Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) |
12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basis of Presentation |
Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to U.S. GAAP as found in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Pharmagesic, including Pharmagesic’s wholly owned subsidiary, Wex, and Wex’s wholly owned subsidiaries, IWT Bio, Inc. (“IWT”), Wex Medical Corporation (“WMC”), and Wex Medical Limited (“WML”). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company has determined the functional currency of Pharmagesic, Wex, IWT and WMC and WML to be the Canadian Dollar. The Company translates assets and liabilities of Pharmagesic, Wex, IWT, WMC and WML at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date with the resulting translation adjustments directly recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Income and expense accounts are translated at average exchange rates for the period. Transactions which are not in the functional currency are remeasured into the functional currency and gains and losses resulting from the remeasurement are recorded in foreign currency exchange and other gain (loss), net. |
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Reverse Stock Split |
Reverse Stock Split On October 9, 2024, we effected a reverse stock split of shares for 1 share of Common Stock (“the Reverse Stock Split”). The Reverse Stock Split reduced the number of shares of Common Stock issued (which includes outstanding shares and treasury shares) from 27,950,888 shares to 1,118,035 shares, and reduced shares outstanding from 27,757,937 shares to 1,110,317 shares. There was no change to the total number of shares of Common Stock that the Company is authorized to issue and there was no change in the par value of the Common Stock, and no fractional shares were issued. All share and per share amounts in the financial statements and footnotes have been retroactively adjusted for all periods presented to give effect to the Reverse Stock Split. As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, the exercise prices and number of shares to be issued under each of our outstanding option and warrant agreements were proportionately adjusted. As a result of the changes, there was a reclassification of $1,867 to additional paid in capital from par value of Common Stock and treasury stock as of December 31, 2023. The cash settlement of fractional shares that occurred in October 2024 was less than $1,000. |
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Use of Estimates |
Use of Estimates The preparation of these consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. In addition, management’s assessment of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern involves the estimation of the amount and timing of future cash inflows and outflows. The Company's significant estimates and assumptions include estimated work performed but not yet billed by contract manufacturers and clinical research organizations, the valuation of equity and stock-based related instruments, the valuation allowance related to deferred taxes and the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired in connection with the business combination of Pharmagesic, and the estimated fair value of the contingent value rights (“CVRs”) given to common stockholders at the time of the business combination. Some of these judgments can be subjective and complex, and, consequently, actual results could differ from those estimates. Although the Company believes that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, they are based upon information available at the time the estimates and assumptions were made. Actual results could differ from those estimates. |
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Segment Information |
Segment Information Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources in assessing performance. The Company has one reportable segment. The segment consists of the development of clinical and preclinical product candidates focused on advancing novel therapeutics for pain and fatigue illness. The Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is the chief executive officer. The accounting policies of the segment are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The CODM assesses performance for the segment based on net loss, which is reported on the income statement as consolidated net loss. The measure of segment assets is reported on the balance sheet as total consolidated assets. To date, the Company has not generated any product revenue. The Company expects to continue to incur significant expenses and operating losses for the foreseeable future as it advances product candidates through all stages of development and clinical trials and, ultimately, seek regulatory approval. As such, the CODM uses cash forecast models in deciding how to invest into the segment. Such cash forecast models are reviewed to assess the entity-wide operating results and performance. Net loss is used to monitor budget versus actual results. Monitoring budgeted versus actual results is used in assessing performance of the segment and in establishing management’s compensation, along with cash forecast models.
The table below summarizes the significant expense categories regularly reviewed by the CODM for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
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Concentrations of Credit Risk |
Concentrations of Credit Risk Cash is potentially subject to concentrations of credit risk. The Company believes it is not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial strength of the depository institutions in which the cash is held. |
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Fair Value Measurements |
Fair Value Measurements ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, provides guidance on the development and disclosure of fair value measurements. Under this accounting guidance, fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. The accounting guidance classifies fair value measurements in one of the following three categories for disclosure purposes:
The carrying amount of the Company’s consolidated financial instruments, including cash, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair values. See Notes 3, 9, and 10 below. |
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Business Combinations |
Business Combinations The Company evaluates acquisitions of assets and other similar transactions to assess whether or not the transaction should be accounted for as a business combination or asset acquisition by first applying a screen to determine if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets. If the screen is met, the transaction is accounted for as an asset acquisition. If the screen is not met, further determination is required as to whether or not the Company has acquired inputs and processes that have the ability to create outputs, which would meet the requirements of a business. If determined to be a business combination, the Company accounts for the transaction under the acquisition method of accounting as indicated in ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (ASC 805), which requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize the fair value of all assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and establishes the acquisition date as the fair value measurement point. Accordingly, the Company recognizes assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations based on the fair value estimates as of the date of acquisition. In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, the Company recognizes and measures goodwill as of the acquisition date, as the excess of the fair value of the consideration paid over the fair value of the identified net assets acquired. |
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Cash |
Cash Cash is maintained in bank deposit accounts, which exceed the federally insured limits of $250,000. The Company does not have any cash equivalents. |
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Property and Equipment |
Property and Equipment Property and equipment are carried at acquisition cost less accumulated depreciation, subject to review for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable as described further under the heading "Impairment of Long-Lived Assets" below. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized . Office equipment and furniture are depreciated over five years and computer software and equipment are depreciated over two years.When an asset is disposed of, the associated cost and accumulated depreciation is removed from the related accounts on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet with any resulting gain or loss included in the Company's consolidated statement of operations. |
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Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets |
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of In-Process Research and Development (“IPR&D”). The fair values of IPR&D project assets acquired in business combinations are capitalized. The Company generally utilizes the Multi-Period Excess Earning Method to determine the estimated fair value of the IPR&D assets acquired in a business combination. The projections used in this valuation approach are based on many factors, such as relevant market size, the estimated probability of regulatory success rates, anticipated patent protection, expected pricing, expected treated population, and estimated payments (e.g., royalty). The estimated future net cash flows are then discounted to the present value using an appropriate discount rate. These assets are treated as indefinite-lived intangible assets until completion or abandonment of the projects, at which time the assets are amortized over the remaining useful life or written off, as appropriate. Intangible assets with indefinite lives, including IPR&D, are tested for impairment if impairment indicators arise and, at a minimum, annually. However, an entity is permitted to first assess qualitative factors to determine if a quantitative impairment test is necessary. Further testing is only required if the entity determines, based on the qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset’s fair value is less than its carrying amount. Otherwise, no further impairment testing is required. The indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test consists of a one-step analysis that compares the fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of an intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The Company considers many factors in evaluating whether the value of our intangible assets with indefinite lives may not be recoverable, including, but not limited to, expected growth rates, the cost of equity and debt capital, general economic conditions, outlook and market performance of the Company’s industry and recent and forecasted financial performance. The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually on October 1 and whenever facts and circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company determined that there was no impairment to IPR&D. |
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Goodwill |
Goodwill Goodwill represents the amount of consideration paid in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired as a result of the Company’s business acquisitions accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. The intangible assets acquired represented the fair value of IPR&D which has been recorded on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as indefinite-lived intangible assets. A deferred tax liability was recorded for the difference between the fair value of the acquired IPR&D and its tax basis which was recognized as goodwill in applying the purchase method of accounting. Goodwill is not amortized and is subject to impairment testing at a reporting unit level on an annual basis or when a triggering event occurs that may indicate the carrying value of the goodwill is impaired. An entity is permitted to first assess qualitative factors to determine if a quantitative impairment test is necessary. Further testing is only required if the entity determines, based on the qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting units is less than its carrying amount. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment at least annually on October 1 and whenever facts and circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company determined that there was no impairment to goodwill. |
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Operating Lease Right-of-use Asset and Lease Liability |
Operating Lease Right-of-use Asset and Lease Liability The Company accounts for leases under ASC 842, Leases. Operating leases are included in “Right-of-use assets” within the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term. The Company’s related obligation to make lease payments are included in “Lease liability” and “Lease liability, net of current portion” within the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rates, which are the rates incurred to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term, an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The ROU assets are tested for impairment according to ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment (“ASC 360”). Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet and are recognized as lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s operating lease ROU assets and corresponding short-term and long-term lease liabilities primarily relate to the operating lease for an office in Vancouver, British Columbia, that was acquired as part of the Business Combination with Pharmagesic. The office lease expires on August 31, 2028. |
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Impairment of Long-Lived Assets |
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets In accordance with ASC 360-10-35, Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, the Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable (i.e., impaired). Once an impairment is determined, the actual impairment recognized is the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value (less costs to sell for assets to be disposed of) as estimated using one of the following approaches: income, cost, and/or market. Fair value using the income approach is determined primarily using a discounted cash flow model that uses the estimated cash flows associated with the asset or asset group under review, discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. Fair value utilizing the cost approach is determined based on the replacement cost of the asset reduced for, among other things, depreciation and obsolescence. Fair value, utilizing the market approach, benchmarks the fair value against the carrying amount. |
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Redeemable Preferred Stock |
Redeemable and Convertible Preferred Stock The Company applies ASC 480 when determining the classification and measurement of its preferred stock. Preferred shares subject to mandatory redemption are classified as liability instruments and are measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable preferred shares (including preferred shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, preferred shares are classified as stockholders’ (deficit) equity. See Note 10 to these consolidated financial statements. |
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Income Taxes |
Income Taxes The Company provides for income taxes using the asset and liability approach. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities and the tax rates in effect when these differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company operated as an Alabama limited liability company until its Corporate Conversion. Therefore, the Company passed through all income and losses to its members until this point. The Company is subject to the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes. Under ASC 740, consideration is given to the recognition and measurement of tax positions that meet a “more-likely-than-not” threshold. A tax position is a position taken in a previously filed tax return or a position expected to be taken in a future that is reflected in measuring current or deferred income tax assets and liabilities. Tax positions include the Company’s status as a pass-through entity until December 16, 2020 and as a corporation thereafter. The recognition and measurement of tax positions taken for various jurisdictions consider the amounts and probabilities of outcomes that could be realized upon settlement using the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date. The Company has determined that it does not have any material unrecognized tax benefits or obligations as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, in income tax expense. The Company is not currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service or by state tax authorities and the Company’s tax year remains subject to examination by the tax authorities. |
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Net Income (Loss) per Common Share Applicable to Common Stockholders |
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share Applicable to Common Stockholders The Company uses the two-class method to compute net income per common share during periods the Company realizes net income and has securities outstanding (e.g., redeemable convertible preferred stock) that entitle the holder to participate in dividends and earnings of the Company. In addition, the Company analyzes the potential dilutive effect of outstanding redeemable convertible preferred stock under the "if-converted" method when calculating diluted earnings per share and reports the more dilutive of the approaches (two class or "if-converted"). The two-class method is not applicable during periods with a net loss, as the holders of the redeemable convertible preferred stock have no obligation to fund losses. The Company also analyzes the potential dilutive effect of outstanding stock options and warrants under the treasury stock method (as applicable), during periods of income. |
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Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) per Share |
Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) per Share Basic net loss per common share (“EPS”) is computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects potential dilution and is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period increased by the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if all potential common shares had been issued and were dilutive. However, potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the computation of diluted EPS to the extent that their effect is anti-dilutive. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had 92,777 and 77,745 options, respectively, 7,755 and 7,755 warrants, respectively, 22,138,044 and 0 preferred stock, respectively, to purchase or convert into common shares outstanding that were anti-dilutive. |
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Research and Development |
Research and Development Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. The Company arranges and contracts with third-party contract research organizations (“CROs”), contract development and manufacturing organizations (“CMOs”), contractor laboratories and independent consultants. As part of the process of preparing its financial statements, the Company may be required to estimate some of its expenses resulting from its obligations under these arrangements and contracts. The financial terms of these contracts are subject to negotiations which vary from contract to contract and may result in payment flows that do not match the periods over which materials or services are provided. The Company’s objective is to reflect the appropriate expenses in its financial statements by matching those expenses with the period in which services are rendered. The Company determines any accrual estimates based on account discussions with applicable personnel and outside service providers as to the progress or state of completion. The Company makes estimates of its accrued expenses as of each balance sheet date based on the facts and circumstances known at that time. The Company’s estimates are dependent upon the timely and accurate reporting of CROs, CMOs and other third-party vendors. At the end of each reporting period, the Company compares the payments made to each service provider to the estimated progress towards completion of the related project. Factors that the Company considers in preparing these estimates include the number of patients enrolled in studies, milestones achieved, and other criteria related to the efforts of its vendors. These estimates will be subject to change as additional information becomes available. Depending on the timing of payments to vendors and estimated services provided, the Company will record prepaid or accrued expenses related to these costs. |
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Share-Based Compensation |
Share-Based Compensation The Company recognizes compensation expense relating to share-based awards to employees and directors with a performance condition over the requisite service period if it is probable that the performance condition will be satisfied. For awards to non-employees, the Company recognizes compensation expense in the same manner as if the Company had paid cash for the goods or services. The Company estimates the fair value of options and warrants granted using an options pricing model, see Note 13. Expense is recognized within both research and development and general and administrative expenses and forfeitures are recognized as they are incurred. |
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Emerging Growth Company Status |
Emerging Growth Company Status The Company is an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act until such time as those standards apply to private companies. The Company has elected to use this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date that is (i) no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period provided by the JOBS Act. As a result, these financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with the new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates. |
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements |
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (ASC 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-07”), which is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance is to be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Upon transition, the segment expense categories and amounts disclosed in the prior periods should be based on the significant segment expense categories identified and disclosed in the period of adoption. The Company adopted ASU 2023-07 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. See Segment Information above. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (Topic 740), which establishes new income tax disclosure requirements in addition to modifying and eliminating certain existing requirements. The new guidance requires consistent categorization and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation, as well as further disaggregation of income taxes paid. This change is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. This change will apply on a prospective basis to annual financial statements for periods beginning after the effective date. However, retrospective application in all prior periods presented is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on its financial statements. |
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Subsequent Events |
Subsequent Events On March 13, 2025, the Board approved an exchange of the outstanding principal plus accrued interest of $19,926,891 related to the Loan Agreement into Series A-1 Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A1 Preferred Stock”) at the market price of the lower of the average five-day closing price of the closing price on the date the transactions completed. As such, the Company issued 284.2638 shares of Series A1 Preferred Stock. On March 12, 2025, the Company entered into an agreement with Maxim Group LLC as placement agent in connection with the issuance and sale by the Company in a registered direct offering of 578,950 shares of its Common Stock at a price of $8.26 per share (the “March 2025 Offering”), pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-263700). The March 2025 Offering closed on March 14, 2025, and the gross proceeds from the March 2025 Offering were approximately $4.78 million. The net proceeds of the March 2025 Offering were approximately $4.25 million after deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses payable by the Company. |