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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company. The Company was an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) until December 31, 2024.
Use of Estimates

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 amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its critical accounting policies or estimates related to revenue recognition, clinical trial accruals, fair value of assets and liabilities and stock-based compensation. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and market-specific or other relevant assumptions that it believes are reasonable under the circumstances. The amounts of assets and liabilities reported in the Company’s balance sheets and the amounts of expenses and revenue reported for each of the periods presented are affected by estimates and assumptions. Actual results could differ from such estimates or assumptions.

Concentration of Credit Risk and Other Risks and Uncertainties

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 and marketable securities. Substantially all the Company’s cash is held by two financial institutions. Such deposits may, at times, exceed federally insured limits. The Company invests its cash equivalents in highly rated money market funds and short-term marketable securities comprising commercial paper, corporate bonds and U.S. government agency securities.
Segments

Segments

Operating segments are defined as components of an entity for which separate financial information is available and that is regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment and in assessing performance. The Company’s CODM is its chief executive officer, Brian Wong, M.D., Ph.D. Based on the information used by the CODM to allocate resources, the Company has determined it operates in one segment.

The CODM assesses performance for the Company’s operating segment and decides how to allocate resources based on the Company’s cash runway and net loss that also is reported on the statements of operations and comprehensive loss as net loss. Net loss is used to monitor budget versus actual results. The measure of segment assets is reported on the balance sheets as total assets. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, all of the Company’s property and equipment was maintained in the U.S.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments, including certain prepaid and accrued expenses, approximates fair value due to their short-term maturities.
Cash Equivalents

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Marketable Securities

Marketable Securities

Marketable securities primarily consist of commercial paper, corporate debt securities and U.S. government agency securities. The Company has classified its marketable securities as available-for-sale and may sell these securities prior to their stated maturities. The Company views these marketable securities as available to support current operations and classifies marketable securities with maturities beyond 12 months as current assets. The Company’s marketable securities are carried at estimated fair value, which is derived from independent pricing sources based on quoted prices in active markets for similar securities. Unrealized gains and losses are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The cost of marketable securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity, which is included in other income, net on the statements of operations.

All of the Company's available-for-sale investments are subject to a periodic impairment review. For each available-for-sale investment whose fair value is below its amortized cost, the Company determines if the impairment is a result of a credit-related loss or other factors using both quantitative and qualitative factors, including the length of time and extent to which the market value has been less than amortized cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and the Company’s intent and ability to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value. If the impairment is a result of a credit-related loss, the Company recognizes an allowance for credit losses. If the impairment is not a result of a credit loss, the Company recognizes the loss in other comprehensive loss.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consist of computer equipment, laboratory equipment, leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures, and is recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, generally three to five years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the improvements.

Depreciation and amortization begin at the time the asset is placed in service. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Upon sale or retirement of assets, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the balance sheet and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in the results of operations.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment annually or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparing the carrying amount of each asset to the future undiscounted cash flows the asset is expected to generate over its remaining life. If the asset is considered to be impaired, the amount of any impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the impaired asset. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not record any impairment losses on long-lived assets.
Leases

Leases

At inception of a contract, the Company determines whether an arrangement is or contains a lease. For all leases, the Company determines the classification as either operating leases or financing leases. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities in the Company’s balance sheets.

Lease recognition occurs at the commencement date and lease liability amounts are based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The lease term may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. 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. ROU assets represent the Company's right to use underlying assets for the lease term and operating lease liabilities represent the Company's obligation to make lease payments under the lease. ROU assets also include any lease payments made prior to the commencement date and exclude lease incentives received. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease agreements with both lease and nonlease components are generally accounted for together as a single lease component.
Research and Development Costs

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development costs consist primarily of salaries and benefits of research and development personnel, costs related to research activities, preclinical studies, clinical trials, drug manufacturing and allocated overhead and facility-related expenses. Amounts incurred in connection with license agreements, such as upfront license and milestone fees are also included in research and development expense. The Company accounts for non-refundable advance payments for goods or services that will be used in future research and development activities as expenses when the goods have been received or when the service has been performed rather than when the payment is made.

Clinical trial costs are a component of research and development expenses. The Company expenses costs for its clinical trial activities performed by third parties, including clinical research organizations (“CROs”) and other service providers, as they are incurred, based upon estimates of the work completed over the life of the individual study in accordance with associated agreements. The Company uses information it receives from internal personnel and outside service providers to estimate the clinical trial costs incurred.
Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company determines employee, non-employee and director stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based awards based on their grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. For stock-based awards with service conditions only, stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period using the straight-line method. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur.

The fair value of restricted stock awards granted is determined based on the stock price on the date of grant. The estimated fair value is amortized as compensation expense over the service period of the award.
Foreign Currency Transactions

Foreign Currency Transactions

The Company is subject to foreign currency risk with respect to its clinical contracts denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Payments on contracts denominated in foreign currencies are made at the spot rate on the day of payment. The cumulative adjustment resulting from the translation of financial statements to the reporting currency is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss).
Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. 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 effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period such tax rate changes are enacted.

The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not to be sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely to be realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts more likely than not to be realized. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized as a component of income tax expense.
Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss includes net loss and certain changes in stockholders’ deficit that are excluded from net loss, primarily unrealized gains and losses from marketable securities and foreign currency translation adjustments.
Net Loss Per Share

Net Loss Per Share

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, without consideration of potential dilutive securities. Diluted net loss per common share is computed by dividing the net loss by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus the number of potential dilutive securities outstanding during the period calculated in accordance with the treasury stock method. Diluted net loss per share is the same as basic net loss per share since the effect of potentially dilutive securities is anti-dilutive.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) or other standard setting bodies and adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended (the “JOBS Act”), the Company meets the definition of an emerging growth company and has elected the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards pursuant to Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which provides updates to qualitative and quantitative reportable segment disclosure requirements, including enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses and increased interim disclosure requirements, among others. ASU No. 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The amendments in this ASU should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The Company retrospectively adopted ASU 2023-07 on January 1, 2024 and will adopt it for its interim reporting starting with the quarter ending March 31, 2025. The adoption of ASU 2023-07 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (“ASU 2024-03”). ASU 2024-03 requires disaggregated disclosures of certain categories of expenses in the notes to the financial statements that are included in expense line items on the face of the income statement in annual and interim periods. ASU 2024-03 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its financial statements and related disclosures.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires disclosure of disaggregated income taxes paid, prescribes standard categories for the components of the effective tax rate reconciliation, and modifies other income tax-related disclosures. ASU No. 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and allows for adoption on a prospective basis, with a retrospective option. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on the income tax disclosures within the financial statements.