ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Description of Business Capricor Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with its wholly-owned subsidiary, referred to herein as “Capricor Therapeutics,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”), is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of transformative cell and exosome-based therapeutics for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (“DMD”), a rare form of muscular dystrophy which results in muscle degeneration and premature death, and other diseases with high unmet medical needs. Capricor, Inc. (“Capricor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capricor Therapeutics, was founded in 2005 as a Delaware corporation. After completion of a merger between Capricor and a subsidiary of Nile Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Nile”), on November 20, 2013, Capricor became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nile and Nile formally changed its name to Capricor Therapeutics, Inc. Capricor Therapeutics, together with its subsidiary, Capricor, has multiple therapeutic drug candidates in various stages of development. Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements for Capricor Therapeutics and its wholly-owned subsidiary have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all disclosures necessary for a complete presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with U.S. GAAP. In the Company’s opinion, all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The accompanying financial information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 11, 2024, from which the December 31, 2023 consolidated balance sheet was derived. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2024. Basis of Consolidation Our condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and our wholly-owned subsidiary. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Reclassification Certain reclassification of prior period amounts has been made to conform to the current year presentation. Liquidity and Going Concern The Company has historically financed its research and development activities as well as operational expenses primarily from equity financings, government grants, and payments from distribution agreements and collaboration partners. Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as of June 30, 2024 were approximately $29.5 million, compared to approximately $39.5 million as of December 31, 2023. In the first quarter of 2024, the Company received our first milestone payment of $10.0 million from Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd. (“Nippon Shinyaku”), which was triggered upon completion of the interim futility analysis of the HOPE-3 trial whereby the outcome was determined to be not futile. Additionally, during the six months ended June 30, 2024, we sold 777,679 shares of common stock at an average price of approximately $5.81 per share pursuant to a Common Stock Sales Agreement in place with H.C. Wainwright & Co. LLC ("Wainwright") under our at-the-market offering, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $4.3 million (see Note 2 - "Stockholders' Equity"). The Company’s principal uses of cash are for research and development expenses, general and administrative expenses, capital expenditures and other working capital requirements. The Company’s future expenditures and capital requirements may be substantial and will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to, the following: | ● | the timing and costs associated with our research and development activities, clinical trials and preclinical studies, including the enrollment and progress of our ongoing HOPE-3 Phase 3 clinical trial of deramiocel (also referred to as CAP-1002) in DMD; |
| ● | the timing and costs associated with the manufacturing of our product candidates, including the expansion of our manufacturing capacity to support the potential commercialization of deramiocel for DMD; |
| ● | the timing and costs associated with potential commercialization of our product candidates; |
| ● | the number and scope of our research programs, including the expansion of our exosomes program; and |
| ● | the costs involved in prosecuting and enforcing patent claims and other intellectual property rights. |
The Company’s options for raising additional capital include potentially seeking additional financing primarily from, but not limited to, the sale and issuance of equity or debt securities, the licensing or sale of its technology and other assets, potential distribution and other partnering opportunities, and from government grants. The Company has incurred significant operating losses and negative cash flows from operations. Based on the Company’s available cash resources and based upon the Company’s projections for its operations, the Company does not have sufficient cash on hand to support current operations for at least the next twelve months from the date of filing this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Therefore, there is a substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Company’s plan to address its financial position may include potentially seeking additional financing primarily from, but not limited to, the sale and issuance of equity or debt securities, the licensing or sale of its technology and from government grants. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. The Company will require substantial additional capital to fund its operations. The Company cannot provide assurances that financing will be available when and as needed or that, if available, financing will be available on favorable or acceptable terms. If the Company is unable to obtain additional financing when and if required, it would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations. The Company would likely need to delay, curtail or terminate portions of its clinical trials and research and development programs. To the extent the Company issues additional equity securities, its existing stockholders would experience substantial dilution. Business Uncertainty Related to the Coronavirus In light of past uncertainties due to COVID-19 and its economic and other impacts and to uncertainties around the timing and availability of grant disbursements, the loss of revenue from the REGRESS and ALPHA trials as well as any potential equity and debt financings, the Company submitted for the Employee Retention Credit (“ERC”), a credit against certain payroll taxes allowed to an eligible employer for qualifying wages, which was established by the CARES Act. The Company has submitted $738,778 in ERC for applicable 2020 and 2021 periods, receiving $191,199 in 2021 and $191,463 in 2023. As of June 30, 2024, the Company has recorded a receivable for $366,551 for the remainder of funds for which we are still awaiting receipt. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements. Estimates also affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management uses its historical records and knowledge of its business in making these estimates. Accordingly, actual results may differ from these estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of less than 30 days at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Marketable Securities The Company determines the appropriate classification of its marketable securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation at each balance sheet date. All of the Company’s marketable securities are considered as available-for-sale and carried at estimated fair values. Realized gains and losses on the sale of debt and equity securities are determined using the specific identification method. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are presented as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. As of June 30, 2024, marketable securities consist primarily of short-term United States treasuries. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed in the period incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the related estimated useful life of the asset, which such estimated useful lives range from five to seven years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the lease term. Depreciation was $356,935 and $254,702 for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $688,341 and $484,803 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Property and equipment, net consisted of the following: | | | | | | | | | June 30, | | December 31, | | | 2024 | | 2023 | Furniture and fixtures | | $ | 187,997 | | $ | 187,997 | Laboratory equipment | | | 6,102,784 | | | 5,449,597 | Leasehold improvements | | | 2,205,398 | | | 2,129,102 | | | | 8,496,179 | | | 7,766,696 | Less accumulated depreciation | | | (2,878,656) | | | (2,206,055) | Property and equipment, net | | $ | 5,617,523 | | $ | 5,560,641 |
Leases ASC Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842”), requires lessees to recognize most leases on the balance sheet with a corresponding right-to-use (“ROU”) asset. ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. The assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the estimated present value of fixed lease payments over the lease term. ROU assets are evaluated for impairment using the long-lived assets impairment guidance. Leases will be classified as financing or operating, which will drive the expense recognition pattern. The Company elects to exclude short-term leases if and when the Company has them. The Company leases office and laboratory space, all of which are operating leases (see Note 6 - “Commitments and Contingencies”). Most leases include the option to renew and the exercise of the renewal options is at the Company’s sole discretion. Options to renew a lease are not included in the Company’s assessment unless there is reasonable certainty that the Company will renew. In addition, the Company’s lease agreements generally do not contain any residual value guarantees or restrictive covenants. The interest rate implicit in lease contracts is typically not readily determinable. As a result, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate, which reflects the fixed rate at which the Company could borrow on a collateralized basis the amount of the lease payments in the same currency, for a similar term, in a similar economic environment. For real estate leases, the Company has elected the practical expedient under ASC 842 to account for the lease and non-lease components together for existing classes of underlying assets and allocates the contract consideration to the lease component only. This practical expedient is not elected for manufacturing facilities and equipment embedded in product supply arrangements. Revenue Recognition The Company adopted ASU 606, Revenue for Contracts from Customers, (“ASU 606”), which amended revenue recognition principles under U.S. GAAP and provides a single, comprehensive set of criteria for revenue recognition within and across all industries (see Note 7 – “License and Distribution Agreements”). The revenue standard provides a five-step framework for recognizing revenue as control of promised goods or services is transferred to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that it determines are within the scope of the revenue standard, the Company performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract; (ii) identify the performance obligations; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation. At contract inception, the Company assesses whether the goods or services promised within each contract are distinct and, therefore, represent a separate performance obligation, or whether they are not distinct and are combined with other goods and services until a distinct bundle is identified. The Company then determines the transaction price, which typically includes upfront payments and any variable consideration that the Company determines is probable to not cause a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. The Company then allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation and recognizes the associated revenue when, or as, each performance obligation is satisfied. The Company’s distribution agreements may entitle it to additional payments upon the achievement of milestones or shares of product revenue on sales. The milestones are generally categorized into three types: development milestones, regulatory milestones and sales-based milestones. The Company evaluates whether it is probable that the consideration associated with each milestone or shared revenue payments will not be subject to a significant reversal in the cumulative amount of revenue recognized. Amounts that meet this threshold are included in the transaction price using the most likely amount method, whereas amounts that do not meet this threshold are excluded from the transaction price until they meet this threshold. At the end of each subsequent reporting period, the Company re-evaluates the probability of a significant reversal of the cumulative revenue recognized for its milestones and royalties, and, if necessary, adjusts its estimate of the overall transaction price. Any such adjustments are recorded on a cumulative catch-up basis, which would affect revenues and net income (loss) in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operation and comprehensive loss. Typically, milestone payments and shared revenue payments are achieved after the Company’s performance obligations associated with the distribution agreements have been completed and after the customer has assumed responsibility for the commercialization program. Milestones or shared revenue payments achieved after the Company’s performance obligations have been completed are recognized as revenue in the period the milestone or shared revenue payments were achieved. If a milestone payment is achieved during the performance period, the milestone payment would be recognized as revenue to the extent performance had been completed at that point, and the remaining balance would be recorded as deferred revenue. The revenue standard requires the Company to assess whether a significant financing component exists in determining the transaction price. The Company performs this assessment at the onset of its distribution agreements. Typically, a significant financing component does not exist because the customer is paying for services in advance with an upfront payment. Additionally, future shared revenue payments are not substantially within the control of the Company or the customer. Whenever the Company determines that goods or services promised in a contract should be accounted for as a combined performance obligation over time, the Company determines the period over which the performance obligations will be performed and revenue will be recognized. Revenue is recognized using either the proportional performance method or on a straight-line basis if efforts will be expended evenly over time. Percentage of completion of patient visits in clinical trials are used as the measure of performance. The Company feels this method of measurement to be the best depiction of the transfer of services and recognition of revenue. Significant management judgment is required in determining the level of effort required under an arrangement and the period over which the Company is expected to complete its performance obligations. If the Company determines that the performance obligation is satisfied over time, any upfront payment received is initially recorded as deferred revenue on its condensed consolidated balance sheets. Certain judgments affect the application of the Company’s revenue recognition policy. For example, the Company records short-term (less than one year) and long-term (over one year) deferred revenue based on its best estimate of when such revenue will be recognized. This estimate is based on the Company’s current operating plan, and the Company may recognize a different amount of deferred revenue over the next 12-month period if its plan changes in the future. Under the U.S. Commercialization and Distribution Agreement (the “U.S. Distribution Agreement”) with Nippon Shinyaku, the transaction price consists of variable shared revenue payments and fixed components in the form of an upfront payment and milestones. The timing of the fixed component of the transaction price is upfront, however, the performance obligation is satisfied over a period of time, which is the estimated duration of the HOPE-3 clinical trial, Cohort A arm. Therefore, upon receipt of the upfront payment and achievement of milestones, a contract liability is recorded which represents deferred revenue. The Company evaluates the measure of progress each reporting period and, if necessary, adjusts the related revenue recognition. Grant Income Generally, government research grants that provide funding for research and development activities are recognized as income when the related expenses are incurred, as applicable. Because the terms of the grant award (the “CIRM Award”) from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (“CIRM”) allow Capricor to elect to convert the grant into a loan after the end of the project period, the CIRM Award is being classified as a liability rather than income (see Note 5 - “Government Grant Awards”). Grant income is due upon submission of a reimbursement request. The transaction price varies for grant income based on the expenses incurred under the awards. No grant income was recognized for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. Research and Development Costs relating to the design and development of new products are expensed as research and development as incurred in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 730-10, Research and Development. Research and development costs amounted to approximately $12.5 million and $8.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and approximately $23.6 million and $16.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) generally represents all changes in stockholders’ equity during the period except those resulting from investments by, or distributions to, stockholders. The Company’s comprehensive loss was approximately $11.2 million and $7.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and approximately $20.9 million and $15.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company’s other comprehensive income (loss) is related to a net unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities. The Company’s other comprehensive income (loss) was $(152,714) and $84,707 for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $(80,826) and $74,449 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Clinical Trial Expense As part of the process of preparing our condensed consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our accrued expenses. Our clinical trial accrual process is designed to account for expenses resulting from our obligations under contracts with vendors, consultants, contract research organizations (“CROs”), and clinical site agreements in connection with conducting clinical trials. The financial terms of these contracts are subject to negotiations, which vary from contract to contract and may result in payment flows that do not match the periods over which materials or services are provided to us under such contracts. Our objective is to reflect the appropriate clinical trial expenses in our condensed consolidated financial statements by matching the appropriate expenses with the period in which services are provided and efforts are expended. We account for these expenses according to the progress of the trial as measured by patient progression and the timing of various aspects of the trial. We determine accrual estimates through financial models that take into account discussions with applicable personnel and outside service providers as to the progress or state of completion of trials, or the services completed. During the course of a clinical trial, we adjust our clinical expense recognition if actual results differ from our estimates. We make estimates of our accrued expenses as of each balance sheet date in our condensed consolidated financial statements based on the facts and circumstances known to us at that time. Our clinical trial accrual and prepaid assets are dependent, in part, upon the receipt of timely and accurate reporting from CROs and other third-party vendors. Although we do not expect our estimates to be materially different from amounts actually incurred, our understanding of the status and timing of services performed relative to the actual status and timing of services performed may vary and may result in us reporting amounts that are too high or too low for any particular period. Stock-Based Compensation The Company accounts for stock-based employee compensation arrangements in accordance with guidance issued by the FASB, which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees, consultants, and directors based on estimated fair values. The Company estimates the fair value of stock-based compensation awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as an expense over the requisite service periods in the Company’s statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The Company estimates the fair value of stock-based compensation awards using the Black-Scholes model. This model requires the Company to estimate the expected volatility and value of its common stock and the expected term of the stock options, all of which are highly complex and subjective variables. The variables take into consideration, among other things, actual and projected stock option exercise behavior. For employees and directors, the expected life was calculated based on the simplified method as described by the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 110, Share-Based Payment. For other service providers, the expected life was calculated using the contractual term of the award. The Company's estimate of expected volatility was based on the historical stock price of the Company. The Company has selected a risk-free rate based on the implied yield available on U.S. Treasury securities with a maturity equivalent to the expected term of the options. Basic and Diluted Loss per Share The Company reports earnings per share in accordance with FASB ASC 260-10, Earnings per Share. Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed similarly to basic earnings (loss) per share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional shares of common stock that would have been outstanding if the potential shares of common stock had been issued and if the additional shares of common stock were dilutive. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, warrants and options to purchase 15,631,881 and 7,784,934 shares of common stock, respectively, have been excluded from the computation of potentially dilutive securities. Potentially dilutive shares of common stock, which primarily consist of stock options issued to employees, consultants, and directors as well as warrants issued, have been excluded from the diluted loss per share calculation because their effect is anti-dilutive. Because the impact of these items is anti-dilutive during periods of net loss, there was no difference between basic and diluted loss per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. Fair Value Measurements Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the balance sheet are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. The categories are as follows: | | | Level Input: | | Input Definition: | | | | Level I | | Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets at the measurement date. | Level II | | Inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level I, that are observable for the asset or liability through corroboration with market data at the measurement date. | Level III | | Unobservable inputs that reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. |
The following table summarizes the fair value measurements by level at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | June 30, 2024 | | | Level I | | Level II | | Level III | | Total | Marketable Securities | | $ | 18,773,667 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 18,773,667 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | December 31, 2023 | | | Level I | | Level II | | Level III | | Total | Marketable Securities | | $ | 24,792,846 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 24,792,846 |
Carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to their relatively short maturity. The carrying amounts of the Company’s marketable securities are based on market quotations from national exchanges at the balance sheet date. Interest and dividend income are recognized separately on the income statement based on classifications provided by the brokerage firm holding the investments. The fair value of borrowings is not considered to be significantly different from its carrying amount because the stated rates for such debt reflect current market rates and conditions. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-06, Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative. This standard was issued in response to the SEC’s disclosure update and simplification initiative, which affects a variety of topics within the Accounting Standards Codification. The amendments apply to all reporting entities within the scope of the affected topics unless otherwise indicated. The effective date for each amendment will be the date on which the SEC’s removal of that related disclosure from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K becomes effective, with early adoption prohibited. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its financial statement disclosures. Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB, including its Emerging Issues Task Force, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the SEC, did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future consolidated financial statement presentation or disclosures.
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