Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

v3.22.1
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Business Activities and Organization

Business Activities and Organization

 

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of drug products that are intended to provide treatment for patients who have a high unmet medical need condition that affects survival or the patient’s quality of life and for which few or no treatment options currently exist. We currently have five drugs: four in various stages of clinical development (PCS499, PCS12852, PCS3117 and PCS6422) and one in nonclinical development (PCS11T). We group our drugs into non-oncology (PCS499 and PCS12852) and oncology (PCS3117, PCS6422 and PCS11T). A summary of each drug is provided below:

 

  Our most advanced product candidate, PCS499, is an oral tablet that is a deuterated analog of one of the major metabolites of pentoxifylline (PTX or Trental®). We completed a Phase 2A trial for PCS499 in patients with ulcerative and non-ulcerative necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) in late 2020, and in May 2021 we enrolled the first patient in our Phase 2B trial for the treatment of ulcerative NL. We expect to complete our interim analysis and complete enrollment of the Phase 2B trial by the end of 2022; and, depending on the results, begin a pivotal Phase 3 trial in 2023.
     
  PCS12852 is a highly specific and potent 5HT4 agonist which has already been evaluated in clinical studies in South Korea for gastric emptying and gastrointestinal motility. In October 2021, the FDA cleared our IND application to proceed with a Phase 2A trial for the treatment of gastroparesis. We enrolled our first patient on April 5, 2022, anticipate completing enrollment in the second half of 2022 with top-line results at the end of 2022, and should complete final analysis in the first half of 2023.
     
 

PCS3117 is a cytosine analog, similar to gemcitabine (Gemzar®), but different enough in chemical structure that some patients are more likely to respond to PCS3117 than gemcitabine. We are evaluating biomarkers to elucidate specifically which patients are more likely to benefit from PCS3117 compared to gemcitabine and other chemotherapy agents to provide a more targeted, precision medicine approach to the treatment of various types of cancer, such as pancreatic and/or non-small cell lung cancer. We will be developing, refining, and qualifying these biomarker assays for use in our clinical trials as well as defining the potential paths to approval for different types of cancer. We anticipate initiating a Phase 2B trial or adaptive designed Phase 3 trial in 2023.

     
  PCS6422 is an orally administered irreversible enzyme inhibitor administered in combination with capecitabine. When combining capecitabine with PCS6422 (the “Next Generation Capecitabine”), capecitabine becomes a more potent cancer chemotherapy agent than current FDA approved capecitabine. On August 2, 2021, we enrolled the first patient in our Phase 1B dose-escalation maximum tolerated dose trial in patients with advanced refractory gastrointestinal (GI) tract tumors and our interim analysis of Cohorts 1 and 2 found no dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), no drug related adverse events greater than Grade 1, and no hand-foot syndrome. In addition, the interim analysis revealed when PCS6422 inhibits DPD enzyme activity, 5-FU metabolism is significantly decreased (<10% metabolized to F-Bal compared to typically 80%) and the potency of capecitabine is significantly increased (at least 50 times greater 5-FU potency based on systemic exposure per mg of capecitabine administered). The single dose of PCS6422, however, did not sustain the DPD inhibition throughout 7 days of capecitabine dosing which was needed to maintain the improved potency of capecitabine. Therefore, we have modified the existing protocol to obtain more data on DPD inhibition and de novo formation. We anticipate that this additional data will allow us to select PCS6422 dosage regimens that will maintain DPD inhibition for each patient treated with this Next Generation Capecitabine (i.e., a combination of PCS6422 and capecitabine). After interacting with the FDA and making the protocol amendment, we began enrolling patients in the amended Phase 1B trial in April 2022 and expect to complete enrollment while defining the Next Generation Capecitabine regimen (i.e., the PCS6422 regimens and the corresponding capecitabine regimens) by the end of 2022. We expect that our overall timeline has not changed with a Phase 2B or 3 trial starting in 2023-2024 and NDA submission in 2027-2028.

 

  Our only nonclinical drug candidate is PCS11T, an analog of SN38 (SN38 being the active metabolite of irinotecan) and a next generation irinotecan drug for multiple types of cancers. The manufacturing process and sites for drug substance and drug product are presently being evaluated. In addition, we are defining the potential paths to approval, which include defining the targeted patient population and the type of cancer. We hope to submit an IND in the first half of 2024, followed by a Phase 1B maximum tolerated dose trial.

 

 

Impact of COVID-19

Impact of COVID-19

 

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create uncertainties in expected timelines by causing delays in clinical trials and disruptions in the supply chain for raw materials used in clinical trial work. We have experienced delays in the enrollment of patients in our PCS499 Phase 2B trial due to COVID-19. Potential patients have died from COVID-19 prior to screening and continue to be reluctant to travel to our testing sites for fear of contracting COVID-19. Delays in enrollment lengthen the time of studies and increase their costs, which could materially impact our business in future periods. Furthermore, the spread of COVID-19, which has caused a broad impact globally, may materially affect us economically. While we are hopeful the infection rate of COVID-19 will continue to decline, we cannot predict the future impact COVID-19 will have on our current and future clinical trials. For more information on the risks associated with COVID-19, refer to Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X.

 

Accordingly, they do not include all the information and disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary, which are of a normal and recurring nature, for the fair presentation of our financial position and of the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the SEC. The results of operations for the interim periods shown in this report are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year.

 

Liquidity

Liquidity

 

We have incurred losses since inception, devoting substantially all of our efforts toward research and development, and have an accumulated deficit of approximately $40.1 million as of March 31, 2022. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we generated a net loss of approximately $3.2 million and we expect to continue to generate operating losses and negative cash flow from operations for the foreseeable future. Based on our current plans, we believe our current cash balances is adequate for at least the next twelve months without considering amounts available from the Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park (see below and Note 3) or potential sales under our ATM Offering (see below). Our ability to execute our longer-term operating plans, including unplanned future clinical trials for our portfolio of drugs depend on our ability to obtain additional funding from the sale of equity and/or debt securities, a strategic transaction or other funding transactions. We plan to continue to actively pursue financing alternatives, but there can be no assurance that we will obtain the necessary funding in the future when necessary.

 

We had no revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and do not have any revenue under contract or any immediate sales prospects. Our primary uses of cash are to fund our planned clinical trials, research and development expenditures and operating expenses. Cash used to fund operating expenses is impacted by the timing of when we incur and pay these expenses.

 

On August 20, 2021, we entered into an equity distribution agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. under which we may issue and sell in a registered “at-the-market” offering shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $30.0 million from time to time through or to our Sales Agent (the “ATM Offering”). We expect to use net proceeds from the ATM Offering over time as a source for working capital and general corporate purposes. The shares under the ATM Offering will be sold and issued pursuant to our S-3 shelf registration statement (Registration No. 333-257588) filed on July 30, 2021.

 

On March 23, 2022, we entered into a Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (“Lincoln Park”) under which we have the right, but not the obligation, to sell to Lincoln Park, and Lincoln Park is obligated to purchase up to $15,000,000 of our shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, subject to the terms and conditions in the Purchase Agreement, during the term of the Purchase Agreement. See Note 3 for additional details concerning the Purchase Agreement.

 

 

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

 

In preparing our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, we make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates are used for, but not limited to preclinical and clinical trial expenses, stock-based compensation, intangible assets, future milestone payments and income taxes. These estimates and assumptions are continuously evaluated and are based on management’s experience and knowledge of the relevant facts and circumstances. While we believe the estimates to be reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those estimates and could impact future results of operations and cash flows.

 

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

 

We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes. Deferred income taxes are recorded for the expected tax consequences of temporary differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and amounts recognized for income tax purposes. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we recorded a valuation allowance equal to the full recorded amount of our net deferred tax assets related to deferred start-up costs, federal orphan drug tax credit and certain other minor temporary differences since it is more-likely-than-not that such benefits will not be realized. The valuation allowance is reviewed quarterly and is maintained until sufficient positive evidence exists to support its reversal.

 

Under ACS 740-270 Income Taxes – Interim Reporting, we are required to project our annual federal and state effective income tax rate and apply it to the year-to-date ordinary operating tax basis loss before income taxes. Based on the projection, we recognized the tax benefit from our projected ordinary tax loss, which was used to offset the deferred tax liabilities related to the intangible asset and resulted in the recognition of a deferred tax benefit shown in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for three months ended March 31, 2021 and the remainder of 2021. No current income tax benefit or expense is expected for 2022 and the foreseeable future since the deferred tax liability has been offset completely as of December 31, 2021 and we expect to generate taxable net operating losses.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to significant concentration of credit risk consist primarily of our cash and cash equivalents. We utilize only well-established banks and financial institutions with high credit ratings. Balances on deposit are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to specified limits. Total cash held by our banks at March 31, 2022, exceeded FDIC limits.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

From time to time, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) or other standard setting bodies issue new accounting pronouncements. Updates to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification are communicated through issuance of an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”). We have implemented all new accounting pronouncements that are in effect and that may impact our condensed consolidated financial statements. We have evaluated recently issued accounting pronouncements and determined that there is no material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.