FORTE BIOSCIENCES, INC., 10-Q filed on 5/16/2022
Quarterly Report
v3.22.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
May 09, 2022
Cover [Abstract]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2022  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2022  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes  
Trading Symbol FBRX  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Registrant Name FORTE BIOSCIENCES, INC.  
Entity Central Index Key 0001419041  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Filer Category Non-accelerated Filer  
Entity Shell Company false  
Entity Small Business true  
Entity Emerging Growth Company true  
Entity Ex Transition Period true  
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock  
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ  
Entity File Number 001-38052  
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE  
Entity Tax Identification Number 26-1243872  
Entity Address, Address Line One 3060 Pegasus Park Drive, Building 6  
Entity Address, City or Town Dallas  
Entity Address, State or Province TX  
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 75247  
City Area Code 310  
Local Phone Number 618-6994  
Document Quarterly Report true  
Document Transition Report false  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   14,761,261
v3.22.1
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Mar. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 40,035 $ 42,044
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 376 476
Total current assets 40,411 42,520
Other assets 893 786
Total assets 41,304 43,306
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable 576 946
Accrued liabilities 680 812
Total current liabilities 1,256 1,758
Commitments and contingencies (Note 4)
Stockholders’ equity    
Common stock, $0.001 par value: 200,000,000 shares authorized as of March 31, 2022 (unaudited) and December 31, 2021; 14,761,261 and 14,754,447 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2022 (unaudited) and December 31, 2021, respectively 15 15
Additional paid-in capital 115,765 114,698
Accumulated deficit (75,732) (73,165)
Total stockholders’ equity 40,048 41,548
Total liabilities, convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ equity $ 41,304 $ 43,306
v3.22.1
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Mar. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Common stock, par value $ 0.001 $ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized 200,000,000 200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued 14,761,261 14,754,447
Common stock, shares outstanding 14,761,261 14,754,447
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock    
Convertible preferred stock, par value $ 0.001 $ 0.001
Convertible preferred stock, shares authorized 10,000,000 10,000,000
Convertible preferred stock, shares issued 0 0
Convertible preferred stock, shares outstanding 0 0
Convertible preferred stock, liquidation preference $ 0 $ 0
v3.22.1
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Operating expenses:    
Research and development $ 693 $ 3,322
General and administrative 1,821 1,419
Total operating expenses 2,514 4,741
Loss from operations (2,514) (4,741)
Other expenses, net (53) (63)
Net loss $ (2,567) $ (4,804)
Net loss per share - basic and diluted $ (0.17) $ (0.36)
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted 14,759,806 13,252,921
v3.22.1
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Total
Common Stock
Additional Paid-in Capital
Accumulated Deficit
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2020 $ 58,980 $ 13 $ 110,424 $ (51,457)
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2020   12,830,598    
Exercise of stock options 27   27  
Exercise of stock options, shares   7,655    
Stock-based compensation 495   495  
Cashless exercise of warrants, shares   673,463    
Net loss (4,804)     (4,804)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2021 54,698 $ 13 110,946 (56,261)
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2021   13,511,716    
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2021 41,548 $ 15 114,698 (73,165)
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2021   14,754,447    
Exercise of stock options $ 1   1  
Exercise of stock options, shares 1,098 1,098    
Issuance of common stock under ESPP $ 11   11  
Issuance of common stock under ESPP, shares   5,716    
Stock-based compensation 1,055   1,055  
Net loss (2,567)     (2,567)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2022 $ 40,048 $ 15 $ 115,765 $ (75,732)
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2022   14,761,261    
v3.22.1
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net loss $ (2,567) $ (4,804)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:    
Depreciation expense   14
Stock based compensation expense 1,055 495
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:    
Prepaid expenses and other assets 39 154
Accounts payable (370) (34)
Accrued liabilities (132) 145
Net cash used in operating activities (1,975) (4,030)
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and ESPP 12 27
Payment of deferred financing costs (46)  
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (34) 27
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (2,009) (4,003)
Cash and cash equivalents — beginning of period 42,044 58,765
Cash and cash equivalents — end of period $ 40,035 $ 54,762
v3.22.1
Organization and Description of Business
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Organization and Description of Business

1. Organization and Description of Business

 

Forte Biosciences, Inc. (www.fortebiorx.com), together with its subsidiaries, referred to herein as the “Company”, is a biopharmaceutical company that had been focused on developing a topical live biotherapeutic for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases with an initial focus on atopic dermatitis (“AD”). On September 2, 2021, the Company announced that the clinical trial of FB-401 for the treatment of AD failed to achieve statistical significance in its primary endpoint. Following the announcement of the FB-401 trial results, the Company ceased further development of FB-401. Following the announcement of FB-401 trial results, the Company conducted an extensive process to evaluate strategic alternatives. Following that process, the Company decided to focus on developing its FB-102 program which the Company believes has potentially broad application for autoimmune diseases such as alopecia areata, graft-vs-host disease and vitiligo.  FB-102 is currently in preclinical development.

The Company entered into a business combination (“Merger”) between Forte Subsidiary, Inc. (“Forte Subsidiary”) a private entity, and Tocagen, Inc. (“Tocagen”), a publicly traded biotechnology company. The Merger closed on June 15, 2020, in which Telluride Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tocagen, merged with and into Forte Subsidiary, with Forte Subsidiary surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tocagen. Immediately prior to the closing of the Merger, the shares of Tocagen common stock were adjusted with a reverse split ratio of 1‑for‑15. At the closing of the Merger, each share of Forte Subsidiary common stock outstanding immediately prior to the Merger was converted into the right to receive approximately 3.1624 shares of Tocagen common stock (before giving effect to the reverse split). All share and per share amounts have been retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the exchange of Forte Subsidiary common stock and the reverse split of Tocagen common stock. The par value per share of our capital stock was not adjusted as a result of the stock split. Immediately prior to the closing of the Merger, Tocagen changed its name to Forte Biosciences, Inc. The Company’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol “FBRX.” Immediately following the Merger, the former Forte Subsidiary and Tocagen security holders owned approximately 84.7% and 15.3% of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock, respectively.

 

Prior to the Merger, Forte Subsidiary was incorporated as Forte Biosciences, Inc. under the laws of the State of Delaware on May 3, 2017 as a privately-held company.  Forte Biosciences, Inc. was renamed Forte Subsidiary, Inc. in connection with the Merger.

 

On February 12, 2021, the Company incorporated Forte Biosciences Emerald Limited in Dublin, Ireland, for the purpose of potentially undertaking clinical trials in the European Union. This subsidiary was dissolved on April 1, 2022.

 

Liquidity and Risks

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not reflect any adjustments relating to the recoverability and reclassification of assets and liabilities that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern. Since inception, the Company has incurred losses and negative cash flows from operations. As of March 31, 2022, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $75.7 million. The Company used $2.0 million of cash in operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2022. Management expects to continue to incur additional losses in the foreseeable future as the Company focuses its development efforts on advancing FB-102 through preclinical studies and clinical trials.

The Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $40.0 million as of March 31, 2022.   The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are held at financial institutions and exceed federally insured limits. The Company believes that its existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to allow the Company to fund its operations for at least 12 months from the filing date of this Form 10-Q

The Company will continue to need to raise additional capital or obtain financing from other sources. Management may fund future operations through the sale of equity and debt financings and may also seek additional capital through arrangements with strategic partners or other sources. There can be no assurance that additional funding will be available on terms acceptable to the Company, if at all. If the Company is unable to raise additional funding to meet its working capital needs in the future, it may be forced to delay or reduce the scope of its research and development programs and/or limit or cease its operations.

There are numerous risks and uncertainties associated with pharmaceutical development and the Company is unable to predict the timing or amount of increased expenses on the development of future product candidates or when or if it will start to generate revenues. Even if the Company does generate revenues, it may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability. If the Company fails to become profitable or is unable to sustain profitability on a continuing basis, then it may be unable to continue its operations at planned levels and may be forced to reduce its operations.

The pandemic caused by outbreaks of new strains of coronaviruses, or COVID-19 and its variants, has resulted, and may continue to result, in significant national and global economic disruption and may adversely affect the Company’s operations. The Company is actively monitoring the impact of COVID-19 and the possible effects on its financial condition, liquidity, operations, suppliers, industry, and workforce. However, the full extent, consequences, and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting impact on the Company cannot currently be predicted. The Company will continue to evaluate the impact that these events could have on its operations, financial position, results of operations and cash flows during the remainder of 2022.

v3.22.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company should be read in conjunction with its audited financial statements and accompanying notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021 included in the Company’s Form 10-K as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 31, 2022. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), as found in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), the Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”), of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), and the rules and regulations of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). 

The Merger was accounted for as a reverse asset acquisition, as more fully described in Note 1. Forte Subsidiary was deemed to be the acquirer for accounting purposes and Tocagen was the accounting acquiree.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments that are of a normal and recurring nature and that are necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, the results of its operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year or any future period.

Principles of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Forte Subsidiary, Inc and Forte Biosciences Emerald Limited. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include money market funds and deposits with commercial banks.  Cash equivalents are defined as short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less at the date of purchase.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  There is a three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used in determining fair value by their reliability and preferred use as follows:

 

Level 1 - Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

 

Level 2 – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 

 

Level 3 – Valuations based on inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurements and are unobservable.

To the extent that a valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable, or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment.  Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized within Level 3.  A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

There have been no significant changes to the valuation methods utilized by the Company during the periods presented.  There have been no transfers between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 in any periods presented.

The carrying amounts of financial instruments consisting of cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities included in the Company’s financial statements, are reasonable estimates of fair value, primarily due to their short maturities.

The Company had $34.9 million in money market funds as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, which are classified within Level 1.  Money market funds are valued at the closing price reported by the fund sponsor from an actively traded exchange.  Money market funds were included as cash and cash equivalents in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant management estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and expenses include stock-based compensation expense, accruals and deferred tax assets. Although these estimates are based on the Company’s knowledge of current events and actions it may undertake in the future, actual results may ultimately materially differ from these estimates and assumptions.

Research and Development Costs

 

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development costs consist primarily of salaries and benefits of research and development personnel, costs related to research activities, preclinical studies, clinical trials and drug manufacturing. Non-refundable advance payments for goods or services that will be used in future research and development activities are deferred and capitalized and are only expensed when the goods have been received or when the service has been performed rather than when the payment is made.

 

 

Drug manufacturing and clinical trial costs are a component of research and development expenses. The Company expenses costs for its drug manufacturing activities performed by Contract Manufacturing Organizations (“CMOs”), preclinical and clinical trial costs performed by Contract Research Organizations (“CROs”) and other service providers, as they are incurred, based upon estimates of the work completed over the life of the individual study in accordance with associated agreements. The Company uses information it receives from internal personnel and outside service providers to estimate the percentage of completion and therefore the expense to be incurred.

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss includes net loss and other comprehensive income (loss) for the period. The Company did not have other comprehensive income (loss) items such as unrealized gains and losses. Comprehensive loss was equal to net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.

Net Loss Per Share

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, without consideration for common stock equivalents.

Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents outstanding during the period in accordance with the treasury stock method. The following number of unexercised stock options, warrants and restricted stock units, which are common stock equivalents, have been excluded from the diluted net loss calculation as their effect would have been anti-dilutive for all periods presented:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Options

 

 

 

1,924,570

 

 

 

1,119,841

 

Restricted stock units

 

 

 

258,851

 

 

 

20,000

 

Warrants

 

 

 

4,434

 

 

 

1,778,122

 

Total

 

 

 

2,187,855

 

 

 

2,917,963

 

 

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB or other standard setting bodies and adopted by us as of a specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the Company believes that the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In August 2020, the FASB issued ​ASU 2020-06​, ​Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40)​ (“ASU 2020-06”). ​ASU 2020-06 eliminates the beneficial conversion and cash conversion accounting models for convertible instruments. It also amends the accounting for certain contracts in an entity’s own equity that are currently accounted for as derivatives because of specific settlement provisions. In addition, ASU 2020-06 modifies how particular convertible instruments and certain contracts that may be settled in cash or shares impact the diluted earnings per share computation. The amendments in ASU 2020-06 are effective for smaller reporting companies as defined by the SEC for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, but not earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2020-06 on its consolidated financial statements and does not expect the adoption of this amended guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

v3.22.1
Balance Sheet Components
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]  
Balance Sheet Components

3. Balance Sheet Components

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 consist of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

 

December 31, 2021

 

Prepaid insurance

 

$

287

 

 

$

387

 

Other

 

 

89

 

 

 

89

 

Total Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

 

$

376

 

 

$

476

 

 

Other Assets

Other assets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 consist of the following (in thousands). 

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

 

December 31, 2021

 

Prepaid insurance

 

$

618

 

 

$

667

 

Prepaid offering costs

 

 

262

 

 

 

106

 

Other

 

 

13

 

 

 

13

 

Total Other Assets

 

$

893

 

 

$

786

 

 

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 consist of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

 

December 31, 2021

 

Accrued legal and professional fees

 

$

180

 

 

$

75

 

Accrued compensation

 

 

359

 

 

 

681

 

Accrued manufacturing and clinical expenses

 

 

 

 

 

40

 

 Other

 

 

141

 

 

 

16

 

Total Accrued Liabilities

 

$

680

 

 

$

812

 

 

v3.22.1
Commitments and Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

4. Commitments and Contingencies

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Bank accounts in the United States are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000. The Company’s cash accounts significantly exceed FDIC limits.

Indemnifications

As permitted under Delaware law, the Company indemnifies its officers, directors, and employees for certain events and occurrences while the officer, or director is, or was, serving at the Company’s request in such capacity.

License to Patented Technology

In December 2017, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services (“DHHS”). Under the agreement, the DHHS granted the Company an exclusive, sublicensable, worldwide license to certain patent rights under which the Company may develop and commercialize pharmaceutical and biological compositions comprising Gram-negative bacteria for the topical treatment of dermatological diseases and conditions (the “DHHS License”). Under the DHHS License, the Company is obligated to meet certain development benchmarks within certain time periods. If the Company is unable to meet any of these development benchmarks, the DHHS could terminate the license. In addition, the DHHS may terminate or modify the DHHS License in the event of a material breach or upon certain insolvency events that remain uncured following

a 90 day written notice of such material breach or insolvency event. The DHHS also has the right to require the Company to grant mandatory sublicenses to patent rights licensed from the DHHS to product candidates covered by other DHHS licenses under certain specified circumstances, including if it is necessary to meet health and safety needs or to meet requirements for public use as specified by federal regulations that the Company is not reasonably satisfying.

Under the DHHS License, as amended in May 2020, the Company was obligated to pay the DHHS a minimum annual payment of $100,000 beginning January 1, 2021. The Company is required to reimburse the DHHS for certain patent-related expenses and may also be obligated to make payments to the DHHS based upon achieving specified development and regulatory milestones for the first licensed product. Such development milestone payments are the completion of patient enrollment in a phase 3 clinical trial and the completion of a phase 3 clinical trial demonstrating a statistically significant efficacy benefit. The regulatory milestones are the receipt of the first FDA approval and the first non-USA regulatory agency approval. In addition, to the extent licensed products are approved for commercial sale, the Company is also obligated to pay the DHHS royalties based on net sales of licensed products sold by the Company and if applicable, its sublicensees. No milestones have been met as of March 31, 2022. The Company terminated the license agreement with DHHS effective April 2, 2022.

The Company incurred $25,000 in minimum royalty expenses for each of the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.

Lease Agreements

In April 2019, the Company entered into a lease agreement for certain office and laboratory space in Torrance, California. The lease agreement is cancellable by the Company at any time with a 30-day notice.   In June 2021, the Company entered into a lease agreement for additional office space at a separate location for an initial lease of 6 months after which the lease term will be month-to-month. Total rent expense for all locations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $3,000. The Company recorded a net rent credit of $14,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as a result of a refund for operating expense adjustments.

Clinical Supply Agreements

The Company had entered into various agreements with CMOs for the manufacture of clinical trial materials and CROs for clinical trial services. These agreements provide the terms and conditions under which the CMOs and CROs will formulate, fill, inspect, package, label and test the Company’s drug product candidate, FB-401. The Company has scaled back its clinical and manufacturing operations in order to conserve cash as a result of the FB-401 clinical trial not meeting its primary endpoint. The estimated remaining commitments as of March 31, 2022 under these agreements were approximately $290 thousand.

v3.22.1
Equity
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Equity [Abstract]  
Equity

5. Equity

Series A Convertible Preferred Stock

On November 27, 2018, the Company entered into a preferred stock purchase agreement with certain investors and issued 1,738,759 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock for net proceeds of $5.7 million, including $0.7 million from the conversion of convertible notes and accrued interest. In addition, on January 2, 2019, the Company completed a second round of the Series A preferred stock financing and issued 1,438,985 shares at $3.41 per share for net proceeds of $4.9 million. All outstanding shares of Series A convertible preferred stock were converted into shares of common stock on a one for one ratio in connection with the closing of the Merger on June 15, 2020.  

Common Stock

In connection with the Merger, the Company issued 3,804,817 shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase 2,752,546 shares (the “Concurrent Financing Warrants”) of the Company’s common stock at an exercise

price of $10.56 per share, for net proceeds of $19.4 million. In addition, on June 16, 2020, the Company issued an additional 411,112 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $4.6 million.         

Warrants to purchase 4,434 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $140.25 per share which were previously issued by Tocagen, survived the Merger and remained outstanding as of March 31, 2022.

In June 2021, the Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 that went effective in June 2021 which will allow the Company to raise up to $300 million in additional capital. The Company incurred $106.4 thousand in offering costs related to this shelf registration statement which is recorded in Other Assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2022. The Company has not issued any securities under the new shelf registration statement as of the filing date of this Form 10-Q.

On November 2, 2020, the Company completed a public offering of 1,614,035 shares of its common stock at $28.50 per share, which includes the over-allotment option exercised by the underwriters to purchase an additional 210,526 shares. Total net proceeds were $42.7 million after deducting underwriting discounts and other offering expenses of approximately $3.3 million.

In February 2021, Concurrent Financing Warrants to purchase 978,858 shares of common stock were exercised on a cashless basis resulting in 673,463 shares being issued. In June 2021, Concurrent Financing Warrants to purchase 760,572 shares of common stock were exercised on a cashless basis resulting in 560,402 shares being issued.  In September 2021, Concurrent Financing Warrants to purchase 1,013,116 shares of common stock were exercised on a cashless basis resulting in 655,409 shares being issued. As of March 31, 2022, no Concurrent Financing Warrants were outstanding.

On March 31, 2022, the Company entered into an “at-the-market” equity offering program (“ATM Facility”) whereby the Company may from time to time offer and sell shares of its common stock up to an aggregate offering price of $25.0 million during the term of the ATM Facility. The Company has also filed a prospectus supplement relating to the offer and sale of the shares pursuant to the ATM Facility covering sales of up to $7,000,000 of shares of common stock. The Company is not obligated to sell any shares under the ATM Facility. The ATM Facility may be terminated at any time upon ten days’ prior notice, or at any time in certain circumstances, including the occurrence of a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company has agreed to pay the sales agent a commission equal to 3.0% of the gross proceeds from the sales of shares under the ATM Facility and has agreed to provide the sales agent with customary indemnification and contribution rights. The Company incurred $156 thousand in offering costs related to the ATM facility which is recorded in Other Assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheet for the period ended March 31, 2022. The Company has not issued any shares of common stock under the ATM Facility through the filing date of this Form 10-Q.

v3.22.1
Stock-Based Compensation
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]  
Stock-Based Compensation

6. Stock-Based Compensation

Equity Plans

In December 2018, Forte Subsidiary adopted the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2018 Incentive Plan”). The terms and conditions of stock-based awards were defined at the sole discretion of the Forte Subsidiary’s Board of Directors. Service-based awards vesting over a defined period of service and performance-based awards that vest upon the achievement of defined conditions have been issued under the 2018 Incentive Plan. Service-based awards generally vest over a four-year period, with the first 25% of such awards vesting following twelve months of continued employment or service with the remaining awards vesting monthly in equal installments over the following thirty-six months. Stock options granted under the 2018 Incentive Plan expire ten years from the date of grant and the exercise price must be at least equal to the fair market value of common stock on the grant date. In connection with the Merger, all outstanding options under the 2018 Incentive Plan were exchanged into options to purchase common stock of Tocagen, which changed its name to Forte Biosciences Inc. upon the closing of the Merger.  Subsequent to the Merger, the 2018 Incentive Plan was frozen and no more stock-based awards will be granted from that plan.

In connection with the Merger, the Company assumed Tocagen’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, which was effective on April 12, 2017, was subsequently amended on September 30, 2018 and further amended on February 12,

2019 (the “2017 Plan”). Immediately upon closing of the Merger, 61,406 restricted stock awards and stock options to purchase 26,968 shares of common stock granted under the 2017 Plan prior to the Merger became fully vested in consideration for pre-merger services provided to Tocagen.

On July 26, 2020, the Company adopted the 2020 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan (the “2020 Inducement Plan”) and reserved 500,000 shares for future grants under the 2020 Inducement Plan. As of March 31, 2022, there were 365,000 options available for issuance under the 2020 Inducement Plan.  

In May 2021, the 2017 Plan was terminated and replaced by the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”). The 2021 Plan had an initial reserve of 1,000,000 shares available for grant. The 2021 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options (“ISOs”), non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance-based stock awards, other forms of equity compensation and performance cash awards. ISOs may be granted only to employees. All other awards may be granted to employees, including officers, and to non-employee directors and consultants of the Company and its affiliates. Subsequent to the Merger, service-based awards generally vested over a four-year period, with the first 25% of such awards vesting following twelve months of continued employment or service with the remaining awards vesting monthly in equal installments over the following thirty-six months. For certain service-based awards to the board of directors, vesting occurs in thirty-six equal monthly installments over a three-year period for initial grants and in twelve equal monthly installments over a twelve-month period for subsequent grants. As of March 31, 2022, there were 25,902 options available for issuance under the 2021 Plan.

Stock Options

The risk-free interest rate valuation assumption for options is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve rate at the date of grant with a maturity approximating the expected term of the option.

The expected term assumption for options granted to employees is determined using the simplified method that represents the average of the contractual term of the option and the weighted average vesting period of the option. The Company uses the simplified method because it does not have sufficient historical option exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term.

Due to the Company’s limited trading of its common stock and lack of company-specific historical or implied volatility data, the Company has based its estimate of expected volatility on the historical volatility of a group of similar companies in the life sciences industry whose shares are publicly traded. The Company selects the peer group based on comparable characteristics, including development stage, product pipeline, and enterprise value. The Company computes historical volatility data using the daily closing prices for the selected companies’ shares during the equivalent period of the calculated expected term of the stock-based awards. The Company will continue to apply this process until sufficient amount of historical information regarding the volatility of its own stock price become available.

The assumed dividend yield is based upon the Company’s expectation of not paying dividends in the foreseeable future. Prior to the Merger, the fair value per share was determined by the Company’s Board of Directors, as of the date of each grant based on independent third-party valuations, taking into consideration various objective and subjective factors. Subsequent to the Merger, the fair value per share is the closing stock price on the option grant date.

The weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted in the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $0.96 and $22.89, respectively.

The weighted-average assumptions used to value these stock options using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model were as follows.

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2022

 

2021

 

Fair value of common stock

 

$

1.58

 

$

36.94

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

 

1.75

%

 

0.66

%

Dividend yield

 

 

0.00

%

 

0.00

%

Expected term of options (years)

 

 

5.90

 

 

6.08

 

Volatility

 

 

66.89

%

 

70.00

%

 

The table below summarizes the stock option activity during the three months ended March 31, 2022:

 

 

 

Number of

Shares

Outstanding

 

 

Weighted-

Average

Exercise Price

 

 

Weighted-

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Term

(Years)

 

Aggregate

Intrinsic

Value (in thousands)

 

Balances at December 31, 2021

 

 

1,281,396

 

 

$

18.18

 

 

7.94

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

695,000

 

 

$

1.63

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

(1,098

)

 

$

1.06

 

 

 

 

$

-

 

Cancelled/Forfeited

 

 

(50,728

)

 

$

25.61

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at March 31, 2022

 

 

1,924,570

 

 

$

12.02

 

 

8.62

 

$

304

 

Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2022

 

 

1,924,570

 

 

$

12.02

 

 

8.62

 

$

304

 

Exercisable at March 31, 2022

 

 

287,029

 

 

$

21.33

 

 

8.35

 

$

21

 

 

The aggregate intrinsic value of options at March 31, 2022 is based on the Company’s fair value of its stock price on that date of $1.46 per share.

 

Restricted Stock Unit Awards

 

There were no restricted stock units granted during the three months ended March 31, 2022. The Company made a change in accounting estimate in the three months ended March 31, 2022 related to the vesting of performance-based restricted stock units. As a result of this change in accounting estimate, $158 thousand dollar of expense that had been previously recognized in 2021 was reversed in three months ended March 31, 2022.  

Restricted stock unit awards outstanding as of March 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Avg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grant Date

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Fair Value

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2021

 

 

258,851

 

 

$

 

3.36

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited/Cancelled

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issued as Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2022

 

 

258,851

 

 

$

 

3.36

 

 

 

2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

In May 2021, the Company’s board of directors reactivated the Company’s 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) which had previously been suspended. The ESPP allows eligible employees to withhold up to 15% of their earnings to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a price per share equal to the lower of (i) 85% of the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the first date of an offering or (ii) 85% of the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the date of purchase. The Company had 170,978 shares available for future issuance under the ESPP as of March 31, 2022. The number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance will automatically increase on January 1 of each calendar year through January 1, 2027, by the lesser of (a) 1% of the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year, (b) 300,000 shares, or (c) a number determined by the Company’s board of directors that is less than (a) and (b). The Company issued 5,716 shares under the ESPP during the three months ended March 31, 2022. The ESPP is considered a compensatory plan and the Company did not record stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 or 2021.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

Stock-based compensation expenses included in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Research and development

 

$

286

 

 

$

304

 

General and administrative

 

 

769

 

 

 

191

 

Total

 

$

1,055

 

 

$

495

 

 

As of March 31, 2022, there was unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options with service conditions of $8.7 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.42 years. Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expenses related to stock options and restricted stock units with performance conditions were approximately $392,000.

v3.22.1
Related Party Transactions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
Related Party Transactions

7. Related Party Transactions

One member of the Company’s board of directors received cash payments of $5,000 for scientific consulting services during the three months ended March 31, 2022. There were no related party transactions during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

v3.22.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company should be read in conjunction with its audited financial statements and accompanying notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021 included in the Company’s Form 10-K as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 31, 2022. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), as found in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), the Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”), of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), and the rules and regulations of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). 

The Merger was accounted for as a reverse asset acquisition, as more fully described in Note 1. Forte Subsidiary was deemed to be the acquirer for accounting purposes and Tocagen was the accounting acquiree.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments that are of a normal and recurring nature and that are necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, the results of its operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year or any future period.

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Forte Subsidiary, Inc and Forte Biosciences Emerald Limited. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include money market funds and deposits with commercial banks.  Cash equivalents are defined as short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less at the date of purchase.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  There is a three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used in determining fair value by their reliability and preferred use as follows:

 

Level 1 - Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

 

Level 2 – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 

 

Level 3 – Valuations based on inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurements and are unobservable.

To the extent that a valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable, or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment.  Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized within Level 3.  A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

There have been no significant changes to the valuation methods utilized by the Company during the periods presented.  There have been no transfers between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 in any periods presented.

The carrying amounts of financial instruments consisting of cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities included in the Company’s financial statements, are reasonable estimates of fair value, primarily due to their short maturities.

The Company had $34.9 million in money market funds as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, which are classified within Level 1.  Money market funds are valued at the closing price reported by the fund sponsor from an actively traded exchange.  Money market funds were included as cash and cash equivalents in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant management estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and expenses include stock-based compensation expense, accruals and deferred tax assets. Although these estimates are based on the Company’s knowledge of current events and actions it may undertake in the future, actual results may ultimately materially differ from these estimates and assumptions.

Research and Development Costs

Research and Development Costs

 

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development costs consist primarily of salaries and benefits of research and development personnel, costs related to research activities, preclinical studies, clinical trials and drug manufacturing. Non-refundable advance payments for goods or services that will be used in future research and development activities are deferred and capitalized and are only expensed when the goods have been received or when the service has been performed rather than when the payment is made.

 

 

Drug manufacturing and clinical trial costs are a component of research and development expenses. The Company expenses costs for its drug manufacturing activities performed by Contract Manufacturing Organizations (“CMOs”), preclinical and clinical trial costs performed by Contract Research Organizations (“CROs”) and other service providers, as they are incurred, based upon estimates of the work completed over the life of the individual study in accordance with associated agreements. The Company uses information it receives from internal personnel and outside service providers to estimate the percentage of completion and therefore the expense to be incurred.

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss includes net loss and other comprehensive income (loss) for the period. The Company did not have other comprehensive income (loss) items such as unrealized gains and losses. Comprehensive loss was equal to net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.

Net Loss Per Share

Net Loss Per Share

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, without consideration for common stock equivalents.

Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents outstanding during the period in accordance with the treasury stock method. The following number of unexercised stock options, warrants and restricted stock units, which are common stock equivalents, have been excluded from the diluted net loss calculation as their effect would have been anti-dilutive for all periods presented:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Options

 

 

 

1,924,570

 

 

 

1,119,841

 

Restricted stock units

 

 

 

258,851

 

 

 

20,000

 

Warrants

 

 

 

4,434

 

 

 

1,778,122

 

Total

 

 

 

2,187,855

 

 

 

2,917,963

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB or other standard setting bodies and adopted by us as of a specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the Company believes that the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In August 2020, the FASB issued ​ASU 2020-06​, ​Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40)​ (“ASU 2020-06”). ​ASU 2020-06 eliminates the beneficial conversion and cash conversion accounting models for convertible instruments. It also amends the accounting for certain contracts in an entity’s own equity that are currently accounted for as derivatives because of specific settlement provisions. In addition, ASU 2020-06 modifies how particular convertible instruments and certain contracts that may be settled in cash or shares impact the diluted earnings per share computation. The amendments in ASU 2020-06 are effective for smaller reporting companies as defined by the SEC for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, but not earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2020-06 on its consolidated financial statements and does not expect the adoption of this amended guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

v3.22.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Schedule of Common Stock Equivalents Excluded from Diluted Net Loss Calculation The following number of unexercised stock options, warrants and restricted stock units, which are common stock equivalents, have been excluded from the diluted net loss calculation as their effect would have been anti-dilutive for all periods presented:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Options

 

 

 

1,924,570

 

 

 

1,119,841

 

Restricted stock units

 

 

 

258,851

 

 

 

20,000

 

Warrants

 

 

 

4,434

 

 

 

1,778,122

 

Total

 

 

 

2,187,855

 

 

 

2,917,963

 

v3.22.1
Balance Sheet Components (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]  
Schedule of Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 consist of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

 

December 31, 2021

 

Prepaid insurance

 

$

287

 

 

$

387

 

Other

 

 

89

 

 

 

89

 

Total Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

 

$

376

 

 

$

476

 

Schedule of Other Assets

Other assets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 consist of the following (in thousands). 

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

 

December 31, 2021

 

Prepaid insurance

 

$

618

 

 

$

667

 

Prepaid offering costs

 

 

262

 

 

 

106

 

Other

 

 

13

 

 

 

13

 

Total Other Assets

 

$

893

 

 

$

786

 

 

Components of Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 consist of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

 

December 31, 2021

 

Accrued legal and professional fees

 

$

180

 

 

$

75

 

Accrued compensation

 

 

359

 

 

 

681

 

Accrued manufacturing and clinical expenses

 

 

 

 

 

40

 

 Other

 

 

141

 

 

 

16

 

Total Accrued Liabilities

 

$

680

 

 

$

812

 

 

v3.22.1
Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]  
Summary of Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Value Stock Options The weighted-average assumptions used to value these stock options using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model were as follows.

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2022

 

2021

 

Fair value of common stock

 

$

1.58

 

$

36.94

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

 

1.75

%

 

0.66

%

Dividend yield

 

 

0.00

%

 

0.00

%

Expected term of options (years)

 

 

5.90

 

 

6.08

 

Volatility

 

 

66.89

%

 

70.00

%

Summary of Stock Option Activity The table below summarizes the stock option activity during the three months ended March 31, 2022:

 

 

Number of

Shares

Outstanding

 

 

Weighted-

Average

Exercise Price

 

 

Weighted-

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Term

(Years)

 

Aggregate

Intrinsic

Value (in thousands)

 

Balances at December 31, 2021

 

 

1,281,396

 

 

$

18.18

 

 

7.94

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

695,000

 

 

$

1.63

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

(1,098

)

 

$

1.06

 

 

 

 

$

-

 

Cancelled/Forfeited

 

 

(50,728

)

 

$

25.61

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at March 31, 2022

 

 

1,924,570

 

 

$

12.02

 

 

8.62

 

$

304

 

Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2022

 

 

1,924,570

 

 

$

12.02

 

 

8.62

 

$

304

 

Exercisable at March 31, 2022

 

 

287,029

 

 

$

21.33

 

 

8.35

 

$

21

 

 

Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Award Transactions

Restricted stock unit awards outstanding as of March 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Avg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grant Date

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Fair Value

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2021

 

 

258,851

 

 

$

 

3.36

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited/Cancelled

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issued as Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2022

 

 

258,851

 

 

$

 

3.36

 

Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Expenses

Stock-based compensation expenses included in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Research and development

 

$

286

 

 

$

304

 

General and administrative

 

 

769

 

 

 

191

 

Total

 

$

1,055

 

 

$

495

 

v3.22.1
Organization and Description of Business - Additional Information (Details)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
USD ($)
shares
Mar. 31, 2021
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2021
USD ($)
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]      
Accumulated deficit $ 75,732   $ 73,165
Cash used in operating activities (1,975) $ (4,030)  
Cash and cash equivalents $ 40,035   $ 42,044
Tocagen, Inc.      
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]      
Right to receive shares for each common stock outstanding | shares 3.1624    
Reverse stock split, description 1‑for‑15    
Reverse split ratio 0.06667    
Common stock ownership percentage 15.30%    
Forte Subsidiary, Inc.      
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]      
Common stock ownership percentage 84.70%    
v3.22.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2021
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Transfers between fair value hierarchy levels $ 0    
Other comprehensive income (loss) 0 $ 0  
Level 1      
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Money market funds, at carrying value $ 34,900,000   $ 34,900,000
v3.22.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Common Stock Equivalents Excluded from Diluted Net Loss Calculation (Details) - shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]    
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted net loss calculation 2,187,855 2,917,963
Options    
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]    
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted net loss calculation 1,924,570 1,119,841
Warrants    
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]    
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted net loss calculation 4,434 1,778,122
Restricted Stock Units    
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]    
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted net loss calculation 258,851 20,000
v3.22.1
Balance Sheet Components - Schedule of Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Mar. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]    
Prepaid insurance $ 287 $ 387
Other 89 89
Total Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets $ 376 $ 476
v3.22.1
Balance Sheet Components - Schedule of Other Assets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Mar. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]    
Prepaid insurance $ 618 $ 667
Prepaid offering costs 262 106
Other 13 13
Total Other Assets $ 893 $ 786
v3.22.1
Balance Sheet Components - Components of Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Mar. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]    
Accrued legal and professional fees $ 180 $ 75
Accrued compensation 359 681
Accrued manufacturing and clinical expenses   40
Other 141 16
Total Accrued Liabilities $ 680 $ 812
v3.22.1
Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Jan. 01, 2021
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]      
FDIC insured amount $ 250,000    
Rent expenses $ 3,000    
Initial lease term 6 months    
Rent Credit Due to Refund for Operating Expense Adjustments   $ 14,000  
Contractual Obligation $ 290,000    
DHHS      
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]      
Minimum annual payment     $ 100,000
DHHS | Minimum      
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]      
Royalty expenses $ 25,000 $ 25,000  
v3.22.1
Equity - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Nov. 02, 2020
Jun. 16, 2020
Jun. 15, 2020
Jan. 02, 2019
Nov. 27, 2018
Sep. 30, 2021
Jun. 30, 2021
Feb. 28, 2021
Mar. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Class Of Stock [Line Items]                      
Offering costs                   $ 46,000  
Shelf Registration                      
Class Of Stock [Line Items]                      
Common stock issued, shares                   0  
Offering costs                   $ 106,400,000  
Shelf Registration | Maximum                      
Class Of Stock [Line Items]                      
Additional capital raised                   300,000,000  
Public Offering                      
Class Of Stock [Line Items]                      
Common stock issued, shares   1,614,035                  
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock   $ 42,700,000                  
Shares price, per share   $ 28.50                  
Number of shares issued upon full exercise of options to underwriters   210,526                  
Underwriting discounts and other offering expenses   $ 3,300,000                  
At The Market Equity Offering Program                      
Class Of Stock [Line Items]                      
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock $ 25,000,000.0                    
Offering costs                   $ 156,000  
Percentage of sales commission 3.00%                    
At The Market Equity Offering Program | Maximum                      
Class Of Stock [Line Items]                      
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock $ 7,000,000                    
Common Stock                      
Class Of Stock [Line Items]                      
Common stock issued, shares     411,112 3,804,817              
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock     $ 4,600,000 $ 19,400,000              
Warrants to purchase common stock     4,434                
Common stock exercise price     $ 140.25                
Common Stock | Concurrent Financing Warrants                      
Class Of Stock [Line Items]                      
Common stock issued, shares             655,409 560,402 673,463    
Warrants to purchase common stock       2,752,546     1,013,116 760,572 978,858    
Common stock exercise price       $ 10.56              
Warrants outstanding 0                 0  
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock                      
Class Of Stock [Line Items]                      
Stock issued 0       1,438,985 1,738,759       0 0
Net proceeds from issuance of convertible preferred stock         $ 4,900,000 $ 5,700,000          
Conversion of convertible notes and accrued interest           $ 700,000          
Preferred stock per share         $ 3.41            
Convertible preferred stock description                   All outstanding shares of Series A convertible preferred stock were converted into shares of common stock on a one for one ratio in connection with the closing of the Merger on June 15, 2020  
v3.22.1
Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Jun. 15, 2020
May 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2018
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Jul. 26, 2020
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Stock options granted       695,000    
Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted       $ 0.96 $ 22.89  
Fair value of stock price       $ 1.46    
Unrecognized compensation expense       $ 8,700,000    
Weighted-average period over which unrecognized compensation expense is expected to be recognized       1 year 5 months 1 day    
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)            
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Stock awards granted       0    
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units            
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Reversal of allocated share based compensation expense recognized       $ 158,000    
Performance Stock Options            
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Unrecognized compensation expense       $ 392,000    
2018 Incentive Plan            
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Service-based awards, vesting period     4 years      
Stock options, expiration term     10 years      
Service-based awards vesting description       vest over a four-year period, with the first 25% of such awards vesting following twelve months of continued employment or service with the remaining awards vesting monthly in equal installments over the following thirty-six months    
2018 Incentive Plan | Following Twelve Months of Service            
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Service-based awards vesting percentage     25.00%      
2017 Incentive Plan            
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Stock options granted 26,968          
2017 Incentive Plan | Restricted Stock Awards            
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Stock awards granted 61,406          
2020 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan            
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Shares reserved for future grant           500,000
Shares available for issuance       365,000    
2021 Equity Incentive Plan            
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Service-based awards, vesting period   4 years        
Service-based awards vesting description       vested over a four-year period, with the first 25% of such awards vesting following twelve months of continued employment or service with the remaining awards vesting monthly in equal installments over the following thirty-six months    
Shares available for issuance   1,000,000   25,902    
2021 Equity Incentive Plan | Board of Directors            
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Service-based awards, vesting period   3 years   12 months    
Service-based awards vesting description       vesting occurs in thirty-six equal monthly installments over a three-year period for initial grants and in twelve equal monthly installments over a twelve-month period for subsequent grants    
2021 Equity Incentive Plan | Following Twelve Months of Service            
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Service-based awards vesting percentage   25.00%        
2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan            
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Eligible employees withhold percentage of earnings to purchase shares of common stock   15.00%        
Shares available for future issuance       170,978    
Shares reserved for issuance increase percentage of total number of shares of common stock outstanding   1.00%        
Shares Issued under plan       5,716    
2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan | Maximum            
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance increase on of each calendar year   300,000        
2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan | On First Date of Offering | Maximum            
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Percentage of fair market value of share of common stock to purchase   85.00%        
2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan | On Date of Purchase | Maximum            
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Percentage of fair market value of share of common stock to purchase   85.00%        
v3.22.1
Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Value Stock Options (Details) - $ / shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]    
Fair value of common stock $ 1.58 $ 36.94
Risk-free interest rate 1.75% 0.66%
Dividend yield 0.00% 0.00%
Expected term of options (years) 5 years 10 months 24 days 6 years 29 days
Volatility 66.89% 70.00%
v3.22.1
Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Number of Shares Outstanding    
Outstanding, Beginning 1,281,396  
Granted 695,000  
Exercised (1,098)  
Cancelled/Forfeited (50,728)  
Outstanding, Ending 1,924,570 1,281,396
Vested and expected to vest 1,924,570  
Exercisable 287,029  
Weighted-Average Exercise Price    
Outstanding, Beginning $ 18.18  
Granted 1.63  
Exercised 1.06  
Cancelled/Forfeited 25.61  
Outstanding, Ending 12.02 $ 18.18
Vested and expected to vest 12.02  
Exercisable $ 21.33  
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)    
Outstanding 8 years 7 months 13 days 7 years 11 months 8 days
Vested and expected to vest 8 years 7 months 13 days  
Exercisable 8 years 4 months 6 days  
Aggregate Intrinsic Value    
Outstanding $ 304  
Vested and expected to vest 304  
Exercisable $ 21  
v3.22.1
Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Award Transactions (Details) - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
$ / shares
shares
Shares  
Outstanding at December 31, 2021 258,851
Stock awards granted 0
Outstanding at March 31, 2022 258,851
Weighted Avg Grant Date Fair Value  
Outstanding at December 31, 2021 | $ / shares $ 3.36
Outstanding at March 31, 2022 | $ / shares $ 3.36
v3.22.1
Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Expenses (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]    
Stock-based compensation expense $ 1,055 $ 495
Research and Developments Expenses    
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]    
Stock-based compensation expense 286 304
General and Administrative    
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]    
Stock-based compensation expense $ 769 $ 191
v3.22.1
Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Director    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Payments for scientific consulting services $ 5,000  
Director One    
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]    
Accounts payable   $ 0