Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc 10-Q for FY2024 Q1
Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc. (DNTH)
About this 10-Q
Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc filed this 10-Q on May 9, 2024, covering the quarter ended March 31, 2024 (FY2024 Q1).
Headline figures
Quarter ended March 31, 2024, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Net loss
- $13.75M
- compared with a net loss of $7.09M a year earlier
- Diluted EPS
- -$0.54
- compared with -$8.10 a year earlier
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 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
(Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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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 |
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Emerging growth company |
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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 6, 2024, the registrant had
Table of Contents
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PART I. |
1 |
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Item 1. |
1 |
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1 |
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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss |
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3 |
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4 |
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Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements |
5 |
Item 2. |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
24 |
Item 3. |
38 |
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Item 4. |
38 |
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PART II. |
40 |
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Item 1. |
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Item 1A. |
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Item 2. |
41 |
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Item 3. |
41 |
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Item 4. |
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Item 5. |
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Item 6. |
42 |
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i
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties and are based on estimates and assumptions. All statements, other than statements of historical facts included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions, assumptions, projections, estimates or strategies and any underlying assumptions regarding the future, our future results of operations and financial position, including the sufficiency of our existing cash resources to fund our operations for as long as anticipated, our liquidity, capital resources, costs and expenses, capital requirements, commitments and contingencies, the development or commercial potential of DNTH103 or any other product candidate, our anticipated preclinical and clinical drug development activities, in particular with respect to DNTH103, and any timelines, developments or results in connection therewith, the efficacy, safety profile, dosing amount or frequency, method of delivery or other potential therapeutic benefits of DNTH103, the receipt or timing of potential regulatory designations, approvals and commercialization of any product candidates and other statements, including those included under the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “aim,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “would,” “shall,” “objective,” “intend,” “target,” “should,” “could,” “can,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “design,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “possible,” “plan,” “seek,” “contemplate,” “goal,” “likely” or “continue” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these terms does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts and are based on our current expectations and beliefs with respect to future events and their potential effects and impacts. There can be no assurance that future events affecting us will be those that have been anticipated. Given the significant risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results or outcomes, or the timing of our results or outcomes, to differ materially from the forward-looking statements expressed or implied in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, the following risks, uncertainties and factors:
ii
There may be other factors that may cause our actual results or outcomes, or the timing of those results or outcomes, to differ materially from the forward-looking statements expressed or implied in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including factors disclosed in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q in the context of these risks and uncertainties.
We caution you that the risks, uncertainties and other factors referred to above and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may not contain all of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that may affect our future results, operations and outcomes. Moreover, new risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for us to predict all risks. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will realize the results, benefits or developments that we expect or anticipate or, even if substantially realized, that they will result in the consequences or affect us or our business in the way expected. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.
Any forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q apply only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Except as required by law, we disclaim any intent to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.
iii
Explanatory Note
Unless context otherwise requires, references to “we,” “our,” “us,” “Dianthus,” the “Company,” or the “combined company” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q refer to Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly Magenta Therapeutics, Inc.) after the completion of the Reverse Merger (as defined elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q), the term “Former Dianthus” refers to Dianthus Therapeutics OpCo, Inc. (formerly Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc.), and the term “Magenta” refers to the Company prior to completion of the Reverse Merger.
iv
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
DIANTHUS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)
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March 31, |
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December 31, |
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Assets |
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Current assets: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
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$ |
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Short-term investments |
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Receivable from related party |
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Unbilled receivable from related party |
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
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Total current assets |
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Property and equipment, net |
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Right-of-use operating lease assets |
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Other assets and restricted cash |
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Total assets |
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$ |
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$ |
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Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity |
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Current liabilities: |
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Accounts payable |
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$ |
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$ |
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Accrued expenses |
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Current portion of deferred revenue - related party |
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Current portion of operating lease liabilities |
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Total current liabilities |
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Deferred revenue - related party |
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Long-term operating lease liabilities |
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Total liabilities |
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Stockholders’ equity: |
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Preferred stock; $ |
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Common stock; $ |
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Additional paid-in capital |
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Accumulated deficit |
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( |
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( |
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Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income |
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( |
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Total stockholders’ equity |
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Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
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$ |
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$ |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
1
DIANTHUS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)
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Three Months Ended March 31, |
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2024 |
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2023 |
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Revenues: |
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License revenue - related party |
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$ |
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$ |
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Operating expenses: |
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Research and development |
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General and administrative |
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Total operating expenses |
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Loss from operations |
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Other income/(expense): |
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Interest income |
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Loss on currency exchange, net |
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( |
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( |
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Other expense |
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( |
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( |
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Total other income |
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Net loss |
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$ |
( |
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$ |
( |
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Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, |
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$ |
( |
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$ |
( |
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Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding, |
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Comprehensive loss: |
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Net loss |
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$ |
( |
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$ |
( |
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Other comprehensive (loss)/income: |
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Change in unrealized (losses)/gains related to available-for-sale debt securities |
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( |
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Total other comprehensive (loss)/income |
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( |
) |
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Total comprehensive loss |
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$ |
( |
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$ |
( |
) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
DIANTHUS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Equity/(Deficit)
(in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
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Accumulated |
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Other |
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Total |
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Convertible Preferred Stock |
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Common Stock |
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Additional |
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Accumulated |
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Comprehensive |
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Stockholders’ |
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Shares |
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Amount |
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Shares |
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Amount |
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Paid-in Capital |
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Deficit |
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Income/(Loss) |
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Equity/(Deficit) |
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Balance, December 31, 2023 |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
( |
) |
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$ |
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$ |
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Issuance of common stock and pre-funded warrants in |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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Exercise of stock options |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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Stock-based compensation expense |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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Net loss |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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( |
) |
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— |
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( |
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Other comprehensive loss |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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( |
) |
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( |
) |
Balance, March 31, 2024 |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
( |
) |
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$ |
( |
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$ |
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Balance, December 31, 2022 |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
( |
) |
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$ |
( |
) |
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$ |
( |
) |
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Stock-based compensation expense |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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Net loss |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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( |
) |
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— |
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( |
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Other comprehensive income |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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Balance, March 31, 2023 |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
( |
) |
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$ |
( |
) |
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$ |
( |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
DIANTHUS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
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Three Months Ended March 31, |
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2024 |
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2023 |
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Cash flows from operating activities: |
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Net loss |
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$ |
( |
) |
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$ |
( |
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Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
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Depreciation expense |
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Stock-based compensation expense |
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Accretion of discount on short-term investments |
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( |
) |
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( |
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Amortization of right-of-use operating lease assets |
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Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
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Receivable from related party |
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( |
) |
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Unbilled receivable from related party |
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( |
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
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Other assets |
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Accounts payable, accrued expenses and operating lease liabilities |
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( |
) |
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( |
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Deferred revenue - related party |
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( |
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( |
) |
Net cash used in operating activities |
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( |
) |
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( |
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Cash flows from investing activities: |
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Capital expenditures |
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( |
) |
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( |
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Purchases of short-term investments |
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( |
) |
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( |
) |
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments |
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Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities |
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( |
) |
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Cash flows from financing activities: |
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Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
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Proceeds from the private placement |
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Payment of issuance costs in connection with the private placement |
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( |
) |
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Proceeds from issuance of promissory notes payable to related party |
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Repayment of promissory notes payable to related party |
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( |
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Net cash provided by financing activities |
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Increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
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Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period |
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Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period |
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$ |
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$ |
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Supplemental Disclosure |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
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$ |
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Restricted cash |
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Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
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$ |
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$ |
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Cash paid for interest |
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$ |
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$ |
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Cash paid for taxes |
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$ |
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$ |
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Issuance costs in connection with the private placement included in accounts payable |
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$ |
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$ |
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Issuance costs in connection with the private placement included in accrued expenses |
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$ |
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$ |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
DIANTHUS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
1. Organization, Description of Business and Liquidity
Business
Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly Magenta Therapeutics, Inc.) (the “Company” or “Dianthus”) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing next-generation complement therapeutics for patients with severe autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The Company’s corporate headquarters are in New York, New York.
Currently, the Company is devoting substantially all efforts and resources toward product research and development of its product candidates. The Company has incurred losses from operations and negative operating cash flows since its inception. There can be no assurance that its research and development programs will be successful, that products developed, if any, will obtain necessary regulatory approval, or that any approved product, if any, will be commercially viable. In addition, the Company operates in an environment of rapid technological change and is largely dependent on the services of its key employees, consultants, and advisors.
Reverse Merger and Pre-Closing Financing
On September 11, 2023, the Company completed its business combination with Dianthus Therapeutics OpCo, Inc. (formerly Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc.) (“Former Dianthus”) in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 2, 2023 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Dio Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), and Former Dianthus, pursuant to which, among other matters, Merger Sub merged with and into Former Dianthus, with Former Dianthus surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Reverse Merger”). In connection with the completion of the Reverse Merger, the Company changed its name from “Magenta Therapeutics, Inc.” to “Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc.,” and the business conducted by the Company became primarily the business conducted by Former Dianthus. Unless context otherwise requires, references herein to “Dianthus,” the “Company,” or the “combined company” refer to Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly Magenta Therapeutics, Inc.) after completion of the Reverse Merger, the term “Former Dianthus” refers to Dianthus Therapeutics OpCo, Inc. (formerly Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc.), and the term “Magenta” refers to the Company prior to completion of the Reverse Merger. The Company was incorporated in June 2015 and Former Dianthus was incorporated in May 2019.
At the effective time of the Reverse Merger, the Company issued an aggregate of
At the effective time of the Reverse Merger, the 2019 Stock Plan (as discussed in Note 12) was assumed by the Company, and each outstanding and unexercised option to purchase shares of Former Dianthus common stock immediately prior to the effective time of the Reverse Merger was assumed by the Company and converted into an option to purchase shares of Company common stock, with necessary adjustments to the number of shares and exercise price to reflect the exchange ratio, and each outstanding and unexercised warrant to purchase shares of Former Dianthus common stock immediately prior to the effective time of the Reverse Merger (including the Former Dianthus pre-funded warrants sold in the pre-closing financing) was converted into a warrant to purchase shares of Company common stock, with necessary adjustments to the number of shares and exercise price to reflect the exchange ratio.
5
The Reverse Merger was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Under this method of accounting, Former Dianthus was deemed to be the accounting acquirer for financial reporting purposes. This determination was primarily based on the expectation that, immediately following the Reverse Merger: (i) Former Dianthus’ stockholders own a substantial majority of the voting rights in the combined company; (ii) Former Dianthus’ largest stockholders retain the largest interest in the combined company; (iii) Former Dianthus designated a majority (six of eight) of the initial members of the board of directors of the combined company; and (iv) Former Dianthus’ executive management team became the management team of the combined company. Accordingly, for accounting purposes: (i) the Reverse Merger was treated as the equivalent of Former Dianthus issuing stock to acquire the net assets of Magenta; (ii) the net assets of Magenta are recorded at their acquisition-date fair value in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Former Dianthus and (iii) the reported historical operating results of the combined company prior to the Reverse Merger are those of Former Dianthus. Additional information regarding the Reverse Merger is included in Note 3. Historical common stock figures of Former Dianthus have been retroactively restated based on the exchange ratio of approximately
On September 11, 2023, prior to the effective time of the Reverse Merger, the Company entered into a contingent value rights agreement (the “CVR Agreement”) with a rights agent, pursuant to which pre-Reverse Merger holders of Magenta common stock received one non-transferable contingent value right (each, a “CVR”) for each outstanding share of Magenta common stock held by such stockholder immediately prior to the effective time of the Reverse Merger on September 11, 2023. Subject to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the CVR Agreement, each CVR represents the contractual right to receive a pro rata portion of the proceeds, if any, received by the Company as a result of (i) contingent payments made to the Company, such as milestone, royalty or earnout, when received under any pre-Reverse Merger disposition agreements related to Magenta’s pre-Reverse Merger assets and (ii) the Company’s sale of assets after the effective date of the Reverse Merger and prior to December 31, 2023, in each case, received within a three-year period following the closing of the Reverse Merger. As of March 31, 2024, no payments have been received under the CVR Agreement.
Concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, and in order to provide Former Dianthus with additional capital for its development programs, Former Dianthus entered into a subscription agreement, as amended (the “Subscription Agreement”), with certain investors named therein (the “Investors”), pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions of the Subscription Agreement, immediately prior to the effective time of the Reverse Merger, Former Dianthus issued and sold, and the Investors purchased, (i)
2024 Private Placement
On January 22, 2024, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement for a private placement with certain institutional and accredited investors. At the closing of the private placement on January 24, 2024, the Company sold and issued
Risks and Uncertainties
The Company is subject to risks and uncertainties common to early-stage companies in the biotechnology industry including, but not limited to, uncertainty of product development and commercialization, lack of marketing and sales history, development by its competitors of new technological innovations, dependence on its key personnel, market acceptance of products, product liability, protection of proprietary technology, ability to raise additional financing and compliance with government regulations. If the Company does not successfully commercialize any of its product candidates, it will be unable to generate recurring product revenue or achieve profitability.
The Company’s lead product candidate that is in development and any future product candidates will require significant additional research and development efforts, including extensive preclinical and clinical testing and regulatory approval prior to commercialization. These efforts require significant amounts of additional capital, adequate personnel and infrastructure, and extensive compliance-reporting capabilities. Even if its product development efforts are successful, it is uncertain when, if ever, the Company will generate revenue from product sales.
6
Liquidity
In accordance with Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40), the Company has evaluated whether there are certain 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 that the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were issued (the “issuance date”):
In the event the Company is unable to secure additional outside capital, management will be required to seek other alternatives which may include, among others, a delay or termination of clinical trials or the development of its product candidates, temporary or permanent curtailment of the Company’s operations, a sale of assets, or other alternatives with strategic or financial partners.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties. Accordingly, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a basis that assumes the Company will continue as a going concern and which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the ordinary course of business.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2024 and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, for interim financial information and pursuant to Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the Company’s audited financial statements and include only normal and recurring adjustments that the Company believes are necessary to fairly state the Company’s financial position and the results of its operations and cash flows. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year or any subsequent interim period. The unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. Because all of the disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements are not included herein, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes accompanying them should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023, which are contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 21, 2024. Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to the authoritative U.S. GAAP as found in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ materially from those estimates.
7
Management considers many factors in selecting appropriate financial accounting policies and controls, and in developing the estimates and assumptions that are used in the preparation of these financial statements. Management must apply significant judgment in this process. In addition, other factors may affect estimates including the following: expected business and operational changes, sensitivity and volatility associated with the assumptions used in developing estimates, and whether historical trends are expected to be representative of future trends. The estimation process often may yield a range of potentially reasonable estimates of the ultimate future outcomes, and management must select an amount that falls within that range of reasonable estimates. Significant estimates are used in the following areas, among others: the recognition of research and development expense, stock-based compensation expense and revenue recognition.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
All short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less are considered to be cash and cash equivalents. The carrying amounts reported in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost, which approximates fair value.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. The Company regularly maintains deposits in accredited financial institutions in excess of federally insured limits. The Company invests its excess cash primarily in money market funds, U.S. treasury securities and U.S. government agency securities in accordance with the Company’s investment policy. The Company’s investment policy defines allowable investments and establishes guidelines relating to credit quality, diversification, and maturities of its investments to preserve principal and maintain liquidity. The Company has not experienced any realized losses related to its cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks of losses.
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company held cash deposits at Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”) in excess of government insured limits. On March 10, 2023, SVB was closed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation was appointed as receiver. No losses were incurred by the Company on deposits that were held at SVB. Management believes that the Company is not currently exposed to significant credit risk as the vast majority of the Company’s deposits were either owned directly by the Company and held in custody at a third-party financial institution or, subsequent to March 10, 2023, have been transferred to a third-party financial institution. The Company does not currently have any other significant relationships with SVB.
Short-term Investments
Short-term investments consist of investments in U.S. treasury and U.S. government agency securities. Management of the Company determines the appropriate classification of the securities at the time they are acquired and evaluates the appropriateness of such classifications at each balance sheet date. The Company classifies its short-term investments as available-for-sale pursuant to ASC 320, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities, and reports them at fair value in short-term investments with unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income loss on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other than temporary are included as a component of interest income based on the specific identification method.
When the fair value is below the amortized cost of a marketable security, an estimate of expected credit losses is made in accordance with ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The credit-related impairment amount is recognized in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Credit losses are recognized through the use of an allowance for credit losses account in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet and subsequent improvements in expected credit losses are recognized as a reversal of an amount in the allowance account. If the Company has the intent to sell the security or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis, then the allowance for the credit loss is written-off and the excess of the amortized cost basis of the asset over its fair value is recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. There were
Additional information regarding short-term investments is included in Note 4.
8
Receivable from Related Party and Unbilled Receivable from Related Party
The receivable from related party and unbilled receivable from related party results from option and license agreements with Zenas BioPharma Limited (“Zenas”), a related party. See Notes 13 and 16 for more information. The receivable represents amounts earned and billed to Zenas but not yet collected while unbilled receivable represents amounts earned but not yet billed to Zenas. The receivable and unbilled receivable are reported at net realizable value. The Company regularly evaluates the creditworthiness of Zenas and their financial condition and does not require collateral from Zenas. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023,
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of three years for computer equipment and five years for furniture and fixtures. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments that extend the useful lives are capitalized. Expenditures for normal maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. The cost of assets sold or abandoned, and the related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the accounts and any gains or losses are recognized in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss of the respective period.
Leases
Operating leases are accounted for in accordance with ASU 2016-02, Leases, as amended (“ASC 842”). Right-of-use lease assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent an obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. The measurement of lease liabilities is based on the present value of future lease payments over the lease term. As the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, management used the Company’s incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of future lease payments. The right-of-use asset is based on the measurement of the lease liability and includes any lease payments made prior to or on lease commencement and excludes lease incentives and initial direct costs incurred, as applicable. Rent expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company does
The Company’s leases do not have significant rent escalation, holidays, concessions, material residual value guarantees, material restrictive covenants or contingent rent provisions. The Company’s leases include both lease (e.g., fixed payments including rent, taxes, and insurance costs) and non-lease components (e.g., common-area or other maintenance costs), which are accounted for as a single lease component as management have elected the practical expedient to group lease and non-lease components for all leases.
Additional information and disclosures required under ASC 842 are included in Note 9.
Restricted Cash
In accordance with ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, restricted cash is included as a component of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Restricted cash serves as collateral for a letter of credit securing office space. Restricted cash is recorded within other assets and restricted cash line item in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.
Fair Value Measurements
The Company calculates the fair value of assets and liabilities that qualify as financial instruments and includes additional information in the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements when the fair value is different than the carrying value of these financial instruments.
The Company is required to disclose information on all assets and liabilities reported at fair value that enables an assessment of the inputs used in determining the reported fair values. ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”), defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 establishes a hierarchy of inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the observable inputs be used when available.
9
Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect management’s assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy applies only to the valuation inputs used in determining the reported fair value of the investments and is not a measure of the investment credit quality.
The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
To the extent that a valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by management in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Management has segregated all financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine the fair value at the measurement date in the table below. The Company’s valuation techniques for its Level 2 financial assets included using quoted prices for similar assets in active markets and quoted prices for similar assets in markets that are not active.
The estimated fair value of receivable from related party, unbilled receivable from related party, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their carrying amounts due to the relatively short maturity of these instruments.
Additional information regarding fair value measurements is included in Note 7.
Classification of Convertible Preferred Stock
Convertible preferred stock was recorded at its original issuance price, less direct and incremental offering costs, as stipulated by its terms. The Company had applied the guidance in ASC 480-10-S99, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity-Overall-SEC Materials, and had therefore classified the convertible preferred stock outside of stockholders’ equity/(deficit). In September 2023, all outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock were converted into shares of common stock immediately prior to the effective time of the Reverse Merger. Additional information and disclosures are included in Note 11.
Segment Information
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 and in assessing performance. The Company’s CODM is its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). The Company operates as a single operating segment and has one reportable segment.
License Revenue – Related Party
To date, the Company’s only revenue has been attributable to an upfront payment and cost reimbursements under the Company’s license agreement with Zenas. The Company has not generated any revenue from product sales and does not expect to generate any revenue from product sales for the foreseeable future.
10
The Company recognizes revenue pursuant to ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). ASC 606 applies to all contracts with customers, except for contracts that are within the scope of other standards. Under ASC 606, an entity recognizes revenue when its customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration that the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that an entity determines are within the scope of ASC 606, the entity performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when the performance obligation is satisfied.
The Company evaluates the performance obligations promised in a contract that are based on goods and services that will be transferred to the customer and determine whether those obligations are both (i) capable of being distinct and (ii) distinct in the context of the contract. To the extent a contract includes multiple promised goods and services, the Company applies judgment to determine whether promised goods and services are both capable of being distinct and are distinct in the context of the contract. If these criteria are not met, the promised goods and services are accounted for as a combined performance obligation. Arrangements that include rights to additional goods or services that are exercisable at a customer’s discretion are generally considered options. The Company assesses if these options provide a material right to the customer and if so, they are considered performance obligations.
The Company estimates the transaction price based on the amount expected to be received for transferring the promised goods or services in the contract. The consideration may include fixed consideration or variable consideration. At the inception of each arrangement that includes variable consideration, the Company evaluates the amount of potential transaction price and the likelihood that the transaction price will be received. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price if, in management’s judgment, it is probable that a significant future reversal of cumulative revenue under the contract will not occur. Any estimates, including the effect of the constraint on variable consideration, are evaluated at each reporting period for any changes. The Company then allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation and recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) control is transferred to the customer and the performance obligation is satisfied.
Amounts received prior to satisfying the revenue recognition criteria are recorded as deferred revenue in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. If the related performance obligation is expected to be satisfied within the next twelve months this will be classified in current liabilities.
Additional information and disclosures required under ASC 606 are included in Note 13.
Research and Development Costs
Research and development expenses are recorded as expense, as incurred. Research and development expenses consists of (i) costs to engage contractors who specialize in the development activities of the Company; (ii) external research and development costs incurred under arrangements with third parties, such as contract research organizations and consultants; and (iii) costs associated with preclinical activities and regulatory operations.
The Company enters into consulting, research, and other agreements with commercial firms, researchers, and others for the provision of goods and services. Under such agreements, the Company may pay for services on a monthly, quarterly, project or other basis. Such arrangements are generally cancelable upon reasonable notice and payment of costs incurred. Costs are considered incurred based on an evaluation of the progress to completion of specific tasks under each contract using information and data provided by the service providers and vendors, whereas payments are dictated by the terms of each agreement. As such, depending on the timing of payment relative to the receipt of goods or services, management may record either prepaid expenses or accrued services. These costs consist of direct and indirect costs associated with specific projects, as well as fees paid to various entities that perform certain research on behalf of the Company.
Patent Costs
Patent costs are expensed as incurred and recorded within general and administrative expenses.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are recorded in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), which provides for deferred taxes using an asset and liability approach. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities and for loss and credit carryforwards using enacted tax rates anticipated to be in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are provided, if, based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
11
The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740. 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. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company did
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation awards in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). ASC 718 requires all stock-based payments, including grants of stock options and restricted stock, to be recognized in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss based on their fair values. All of the stock-based awards are subject only to service-based vesting conditions. Management estimates the fair value of the stock option awards using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires the input of assumptions, including (a) the fair value of the Company’s common stock, (b) the expected stock price volatility, (c) the calculation of expected term of the award, (d) the risk-free interest rate and (e) expected dividends. Management estimates the fair value of the restricted stock awards, if any, using the fair value of the Company’s common stock. Forfeitures are recognized as they are incurred.
Prior to the Reverse Merger, management utilized valuation methodologies in accordance with the framework of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Technical Practice Aid, Valuation of Privately Held Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation, to estimate the fair value of Former Dianthus common stock. Each valuation methodology included estimates and assumptions that required management’s judgment. These estimates and assumptions included objective and subjective factors, including external market conditions, the prices at which Former Dianthus sold shares of convertible preferred stock, the superior rights and preferences of the convertible preferred stock senior to Former Dianthus common stock at the time, and a probability analysis of various liquidity events, such as a public offering or sale of Former Dianthus, under differing scenarios. Changes to the key assumptions used in the valuations could have resulted in materially different fair values of Former Dianthus common stock at each valuation date. Following the Reverse Merger, the fair value of the Company’s common stock is based on the closing stock price on the date of grant as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
Prior to the Reverse Merger, due to a lack of company-specific historical and implied volatility data, management based its estimate of expected volatility on the historical volatility of a representative group of companies with similar characteristics to the Company, including stage of product development and life science industry focus. Management believes the group selected had sufficiently similar economic and industry characteristics and includes companies that are most representative of the Company. Following the Reverse Merger, expected volatility at the date of grant is estimated using a “look-back” period, which coincides with the expected term, of the Company's stock price as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
Management uses the simplified method, as prescribed by the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, Share-Based Payment, to calculate the expected term. The risk-free interest rate is based on observed interest rates appropriate for the term of the awards. The dividend yield assumption is based on history and expectation of paying no dividends.
Compensation expense related to stock-based awards is calculated on a straight-line basis by recognizing the grant date fair value, over the associated service period of the award, which is generally the vesting term.
Additional information regarding stock-based compensation is included in Note 12.
Comprehensive Loss
The only component of comprehensive loss other than net loss is change in unrealized gains/losses related to available-for-sale debt securities.
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Net Loss per Share
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders are calculated in conformity with the two-class method required for participating securities. Convertible preferred stock is a participating security in distributions of the Company. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the net loss attributable to common stockholders was not allocated to the convertible preferred shares as the holders of convertible preferred shares did not have a contractual obligation to share in losses. Under the two-class method, basic net loss per share of common stock is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding used in the basic net loss per share calculation did not include unvested restricted common stock as these shares were considered contingently issuable shares until they vested.
Diluted net loss per share of common stock includes the effect, if any, from the potential exercise or conversion of securities, such as convertible preferred stock, stock options and unvested restricted common stock, if any, which would result in the issuance of incremental shares of common stock. For diluted net loss per share, the weighted-average number of shares of common stock is the same for basic net loss per share due to the fact that when a net loss exists, dilutive securities are not included in the calculation as the impact is anti-dilutive. For all periods presented, basic and diluted net loss per share were the same, as any additional share equivalents would be anti-dilutive.
Additional information is included in Note 14.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. ASU 2023-07 expands annual and interim disclosure requirements for reportable segments, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and for interim periods beginning after December 14, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the guidance and has not determined the impact this standard may have on the consolidated financial statements.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. The enhancement will provide information to better assess how an entity’s operations and related tax risks and tax planning and operational opportunities affect its tax rate and prospects for future cash flows. Investors currently rely on the rate reconciliation table and other disclosures, including total income taxes paid, to evaluate income tax risks and opportunities. ASU No. 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact ASU No. 2023-09 will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
3. Reverse Merger
As described in Note 1, Merger Sub merged with and into Former Dianthus, with Former Dianthus surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company on September 11, 2023. The Reverse Merger was accounted for as a reverse asset acquisition accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP with Former Dianthus as the accounting acquirer of Magenta. At the effective time of the Reverse Merger, substantially all of the assets of Magenta consisted of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, as well as other nominal non-operating assets. Under such reverse recapitalization accounting, the assets and liabilities of Magenta were recorded at their fair value in Magenta’s financial statements at the effective time of the Merger, which approximated book value due to the short-term nature. No goodwill or intangible assets were recognized.
As part of the recapitalization, the Company obtained the assets and liabilities listed below:
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
|
|
Other current assets |
|
|
|
|
Accrued liabilities |
|
|
( |
) |
Net assets acquired |
|
$ |
|
With respect to the CVRs issued in connection with the Reverse Merger, the Company believes that the achievement of the milestones outlined in the CVR Agreement are highly susceptible to factors outside the Company's influence that are not expected to be resolved for a long period of time, if at all. In particular, these amounts are primarily influenced by the actions and judgments of third parties and the buyers of such assets and are based on the buyers of such assets progressing the in-process research and development assets into clinical trials, and in the case of one of the agreements, to a regulatory milestone. If the Company were to
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record a receivable for such contingent payments, it would also record a corresponding liability. As of March 31, 2024, no receivables are recorded on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet relating to such contingent payments.
4. Short-Term Investments
The following table provides a summary of short-term investments:
|
|
March 31, 2024 |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
Amortized |
|
|
Gross |
|
|
Gross |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
||||
Available-for-sale, short-term investments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
U.S. treasury securities |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|||
U.S. government agency securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|||
Total available-for-sale, short-term investments |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|||
|
|
December 31, 2023 |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
Amortized |
|
|
Gross |
|
|
Gross |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
||||
Available-for-sale, short-term investments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
U.S. treasury securities |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
U.S. government agency securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|||
Total available-for-sale, short-term investments |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|||
5. Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
The following table provides a summary of prepaid expenses and other current assets:
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
Prepaid materials, supplies and research and development services |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Prepaid subscriptions, software and other administrative services |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Prepaid insurance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
6. Property and Equipment
The following table provides a summary of property and equipment:
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
Computer equipment |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Furniture and fixtures |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Subtotal |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Less: accumulated depreciation |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Property and equipment, net |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
14
7. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following table provides a summary of financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
|
|
Fair Value at |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Description |
|
March 31, |
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
||||
Recurring Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Cash equivalents: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Money market funds |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
||
Short-term investments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
U.S. treasury securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
||
U.S. government agency securities |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
||
Total assets measured at fair value |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|||
|
|
Fair Value at |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Description |
|
2023 |
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
||||
Recurring Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Cash equivalents: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Money market funds |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
||
Short-term investments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
U.S. treasury securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
||
U.S. government agency securities |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
||
Total assets measured at fair value |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|||
There were
8. Accrued Expenses
The following table provides a summary of accrued expenses:
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
Accrued issuance costs in connection with the private placement |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Accrued external research and development |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Accrued compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Accrued professional fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other accrued expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Accrued expenses |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
9. Leases
15
The following table provides a summary of the components of lease costs and rent:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
Operating lease cost |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Variable lease cost |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total operating lease costs |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
The Company recorded operating lease costs of $
Maturities of operating lease liabilities, which do not include short-term leases, as of March 31, 2024, are as follows:
2024 (remaining 9 months) |
|
$ |
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
|
Total undiscounted operating lease payments |
|
|
|
|
Less: imputed interest |
|
|
( |
) |
Present value of operating lease liabilities |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance sheet classification: |
|
|
|
|
Current portion of operating lease liabilities |
|
$ |
|
|
Long-term operating lease liabilities |
|
|
|
|
Total operating lease liabilities |
|
$ |
|
|
10. Common Stock
At the closing of the private placement on January 24, 2024, the Company issued
At the effective time of the Reverse Merger on September 11, 2023, the Company issued an aggregate of
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company was authorized to issue up to
Each share of Company common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s stockholders. Common stockholders are entitled to receive dividends, as may be declared by the Company’s board of directors, if any.
The Company had the following shares of Company common stock reserved for future issuance as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
16
|
|
As of March 31, 2024 |
|
|
As of December 31, 2023 |
|
||
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Equity awards available for grant under stock award plans |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Shares available for issuance under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of warrants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total common stock reserved for future issuance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
11. Preferred Stock and Convertible Preferred Stock
Preferred Stock
As of March 31, 2024, the Company was authorized to issue up to
Convertible Preferred Stock
On September 11, 2023, the Company completed the Reverse Merger with Former Dianthus in accordance with the Merger Agreement.
12. Stock-Based Compensation
2018 Stock Option and Incentive Plan
The Company grants stock-based awards under the Amended and Restated Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc. Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “2018 Incentive Plan”), which originally became effective on June 19, 2018 as the Magenta Therapeutics, Inc. 2018 Stock Option and Incentive Plan and was amended and restated in September 2023 and renamed the Amended and Restated Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc. Stock Option and Incentive Plan.
The 2018 Incentive Plan provides that the number of shares reserved and available for issuance under the 2018 Incentive Plan will automatically increase each January 1 by
The 2018 Incentive Plan is administered by either the board of directors or the compensation committee of the board of directors. The exercise prices, vesting and other restrictions are determined at the discretion of the administrator, except that the term of stock options and stock appreciation rights may not be greater than
17
common stock as of the date of grant (or
2019 Stock Plan
In July 2019, Former Dianthus’ Board of Directors adopted, and the Former Dianthus’ stockholders approved, the Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc. 2019 Stock Plan (the “2019 Stock Plan”). In connection with the Reverse Merger, the Company assumed options to purchase shares of Former Dianthus’s common stock that were outstanding under the 2019 Stock Plan immediately prior to the Reverse Merger and such options were converted into options to purchase
2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Employees may elect to participate in the Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc. 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). The purchase price of common stock under the ESPP is equal to
Stock Option Inducement Grant and Inducement Plan
In December 2023, the Company’s board of directors granted an option to purchase
Stock Options
The following table summarizes stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2024:
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
Aggregate |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in years) |
|
|
|
|
||||
Balance at January 1, 2024 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Options granted, fair value of $ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Options exercised |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Options forfeited |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Balance at March 31, 2024 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Exercisable options at March 31, 2024 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Unvested options at March 31, 2024 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||
The aggregate intrinsic value of options is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the options and the fair value of the common stock for those options that had exercise prices lower than the fair value of the common stock.
The weighted average grant-date fair value per share of stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $
18
The table below summarizes the assumptions used to determine the grant-date fair value of stock options issued, presented on a weighted average basis during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
Risk-free interest rate |
|
|
% |
|
|
% |
||
Expected term (in years) |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Expected volatility |
|
|
% |
|
|
% |
||
Expected dividend yield |
|
|
% |
|
|
% |
||
Stock Warrants
In April 2021, Former Dianthus issued
Stock-based Compensation Expense
The following table provides a summary of stock-based compensation expense related to stock options, restricted stock units, restricted stock, and warrants:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
Research and development |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
General and administrative |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total stock-based compensation expense |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
As of March 31, 2024, there was $
13. License Revenue – Related Party
In September 2020, the Company entered into an Option Agreement with Zenas (“Zenas Option”), a related party (See Note 16). Through the Zenas Option, the Company provided Zenas an option to enter into an exclusive license agreement for the development and commercialization of products arising from its research of monoclonal antibody antagonists targeting certain specific complement proteins.
In September 2021, the Company notified Zenas that it had elected the first antibody sequence as a clinical candidate. In October 2021, Zenas notified the Company that it was exercising its option for such clinical candidate. The Zenas Option provided that upon the exercise of the option, the Company would negotiate in good faith a license agreement with Zenas pursuant to which it would grant Zenas the exclusive license with respect to the antibody sequences for the Zenas territory, which includes People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. In accordance with Zenas Option, within 60 days following the execution of a license agreement, Zenas agreed to pay the Company a one-time payment of $
In June 2022, the Company and Zenas executed the license agreement (“Zenas License”). The Zenas Option and Zenas License are collectively referred to as the “Zenas Agreements.” The Zenas License provides Zenas with a license in the People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, for the development and commercialization of sequences and products under the first antibody sequence. The Company is also obligated to perform certain research and development and CMC services, and will also participate in a joint steering committee (“JSC”). Under the Zenas License, Zenas also has the right to exercise an option with respect to a second antibody sequence. If Zenas exercises the option and pays the Company the option exercise fee related to the second antibody sequence, the Company will grant Zenas an exclusive license to the sequences and products under this second antibody sequence.
19
Since the Zenas Agreements were negotiated with a single commercial objective, they are treated as a combined contract for accounting purposes. The Company assessed the Zenas Agreements in accordance with ASC 606 and concluded that it represents a contract with a customer and is within the scope of ASC 606. The Company determined that there is one combined performance obligation that consists of the license and data transfer, the research and development and CMC services, and the participation in the JSC. The Company determined that Zenas’ right to exercise an option with respect to a second antibody sequence does not represent a material right.
The consideration under the Zenas Agreements includes the following payments by Zenas to the Company: (i) a $
The Company determined that the combined performance obligation is satisfied over time; therefore, the Company will recognize the transaction price from the license agreement over the Company’s estimated period to complete its activities. The Company concluded that it will utilize a cost-based input method to measure its progress toward completion of its performance obligation and to calculate the corresponding amount of revenue to recognize each period. The Company believes this is the best measure of progress because other measures do not reflect how the Company transfers its performance obligation to Zenas. In applying the cost-based input method of revenue recognition, the Company uses actual costs incurred relative to budgeted costs expected to be incurred for the combined performance obligation. These costs consist primarily of third-party contract costs. Revenue will be recognized based on the level of costs incurred relative to the total budgeted costs for the combined performance obligation. A cost-based input method of revenue recognition requires management to make estimates of costs to complete the Company’s performance obligation. In making such estimates, judgment is required to evaluate assumptions related to cost estimates.
The Company also determined that the milestone payments of $
There is a sales or usage-based royalty exception within ASC 606 that applies when a license of intellectual property is the predominant item to which the royalty relates. In accordance with this royalty exception, the Company will recognize royalty revenue at the later of (i) when the related sales occur, or (ii) when the performance obligation to which some or all of the royalty has been allocated has been satisfied (or partially satisfied). As of March 31, 2024,
For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized related party license revenue totaling $
20
14. Net Loss Per Share
Basic and diluted net loss per share of common stock are calculated as follows:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
Numerator: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net loss |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
Denominator: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Less: weighted-average unvested restricted shares of common stock |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Weighted-average shares used to compute net loss per share of common stock, basic and diluted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
The Company’s potential dilutive securities, which include convertible preferred stock, stock options, unvested restricted shares of common stock, and warrants for the purchase of common stock, have been excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share as the effect would be antidilutive. Therefore, the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding used to calculate both basic and diluted net loss per share is the same.
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
Convertible preferred stock (as converted) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Stock options outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Unvested restricted shares of common stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Warrants for the purchase of common stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
15. Commitments and Contingencies
Alloy Therapeutics, LLC
In August 2019, the Company entered into a license agreement with Alloy Therapeutics, LLC (“Alloy”). The license agreement was amended in October 2022. The license agreement with Alloy grants to the Company the following:
The Company pays annual license fees and annual partnered antibody program fees totaling $
21
OmniAb, Inc.
In September 2022, the Company entered into a commercial platform license agreement and services agreement with two subsidiaries of Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. In November 2022, Ligand spun-off these subsidiaries into a separate legal entity, OmniAb, Inc. (“OmniAb”). The platform license agreement and services agreement with OmniAb grants to the Company the following.
Upon the achievement of certain development milestones, the Company is obligated to make additional payments to OmniAb of up to $
IONTAS Limited
In July 2020, the Company entered into a collaborative research agreement with IONTAS Limited (“IONTAS”) to perform certain milestone-based research and development activities for the Company under its first development program. This agreement was amended in January 2023 to extend their services to additional development programs. IONTAS provides dedicated resources to perform the research and development activities and receives compensation for those resources as well as success-based milestone payments.
Upon the achievement, with the first development program with IONTAS, of (i) certain development milestones and (ii) certain commercial milestones, the Company is obligated to make additional payments to IONTAS of up to £
Indemnification Agreements
In the ordinary course of business, the Company may provide indemnification of varying scope and terms to employees, consultants, vendors, 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. To date, the Company has not incurred any material costs as a result of such indemnification agreements. The Company is not aware of any indemnification arrangements that could have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows, and has not accrued any liabilities related to such obligations in its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
Litigation
From time to time, the Company may be exposed to litigation relating to potential products and operations. The Company is not currently engaged in any legal proceedings that are expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Other
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had standing agreements with consultants, contractors or service providers whose terms do not yield material long-term commitments.
22
16. Related Party Transactions
Zenas BioPharma Limited
The Company is a party to option and license agreements with Zenas, a related party. The Company considers Zenas to be a related party because (i) Tellus BioVentures LLC (“Tellus”), whose sole member is a significant shareholder in the Company and serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, is also a significant shareholder in Zenas and serves as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Zenas and (ii) Fairmount Healthcare Fund LP and Fairmount Healthcare Fund II LP (together, the “Fairmount Funds”), who are significant shareholders in the Company and have a seat on the Board of Directors of the Company, are also significant shareholders in Zenas and have a seat on the Board of Directors of Zenas. As of March 31, 2024, Tellus and affiliated entities owned approximately
In 2020, Zenas issued
17. Subsequent Events
The Company evaluated subsequent events from March 31, 2024, the date of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, through May 9, 2024, which represents the date the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were issued, for events requiring recording or disclosure in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The Company concluded that no events have occurred that would require recognition or disclosure in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
23
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including those described in the section titled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Our actual results and the timing of selected events could differ materially from those discussed below. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those identified below and those set forth under the section titled “Risk Factors” included 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 March 21, 2024.
Overview
We are a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing next-generation complement therapeutics for patients living with severe autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. We believe our lead novel and proprietary monoclonal antibody product candidate, DNTH103, has the potential to address a broad array of complement-dependent diseases as currently available therapies or those in development leave room for improvements in efficacy, safety, and/or dosing convenience. We have purposefully engineered DNTH103 to selectively bind to only the active form of the C1s complement protein (“C1s”) and to exhibit improved potency and an extended half-life. By selectively targeting only the active form of C1s, which drives disease pathology and constitutes only a small fraction of the total protein present in circulation, we aim to reduce the amount of drug required for a therapeutic effect. We intend to deliver our product candidate through a lower dose, less frequent, self-administered, convenient subcutaneous (“S.C.”) injection suitable for a pre-filled pen.
Our most advanced product candidate, DNTH103, is a clinical-stage, highly potent, highly selective and fully human monoclonal immunoglobulin G4 with picomolar binding affinity that is designed to selectively bind only to the active form of the C1s complement protein. The active form of C1s is generated during complement activation by cleavage of the inactive proenzyme C1s. As a validated complement target in the autoimmune and inflammatory field, C1s inhibition prevents further progression of the classical pathway cascade. DNTH103 is engineered with YTE half-life extension technology, a specific three amino acid change in the Fc domain, and has a pharmacokinetic profile designed to support less frequent, lower dose, self-administration as a convenient S.C. injection. Data reported from DNTH103’s Phase 1 clinical trial in 60 healthy volunteers across eight dose cohorts validates the extended half-life and potent classical pathway inhibition and supports a potentially differentiated safety profile of DNTH103. The topline data confirmed its approximately 60-day half-life and highly potent classical pathway inhibition with every two weeks S.C. dosing of 300mg/2mL surpassing the calculated IC90 of 87ug/mL, establishing DNTH103’s best-in-class potential to be the first self-administered subcutaneous injection dosed as infrequently as every two weeks to treat a range of autoimmune disorders. Based on the clinical data available to date, DNTH103 was generally well tolerated with no serious adverse events or complement-related infections. DNTH103 is designed to selectively target the active form of C1s, inhibiting only the classical pathway, while leaving the lectin and alternative pathways intact. As a result, we aim to demonstrate that DNTH103 may have a reduced risk of infections from encapsulated bacteria when compared to C5 terminal inhibitors, thus potentially avoiding a U.S. Food and Drug Administration Boxed Warning and associated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (“REMS”). We believe that DNTH103 has the potential to yield therapeutic benefit in multiple autoimmune and inflammatory disease indications where inappropriate activation of the classical pathway cascade drives or exacerbates the disease pathology by inhibiting the ability of activated C1s to effect downstream complement activity, ameliorating complement mediated cell death and disruption of normal cellular function.
2024 Private Placement
On January 22, 2024, in order to provide us with additional capital for our development programs, we entered into a securities purchase agreement for a private placement with certain institutional and accredited investors. At the closing of the private placement on January 24, 2024, we sold and issued 14,500,500 shares of common stock at a price per share of $12.00, and pre-funded warrants to purchase 4,666,332 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $11.999 per pre-funded warrant, which represents the per share purchase price of the common stock less the $0.001 per share exercise price for each pre-funded warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $230 million.
Completion of the Reverse Merger and Pre-Closing Financing
On September 11, 2023, we completed a business combination with Former Dianthus pursuant to which, among other matters, Former Dianthus became as a wholly owned subsidiary of ours (the “Reverse Merger”). In connection with the completion of the Reverse Merger, we changed our name from “Magenta Therapeutics, Inc.” to “Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc.,” and the business conducted by us became primarily the business conducted by Former Dianthus.
24
Concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, and in order to provide Former Dianthus with additional capital for its development programs, Former Dianthus entered into a subscription agreement, as amended, with certain investors named therein. Immediately prior to the effective time of the Reverse Merger, Former Dianthus sold and issued 2,873,988 shares of Former Dianthus common stock and 210,320 pre-funded warrants, exercisable for 210,320 shares of Former Dianthus common stock, at a purchase price of approximately $23.34 per share or $23.34 per warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $72 million (the “pre-closing financing”).
See Item 1 of Part I “Financial Statements––Note 1 – Organization, Description of Business and Liquidity” for additional information.
Background
Since our inception in 2019, we have devoted substantially all of our resources to conducting research and development activities (including with respect to the DNTH103 program) and undertaking preclinical studies, conducting a clinical trial and the manufacturing of the product used in our clinical trials and preclinical studies, business planning, developing and maintaining our intellectual property portfolio, hiring personnel, raising capital, and providing general and administrative support for these activities.
We do not own or operate, and currently have no plans to establish, any significant laboratory or manufacturing facilities. We rely, and expect to continue to rely, on third parties for the testing and manufacture of our product candidates, as well as for commercial manufacturing should any of our product candidates obtain marketing approval. We believe this strategy allows us to maintain a more efficient infrastructure by eliminating the need to invest in our own significant laboratory and manufacturing facilities, equipment, and personnel while also enabling us to focus expertise and resources on the development of our product candidates.
To date, we have funded our operations primarily with proceeds from the sale of capital stock and have raised aggregate gross proceeds of $423.5 million from private placements. As of March 31, 2024, we had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $377.1 million. Based on our current operating plan, we believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments should be sufficient to fund our operations into the second half of 2027. Until we achieve profitability, we plan to fund our operations and capital expenditures with cash on hand and expect to seek to raise any necessary additional capital through private or public equity or debt financings, loans or other capital sources, which could include income from collaborations, partnerships or other marketing, distribution, licensing or other strategic arrangements with third parties, or from grants. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in raising additional capital or that such capital, if available, will be on terms that are acceptable to us. If we are unable to raise sufficient additional capital, we will be required to seek other alternatives which may include, among others, a delay or termination of our clinical trials or the development of our product candidates, temporary or permanent curtailment of our operations, a sale of our assets, or other alternatives with strategic or financial partners.
We have incurred significant recurring losses. We generated net losses of $13.7 million and $7.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $103.2 million. Our net losses may fluctuate significantly from quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year, depending on a variety of factors, including the timing, scope and results of our research and development activities. We expect our expenses and capital requirements will increase substantially in connection with our ongoing activities, if and as we:
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We do not have any products approved for commercial sale and we have not generated any commercial revenue from product sales. Our ability to generate product revenue sufficient to achieve and maintain profitability will depend upon the successful development and eventual commercialization of DNTH103 or any future product candidates, which we expect, if it ever occurs, will take many years. We expect to spend a significant amount on development and marketing costs prior to such time. We will therefore require substantial additional capital to develop DNTH103 and any future product candidates and to support our continuing operations. We may never succeed in achieving regulatory and marketing approval for DNTH103 or any future product candidates. We may obtain unexpected results from our preclinical and clinical trials. We may elect to discontinue, delay, or modify preclinical and clinical trials of DNTH103 or any future product candidates. 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. Accordingly, until such time that we can generate a sufficient amount of revenue from product sales or other sources, if ever, we expect to finance our operations through private or public equity or debt financings, loans or other capital sources, which could include income from collaborations, partnerships or other marketing, distribution, licensing or other strategic arrangements with third parties, or from grants. However, we may be unable to raise additional capital from these sources on favorable terms, or at all. Our failure to obtain sufficient capital on acceptable terms when needed could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition, including requiring us to to seek other alternatives which may include, among others, a delay or termination of our clinical trials or the development of our product candidates, temporary or permanent curtailment of our operations, a sale of our assets, or other alternatives with strategic or financial partners. We may also be required to license rights to product candidates at an earlier stage of development or on less favorable terms than we would otherwise choose. We cannot provide assurance that we will ever generate positive cash flow from operating activities. See the section titled “—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Global and Macroeconomic Developments
Uncertainty in the global economy presents significant risks to our business. We are subject to continuing risks and uncertainties in connection with the current macroeconomic environment, including increases in inflation, rising interest rates, general economic slowdown or a recession, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, recent bank failures, the prospect of a shutdown of the U.S. federal government, geopolitical factors, including rising tensions between China and Taiwan, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the attacks on marine vessels traversing the Red Sea and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the responses thereto, pandemics or other public health crises and supply chain disruptions. While we are closely monitoring the impact of the current macroeconomic conditions on all aspects of our business, including the impacts on participants in our clinical trials, employees, suppliers, vendors, business partners and regulators, the ultimate extent of the impact on our business remains highly uncertain and will depend on future developments and factors that continue to evolve. Most of these developments and factors are outside of our control and could exist for an extended period of time. We will continue to evaluate the nature and extent of the potential impacts to Dianthus’ business, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources. For additional information, 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 March 21, 2024.
Components of Results of Operations
Revenue
Since inception, we have not generated any revenue from product sales, and we do not expect to generate any revenue from the sales of products in the foreseeable future.
We are a party to an option agreement and license agreement with Zenas BioPharma Limited (“Zenas BioPharma”), a related party. In September 2020, we entered into an option agreement with Zenas BioPharma (“Zenas Option”), through which we provided Zenas BioPharma an option to enter into an exclusive license agreement for the development and commercialization of products arising from our research of monoclonal antibody antagonists targeting certain specific complement proteins. In June 2022, we and Zenas BioPharma executed a license agreement (“Zenas License Agreement”). The Zenas Option and Zenas License Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Zenas Agreements.” The Zenas License Agreement provides Zenas BioPharma with a license in the People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, for the development and commercialization of sequences and products under the first antibody sequence.
26
Under the Zenas Agreements, the consideration payable by Zenas Biopharma includes the following: (i) a $1.0 million upfront payment upon execution of the Zenas License Agreement; (ii) an approximate $1.1 million payment representing reimbursement for a portion of development costs previously incurred by us; (iii) reimbursement of a portion of costs related to chemistry, manufacturing and control (“CMC”) and expenses for the first antibody sequence through the manufacture of the first two batches of drug product; (iv) reimbursement of a portion of non-CMC-related costs and expenses for the development of the first antibody sequence through the first regulatory approval; (v) development milestones totaling up to $11.0 million; and (vi) royalties on net sales ranging from mid-single digits to low teen percentages.
In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), we determined that there is one combined performance obligation that consists of the license and data transfer, the CMC and non-CMC services, and the participation in a joint steering committee, and that the combined performance obligation is satisfied over time. Therefore, we will recognize the transaction price from the license agreement over our estimated period to complete our activities. We concluded that we would utilize a cost-based input method to measure our progress toward completion of our performance obligation and to calculate the corresponding amount of revenue to recognize each period. We believe this is the best measure of progress because other measures do not reflect how we transfer our performance obligation to Zenas Biopharma. In applying the cost-based input method of revenue recognition, we use actual costs incurred relative to budgeted costs expected to be incurred for the combined performance obligation. These costs consist primarily of third-party contract costs. Revenue will be recognized based on the level of costs incurred relative to the total budgeted costs for the performance obligations. A cost-based input method of revenue recognition requires us to make estimates of costs to complete the performance obligation. In making such estimates, judgment is required to evaluate assumptions related to cost estimates.
There is a sales or usage-based royalty exception within ASC 606 that applies when a license of intellectual property is the predominant item to which the royalty relates. In accordance with this royalty exception, we will recognize royalty revenue at the later of (i) when the related sales occur, or (ii) when the performance obligation to which some or all of the royalty has been allocated has been satisfied (or partially satisfied). As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, no royalty revenue had been recognized.
We also determined that the milestone payments of $11.0 million are variable consideration under ASC 606, which need to be added to the transaction price when it is probable that a significant revenue reversal will not occur. Based on the nature of the milestones, such as the regulatory approvals which are generally not within our control, we will not consider achievement of this milestone to be probable until the uncertainty associated with such milestone has been resolved. When it is probable that a significant reversal of revenue will not occur, the milestone payment will be added to the transaction price for which we recognize revenue. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, no milestones had been achieved.
For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, we recognized related party license revenue totaling $0.9 million and $0.5 million, respectively, associated with the Zenas Agreements.
If our development efforts for DNTH103 or any future product candidates are successful and result in regulatory approval, we may generate revenue from future product sales. If we enter into license or collaboration agreements for DNTH103 or any future product candidates or intellectual property, revenue may be generated in the future from such license or collaboration agreements. We cannot predict if, when, or to what extent we will generate revenue from the commercialization and sale of DNTH103 or any future product candidates or from license or collaboration agreements. We may never succeed in obtaining regulatory approval for DNTH103 or any future product candidates.
Operating Expenses
Research and Development
Research and development expenses account for a significant portion of our operating expenses and consist primarily of external and internal expenses incurred in connection with the discovery and development of DNTH103 and other potential product candidates.
External expenses include:
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Internal expenses include:
We recognize research and development expenses in the periods in which they are incurred. Our internal resources, employees and infrastructure are not directly tied to any one research or drug discovery program and are typically deployed across multiple programs. External expenses are recognized based on an evaluation of the progress to completion of specific tasks using information provided to us by our service providers or our estimate of the level of service that has been performed at each reporting date. We utilize CROs for research and development activities and CDMOs for manufacturing activities and we do not have significant laboratory or manufacturing facilities. Therefore, we have no material facilities expenses attributed to research and development.
Product candidates in later stages of development generally have higher development costs than those in earlier stages. As a result, we expect that our research and development expenses will increase substantially over the next several years as we advance DNTH103 into larger and later-stage clinical trials, work to discover and develop additional product candidates, seek to expand, maintain, protect and enforce our intellectual property portfolio, and hire additional research and development personnel.
The successful development of DNTH103 or any future product candidates is highly uncertain, and we do not believe it is possible at this time to accurately project the nature, timing and estimated costs of the efforts necessary to complete the development of, and obtain regulatory approval for, DNTH103 or any future product candidates. To the extent DNTH103 or any future product candidates continue to advance into larger and later-stage clinical trials, our expenses will increase substantially and may become more variable. The duration, costs and timing of development of DNTH103 or any future product candidates are subject to numerous uncertainties and will depend on a variety of factors, including:
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Any of these factors could significantly impact the costs, timing and viability associated with the development of DNTH103 or any future product candidates.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses primarily consist of salaries, bonuses, related benefits, and stock-based compensation expense for personnel in executive, finance, and administrative functions; professional fees for legal, consulting, accounting, and audit services; and travel expenses, technology costs and other allocated expenses. General and administrative expenses also include corporate facility costs, including insurance, rent, utilities, depreciation, and maintenance, not otherwise included in research and development expenses. We recognize general and administrative expenses in the periods in which they are incurred.
We expect that our general and administrative expenses will increase in the future to support our continued research and development activities, pre-commercial preparation activities for the product candidates and, if any product candidate receives marketing approval, commercialization activities. In addition, we anticipate that we will incur additional expenses associated with being a public company, including expenses related to accounting, audit, legal, regulatory, public company reporting and compliance, director and officer insurance, investor and public relations, and other administrative and professional services.
Other Income/(Expense)
Other income/(expense) consists primarily of interest income generated from earnings on invested cash equivalents and short-term investments.
Income Tax
Since inception, we have not recorded any U.S. federal or state income tax benefits for the net losses we have incurred in each year or for our earned research tax credits due to uncertainty of realizing a benefit from those items. We maintain a full valuation allowance on our federal and state deferred tax assets as we have concluded that it is more likely than not that the deferred assets will not be utilized.
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Results of Operations
Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023
The following table summarizes our results of operations and other comprehensive loss for the periods indicated:
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
|
(in thousands) |
|
|||||
Revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
License revenue - related party |
$ |
874 |
|
|
$ |
476 |
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Research and development |
|
13,078 |
|
|
|
5,847 |
|
General and administrative |
|
5,640 |
|
|
|
2,312 |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
18,718 |
|
|
|
8,159 |
|
Loss from operations |
|
(17,844 |
) |
|
|
(7,683 |
) |
Other income/(expense): |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Interest income |
|
4,222 |
|
|
|
606 |
|
Loss on currency exchange, net |
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
Other expense |
|
(114 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
Total other income |
|
4,096 |
|
|
|
594 |
|
Net loss |
$ |
(13,748 |
) |
|
$ |
(7,089 |
) |
Comprehensive loss: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net loss |
$ |
(13,748 |
) |
|
$ |
(7,089 |
) |
Other comprehensive (loss)/income: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Change in unrealized (losses)/gains related to available-for-sale debt securities |
|
(74 |
) |
|
|
104 |
|
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income |
|
(74 |
) |
|
|
104 |
|
Total comprehensive loss |
$ |
(13,822 |
) |
|
$ |
(6,985 |
) |
License Revenue—Related Party
Under the terms of the Zenas Agreements, we recognized related party license revenue of $0.9 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase was primarily due increased clinical operations activity costs associated with the commencement of DNTH103's Phase 2 clinical trial in generalized Myasthenia Gravis (“gMG”) in the first quarter of 2024.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses were $13.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to $5.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, an increase of $7.3 million. This increase was due to (1) a $4.7 million increase in external research and development costs, consisting of preclinical study costs, CMC activities, third-party consulting services, clinical operation activities, license and milestone payments and discovery activities and (2) a $2.6 million increase in internal research and development costs, consisting of personnel and related costs, stock-based compensation expense, and other costs.
The $4.7 million increase in external research and development costs was due to a $4.6 million increase in expenses related to our lead product candidate, DNTH103, and a $0.1 million increase in discovery activities. For three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023, there were increases related to DNTH103 of $2.6 million in clinical operations activities, $2.3 million in CMC activities and $0.3 million in third-party consulting services partially offset by a decrease related to DNTH103 of $0.6 million in preclinical study costs. The increased amount of DNTH103-related costs in clinical operations, CMC and consulting results from activities related to the commencement of a Phase 2 clinical trial in gMG in the first quarter of 2024 along with preparations to initiate additional Phase 2 clinical trials in Multifocal Motor Neuropathy in the second quarter of 2024 and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy in the second half of 2024. The decreased amounts of DNTH103-related preclinical study costs results from the substantial completion of a chronic toxicology study in the second half of 2023. The $0.1 million increase in discovery expenses related to development activities of potential molecules beyond DNTH103 in the three months ended March 31, 2024.
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The $2.6 million increase in internal research and development costs was due to a $1.8 million increase in personnel and related costs, a $0.6 million increase in share-based compensation, and a $0.2 million increase in other costs. The increases were due to building out the research and development function to support multiple planned Phase 2 clinical trials.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses were $5.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, an increase of $3.3 million. The increase was primarily due to increases of $0.8 million in personnel-related costs, $0.9 million in stock-based compensation expense, $0.7 million in professional services costs, $0.6 million in consulting costs and $0.3 million in other costs. The increases were due to building out the general and administrative function to operate as a public company and support our ongoing and multiple planned Phase 2 clinical trials.
Other Income/(Expense)
Other income/(expense) was $4.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, an increase of $3.5 million. The increase was primarily due to an increase of $3.6 million in interest income from a larger investment balance and higher interest rates on investments.
Income Tax
The provision for income taxes consists primarily of income taxes related to federal and state jurisdictions in which we conduct business. We maintain a full valuation allowance on our federal and state deferred tax assets as we have concluded that it is more likely than not that the deferred assets will not be utilized.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources of Liquidity
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 product candidate, DNTH103, 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 candidate 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 March 21, 2024 for additional risks associated with our substantial capital requirements.
To date, we have funded our operations primarily through private placements of capital stock for gross proceeds of $423.5 million.
Future Capital Requirements
Since inception, we have not generated any revenue from product sales. We do not expect to generate any meaningful product revenue unless and until we obtain regulatory approval of and commercialize DNTH103 or any future product candidates, and we do not know when, or if, that will occur. Until we can generate significant revenue from product sales, if ever, we will continue to require substantial additional capital to develop DNTH103 or any future product candidates and fund operations for the foreseeable future. We expect our expenses to increase in connection with our ongoing activities as described in greater detail below. We are subject to all the risks involved in the development of new biopharmaceutical products, and we may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays, and other unknown factors that may harm our business.
In order to complete the development of DNTH103 or any future product candidates and to build the sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure that we believe will be necessary to commercialize product candidates, if approved, we will require substantial additional capital. Accordingly, until such time that we can generate a sufficient amount of revenue from product sales or other sources, if ever, we expect to seek to raise any necessary additional capital through private or public equity or debt financings, loans or other capital sources, which could include income from collaborations, partnerships or other marketing, distribution, licensing or other strategic arrangements with third parties, or from grants. To the extent that we raise additional capital through equity financings or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest of our stockholders will be or could be diluted, and the terms of these
31
securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our common stockholders. Debt financing and equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, including restricting our operations and limiting our ability to incur liens, issue additional debt, pay dividends, repurchase our common stock, make certain investments or engage in merger, consolidation, licensing, or asset sale transactions. If we raise capital through collaborations, partnerships, and other similar arrangements with third parties, we may be required to grant rights to develop and market product candidates that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves. We may be unable to raise additional capital from these sources on favorable terms, or at all. Our ability to raise additional capital may be adversely impacted by potential worsening global economic conditions and the recent disruptions to, and volatility in, the credit and financial markets in the United States and worldwide resulting from recent bank failures, other general macroeconomic conditions and otherwise. Our failure to obtain sufficient capital on acceptable terms when needed could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition, including requiring us to to seek other alternatives which may include, among others, a delay or termination of our clinical trials or the development of our product candidates, temporary or permanent curtailment of our operations, a sale of our assets, or other alternatives with strategic or financial partners. We cannot provide assurance that we will ever generate positive cash flow from operating activities.
To date, we have funded our operations primarily with proceeds from the sale of capital stock and have raised aggregate gross proceeds of $423.5 million. However, we have incurred significant recurring losses. We had an accumulated deficit of $103.2 million as of March 31, 2024. As of March 31, 2024, we had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $377.1 million. Based on our current operating plan, we believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments should be sufficient to fund our operations into the second half of 2027. Until we achieve profitability, we plan to fund our operations and capital expenditures with cash on hand and expect to seek to raise any necessary additional capital through private or public equity or debt financings, loans or other capital sources, which could include income from collaborations, partnerships or other marketing, distribution, licensing or other strategic arrangements with third parties, or from grants. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in raising additional capital or that such capital, if available, will be on terms that are acceptable to us. Our failure to obtain sufficient capital on acceptable terms when needed could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition, including requiring us to to seek other alternatives which may include, among others, a delay or termination of our clinical trials or the development of our product candidates, temporary or permanent curtailment of our operations, a sale of our assets, or other alternatives with strategic or financial partners.
We based projections of operating capital requirements on our current operating plan, which includes several assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, and we may use all of our available capital resources sooner than we expect.
Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with research, development and commercialization of product candidates, we are unable to estimate the exact amount and timing of our capital requirements. Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including:
32
A change in the outcome of any of these or other factors with respect to the development of any of our product candidates could significantly change the costs and timing associated with the development of that product candidate. Furthermore, our operating plans may change in the future, and we may need additional capital to meet the capital requirements associated with such operating plans.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods indicated:
|
Three Months March 31, |
|
|||||
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
|
(in thousands) |
|
|||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
$ |
(14,941 |
) |
|
$ |
(10,284 |
) |
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities |
|
(5,507 |
) |
|
|
18,131 |
|
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
217,847 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
$ |
197,399 |
|
|
$ |
7,847 |
|
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, net cash used in operating activities consisted of a net loss of $13.7 million and an increase in net operating assets and liabilities of $2.8 million, partially offset by net non-cash operating expenses of $1.6 million. The increase in net operating assets and liabilities was primarily attributable to a decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses and lease liabilities of $3.0 million and increases in unbilled receivable from Zenas BioPharma of $0.3 million and receivable from Zenas BioPharma of $0.1 million, partially offset by decreases in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $0.3 million and other assets of $0.3 million. The non-cash operating expenses consisted mainly of stock-based compensation expense of $2.0 million and amortization of right-of-use lease assets of $0.1 million, partially offset by accretion of discount on short-term investments of $0.5 million.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, net cash used in operating activities consisted of a net loss of $7.1 million and an increase in net operating assets and liabilities of $3.4 million, partially offset by net non-cash operating expenses of $0.2 million. The increase in net operating assets and liabilities was primarily due to a decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses and lease liabilities of $4.7 million, partially offset by decreases in receivable from Zenas BioPharma of $0.8 million, unbilled receivable from Zenas BioPharma of $0.4 million and prepaid expenses and other current assets of $0.1 million. The non-cash operating expenses consisted mainly of stock-based compensation expense of $0.5 million and amortization of right-of-use lease assets of $0.1 million, partially offset by accretion of discount on short-term investments of $0.4 million.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, net cash used in investing activities consisted of $20.5 million of purchases of short-term investments, partially offset by $15.0 million of proceeds from maturities of short-term investments.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, net cash provided by investing activities consisted of $22.0 million of proceeds from maturities of short-term investments, partially offset by $3.9 million of purchases of short-term investments.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, net cash provided by financing activities primarily consisted of $217.5 million of net proceeds from the private placement and $0.3 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, net cash provided by financing activities consisted of $0.4 million of proceeds from promissory notes payable to related party, offset by a $0.4 million repayment of promissory notes payable to related party.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
Lease Obligations
We lease space under operating leases agreements for administrative offices in New York, New York, and Waltham, Massachusetts and wet laboratory space in Watertown, Massachusetts, which expire in August 2025, January 2025 and August 2025, respectively.
33
Research and Development and Manufacturing Agreements
We enter into agreements with certain vendors for the provision of goods and services, which includes manufacturing services with CDMOs and development and clinical trial services with CROs. These agreements may include certain provisions for purchase obligations and termination obligations that could require payments for the cancellation of committed purchase obligations or for early termination of the agreements. The amount of the cancellation or termination payments vary and are based on the timing of the cancellation or termination and the specific terms of the agreement. These obligations and commitments are not presented separately.
License and Collaboration Agreements
In August 2019, Former Dianthus entered into a license agreement with Alloy Therapeutics, LLC (“Alloy”) for (i) a worldwide, non-exclusive license to use the Alloy technology solely to generate Alloy antibodies and platform assisted antibodies for internal, non-clinical research purposes, and (ii) with respect to Alloy antibodies and platform assisted antibodies that are selected by us for inclusion into a partnered antibody program, a worldwide, assignable license to make, have made, use, offer for sale, sell, import, develop, manufacture, and commercialize products comprising partnered antibody programs selected from Alloy antibodies and platform assisted antibodies in any field of use. In addition to annual license fees, we are obligated to pay development and commercial milestone payments of up to $12.8 million for the first partnered antibody, which has been selected for the DNTH103 program. The license agreement was amended in October 2022 to extend the agreement to a potential second partnered antibody. In addition to annual license fees, we are obligated to pay development and commercial milestone payments of up to $18.1 million for a second partnered antibody, if and when selected.
In September 2022, Former Dianthus entered into a commercial platform license agreement and services agreement with two subsidiaries of Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (“Ligand”). In November 2022, Ligand spun-off these subsidiaries into a separate legal entity, OmniAb, Inc. (“OmniAb”), for (i) a worldwide, non-exclusive, non-sublicensable license under the OmniAb technology to use chicken animals for generation of OmniAb antibodies for research purposes and (ii) a worldwide, non-exclusive license under the OmniAb technology to use rodent animals for generation of OmniAb antibodies for research purposes. In addition to annual license fees, we are obligated to pay development milestones payments of up to $12.2 million and to pay royalties in the low to mid-single digits.
In July 2020, Former Dianthus entered into a collaborative research agreement with IONTAS Limited (“IONTAS”) to perform certain milestone-based research and development activities under our first development program. The agreement was amended in January 2023 to extend services to additional development programs. We are obligated to pay development and commercial milestone payments of up to £5.4 million (approximately $6.8 million based on the March 31, 2024 exchange rate) with the first development program and of up to £2.5 million (approximately $3.2 million based on the March 31, 2024 exchange rate) with the second development program.
34
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, costs and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our financial statements. We base our estimates on historical experience, known trends and events and various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. We evaluate estimates and assumptions on a periodic basis. Our actual results may differ materially from these estimates.
We believe that the following accounting policies are critical to understanding our historical and future performance, as the policies relate to the more significant areas involving management’s judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses are recorded as an expense, as incurred. Research and development expenses consists of (i) costs to engage contractors who specialize in our development activities; (ii) external research and development costs incurred under arrangements with third parties, such as CROs, CDMOs and consultants; and (iii) costs associated with preclinical and clinical activities and regulatory operations.
We enter consulting, research, and other agreements with commercial firms, researchers, and others for the provision of goods and services. Under such agreements, we may pay for services on a monthly, quarterly, project or other basis. Such arrangements are generally cancelable upon reasonable notice and payment of costs incurred. Costs are considered incurred based on an evaluation of the progress to completion of specific tasks under each contract using information and data provided to us by our service providers or our estimate of the level of service that has been performed at each reporting date, whereas payments are dictated by the terms of each agreement. As such, depending on the timing of payment relative to the receipt of goods or services, we may record either prepaid expenses or accrued services. These costs consist of direct and indirect costs associated with specific projects, as well as fees paid to various entities that perform certain research on our behalf.
We make estimates of our accrued expenses as of each balance sheet date in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements based on facts and circumstances known to us at that time. There may also be instances in which payments made to our vendors will exceed the level of services provided and result in a prepayment of the expense. In accruing expenses, we estimate the time period over which services will be performed and the level of effort to be expended in each period. If the actual timing of the performance of services or the level of effort varies from the estimate, we adjust the accrual or the amount of prepaid expenses accordingly. Although we do not expect our estimates to be materially different from amounts actually incurred, our understanding of the status and timing of services performed relative to the actual status and timing of services performed may vary and may result in reporting amounts that are too high or too low in any particular period. To date, there have not been any material adjustments to our prior estimates of accrued research and development expenses.
Stock-Based Compensation
We account for stock-based compensation awards in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, (“ASC 718”). ASC 718 requires all stock-based payments, including grants of stock options and restricted stock, to be recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss based on their fair values. All of our stock option awards are subject only to service-based vesting conditions. We estimate the fair value of our stock-based awards using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires the input of assumptions, including (a) the fair value of the common stock, (b) the expected stock price volatility, (c) the calculation of expected term of the award, (d) the risk-free interest rate and (e) expected dividends. We estimate the fair value of the restricted stock awards using the fair value of our common stock. Forfeitures are recognized as they are incurred.
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Prior to the Reverse Merger, management utilized valuation methodologies in accordance with the framework of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Technical Practice Aid, Valuation of Privately Held Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation, to estimate the fair value of Former Dianthus’ common stock. Each valuation methodology included estimates and assumptions that required our judgment. These estimates and assumptions included objective and subjective factors, including external market conditions, the prices at which Former Dianthus sold shares of convertible preferred stock, the superior rights and preferences of the convertible preferred stock senior to Former Dianthus’ common stock at the time, and a probability analysis of various liquidity events, such as a public offering or sale of Former Dianthus, under differing scenarios. Changes to the key assumptions used in the valuations could have resulted in materially different fair values of Former Dianthus’ common stock at each valuation date. Following the Reverse Merger, the fair value of our common stock is based on the closing stock price on the date of grant as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
Prior to the Reverse Merger, due to a lack of company-specific historical and implied volatility data, we based our estimate of expected volatility on the historical volatility of a representative group of companies with similar characteristics to us, including stage of product development and life science industry focus. We believed the group selected had sufficiently similar economic and industry characteristics and included companies that were most representative of us. Following the Reverse Merger, expected volatility at the date of grant is estimated using a “look-back” period, which coincides with the expected term, of our stock price as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
We use the simplified method, as prescribed by the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, Share-Based Payment, to calculate the expected term. The risk-free interest rate is based on observed interest rates appropriate for the term of the awards. The dividend yield assumption is based on history and expectation of paying no dividends.
Compensation expense related to stock-based awards is calculated on a straight-line basis by recognizing the grant date fair value, over the associated service period of the award, which is generally the vesting term.
Revenue Recognition—Zenas Agreements
We analyze the Zenas Agreements pursuant to ASC 606. This assessment is performed throughout the life of the arrangement based on changes in the responsibilities of all parties in the arrangement. Under ASC 606, an entity recognizes revenue when its customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration that the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that an entity determines are within the scope of ASC 606, the entity performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. As part of the accounting for contracts with customers, management develops assumptions that require judgment to determine whether promised goods and services represent distinct performance obligations and the standalone selling price for each performance obligation identified in the contract. This evaluation is subjective and requires us to make judgments about the promised goods and services and whether those goods and services are separable from other aspects of the contract. Further, determining the standalone selling price for performance obligations requires significant judgment, and when an observable price of a promised good or service is not readily available, we consider relevant assumptions to estimate the standalone selling price, including, as applicable, market conditions, development timelines, probabilities of technical and regulatory success and forecasted revenues.
We evaluate the performance obligations promised in the contract that are based on goods and services that will be transferred to the customer and determined whether those obligations are both (i) capable of being distinct and (ii) distinct in the context of the contract. Goods or services that meet these criteria are considered distinct performance obligations. We estimate the transaction price based on the amount expected to be received for transferring the promised goods or services in the contract. The consideration may include fixed consideration or variable consideration. At the inception of each arrangement that includes variable consideration, we evaluate the amount of potential transaction price and the likelihood that the transaction price will be received. We utilize either the most likely amount method or expected value method to estimate the amount expected to be received based on which method best predicts the amount expected to be received. The amount of variable consideration that is included in the transaction price may be constrained and is included in the transaction price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of the cumulative revenue recognized will not occur in a future period.
We apply judgment in determining whether a combined performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time or over time, and, if over time, concluding upon the appropriate method of measuring progress to be applied for purposes of recognizing revenue. We evaluate the measure of progress each reporting period and, as estimates related to the measure of progress change, related revenue recognition is adjusted accordingly. Changes in the estimated measure of progress are accounted for prospectively as a change in accounting estimate.
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When two or more contracts are entered into with the same customer at or near the same time, we evaluate the contracts to determine whether the contracts should be accounted for as a single arrangement. Contracts are combined and accounted for as a single arrangement if one or more of the following criteria are met: (i) the contracts are negotiated as a package with a single commercial objective; (ii) the amount of consideration to be paid in one contract depends on the price or performance of the other contract; or (iii) the goods or services promised in the contracts (or some goods or services promised in each of the contracts) are a single performance obligation.
Because the Zenas Agreements were negotiated with a single commercial objective, they are treated as a combined contract for accounting purposes. We assessed the Zenas Agreements in accordance with ASC 606 and concluded that it represents a contract with a customer and is within the scope of ASC 606. We determined that there is one combined performance obligation that consists of the license and data transfer, the research and development services, and the participation in the joint steering committee. We determined that Zenas BioPharma’s right to exercise an option with respect to a second antibody sequence does not represent a material right.
We determined that the combined performance obligation is satisfied over time; therefore, we will recognize the transaction price from the license agreement over our estimated period to complete our activities. We concluded that we would utilize a cost-based input method to measure our progress toward completion of our performance obligation and to calculate the corresponding amount of revenue to recognize each period. We believe this is the best measure of progress because other measures do not reflect how we transfer our performance obligation to Zenas Biopharma. In applying the cost-based input method of revenue recognition, we use actual costs incurred relative to budgeted costs expected to be incurred for the combined performance obligation. These costs consist primarily of third-party contract costs. Revenue will be recognized based on the level of costs incurred relative to the total budgeted costs for the performance obligations. A cost-based input method of revenue recognition requires us to make estimates of costs to complete our performance obligation. In making such estimates, judgment is required to evaluate assumptions related to cost estimates. We will re-evaluate the estimate of expected costs to satisfy the performance obligation each reporting period and will make adjustments for any significant changes.
Upfront payments and fees are recorded as deferred revenue upon receipt or when due and may require deferral of revenue recognition to a future period until we perform our obligations under these arrangements. Where applicable, amounts are recorded as unbilled revenue when our right to consideration is unconditional. We do not assess whether a contract with a customer has a significant financing component if the expectation at contract inception is such that the period between payment by the licensees and the transfer of the promised goods or services to the licensees will be one year or less.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We are a smaller reporting company, as defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K, and are not required to provide the information under this item.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and that management is required to apply judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs. Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2024. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, due to the previously identified material weaknesses described below, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of March 31, 2024. A material weakness (as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
As previously disclosed in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on November 9, 2023, we previously identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting related to: (a) our general segregation of duties, including the review and approval of journal entries as well as system access that has not been designed to allow for effective segregation of duties, which limits our ability to perform sufficient reviews and approval of journal entries posted to the general ledger and to consistently execute review procedures over general ledger account reconciliations, financial statement preparation and accounting for vendor and payroll transactions; and (b) our accounting software system has certain system limitations, including limited user access controls and change management controls, which limits our ability to ensure appropriate authorization and segregation of duties when processing transactions. We have concluded that these material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting are due to the fact that we have limited resources and do not have the necessary business processes and related internal controls formally designed and implemented coupled with the appropriate resources to oversee our business processes and controls. These material weaknesses did not result in any identified material misstatements to the financial statements, and there were no changes to previously released financial results. However, the deficiencies created a reasonable possibility that material misstatements to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Management has analyzed the material weaknesses and performed additional analysis and procedures in preparing our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. We have concluded that our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows at and for the periods presented.
Remediation Efforts to Address Material Weaknesses
We are in the process of implementing measures designed to improve our internal control over financial reporting to remediate the material weaknesses identified above. Our planned remediation actions include the following:
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We are currently working to improve our internal processes and implement enhanced controls, as described above, to address the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and to remedy the ineffectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. These material weaknesses will not be considered to be remediated until the applicable controls have operated for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are operating effectively. We are committed to continuing to improve our internal control processes, and, as we continue to evaluate and work to improve our internal control over financial reporting, we may take additional measures to address control deficiencies, or we may modify certain of the remediation measures described above.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
From time to time, we may be involved in litigation and other legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are not currently a party to or aware of any legal proceedings that we believe will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The outcome of any claims or litigation, regardless of the merits, is inherently uncertain. Regardless of the outcome, litigation and other legal proceedings can have a material adverse impact on us, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources, in the case of intellectual property claims, requirements to change our product candidates, change our business practices, pay monetary damages or enter into short- or long-term royalty or licensing agreements, and other factors.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
You should carefully consider the risks, uncertainties and other factors contained in the risks factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as the other information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes and the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in our other public filings, in evaluating our business. The occurrence of any of the events or developments described in the above-mentioned risk factors could materially harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. In such an event, the market price of our common stock could decline. Additional risks, uncertainties and other factors not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Equity Securities
Except as disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 22, 2024, there were no other sales of unregistered equity securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
We did not repurchase any of our equity securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information.
(c) Trading Plans. During the quarter ended March 31, 2024, no director or Section 16 officer
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Item 6. Exhibits.
Exhibit Number |
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Description |
2.1† |
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3.1 |
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3.2 |
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4.1 |
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4.2 |
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10.1 |
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10.2# |
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10.3# |
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10.4# |
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31.1* |
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Principal Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
31.2* |
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32.1** |
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101.INS |
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Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. |
101.SCH |
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Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema with Embedded Linkbase Documents. |
104 |
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Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith. The certifications on Exhibit 32.1 hereto are deemed not “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liability of that Section. Such certifications will not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
† The annexes, schedules and certain exhibits to the Merger Agreement have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc. hereby agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted annex, schedule or exhibit to the SEC upon request.
# Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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DIANTHUS THERAPEUTICS, INC. |
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Date: May 9, 2024 |
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By: |
/s/ Marino Garcia |
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Name: Marino Garcia |
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Title: President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
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DIANTHUS THERAPEUTICS, INC. |
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Date: May 9, 2024 |
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By: |
/s/ Ryan Savitz |
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Name: Ryan Savitz |
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Title: Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
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Exhibit 31.1
PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULES 13a-14(a) OR 15d-14(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Marino Garcia, certify that:
Date: |
May 9, 2024 |
By: |
/s/ Marino Garcia |
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Marino Garcia |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
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(Principal Executive Officer) |
Exhibit 31.2
PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULES 13a-14(a) OR 15d-14(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Ryan Savitz, certify that:
Date: |
May 9, 2024 |
By: |
/s/ Ryan Savitz |
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Ryan Savitz |
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Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer |
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(Principal Financial Officer) |
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C.
SECTION 1350 AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2024 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), we, Marino Garcia, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Ryan Savitz, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to our knowledge:
Date: |
May 9, 2024 |
By: |
/s/ Marino Garcia |
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Marino Garcia |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
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(Principal Executive Officer) |
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Date: |
May 9, 2024 |
By: |
/s/ Ryan Savitz |
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Ryan Savitz |
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Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer |
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(Principal Financial Officer) |