Cyclerion Therapeutics, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2022 March (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
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☒ |
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2022
or
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☐ |
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 001-38787
CYCLERION THERAPEUTICS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Massachusetts |
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83-1895370 |
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245 First Street, 18th Floor, Cambridge, Massachusetts |
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02142 |
(857) 327-8778
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
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Trading Symbol(s) |
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Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Stock, no par value |
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CYCN |
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The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
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. Yes ☒ No ☐
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). Yes ☒ No ☐
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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Accelerated filer ☐ |
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Non-accelerated filer ☒ |
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Smaller reporting company ☒ |
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Emerging growth company ☒ |
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 2, 2022, the registrant had 43,448,360 shares of common stock, no par value, outstanding.
CYCLERION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CAUTIONARY 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 involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements in this report, other than statements of historical facts, including statements about future events, financing plans, financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected costs, plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties. Use of the words “may,” “might,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “potential,” “expects,” “plans,” “seeks,” “intends,” “evaluates,” “pursues,” “anticipates,” “continues,” “designs,” “impacts,” “affects,” “forecasts,” “target,” “outlook,” “initiative,” “objective,” “designed,” “priorities,” “goal” or the negative of those words or other similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements that represent our current judgment about possible future events, but the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking.
Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include regional, national, or global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions and the following:
3
See the “Risk Factors” section in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a further description of these and other factors. We caution you that the risks, uncertainties, and other factors referenced above may not contain all of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that are important to you. 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. There can be no assurance that (i) we have correctly measured or identified all of the factors affecting our business or the extent of these factors’ likely impact, (ii) the available information with respect to these factors on which such analysis is based is complete or accurate, (iii) such analysis is correct or (iv) our strategy, which is based in part on this analysis, will be successful. All forward-looking statements in this report apply only as of the date of this report or as of the date they were made and, except as required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
4
Cyclerion 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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$ |
41,125 |
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$ |
53,961 |
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Accounts receivable |
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227 |
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100 |
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Prepaid expenses |
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1,007 |
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928 |
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Other current assets |
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477 |
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468 |
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Total current assets |
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42,836 |
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55,457 |
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Property and equipment, net |
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17 |
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65 |
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Operating lease right-of-use asset |
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1,356 |
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1,402 |
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Other assets |
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2,316 |
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2,407 |
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Total assets |
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$ |
46,525 |
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$ |
59,331 |
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
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Current liabilities: |
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Accounts payable |
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$ |
2,519 |
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$ |
1,828 |
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Accrued research and development costs |
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4,538 |
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6,353 |
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Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
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2,434 |
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2,904 |
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Total current liabilities |
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9,491 |
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11,085 |
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Commitments and contingencies (Note 6) |
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Stockholders' equity |
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Common stock, no par value, 400,000,000 shares authorized and 43,448,360 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2022 and 400,000,000 shares authorized and 43,410,185 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 |
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— |
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— |
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Accumulated deficit |
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(228,054 |
) |
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(215,076 |
) |
Paid-in capital |
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265,112 |
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263,345 |
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Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
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(24 |
) |
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(23 |
) |
Total stockholders' equity |
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37,034 |
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48,246 |
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Total liabilities and stockholders' equity |
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$ |
46,525 |
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$ |
59,331 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
Cyclerion Therapeutics, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(In thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)
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Three Months Ended |
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2022 |
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2021 |
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Revenues: |
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Revenue from development agreement |
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225 |
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62 |
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Revenue from grants |
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486 |
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Total revenues |
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711 |
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62 |
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Cost and expenses: |
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Research and development |
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9,743 |
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8,092 |
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General and administrative |
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3,952 |
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5,365 |
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Total cost and expenses |
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13,695 |
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13,457 |
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Loss from operations |
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(12,984 |
) |
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(13,395 |
) |
Interest and other income (expenses), net |
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6 |
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(4 |
) |
Net loss |
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$ |
(12,978 |
) |
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$ |
(13,399 |
) |
Net loss per share: |
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Basic and diluted net loss per share |
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$ |
(0.30 |
) |
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$ |
(0.39 |
) |
Weighted average shares used in calculating: |
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Basic and diluted net loss per share |
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43,425 |
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34,081 |
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Other comprehensive loss: |
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Net loss |
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$ |
(12,978 |
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$ |
(13,399 |
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Comprehensive loss |
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$ |
(12,978 |
) |
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$ |
(13,399 |
) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
Cyclerion Therapeutics, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(In thousands except share data)
(Unaudited)
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Common Stock |
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Paid-in |
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Accumulated |
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Accumulated |
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Total |
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Shares |
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Amount |
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capital |
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deficit |
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loss |
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equity |
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Balance at December 31, 2020 |
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34,047,300 |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
222,949 |
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$ |
(163,429 |
) |
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$ |
(27 |
) |
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$ |
59,493 |
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Net loss |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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(13,399 |
) |
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— |
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(13,399 |
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Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options, RSUs and employee stock purchase plan |
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82,625 |
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— |
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27 |
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— |
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— |
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27 |
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Share-based compensation expense related to issuance of stock options and RSUs to employees and employee stock purchase plan |
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— |
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— |
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1,921 |
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— |
|
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— |
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|
1,921 |
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Foreign currency translation adjustment |
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— |
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— |
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|
|
391 |
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— |
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— |
|
|
|
391 |
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Balance at March 31, 2021 |
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34,129,925 |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
225,288 |
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$ |
(176,828 |
) |
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$ |
(27 |
) |
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$ |
48,433 |
|
7
Cyclerion Therapeutics, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(In thousands except share data)
(Unaudited)
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Common Stock |
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Paid-in |
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Accumulated |
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Accumulated |
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Total |
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Shares |
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Amount |
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capital |
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deficit |
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loss |
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equity |
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Balance at December 31, 2021 |
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43,410,185 |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
263,345 |
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$ |
(215,076 |
) |
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$ |
(23 |
) |
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$ |
48,246 |
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Net loss |
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— |
|
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— |
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— |
|
|
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(12,978 |
) |
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|
— |
|
|
|
(12,978 |
) |
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options, RSUs and employee stock purchase plan |
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|
38,175 |
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|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
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|
|
— |
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Share-based compensation expense related to issuance of stock options and RSUs to employees and employee stock purchase plan |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,476 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,476 |
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Share‑based compensation expense related to issuance of stock options to non-employees |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
291 |
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|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
291 |
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Foreign currency translation adjustment |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
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— |
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|
|
— |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
Balance at March 31, 2022 |
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|
43,448,360 |
|
|
$ |
— |
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|
$ |
265,112 |
|
|
$ |
(228,054 |
) |
|
$ |
(24 |
) |
|
$ |
37,034 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
8
Cyclerion Therapeutics, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
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Three Months Ended |
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2022 |
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2021 |
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CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
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Net loss |
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$ |
(12,978 |
) |
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$ |
(13,399 |
) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) operating activities: |
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Depreciation and amortization |
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48 |
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|
258 |
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Net loss on disposal of property and equipment |
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— |
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(12 |
) |
Share-based compensation expense |
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|
1,767 |
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|
2,312 |
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Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
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|
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Accounts receivable |
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(127 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Related party accounts receivable |
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— |
|
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|
127 |
|
Prepaid expenses |
|
|
(79 |
) |
|
|
(396 |
) |
Other current assets |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(92 |
) |
Operating lease assets |
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
1,006 |
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Other assets |
|
|
91 |
|
|
|
91 |
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Accounts payable |
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|
691 |
|
|
|
(54 |
) |
Related party accounts payable |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(286 |
) |
Accrued research and development costs |
|
|
(1,815 |
) |
|
|
199 |
|
Operating lease liabilities |
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|
— |
|
|
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(774 |
) |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
|
|
(470 |
) |
|
|
(3,435 |
) |
Net cash (used in) operating activities |
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(12,835 |
) |
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(14,455 |
) |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
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Proceeds from sale of property and equipment |
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— |
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1,462 |
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Net cash provided by investing activities |
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— |
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|
1,462 |
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CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
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Proceeds from exercises of stock options and ESPP |
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|
— |
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|
27 |
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Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
|
— |
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|
|
27 |
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Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
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(1 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
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(12,836 |
) |
|
|
(12,966 |
) |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period |
|
|
53,961 |
|
|
|
58,232 |
|
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period |
|
$ |
41,125 |
|
|
$ |
45,266 |
|
Supplemental cash flow disclosure: |
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|
|
|
|
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Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
41,125 |
|
|
$ |
41,429 |
|
Restricted Cash |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
3,837 |
|
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
|
$ |
41,125 |
|
|
$ |
45,266 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
9
Cyclerion Therapeutics, Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
1. Nature of Business
Nature of Operations
Cyclerion Therapeutics, Inc. (“Cyclerion”, the “Company” or “we”) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company on a mission to develop treatments that restore cognitive function. Our lead asset, CY6463, is a pioneering, central nervous system ("CNS") penetrant, soluble guanylate cyclase ("sGC") stimulator that is currently in clinical development for Alzheimer’s disease with vascular pathology ("ADv"), cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia ("CIAS"), and Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy, Lactic Acidosis and Stroke-like episodes ("MELAS"). sGC stimulators are small molecules that act synergistically with nitric oxide ("NO") as positive allosteric modulators of sGC to boost production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate ("cGMP"). cGMP is a key second messenger that, when produced by sGC, regulates diverse and critical biological functions in the CNS including neuronal function, neuroinflammation, cellular bioenergetics, and vascular function.
Cyclerion GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary, was incorporated in Zug, Switzerland on May 3, 2019. Cyclerion GmbH is an operational entity with one employee who is the Company’s Chief Scientific Officer. The functional currency is the Swiss franc.
Cyclerion Securities Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary, was incorporated in Massachusetts on November 15, 2019, and was granted securities corporation status in Massachusetts for the 2019 tax year. Cyclerion Securities Corporation has no employees.
Company Overview
The Company’s mission is to develop treatments that restore cognitive function. Its priorities are advancing its ongoing CY6463 clinical programs and next generation compound, CY3018.
CNS assets. CY6463 is an orally administered CNS-penetrant sGC stimulator that is being developed as a symptomatic and potentially disease modifying therapy for serious CNS diseases. NO-sGC-cGMP is a fundamental signaling network that is widely used in the nervous system. CY6463 enhances the brain’s natural ability to produce cGMP, an important second messenger in the CNS, by stimulating sGC, a key node in the NO-sGC-cGMP pathway. This pathway is critical to basic CNS functions and deficient NO-sGC-cGMP signaling is believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases. Agents that stimulate sGC to produce cGMP may compensate for deficient NO signaling.
On January 13, 2020, we announced positive results from our Phase 1 first-in-human study that provided the foundation for continued development of CY6463. The results from this study indicate that CY6463 was well tolerated. Pharmacokinetic ("PK") data, obtained from both blood and cerebral spinal fluid ("CSF"), support once-daily dosing, with or without food, and demonstrated CY6463 penetration of the blood-brain-barrier with CSF concentrations expected to be pharmacologically active.
On October 14, 2020, we announced positive topline results from our CY6463 Phase 1 translational pharmacology study in healthy elderly participants. Treatment with CY6463 for 15-days in this 24-subject study confirmed and extended results seen in the earlier first-in-human Phase 1 study: once daily oral treatment demonstrated blood-brain-barrier penetration with expected CNS exposure and target engagement. Results also showed significant improvements in neurophysiological and objective performance measures as well as in inflammatory biomarkers associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases. CY6463 was safe and generally well tolerated in this study. Significant effects on cerebral blood flow and markers of bioenergetics were not observed in this study of healthy elderly participants. We believe that these results, together with nonclinical data, support continued development of CY6463 as a potential new medicine for serious CNS diseases.
10
We have initiated exploratory clinical trials with CY6463 in ADv, CIAS, and MELAS. The ADv study is supported in part by a grant from the Alzheimer’s Association’s Part the Cloud-Gates Partnership Grant Program (the "PTC Grant"), which provides Cyclerion with $2 million of funding over two years.
Our next generation CNS asset, CY3018, is a differentiated CNS-penetrant sGC stimulator with greater CSF-to-plasma exposure relative to CY6463. CY3018 is intended to expand the potential of sGC stimulation for the treatment of disorders of the CNS.
Non-CNS assets. We have other assets that are outside of our current strategic focus. These non-core assets are not being internally developed at this time. Praliciguat is an orally administered, once-daily systemic sGC stimulator. On June 3, 2021, we entered into the License Agreement (as defined below) with Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. ("Akebia") relating to the exclusive worldwide license to Akebia of our rights to the development, manufacture, medical affairs and commercialization of pharmaceutical products containing praliciguat and other related products and forms thereof enumerated in such agreement. Olinciguat is an orally administered, once-daily, vascular sGC stimulator that was evaluated in a Phase 2 study of participants with sickle cell disease. We released topline results from this study in October 2020. Olinciguat is available for licensing to a third party partner.
The Separation
On April 1, 2019, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Ironwood") completed the separation of its sGC business, and certain other assets and liabilities, into a separate, independent publicly traded company by way of a pro-rata distribution of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Cyclerion Therapeutics, Inc. through a dividend distribution of one share of the Company’s common stock, with no par value per share, for every 10 shares of Ironwood common stock held by Ironwood stockholders as of the close of business on March 19, 2019, the record date for the Distribution (the entire transaction being the “Separation”). As a result of the Separation, the Company became an independent public company and commenced trading under the symbol “CYCN” on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on April 2, 2019.
2020 Equity Private Placement
On July 29, 2020, the Company entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement (the "2020 Equity Private Placement") for the private placement of 6,062,500 shares of the Company's common stock, for total gross proceeds of approximately $24.3 million. The closing of the 2020 Equity Private Placement occurred on July 29, 2020. The Company did not utilize the services of a placement agent or broker and accordingly incurred no material related transaction fees or commissions.
2021 Equity Private Placement
On June 3, 2021, the Company entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement (the “2021 Equity Private Placement”) for the private placement of 5,735,988 shares of the Company’s common stock, for total gross proceeds of approximately $18 million. The closing of the 2021 Equity Private Placement occurred on June 7, 2021. The Company did not utilize the services of a placement agent or broker and accordingly incurred no material related transaction fees or commissions.
At-the-Market Offering
On July 24, 2020, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Shelf") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in relation to the registration of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants and units of any combination thereof for an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $150.0 million. The Shelf was declared effective as of July 31, 2020. On September 3, 2020, the Company entered into a Sales Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with Jefferies LLC (“Jefferies”) with respect to an at-the-market offering (the “ATM Offering”) under the Shelf. Under the ATM Offering, the Company may offer and sell, from time to time at its sole discretion, shares of its common stock, having an aggregate offering price of up to $50.0 million through Jefferies as its sales agent. The Company will pay to Jefferies cash commissions of 3.0 percent of the gross proceeds of sales of common stock under the Sales Agreement. The Company has sold 3,353,059 shares of its common stock for net proceeds of $12.5 million under the ATM Offering since entering into the Sales Agreement, with no shares of common stock issued or sold under the ATM Offering during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
11
Basis of Presentation
The condensed consolidated financial statements and the related disclosures are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. Additionally, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the Company’s annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted. Accordingly, these interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2022.
In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and the results of its operations for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or any other subsequent interim period.
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Cyclerion GmbH, and Cyclerion Securities Corporation. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the preparation of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
Going Concern
At each reporting period, the Company evaluates whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. The Company’s evaluation entails analyzing prospective operating budgets and forecasts for expectations of the Company’s cash needs and comparing those needs to the current cash and cash equivalent balances. The Company is required to make certain additional disclosures if it concludes substantial doubt exists and it is not alleviated by the Company’s plans or when its plans alleviate substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
The Company has experienced negative operating cash flows for all historical periods presented and the Company expects these losses to continue into the foreseeable future as the Company continues the development and clinical testing of its product candidates CY6463, CY3018 and its discovery research programs. Through March 31, 2022, the Company had raised an aggregate of $219.8 million (in net proceeds) from equity private placements and the ATM Offering.
After considering the Company’s current research and development plans and the timing expectations related to the progress of its programs, and after considering its existing cash and cash equivalents of $41.1 million as of March 31, 2022, the Company did not identify conditions or events that would raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the date these financial statements were issued.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The accounting policies of the Company are set forth in Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires the Company’s management to make estimates and judgments that may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the amounts of expenses during the reported periods. On an ongoing basis, the Company’s management evaluates its estimates, judgments, and methodologies. Significant estimates and assumptions in the consolidated financial statements include those related to revenue, impairment of long-lived assets, valuation procedures for right-of-use ("ROU") assets and operating lease liabilities, income taxes, including the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, research and development expenses, contingencies, share-based
12
compensation and going concern. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Changes in estimates are reflected in reported results in the period in which they become known.
New Accounting Pronouncements
From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) or other standard setting bodies that are adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. Except as discussed elsewhere in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, the Company did not adopt any new accounting pronouncements during the three months ended March 31, 2022 that had a material effect on its condensed consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses. This standard requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. As a smaller reporting company, ASU 2016-13 will become effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2016-13 will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.
In May 2021 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2021-04, Earnings Per Share ("Topic 260"), Debt-Modifications and Extinguishments ("Subtopic 470-50"), Compensation-Stock Compensation ("Topic 718"), and Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity ("Subtopic 815-40"): Issuer’s Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options, a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") , which amends the FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC" or the “Codification”) to provide explicit guidance, and, thus, reduce diversity in practice, on accounting by issuers for modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options that remain equity classified after the modification or exchange. This amendment provides that for an entity that presents earnings per share ("EPS") in accordance with Topic 260, the effects of a modification or an exchange of a freestanding equity-classified written call option that is recognized as a dividend should be an adjustment to net income (or net loss) in the basic EPS calculation. The amended guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and should be applied prospectively to modifications or exchanges occurring on or after the effective date. The Company adopted ASU 2021-04 in the first quarter of 2022, and the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
No other accounting standards known by the Company to be applicable to it that have been issued by the FASB or other standard-setting bodies and that do not require adoption until a future date are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
3. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company’s cash equivalents are generally classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The following tables present information about the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and indicate the level of the fair value hierarchy used to determine such fair values as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands):
|
|
Fair Value Measurements as of March 31, 2022: |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|
Total |
|
||||
Cash equivalents: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Money market funds |
|
$ |
40,072 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
40,072 |
|
Cash equivalents |
|
$ |
40,072 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
40,072 |
|
13
|
|
Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2021: |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|
Total |
|
||||
Cash equivalents: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Money market funds |
|
$ |
52,917 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
52,917 |
|
Cash equivalents |
|
$ |
52,917 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
52,917 |
|
During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, there were no transfers between levels. The fair value of the Company’s cash equivalents, consisting of money market funds, is based on quoted market prices in active markets with no valuation adjustment.
The Company believes the carrying amounts of its prepaid expenses and other current assets, restricted cash, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximate their fair value due to the short-term nature of these amounts.
4. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
||
Software |
|
|
2,214 |
|
|
$ |
2,214 |
|
Computer equipment |
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
Property and equipment, gross |
|
|
2,265 |
|
|
|
2,265 |
|
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization |
|
|
(2,248 |
) |
|
|
(2,200 |
) |
Property and equipment, net |
|
$ |
17 |
|
|
$ |
65 |
|
As of March 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, the Company’s property and equipment was primarily located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Depreciation and amortization expense of the Company’s property and equipment was a de minimis amount and approximately $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
5. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
||
Accrued incentive compensation |
|
$ |
520 |
|
|
$ |
1,369 |
|
Salaries |
|
|
455 |
|
|
|
266 |
|
Accrued vacation |
|
|
363 |
|
|
|
345 |
|
Professional fees |
|
|
710 |
|
|
|
398 |
|
Accrued severance and benefit costs |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
28 |
|
Other |
|
|
386 |
|
|
|
498 |
|
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
|
$ |
2,434 |
|
|
$ |
2,904 |
|
6. Commitments and Contingencies
Other Funding Commitments
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contracts with clinical research organizations and other third parties for clinical and preclinical research studies and other services and products for operating purposes. These contracts are generally cancellable, with notice, at the Company’s option and do not have any significant cancellation penalties.
14
Guarantees
On September 6, 2018, Cyclerion was incorporated in Massachusetts and its officers and directors are indemnified for certain events or occurrences while they are serving in such capacity.
The Company enters into certain agreements with other parties in the ordinary course of business that contain indemnification provisions. These typically include agreements with directors and officers, business partners, contractors, clinical sites and customers. Under these provisions, the Company generally indemnifies and holds harmless the indemnified party for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party as a result of the Company’s activities. These indemnification provisions generally survive termination of the underlying agreements. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification provisions is unlimited. However, to date the Company has not incurred material costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification provisions. As a result, the estimated fair value of these obligations is minimal. Accordingly, the Company did not have any liabilities recorded for these obligations as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
7. Leases
On April 30, 2021, the Company entered into a Termination Agreement (the "Termination Agreement") for its Head Lease (the "Head Lease") for the Company's former headquarters located at 301 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA, as initially amended on February 28, 2020, and further amended on September 15, 2020. Pursuant to the Termination Agreement, the Company surrendered the leased space of approximately 57,000 square feet to the building’s landlord. The Company did not pay any termination fees in connection with the Termination Agreement. As a result of the termination of the Head Lease, the related right-of-use asset was written off, the lease liability was derecognized, and the $3.8 million security deposit was returned to the Company and recorded as part of our cash balance.
Lease cost was recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company recognized a total of approximately $1.6 million of total lease costs and $0.5 million of variable lease costs, related to the Head Lease. The Company did not record any lease costs related to the Head Lease during the three months ended March 31, 2022. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company paid $1.4 million related to its lease liability.
In May 2021, the Company signed a membership agreement to lease space with WeWork at 501 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts. The lease commenced on August 1, 2021 and was accounted for as a short term lease. The Company recorded $0.1 million lease expense associated with the membership agreement during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
On September 15, 2020, the Company entered into a Sublease Termination Agreement (the "Sublease Termination Agreement") to terminate its sublease of 15,700 rentable square feet of its leased premises under the Head Lease. Under the terms of the Sublease Termination Agreement, the subtenant was relieved of its obligation to provide future cash rental payments to the Company. The agreements requiring the former subtenant to provide licensed rooms and services to the Company free of charge through the original sublease term survived the sublease termination. The Company gained access to the licensed rooms and services beginning in the third quarter of 2021. The letter of credit security deposit related to the sublease was released.
The Company determined that the Sublease Termination Agreement constituted a non-monetary exchange under ASC 845 Nonmonetary Transactions ("ASC 845") where, in return for the free rooms and the services, the Company agreed to terminate its rights and obligations under the sublease agreement. In accordance with ASC 845, the Company determined that the accounting for the transaction should be based on the fair value of assets or services involved. The Company estimated the fair value of the rooms and services to be approximately $1.5 million and $2.9 million, respectively.
The Company determined that the licensed rooms represent a lease under ASC Topic 842, Leases. The Company obtained control of the rooms in the third quarter of 2021 and the prepaid rooms balance of approximately $1.4 million was reclassified from other assets to a ROU asset. The related lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term of 8.88 years. The Company recorded a de minimis amount of lease expense during the
15
three months ended March 31, 2022. The Company determined that the licensed services represent a non-lease component, which is recognized separately from the lease component for this asset class. The expense related to the licensed services is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period the services are received. The Company recorded $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Both the lease expense and services expense are recognized as a component of research and development costs in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
8. Share-based Compensation Plans
In 2019, Cyclerion adopted share-based compensation plans. Specifically, Cyclerion adopted the 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“2019 ESPP”) and the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (“2019 Equity Plan”). Under the 2019 ESPP, eligible employees may use payroll deductions to purchase shares of stock in offerings under the plan, and thereby acquire an interest in the future of the Company. The 2019 Equity Plan provides for stock options and restricted stock units (“RSUs”).
Cyclerion also mirrored two of Ironwood’s existing plans, the Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (“2005 Equity Plan”) and the Amended and Restated 2010 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan (“2010 Equity Plan"). These mirror plans were adopted to facilitate the exchange of Ironwood equity awards for Cyclerion equity awards upon the Separation as part of the equity conversion. As a result of the Separation and in accordance with the EMA, employees of both companies retained their existing Ironwood vested options and received a pro-rata share of Cyclerion options, regardless of which company employed them post-Separation. For employees that were ultimately employed by Cyclerion, unvested Ironwood options and RSUs were converted to unvested Cyclerion options and RSUs.
The following table provides share-based compensation reflected in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
||
Research and development |
|
$ |
830 |
|
|
$ |
982 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
937 |
|
|
|
1,330 |
|
|
|
$ |
1,767 |
|
|
$ |
2,312 |
|
A summary of stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2022, is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
Average |
|
|
Average |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
Remaining |
|
|
Intrinsic |
|
||||
|
|
Number |
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
Contractual |
|
|
Value (in |
|
||||
|
|
of Options |
|
|
Price |
|
|
Term (Years) |
|
|
thousands) |
|
||||
Outstanding as of December 31, 2021 |
|
|
7,080,426 |
|
|
$ |
10.73 |
|
|
|
6.9 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Granted |
|
|
1,437,950 |
|
|
|
1.25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Exercised |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cancelled or forfeited |
|
|
(247,978 |
) |
|
|
(13.30 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Outstanding as of March 31, 2022 |
|
|
8,270,398 |
|
|
$ |
9.01 |
|
|
|
7.4 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Exercisable at March 31, 2022 |
|
|
4,618,482 |
|
|
$ |
13.05 |
|
|
|
6.1 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
As of March 31, 2022, the unrecognized share-based compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, related to all unvested time-based stock options held by the Company’s employees is $7.9 million and the weighted average period over which that expense is expected to be recognized is 3.4 years.
16
A summary of RSU activity for the three months ended March 31, 2022 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average |
|
||
|
|
Number |
|
|
Grant Date |
|
||
|
|
of Shares |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
||
Unvested as of December 31, 2021 |
|
|
92,804 |
|
|
$ |
13.70 |
|
Granted |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Vested |
|
|
(38,175 |
) |
|
|
15.01 |
|
Forfeited |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Unvested as of March 31, 2022 |
|
|
54,629 |
|
|
$ |
12.78 |
|
As of March 31, 2022, the unrecognized share-based compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, related to all unvested restricted stock units by the Company’s employees is $0.5 million and the weighted-average period over which that expense is expected to be recognized is 1.1 years.
The Company has granted to certain employees performance-based options to purchase shares of common stock. These options are subject to performance-based milestone vesting. During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 there were no shares that vested as a result of performance milestone achievements. The Company recorded no share-based compensation expense related to these performance-based options for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.
The Company also has granted to certain employees stock options containing market conditions that vest upon the achievement of specified price targets of the Company’s share price for a period through December 31, 2024. Vesting is measured based upon the average closing price of the Company’s share price for any thirty consecutive trading days, subject to certain service requirements. Stock compensation cost is expensed on a straight-line basis over the derived service period for each stock price target within the award, ranging from approximately 4.0 to 4.6 years. The Company accelerates expense when a stock price target is achieved prior to the derived service period. As of March 31, 2022, there were 450,000 outstanding stock options containing market conditions with a weighted average exercise price of $2.01. As of March 31, 2022 there was $0.2 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to stock options containing market conditions, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.93 years.
9. Loss per share
Basic and diluted net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period as follows:
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
||
Numerator: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net loss (in thousands) |
|
$ |
(12,978 |
) |
|
$ |
(13,399 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Denominator: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Weighted average shares used in calculating net loss per share — basic and diluted (in thousands) |
|
|
43,425 |
|
|
|
34,081 |
|
Net loss per share — basic and diluted |
|
$ |
(0.30 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.39 |
) |
17
We exclude shares of common stock related to stock options and RSUs from the calculation of diluted net loss per share since the inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive. The following table sets forth potential shares that were considered anti-dilutive for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021:
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
||
Stock Options |
|
$ |
8,270,398 |
|
|
$ |
7,346,250 |
|
RSUs |
|
|
54,629 |
|
|
|
131,020 |
|
|
|
$ |
8,325,027 |
|
|
$ |
7,477,270 |
|
10. Defined Contribution Plan
Subsequent to the Separation, Cyclerion adopted a defined contribution similar to the plan in place at Ironwood. The plan assets under the Ironwood defined contribution 401(k) Savings Plan were transferred to the Cyclerion plan.
Subject to certain IRS limits, eligible employees may elect to contribute from 1% to 100% of their compensation. Cyclerion contributions to the plan are at the sole discretion of the board of directors. Currently, Cyclerion provides a matching contribution of 75% of the employee’s contributions, up to $6,000 annually.
Included in compensation expense is approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million related to the defined contribution 401(k) Savings Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
11. Workforce Reduction
2020 Workforce Reduction
On November 5, 2020, the Company began a reduction of its current workforce by forty-eight (48) full-time employees to align its resources with its current priorities of focusing on the MELAS study, the planned ADv study and further characterization of CY6463 novel pharmacology. The workforce reduction was completed by the end of the first quarter of 2021.
The following table summarizes the accrued liabilities activity recorded in connection with the reduction in workforce for the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in thousands):
|
|
Amounts |
|
|
Charges |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Adjustments |
|
|
Amounts |
|
|||||
2020 workforce reduction |
|
$ |
28 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
26 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Total |
|
$ |
28 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
26 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
12. License Agreement
Akebia License Agreement
On June 3, 2021, the Company and Akebia entered into a License Agreement (the “License Agreement”) relating to the exclusive worldwide license by the Company to Akebia of our rights to the development, manufacture, medical affairs and commercialization of pharmaceutical products containing the pharmaceutical compound known as praliciguat and other related products and forms thereof enumerated in the License Agreement (collectively, the “Products”). Pursuant to the License Agreement, Akebia will be responsible for all future research, development, regulatory, and commercialization activities for the Products.
Akebia paid a $3.0 million up-front payment to the Company upon signing of the License Agreement and the Company is eligible to receive additional milestone cash payments of up to $12.0 million in the next 18 months. Further milestone cash payments by Akebia are scheduled in the License Agreement based on the initiation of phase
18
3 clinical trials in the U.S. for Products for first and second indication, for FDA approvals, for approvals in certain other major markets, and for certain sales milestones. In addition to these cash milestone payments, Akebia will pay the Company tiered royalty payments on net sales in certain major markets at percentages ranging from the mid-single digits to the high-teens, subject to certain reductions and offsets.
Pursuant to the License Agreement, the Company determined the License Agreement represents a service arrangement under the scope of ASC 606. Given the reversion of the rights under the License Agreement represents a penalty in substance for a termination by Akebia, the contract term would be the stated term of the License Agreement.
The Company determined that the grant of license to our patents and trademarks, know how transfer, the assignment of regulatory submissions and trademarks and additional knowledge transfer assistance obligations represent a single promise and performance obligation to be transferred to Akebia over time due to the nature of the promises in the contract. The provision of development materials on hand was identified as a separate performance obligation. However, it is immaterial in the context of the contract as the development materials are low value and do not have an alternative use to the Company.
The consideration related to sales-based milestone payments, including royalties, will be recognized when the related sales occur as these amounts have been determined to relate predominantly to the license. The Company will re-evaluate the probability of achievement of the milestones and any related constraints each reporting period.
Akebia Supply Agreement
On August 3, 2021, the Company and Akebia entered into a Supply Agreement (the “Supply Agreement”) relating to the manufacturing by the Company of the Initial Supply of the Drug Product and placebo ("Initial Supply") for Akebia's use pursuant to the License Agreement. Akebia will pay the Company for the manufacturing costs at mutually agreed upon rates.
The Company determined the Supply Agreement has stand-alone value under the scope of ASC 606 and should not be combined with the License Agreement. Given that the Supply Agreement can be terminated at any time without cause with 30 days notice, the Company deemed the Supply Agreement to be a month-to-month contract. The manufacturing of the Initial Supply by the Company represents a single performance obligation and consideration related to the manufacturing costs will be recognized over time as costs are incurred, based on an input method. The Company recorded $0.2 million as revenue from the Supply Agreement in the three months ended March 31, 2022.
13. Grant Revenue
In August 2021, the Company was approved to receive funding from the PTC Grant for the Phase 2 study of CNS sGC stimulation in AD with vascular features. The granting period is July 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022, and the Company will receive an award of up to $2 million. The Company determined that this transaction is non-reciprocal as there is not considered to be a commensurate value exchanged with the Alzheimer's Association as the funding provider. Where commensurate value is not exchanged for goods and services provided, a recipient assesses whether the grant is conditional or unconditional. The Company considered all conditions and barriers associated with this grant and determined the grant is conditional and revenue will be recognized upon achieving certain milestones and incurring internal costs specifically covered by this grant. Under ASC 958-605, revenues will be recognized as the Company incurs expenses related to the PTC Grant.
The Company incurred approximately $0.5 million of allowable expenses and recognized a corresponding amount of grant revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The Company had a deferred revenue balance of approximately $0.3 million related to advance billings as of March 31, 2022.
14. Subsequent Events
The Company has evaluated all events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through the date the condensed consolidated financial statements were issued and determined that there were no such events requiring recognition or disclosure in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
19
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking Information
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the corresponding notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the audited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve significant risks and uncertainties. As a result of many factors, such as those referenced or set forth under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.
Overview
We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing innovative medicines for people with serious diseases of the CNS, including cognitive and neurodegenerative disorders. Our current lead asset, CY6463, is a pioneering CNS-penetrant sGC stimulator in clinical development for ADv, CIAS and MELAS. sGC stimulators are small molecules that act synergistically with NO on sGC to boost production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate, or cGMP. cGMP is a key second messenger that, when produced by sGC, regulates diverse and critical biological functions in the CNS including blood flow and vascular dynamics, inflammatory and fibrotic processes, bioenergetics, metabolism and neuronal function.
We operate in one reportable business segment—human therapeutics.
Financial Overview
Research and Development Expense. Research and development expenses are incurred in connection with the discovery and development of our product candidates. These expenses consist primarily of the following costs: compensation, benefits and other employee-related expenses, research and development related facilities, third-party contracts relating to nonclinical study and clinical trial activities. All research and development expenses are charged to operations as incurred.
CNS assets. The core of our portfolio is CY6463, an orally administered CNS-penetrant sGC stimulator that is being developed as a symptomatic and potentially disease-modifying therapy for CNS diseases associated with cognitive impairment. NO-sGC-cGMP is a fundamental signaling network, that is widely used in the nervous system. CY6463 enhances the brain’s natural ability to produce cGMP, an important second messenger in the CNS, by stimulating sGC, a key node in the NO-sGC-cGMP pathway. This pathway is critical to basic CNS functions, and deficient NO-sGC-cGMP signaling is believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of many CNS diseases. Agents that stimulate sGC to produce cGMP may compensate for deficient NO signaling.
In January 2020, we announced positive results from our Phase 1 first-in-human study that provided the foundation for continued development of CY6463. The results from this study indicate that CY6463 was well tolerated. Pharmacokinetic data, obtained from both blood and cerebral spinal fluid, support once-daily dosing with or without food and demonstrated CY6463 penetration of the blood-brain-barrier with CSF concentrations expected to be pharmacologically active.
In October 2020, we announced positive topline results from our CY6463 Phase 1 translational pharmacology study in healthy elderly participants. Treatment with CY6463 for 15 days in this 24-subject study confirmed and extended results seen in the earlier first-in-human Phase 1 study: once-daily oral treatment demonstrated blood-brain-barrier penetration with expected CNS exposure and target engagement. Results also showed significant improvements in neurophysiological and objective performance measures as well as in inflammatory biomarkers associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases. CY6463 was safe and generally well tolerated in this study. Significant effects on cerebral blood flow and markers of bioenergetics were not observed in this study of healthy elderly participants. We believe that these results, together with nonclinical data, support continued development of CY6463 as a potential new medicine for serious CNS diseases.
20
We have initiated exploratory clinical trials with CY6463 ADv, CIAS, and MELAS. The ADv study will be supported in part by a grant from the Alzheimer's Association’s Part the Cloud-Gates Partnership Grant Program, which provides Cyclerion with $2 million of funding over two years.
Our next-generation CNS asset, CY3018, is a differentiated CNS-penetrant sGC stimulator with greater CSF-to-plasma exposure relative to CY6463 based on nonclinical studies. CY3018 is intended to expand the potential of sGC stimulation for the treatment of disorders of the CNS.
Non-CNS assets. We have other assets that are outside of our current strategic focus. These non-core assets are not being internally developed at this time. Praliciguat is an orally administered, once-daily systemic sGC stimulator. On June 3, 2021, we entered into the License Agreement with Akebia relating to the exclusive worldwide license to Akebia of our rights to the development, manufacture, medical affairs and commercialization of pharmaceutical products containing the pharmaceutical compound praliciguat and other related products and forms thereof enumerated in such agreement. Olinciguat is an orally administered, once-daily, vascular sGC stimulator that was evaluated in a Phase 2 study of participants with sickle cell disease. We released topline results from this study in October 2020. Olinciguat is available for licensing to a third party partner.
The following table summarizes our research and development expenses, employee and facility related costs allocated to research and development expense, and discovery and pre-clinical phase programs, for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. The product pipeline expenses relate primarily to external costs associated with nonclinical studies and clinical trial costs, which are presented by development candidate.
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
||
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
|||||
Product pipeline external costs: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
CY6463 |
|
|
4,452 |
|
|
|
1,166 |
|
CY3018 |
|
|
933 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Olinciguat |
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
166 |
|
Praliciguat |
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
(468 |
) |
Discovery research |
|
|
146 |
|
|
|
700 |
|
Total product pipeline external costs |
|
|
5,563 |
|
|
|
1,564 |
|
Personnel and related internal costs |
|
|
3,284 |
|
|
|
3,824 |
|
Facilities and other |
|
|
896 |
|
|
|
2,704 |
|
Total research and development expenses |
|
$ |
9,743 |
|
|
$ |
8,092 |
|
Securing regulatory approvals for new drugs is a lengthy and costly process. Any failure by us to obtain, or any delay in obtaining, regulatory approvals would materially adversely affect our product development efforts and our business overall.
Given the inherent uncertainties of pharmaceutical product development, we cannot estimate with any degree of certainty how our programs will evolve, and therefore the amount of time or money that would be required to obtain regulatory approval to market them. As a result of these uncertainties surrounding the timing and outcome of any approvals, we are currently unable to estimate precisely when, if ever, our discovery and development candidates will be approved. We invest carefully in our pipeline, and the commitment of funding for each subsequent stage of our development programs is dependent upon the receipt of clear, supportive data.
The successful development of our product candidates is highly uncertain and subject to a number of risks including, but not limited to:
21
As a result of the factors listed in the “Risk Factors” section in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we are unable to determine the duration and costs to complete current or future nonclinical and clinical stages of our product candidates or when, or to what extent, we will generate revenues from the commercialization and sale of our product candidates. Development timelines, probability of success and development costs vary widely. We anticipate that we will make determinations as to which additional programs to pursue and how much funding to direct to each program on an ongoing basis in response to the data from the studies of each product candidate, the competitive landscape and ongoing assessments of such product candidate’s commercial potential.
General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense consists primarily of compensation, benefits and other employee-related expenses for personnel in our administrative, finance, legal, information technology, business development, and human resource functions. Other costs include the legal costs of pursuing patent protection of our intellectual property, general and administrative related facility costs, insurance costs and professional fees for accounting and legal services. We record all general and administrative expenses as incurred.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the amounts of expenses during the reported periods. We base our estimates on our historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ materially from our estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Changes in estimates are reflected in reported results in the period in which they become known.
We believe that our application of accounting policies requires significant judgments and estimates on the part of management and is the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results. Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the consolidated financial statements elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
All research and development expenses are expensed as incurred. We defer and capitalize nonrefundable advance payments we make for research and development activities until the related goods are received or the related services are performed. A discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates may be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 in Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the heading Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.
22
Results of Operations
The revenue and expenses reflected in the consolidated financial statements may not be indicative of revenue and expenses that will be incurred by us in the future. The following discussion summarizes the key factors we believe are necessary for an understanding of our consolidated financial statements.
Revenues and Expenses
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(dollars in thousands) |
|
|||||||||||||
Revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Revenue from development agreement |
|
|
225 |
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
163 |
|
|
|
263 |
% |
Revenue from grants |
|
|
486 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
486 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
Total revenues |
|
|
711 |
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
649 |
|
|
|
1047 |
% |
Cost and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Research and development |
|
|
9,743 |
|
|
|
8,092 |
|
|
|
1,651 |
|
|
|
20 |
% |
General and administrative |
|
|
3,952 |
|
|
|
5,365 |
|
|
|
(1,413 |
) |
|
|
(26 |
)% |
Total cost and expenses |
|
|
13,695 |
|
|
|
13,457 |
|
|
|
238 |
|
|
|
2 |
% |
Loss from operations |
|
|
(12,984 |
) |
|
|
(13,395 |
) |
|
|
411 |
|
|
|
(3 |
)% |
Interest and other income (expenses), net |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
(250 |
)% |
Net loss |
|
$ |
(12,978 |
) |
|
$ |
(13,399 |
) |
|
$ |
421 |
|
|
|
(3 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Revenues. The increase in revenue of approximately $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021, can be attributed primarily to the revenue from the PTC Grant, which was approved in August 2021, and revenue generated from the Akebia Supply Agreement, offset by a decrease in revenue generated from services performed under the development agreement (the "Development Agreement") with Ironwood, which ended on March 31, 2021.
Research and development expense. The increase in research and development expense of approximately $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 was driven by an increase of approximately $3.3 million in external research costs related to CY6463 clinical trials in CIAS, ADv, and MELAS, and approximately $0.9 million for CY3018 costs, and a refund of approximately $0.5 million received in 2021 related to praliciguat clinical trial, offset by a decrease of approximately $0.7 million in discovery research, a decrease of approximately $0.6 million in other employee-related expenses primarily due to the workforce reduction in November 2020, and a decrease of approximately $1.7 million in facilities and operating costs allocated to research and development primarily due to the reduction in the Company’s total leased premises.
General and administrative expense. The decrease in general and administrative expenses of approximately $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 was primarily driven by a decrease of approximately $0.9 million in salaries, stock-based compensation and other employee-related expenses due to lower average headcount, and a decrease of approximately $0.5 million in facilities and operating costs.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
After the Separation on April 1, 2019, we raised approximately $165 million net of direct financing expenses with the closing of the 2019 Equity Private Placement on April 2, 2019.
On July 29, 2020, we closed on a private placement of 6,062,500 shares of our common stock, pursuant to a Common Stock Purchase Agreement, for total gross proceeds of approximately $24.3 million. There were no material fees or commissions related to the transaction. The Company intends to use the proceeds to fund working capital and other general corporate purposes.
On September 3, 2020, the Company entered into the Sales Agreement with Jefferies with respect to the ATM Offering under the Shelf. Under the ATM Offering, the Company may offer and sell, from time to time at its sole discretion, shares of its common stock, having an aggregate offering price of up to $50.0 million through
23
Jefferies as its sales agent. The Company will pay to Jefferies cash commissions of 3.0 percent of the gross proceeds of sales of common stock under the Sales Agreement. The Company has sold 3,353,059 shares of its common stock for net proceeds of $12.5 million under the ATM Offering since entering into the Sales Agreement, with no shares of common stock issued or sold under the ATM Offering during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
On June 7, 2021, we closed on a private placement of 5,735,988 shares of our common stock, pursuant to a Common Stock Purchase Agreement, for total gross proceeds of approximately $18 million. There were no material fees or commissions related to the transaction. The Company intends to use the proceeds to fund working capital and other general corporate purposes.
Our ability to continue to fund our operations and meet capital needs will depend on our ability to generate cash from operations and access to capital markets and other sources of capital, as further described below. We anticipate that our principal uses of cash in the future will be primarily to fund our operations, working capital needs, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes.
On March 31, 2022, we had approximately $41.1 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents. Our cash equivalents include amounts held in U.S. government money market funds. We invest cash in excess of immediate requirements in accordance with our investment policy, which requires all investments held by us to be at least “AAA” rated or equivalent, with a remaining final maturity when purchased of less than twelve months, so as to primarily achieve liquidity and capital preservation.
Going Concern
Based on the timing expectations of our research and development plans, including our clinical trials, we expect that our existing cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2022 will be sufficient to fund our planned operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements at least through the next 12 months following the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, particularly as the process of testing drug candidates in clinical trials is costly and the timing of progress in these trials is uncertain.
Cash Flows
The following is a summary of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021:
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(dollars in thousands) |
|
|||||||||||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
$ |
(12,835 |
) |
|
$ |
(14,455 |
) |
|
$ |
1,620 |
|
|
|
(11 |
)% |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
1,462 |
|
|
$ |
(1,462 |
) |
|
|
(100 |
)% |
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
27 |
|
|
$ |
(27 |
) |
|
|
(100 |
)% |
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $12.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to $14.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The decrease in net cash used in operations of $1.6 million primarily relates to a decrease in our net loss of $0.4 million, a decrease in working capital accounts of $1.9 million, partially offset by a decrease of stock-based compensation and other non-cash items of $0.7 million.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net cash provided by investing activities was de minimis for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to net cash used in investing activities of $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The decrease in net cash provided by investing activities of $1.5 million was primarily from an increase in cash received from sale of lab equipment in 2021.
24
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was de minimis.
Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was de minimis.
Debt – Paycheck Protection Program
On April 21, 2020, we received loan proceeds in the amount of approximately $3.5 million pursuant to a promissory note agreement (the "Promissory Note") with a bank under the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP"), of which certain key terms were adjusted by the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act ("PPPFA"). The Promissory Note had an initial loan maturity of April 20, 2022, a stated interest rate of 1.0% per annum, and had payments of principal and interest that were due monthly after an initial deferral period where interest accrued, but no payments were due. Under the PPPFA, the initial deferral may be extended from six up to ten months and the loan maturity may be extended from two to five years. The Promissory Note provided for customary events of default, including, among others, those relating to failure to make payment when due and breaches of representations. The loan is subject to all the terms and conditions applicable under the PPPFA and is subject to review by the Small Business Association ("SBA") for compliance with program requirements.
In August 2021, the Company applied with the SBA for forgiveness of the PPP loan and was notified on November 4, 2021 that the SBA has approved our application to forgive the entire amount of the loan and accrued interest. In November 2021, the Company recorded a gain on extinguishment of debt of $3.6 million representing the principal and accrued interest for the PPP Loan.
Funding Requirements
We expect our expenses to fluctuate as we advance the preclinical activities and clinical trials of our product candidates.
We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2022 will enable us to fund our planned operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements at least through the next 12 months following the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, excluding net cash flows from potential business development activities. We based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could exhaust our available capital resources sooner than we expect.
Because of the many risks and uncertainties associated with research, development and commercialization of product candidates, we are unable to estimate the exact amount of our working capital requirements. Our expenses will fluctuate, and our future funding requirements will depend on, and could increase or decrease significantly as a result of many factors, including the:
A change in any of these or other variables with respect to the development of any of our product candidates could significantly change the costs and timing of the development of that product candidate. Further, our operating plans may change in the future, and we may need additional funds to meet operational needs and capital requirements associated with such operating plans.
25
Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial product revenue, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of public or private equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, strategic alliances or licensing arrangements with third parties. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, outstanding equity ownership may be materially diluted, and the terms of securities sold in such transactions could include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of holders of common stock. Debt financing and preferred equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that include restrictive covenants that limit our ability to take specified actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. In addition, debt financing would result in increased fixed payment obligations.
If we raise funds through collaborations, strategic alliances or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams, research programs or product candidates or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us.
If we are unable to raise additional funds when needed, we may be required to delay, reduce or eliminate our product development or future commercialization efforts, or grant rights to develop and market product candidates that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves.
Contractual Commitments and Obligations
Tax-related Obligations
We exclude assets, liabilities or obligations pertaining to uncertain tax positions from our summary of contractual commitments and obligations as we cannot make a reliable estimate of the period of cash settlement with the respective taxing authorities. As of March 31, 2022, we had no uncertain tax positions.
Other Funding Commitments
As of March 31, 2022, we had, and continue to have, several ongoing studies in various clinical trial stages. Our most significant clinical trial spending is with clinical research organizations, or CROs. The contracts with CROs generally are cancellable, with notice, at our option and do not have any significant cancellation penalties.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, that would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements (as that term is defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K) or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As such, we are not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in those types of relationships. We enter into guarantees in the ordinary course of business related to the guarantee of our own performance.
New Accounting Pronouncements
For a discussion of new accounting pronouncements see Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and are not required to provide the information required under this item.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act refers to controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a
26
company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Because there are inherent limitations in all control systems, a control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, as opposed to absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered 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 the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective, at the reasonable assurance level, as of the end of the period covered by this report. However, our management does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
27
PART II
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are not a party to any material legal proceedings at this time. From time to time we may be subject to various legal proceedings and claims, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
You should carefully review and consider the information regarding certain factors which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
Item 5. Other Information
Not applicable.
Item 6. Exhibits
See the Exhibit Index on the following page of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
28
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. |
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
Offer Letter, effective April 1, 2019, by and between Cyclerion Therapeutics, Inc. and Cheryl Gault |
|
|
Employment Agreement, effective April 29, 2019, by and between Cyclerion GmbH and Andreas Busch |
|
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan (amended and restated as of December 17, 2021) |
|
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
101.INS |
|
Inline XBRL Instance Document. |
101.SCH |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. |
101.CAL |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. |
101.DEF |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. |
101.LAB |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. |
101.PRE |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. |
104 |
|
Cover Page Interactive Data File. |
29
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.
|
CYCLERION THERAPEUTICS, INC. |
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Peter M. Hecht |
|
Name: |
Peter M. Hecht |
|
Title: |
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Anjeza Gjino |
|
Name: |
Anjeza Gjino |
|
Title: |
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
Date: May 4, 2022
30