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Related Party Transactions
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
Related Party Transactions

12. Related Party Transactions

Lease Agreement

In February 2021, the Company entered into the Lease with Crossing Holdings, LLC to rent laboratory and office space. The Company's Executive Chairperson, co-founder and member of its board of directors, is the sole member and Manager of Crossing Holdings, LLC.

Expenses recognized by the Company under the Lease during the periods presented were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Research and development

 

$

53

 

 

$

 

 

$

53

 

 

$

 

General and administrative

 

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

 

Total expenses

 

$

75

 

 

$

 

 

$

75

 

 

$

 

As of September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, the Company had prepaid expenses of $0.1 million and zero, respectively, and accrued expenses and other current liabilities of less than $0.1 million and zero, respectively, pursuant to its related party lease agreement.

Consulting Agreements

In January 2019, the Company entered into an agreement with the Marlinspike Group, LLC (“Marlinspike Group”) for research support, management, and business consulting services (the “2019 Consulting Agreement”). Further, Marlinspike Group provides the use of approximately 2,120 square feet of its office space in Carlsbad, California to the Company on an as-available basis from time to time pursuant to the agreement. The Company’s Executive Chairperson, co-founder and member of its board of directors is an executive officer of Marlinspike Group and, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer was an executive officer of Marlinspike Group until February 2020.

The term of the 2019 Consulting Agreement was for a one-year period, subject to automatic one-month renewals unless terminated upon 14 days’ written notice. In March 2020, the Consulting Agreement was terminated and replaced with an amended consulting agreement (the “2020 Consulting Agreement”), which provides for the similar services and use of office space for a monthly fee of $20,000. Pursuant to the terms of the 2020 Consulting Agreement, it shall remain in effect until otherwise terminated. Termination may occur at any time upon mutual agreement or unilaterally upon 30 days’ written notice. If the Company unilaterally terminates the 2020 Consulting Agreement for any reason other than cause, it would be subject to a $240,000 termination fee. The Company cannot determine when, or if, such a termination will occur and hence has not recorded a liability for the fee.

Expenses recognized by the Company under the 2020 Consulting Agreement during the periods presented were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Research and development

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

8

 

General and administrative

 

 

60

 

 

 

60

 

 

 

180

 

 

 

232

 

Total expenses

 

$

60

 

 

$

60

 

 

$

180

 

 

$

240

 

 

In December 2017, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Aseem Z. Ansari, Ph.D. Dr. Ansari, a co-founder, provides consulting services and advises on certain research and development activities (the “Research Consulting Agreement”). Pursuant to the Research Consulting Agreement, as amended, Dr. Ansari performs these services for a monthly fee of $15,000.

Expenses recognized by the Company under the Research Consulting Agreement during the periods presented were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Research and development

 

$

45

 

 

$

 

 

$

135

 

 

$

 

Total expenses

 

$

45

 

 

$

 

 

$

135

 

 

$

 

As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had accounts payable of $20,000 pursuant to its related party consulting agreements.

Convertible Notes and Notes Payable

In May and July 2018, the Company issued a total of $0.3 million of convertible notes to a co-founder for cash with a maturity date on or after February 5, 2021, if not converted earlier. The notes bore interest of 8% per annum and were convertible into equity securities sold at the next financing at 80% of the selling price per share of such equity financing. In February 2020, these notes converted into 171,025 shares of the Company’s convertible preferred stock pursuant to the closing of the Series A preferred stock financing. Further, the Company has issued unsecured promissory notes to this co-founder for working capital. See Note 9 for further discussion.