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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2023
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies ​ Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation ​ The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Astria Securities Corporation and Quellis Biosciences, LLC, successor in interest to Quellis. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and include all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position for the periods presented. ​ Use of Estimates ​ The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from such estimates. ​ The Company utilizes certain estimates to record expenses relating to research and development contracts. These contract estimates, which are primarily related to the length of service of each contract and the amount of service provided as of each measurement date, are determined by the Company based on input from internal project management, as well as from service providers. ​ Off-Balance Sheet Risk ​ The Company has no off-balance sheet risk, such as foreign exchange contracts, option contracts or other foreign hedging arrangements. Concentrations of Credit Risk and Significant Suppliers Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk primarily consist of cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash. The primary objectives for the Company’s investment portfolio are the preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity. The Company's investment policy includes guidelines on the quality of the institutions and financial instruments and defines allowable investments that the Company believes minimizes the exposure to concentration of credit risk. The Company is dependent on third-party manufacturers to supply products for research and development activities in its programs. In particular, the Company relies and expects to continue to rely on a small number of manufacturers to supply it with its requirements for the active pharmaceutical ingredients, other raw materials and formulated drugs related to these programs. These programs could be adversely affected by a significant interruption in the supply of active pharmaceutical ingredients, other raw materials and formulated drugs. ​ Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash ​ The reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the applicable balance sheet that sum to the total of the same such amount shown in the statement of cash flows is as follows (in thousands): ​
​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ | ​ | December 31,
​ |  | 2023 |  | 2022
Cash and cash equivalents | ​ | $ | 175,530 | ​ | $ | 20,525
Restricted cash (1) | ​ |  | 163 | ​ |  | 163
Total | ​ | $ | 175,693 | ​ | $ | 20,688
(1)Included as a component of prepaid expenses and other current assets at December 31, 2023 and other long-term assets at December 31, 2022. ​ ​ Short-Term Investments ​ The Company classifies all corporate debt securities with a remaining maturity of greater than three months and reverse repurchase agreements with a remaining maturity of greater than one business day at the time of purchase as short-term investments. Short-term investments are recorded at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses reported in other comprehensive loss. The amortized cost of debt securities is adjusted for the amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. Such amortization is included in interest and investment income. Realized gains and losses, interest, dividends and declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary are included in interest and investment income. At each reporting date, the Company performs an evaluation of impairment to determine if any unrealized losses are the result of credit losses. Impairment is assessed at the individual security level. Factors considered in determining whether a loss resulted from a credit loss or other factors include the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment until the recovery of its amortized cost basis, the extent to which the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis, the length of time and extent to which fair value has been less than the cost basis, the financial condition of the issuer, any historical failure of the issuer to make scheduled interest or principal payments, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, any adverse legal or regulatory events affecting the issuer or issuer’s industry, and any significant deterioration in economic conditions. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method for purposes of recording realized gains and losses. To determine whether an other-than-temporary impairment exists, the Company considers whether it has the ability and intent to hold the investment until a market price recovery, and whether evidence indicating the recoverability of the cost of the investment outweighs evidence to the contrary. ​ Fair Value of Financial Instruments ​ The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels as follows: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. ​ The carrying amounts reflected in the balance sheets for cash equivalents, restricted cash, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair values at December 31, 2023 and 2022, due to their short-term nature. There have been no changes to the valuation methods during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company evaluates transfers between levels at the end of each reporting period. There were no transfers of assets or liabilities between levels during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. ​ The Company’s investment portfolio may include fixed income securities that do not always trade on a daily basis. As a result, the pricing services used by the Company apply other available information as applicable through processes such as benchmark yields, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings and matrix pricing to prepare valuations. The Company validates the prices provided by its third party pricing services by obtaining market values from other pricing sources and analyzing pricing data in certain instances. The Company also invests in certain reverse repurchase agreements which are collateralized by deposits in the form of United States Government Securities and Obligations for an amount no less than 102% of their value. The Company does not record an asset or liability for the collateral as the Company is not permitted to sell or re-pledge the collateral. The collateral has at least the prevailing credit rating of United States Government Treasuries and Agencies. The Company utilizes a third party custodian to manage the exchange of funds and ensure that collateral received is maintained at 102% of the value of the reverse repurchase agreements on a daily basis. ​ The Company accounted for warrants to purchase its stock pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 470, Debt, and ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, and classifies warrants for common stock and preferred stock as liabilities or equity. The warrants classified as liabilities are reported at their estimated fair value and any changes in fair value are reflected in research and development expense. The warrants classified as equity are reported at their estimated fair value with no subsequent remeasurement. ​ Impairment of Long-Lived Assets ​ The Company continually evaluates whether events or circumstances have occurred that indicate that the estimated remaining useful life of its long-lived assets may warrant revision or that the carrying value of these assets may be impaired. The Company has not recognized any significant impairment charges from inception through December 31, 2023. ​ Accrued and Prepaid Research and Development Costs ​ Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development costs include salaries and personnel-related costs, stock-based compensation, consulting fees, fees paid for contract research services, the costs of laboratory equipment and facilities and other external costs. Nonrefundable advance payments for goods or services to be received in the future for use in research and development activities are deferred. The deferred amounts are expensed as the related goods are delivered or the services are performed. The Company records accruals for estimated ongoing research and development costs. When evaluating the adequacy of the accrued liabilities, the Company analyzes progress of the clinical trials, including the phase or completion of events, invoices received and contracted costs. Significant judgments and estimates are made in determining the accrued balances and prepaid balances at the end of any reporting period. Actual results could differ from the Company’s estimates. The Company’s historical accrual estimates have not been materially different from the actual costs. ​ Stock-Based Compensation ​ The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation awards in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). ASC 718 requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the statements of operations based on their grant date fair values. For granted stock options, the Company estimates the grant date fair value of each option award using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The use of the Black-Scholes option-pricing model requires management to make assumptions with respect to the expected term of the option, the expected volatility of the Company’s common stock consistent with the expected term of the option, risk-free interest rates and expected dividend yields of the Company’s common stock. ​ For awards subject to service-based vesting conditions, the Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense equal to the grant date fair value of stock options on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. ​ The Company expenses restricted stock awards based on the fair value of the award on a straight-line basis over the associated service period of the award. ​ During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense for employee and non-employee stock options and restricted stock, which was allocated as follows in the statements of operations (in thousands): ​
​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ | ​ | Year Ended December 31,
​ |  | 2023 |  | 2022
Research and development | ​ | $ | 1,304 | ​ | $ | 1,318
General and administrative | ​ |  | 5,010 | ​ |  | 3,236
Total | ​ | $ | 6,314 | ​ | $ | 4,554
​ No related tax benefits were recognized for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. ​ Net Loss Per Share ​ Basic net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is calculated by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period, without consideration for common stock equivalents. The Company has included pre-funded warrants to purchase 1,571,093 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.001 in its computation of basic net loss per share. Diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is calculated by adjusting weighted average shares outstanding for the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents outstanding for the period, determined using the treasury-stock method. For purposes of the Company’s dilutive net loss per share attributable to common stockholders calculation, stock options and warrants to purchase the Company’s common stock were considered to be common stock equivalents but were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, as their effect would be anti-dilutive; therefore, basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders were the same for all periods presented. ​ The following common stock equivalents were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share for the periods indicated because including them would have had an anti-dilutive effect: ​
​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ | ​ | Year Ended December 31,
​ |  | 2023 |  | 2022
Series X Preferred Stock |  | 5,184,591 |  | 5,242,501
Stock options |  | 3,553,969 |  | 2,253,431
Common stock warrants | ​ | 7,700,596 | ​ | 1,530,176
​ |  | 16,439,156 |  | 9,026,108
​ Income Taxes ​ The Company provides deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the Company’s financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to be in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that will more likely than not be realized. ​ The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 740, Expenses—Income Taxes. When uncertain tax positions exist, the Company recognizes the tax benefit of tax positions to the extent that the benefit will more likely than not be realized. The determination as to whether the tax benefit will more likely than not be realized is based upon the technical merits of the tax position as well as consideration of the available facts and circumstances. The Company did not have any uncertain tax positions for any periods presented. ​ The Company assesses the impact of various tax reform proposals and modifications to existing tax treaties in all jurisdictions where it has operations to determine the potential effect on its business and any assumptions the Company has made about its future taxable income. The Company cannot predict whether any specific proposals will be enacted, the terms of any such proposals or what effect, if any, such proposals would have on its business if they were to be enacted. Beginning in 2022, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 eliminates the option to deduct research and development expenditures and requires taxpayers to amortize expense incurred in the United States over five years, and expense incurred outside of the United States over fifteen years. The United States Congress is considering legislation that would defer the amortization requirement to future periods, however, the Company has no assurance that the provision will be repealed or otherwise modified. ​ Segment Information ​ Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise for which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker, the Company’s chief executive officer, in making decisions on how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company views its operations and manages its business in one operating segment. The Company operates in one geographic segment. ​ Comprehensive Loss ​ Comprehensive loss includes net loss as well as other changes in stockholders’ equity that result from transactions and economic events other than those with stockholders. Other comprehensive loss for all periods presented consists solely of unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities. Leases ​ The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Leases that are economically similar to the purchase of assets are generally classified as finance leases; otherwise the leases are classified as operating leases. The Company has elected not to recognize leases with an original term of one year or less on the balance sheet. Options to renew a lease are not included in the Company’s assessment unless there is reasonable certainty that the Company will renew. Leases with a term greater than one year are recognized on the balance sheet as right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, current portion of lease obligations, and long-term lease obligations. The Company does not currently hold any financing leases. ROU lease assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease obligations represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating ROU lease assets and obligations are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. However, certain adjustments to the ROU asset may be required for items such as incentives received. The Company has elected as an accounting policy to combine lease and non- lease components, such as common area maintenance, for all classes of underlying assets. As the Company’s facility leases do not provide an implicit interest rate, the Company uses its estimated incremental borrowing rate, which is the rate incurred to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment at the commencement date. To estimate its incremental borrowing rate, a credit rating applicable to the Company is estimated using synthetic credit rating analysis since the Company does not currently have a rating agency-based credit rating. ​ The Company’s ROU lease assets also include any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. The Company would recognize facility leases that include options to terminate the lease that would affect the lease period when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments under facility leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. ​ Acquired In-Process Research and Development ​ The Company measures and recognizes asset acquisitions that are not deemed to be business combinations based on the cost to acquire the assets, which includes transaction costs. Goodwill is not recognized in asset acquisitions. In an asset acquisition, the cost allocated to acquire in-process research and development (“IPR&D”) with no alternative future use is charged to expense at the acquisition date. Refer to “License Agreement” below in this Note 2 for a more detailed description of the accounting policy utilized for the recent asset acquisition. ​ Preferred Stock Discount ​ In February 2021, the Company issued Series X Preferred Stock in a private placement transaction. It was determined that this transaction resulted in recognition of a beneficial conversion feature, which was valued based on the difference between the price of the shares of common stock on the date of commitment and the conversion price on the closing date, resulting in a total value of $19.6 million. Additionally, the Company incurred total issuance costs of $5.7 million related to the private placement. Both of these features were recorded as a discount on Series X Preferred Stock recognized at the close of the transaction. These features are analogous to preferred dividends and are recorded as a non-cash return to holders of Series X Preferred Stock through additional paid in capital. The discount related to the beneficial conversion feature is recognized through the earliest possible date of conversion, which occurred upon the stockholder approval of the conversion in June 2021. The issuance costs are recognized as a dividend at the time of conversion to common shares. As of December 31, 2023, $24.4 million of the above amounts were accounted for as a non-cash dividend related to shares of Series X Preferred Stock, and $0.9 million remained to be recognized upon future conversion. ​ Financing Costs ​ Costs incurred in connection with the issuance of equity units and shares are recorded as a reduction of proceeds to the equity carrying value. The Company capitalizes certain legal, professional accounting and other third-party fees that are directly associated with in-process financings as deferred offering costs until such financings are consummated. After consummation of the financing, these costs are recorded as a reduction of the proceeds received from the financing. If a planned financing is abandoned, the deferred offering costs are expensed immediately as a charge to operating expenses in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. There were no deferred offering costs on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. ​ Recent Accounting Pronouncements – Adopted ​ 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. ​ In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326). This standard requires a financial asset to be presented at amortized cost basis at the net amount expected to be collected. It also requires that credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities should be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. In November 2019, the FASB issued an amendment making this standard effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022 for smaller reporting companies. Early adoption was permitted. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2023 with no material impact on the consolidated financial statements. ​ Recent Accounting Pronouncements – Not Yet Adopted ​ In August 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) (“ASU 2020-06”), which reduces the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock as well as amends the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity. ASU 2020-06 is effective for the Company for the fiscal year beginning on January 1, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company plans to adopt this standard on January 1, 2024 with no material impact on the consolidated financial statements expected. In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280: Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (“ASU 2023-07”). The amendments in this update improve reportable segment disclosure requirements through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. All disclosure requirements of the update are required for entities with a single reportable segment. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and should be applied on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. The Company will adopt this standard as of January 1, 2024 with no material impact on the consolidated financial statements expected. ​ License Agreement ​ On October 4, 2023, the Company entered into the License Agreement, with Ichnos as discussed in Note 1, “Organization and Operations”. Under the terms of the License Agreement, the Company paid Ichnos a one-time upfront license fee of $15.0 million in October 2023. The Company concluded that the License Agreement was not the acquisition of a business, as substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired was concentrated in a single identifiable asset “ISB 830-X8”, referred to by the Company as the STAR-0310 candidate. STAR-0310 is STAR-0310 candidate engineered with YTE half-life extension technology. ​ The Company determined that the cost to acquire the Licensed Intellectual Property assets was $15.2 million, primarily based on the fair value of the upfront license fee of $15.0 million and external legal fees of $0.2 million attributable to the acquired IPR&D. As the STAR-0310 candidate had not, at the time of the License Agreement, received regulatory approval in any territory, the cost attributable to the IPR&D was expensed in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2023 as the acquired IPR&D had no alternative future use, as determined by the Company in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

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