the allowance for credit losses subject to the total allowance previously recognized. Interest receivable of $0.5 million and $22 thousand as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, primarily related to short term investments are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets.

In the event of impairment of any security, if management (i) has the intent to sell such security or (ii) will more-likely-than-not be required to sell such security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, such AFS debt security’s amortized cost basis will be written down to its fair value through earnings along with any existing allowance for credit losses.

Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment are recorded at cost net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. The useful lives of property and equipment are as follows:


Machinery and equipment		5 years
Computer equipment and software		3 years
Furniture and fixtures		3 years
Leasehold improvements		Shorter of remaining lease term or estimated life of the assets

Maintenance and repairs that do not extend the life or improve the asset are expensed when incurred.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid over the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in business combinations. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but are assigned to reporting units and tested for impairment annually, or whenever there is an impairment indicator. Intangible assets are comprised of in-process research and development. The Company assesses impairment indicators annually as of December 31 or more frequently, if a change in circumstances or the occurrence of events suggests the remaining value may not be recoverable. Intangible assets that are not deemed to have an indefinite life are amortized over their estimated useful lives. There was no impairment of goodwill or intangible assets identified during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset (or asset group) may not be recoverable and prior to any goodwill impairment test. An impairment loss is recognized when the total of estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset (or asset group) and its eventual disposition is less than its carrying amount. Impairment, if any, would be assessed using discounted cash flows or other appropriate measures of fair value. During the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company recorded impairment loss of $0.4 million and $0.1 million for long-lived assets.

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s revenues are primarily derived through its license, research, development and commercialization agreements. The terms of these types of agreements may include (i) licenses for the Company’s technology or programs, (ii) research and development services, and (iii) services or obligations in connection with participation in research or steering committees. Payments to the Company under these arrangements typically include one or more of the following: nonrefundable upfront and license fees, research funding, milestone and other contingent payments to the Company for the achievement of defined collaboration objectives and certain preclinical, clinical, regulatory and sales-based events, as well as royalties on sales of any commercialized products.

The Company assesses whether the promises in its arrangements with customers are distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately. Judgment is required to determine whether the license to the Company’s intellectual property is distinct from the research and development services or participation on steering committees.

The Company’s collaboration and license agreements may include contingent payments related to specified research, development and regulatory milestones. Such milestone payments are typically payable under the collaborations when the collaboration partner claims or selects a target, or initiates or advances a covered product candidate in preclinical or clinical development, upon submission for marketing approval of a covered product with regulatory authorities, or upon receipt of actual marketing approvals of a covered product or for additional indications. Milestone payments that are not within the control of the Company or the licensee, such as regulatory approvals, are not considered probable of being achieved until those approvals are received. At each reporting date, the Company re-evaluates whether the milestones are considered probable of being achieved and estimates the amount to be included in the transaction price by using the most likely amount method. If it is probable that a significant revenue reversal would not occur, the associated milestone value is included in the transaction price in such period of determination.

The Company’s collaboration and license agreements may also include contingent payments related to sales-based milestones. Sales-based milestones are typically payable when annual sales of a covered product reach specified levels. Sales-based milestones are recognized at the later of when the associated performance obligation has been satisfied or when the sales occur. Unlike other contingency payments, such as regulatory milestones, sales-based milestones are not included in the transaction price based on estimates at the inception of the contract; instead, they are included when the sales or usage occur.

The transaction price in each arrangement is allocated to the identified performance obligations based on the relative standalone selling price (“SSP”) of each distinct performance obligation, which requires judgment. In instances where SSP is not directly observable, such as when a license or service is not sold separately, SSP is determined using information that may include market conditions and other observable inputs. Due to the early stage of the Company’s licensed technology, the license of such technology is typically combined with research and development services and steering committee participation as one performance obligation. In the event that the Company receives non-cash consideration such as consideration in the form of a research license and research support services from the counterparty, the transaction price of a non-monetary exchange that has commercial substance is estimated based on the fair value of the non-cash consideration received, which may be determined through a valuation analysis.

In certain cases, the Company’s performance creates an asset that does not have an alternative use to the customer and the Company has an enforceable right to payment at all times for performance completed to date. In these cases, the Company utilizes judgment to assess the nature of the combined performance obligation to determine whether the combined performance obligation is satisfied over time or at a point in time and, if over time, the appropriate method of measuring progress for purposes of recognizing revenue. The Company evaluates the measure of progress each reporting period and, if necessary, adjusts the measure of performance and related revenue recognition.

Most of the company's collaboration arrangements are related to delivering a combined performance obligation satisfied over time. Revenue is recognized over the estimated research period using an input measure based on the actual full-time employee (“FTE”) hours incurred as a percentage of projected FTE hours for completing the performance obligation. There have been changes in estimates of research service periods and/or the related estimated FTE hours-to-completion of certain of its research development programs in each reporting period. Such adjustment is accounted for on a prospective basis in the Company's revenue recognition. Changes in the estimated research service periods resulted in recognition of higher total revenue of $13.8 million for 2025 as compared to the estimated research service periods in place at the end of 2024, and a decrease of net loss per share by $0.10 for 2025.

Any consideration payable to the Company’s customers is treated as a reduction to the transaction price and revenue, unless the payment to the customer is in exchange for distinct good and services.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) represents all changes in stockholders’ equity (deficit) except those resulting from distributions to stockholders. The Company’s non-credit related unrealized gains and losses on investments during the period represent the component of other comprehensive income (loss) that is excluded from the reported net loss.

Contract Balances

Customer payments are recorded as deferred revenue upon receipt or when due and may require deferral of revenue recognition to a future period until the Company satisfies its performance obligations under these arrangements. Amounts payable to the Company are recorded as accounts receivable when the Company’s right to consideration is unconditional.

Research and Development Expenses

The Company records accrued liabilities for estimated costs of research and development activities conducted by third-party service providers, which include the conduct of preclinical and clinical studies, and contract manufacturing activities. The Company records the estimated costs of research and development activities based upon the estimated amount of services provided but not yet invoiced, and includes these costs in accrued liabilities in the balance sheets and within research and development expense in the statements of operations. These costs are a significant component of the Company’s research and development expenses. The Company accrues for these costs based on factors such as estimates of the work completed and in accordance with agreements established with its third-party service providers under the service agreements. The Company makes judgments and estimates in determining the accrued liabilities balance in each reporting period. As actual costs become known, the Company adjusts its accrued liabilities. The Company has not experienced any material differences between accrued costs and actual costs incurred. However, the status and timing of actual services performed may vary from the Company’s estimates, resulting in adjustments to expense in future periods. Changes in these estimates that result in material changes to the Company’s accruals could materially affect the Company’s results of operations.

Research and development expenses include costs directly attributable to the conduct of research and development programs, including the cost of salaries, payroll taxes, employee benefits, materials, supplies, depreciation on and maintenance of research equipment, the cost of services provided by outside contractors, and the allocated portions of facility costs, such as rent, utilities, insurance, repairs and maintenance, depreciation, and general support services. All costs associated with research and development are expensed as incurred.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based Compensation

The Company measures compensation expense for all stock-based payment awards, including employee stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and employee stock purchases related to Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) based on estimated fair values of the award at the grant date, and recognizes compensation expense over the requisite service vesting period. Stock option forfeitures are accounted for in the period in which they occur.

To determine the fair value of a stock option award on the grant date, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model which consist of estimating variables such as the following. These estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of judgment.

Expected term. The expected term of stock options represents the period that the stock options are expected to remain outstanding and is based on the Company's historical exercise experience with previously issued employee and board of directors' option grants. The expected term of the ESPP shares is equal to the six-month look-back period.

Expected volatility. The expected stock price volatility for the Company’s stock options is based on the historical stock price volatility which is commensurate with the estimated expected term of the stock awards. Volatility for ESPP shares is equal to the Company’s historical volatility over a six-month offering period.

Risk-free interest rate. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield with a maturity equal to the expected term of the stock options in effect at the time of grant.

Dividend yield. The expected dividend is assumed to be zero as the Company has never paid dividends and has no current plan to pay any dividends on its common stock.

The Company measures its restricted stock unit awards based on the market price of the Company’s common shares on the date of grant. Share-based compensation expense for performance-based awards is recognized when it becomes probable that the performance condition will be met. The Company reassesses the estimated probability at each reporting period, and if it is determined at a future date that a performance condition is probable of being achieved, the Company will recognize a cumulative catch-up adjustment and record the remaining expense ratably over the remaining requisite service period.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach. Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to reflect the net amount that it believes as more likely than not to be realized. Realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent on the generation of future taxable income, the amount and timing of which are uncertain. The valuation allowance requires an assessment of both positive and negative evidence when determining whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets are recoverable. Based upon the weight of available evidence at December 31, 2025, the Company continues to maintain a full valuation allowance against all of its deferred tax assets.

The Company recognizes the tax effects of an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that it will be sustained based solely on its technical merits as of the reporting date and only in an amount more likely than not that it will be sustained upon review by the tax authorities. The Company evaluates uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis and adjust the liability for changes in facts and circumstances, such as new regulations or interpretations by the taxing authorities, new information obtained during a tax examination, significant amendment to an existing tax law, or resolution of an examination. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the income tax provision in the period in which such determination is made. The resolution of its uncertain income tax positions is dependent on uncontrollable factors such as law changes, new case law, and the willingness of the income tax authorities to settle, including the timing thereof and other factors. Interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters are recognized as a component of income tax expense.

Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception. Operating leases are recorded as operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities in the Company’s balance sheet. ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent its obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The Company uses an implicit rate when readily available, or its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at lease commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The operating lease ROU assets also include any lease prepayments made and reduced by lease incentives. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that such option will be exercised. Lease expenses are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company elected the short-term lease recognition exemption. The Company’s operating lease arrangement includes lease and non-lease components which are accounted for as a single lease component. The non-lease components generally refer to common area maintenance (“CAM”) charges related to the premises.

Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASU 2023-09"), which enhances transparency in income tax disclosures. ASU 2023-09 requires entities to disclose (1) specific categories in the rate reconciliation, (2) the income or loss from continuing operations before income tax expense or benefit (separated between domestic and foreign) and (3) income tax expense or benefit from continuing operations (separated by federal, state and foreign). ASU 2023-09 also requires entities to disclose their income tax payments to international, federal, state and local jurisdictions, among other changes. The Company has adopted this ASU as of December 31, 2025 on a prospective basis.

In November 2024, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2024-03, Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses (“ASU 2024-03”), which enhances transparency in income statement disclosures. ASU 2024-03 requires entities to disclose detailed information about specific components of income statement expenses, such as employee compensation, depreciation, and amortization, as well as other significant expense categories. The objective is to provide financial statement users with greater insight into the nature and variability of expenses, improving their ability to analyze financial performance and make informed decisions. ASU 2024-03 is effective for the annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and for interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027 with early adoption permitted. The Company expects to adopt this ASU during the year ended December 31, 2027 on a prospective basis and is currently evaluating the impact on its financial statements.