S-1/A 1 d764780ds1a.htm AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-1 Amendment No. 1 to Form S-1
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Index to Financial Statements

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 3, 2019.

Registration No. 333-233347

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Amendment No. 1

to

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

2834

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

81-3039831

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

400 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 221

South San Francisco, CA 94080

(650) 410-3200

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

John Kollins

President and Chief Executive Officer

Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

400 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 221

South San Francisco, CA 94080

(650) 410-3200

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Brian J. Cuneo

Alan C. Mendelson

Miles P. Jennings

Latham & Watkins LLP

140 Scott Drive

Menlo Park, California 94025

Telephone: (650) 328-4600

 

Tom O’Neil

Chief Financial Officer

Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

400 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 221

South San Francisco, CA 94080

Telephone: (650) 410-3200

 

Sean Clayton

Kenn Guernsey

Dave Peinsipp

Cooley LLP

101 California Street

San Francisco, CA 94111

Telephone: (415) 693-2000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.  ☐

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of each class of

securities to be registered

 

Amount to be
Registered(1)

 

Proposed

Maximum

Offering Price

Per Share

 

Proposed

maximum

aggregate

offering price(2)

 

Amount of

registration fee

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share

  5,750,000   $16.00   $92,000,000   $11,150.40(3)

 

 

(1)

Includes 750,000 shares of common stock that the underwriters have the option to purchase.

(2)

Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Includes shares that the underwriters have the option to purchase.

(3)

The registrant previously paid a total of $10,453.50 in connection with previous filings of the registration statement. In accordance with Rule 457(a), an additional registration fee of $696.90 is being paid with this amendment to the registration statement.

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, dated September 3, 2019

Preliminary Prospectus

5,000,000 Shares

 

 

LOGO

Common Stock

 

 

This is the initial public offering of shares of common stock by Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. It is currently estimated that the initial public offering price will be between $14.00 and $16.00 per share. We have applied to list our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “STSA.” We have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 750,000 additional shares from us at the initial public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions.

We are an “emerging growth company” as the term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 and, as such, have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements. See “Prospectus Summary—Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company.”

Certain of our existing investors affiliated with certain of our directors have indicated an interest in purchasing an aggregate of approximately $25 million in shares of our common stock in this offering at the initial public offering price and on the same terms as the other purchasers in this offering. However, because indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase, these investors may determine to purchase fewer shares than they indicate an interest in purchasing or not to purchase any shares in this offering.

Investing in our common stock involves risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 11.

 

      

Price to
Public

    

Underwriting
Discounts and
Commissions(1)

    

Proceeds to
Satsuma
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(before expenses)

Per Share

     $                      $                      $                

Total

     $                      $                      $                

 

(1)

See “Underwriting” for additional information regarding compensation payable to the underwriters.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities, or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares against payment in New York, New York on                     , 2019.

 

Credit Suisse  

SVB Leerink

 

Evercore

Prospectus dated                     , 2019


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus

 

     Page  

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     1  

THE OFFERING

     7  

RISK FACTORS

     11  

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD -LOOKING STATEMENTS

     62  

INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

     64  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     65  

DIVIDEND POLICY

     66  

CAPITALIZATION

     67  

DILUTION

     69  

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

     72  

MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     74  

BUSINESS

     87  

MANAGEMENT

     121  

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     132  

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     144  

PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

     147  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     151  

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

     156  

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS

     159  

UNDERWRITING

     163  

LEGAL MATTERS

     169  

EXPERTS

     169  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     169  

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-1  

 

 

Through and including                    , 2019 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to a dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.

 

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this document or to which we have referred you. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different. This document may only be used where it is legal to sell these securities. The information in this document may only be accurate on the date of this document. Regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of shares of our common stock and the information in any free writing prospectus that we may provide you in connection with this offering is accurate only as of the date of that free writing prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and future growth prospects may have changed since those dates.

For investors outside of the United States: we have not and the underwriters have not done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than the United States. Persons outside of the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the shares of common stock and the distribution of this prospectus outside of the United States.

 


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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus and does not contain all of the information that you should consider in making your investment decision. Before deciding to invest in our common stock, you should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the sections of this prospectus titled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. Unless the context otherwise requires or as otherwise noted, references in this prospectus to the “company,” “Satsuma Pharmaceuticals,” “Satsuma,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Overview

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel therapeutic product for the acute treatment of migraine. Our product candidate, STS101, is a drug-device combination of a proprietary dry-powder formulation of dihydroergotamine mesylate, or DHE, which can be quickly and easily self-administered with a proprietary pre-filled, single-use, nasal delivery device. DHE products have long been recommended as a first-line therapeutic option for the acute treatment of migraine and have significant advantages over other therapeutics for many patients. However, broad use has been limited by invasive and burdensome administration and/or sub-optimal clinical performance of available injectable and liquid nasal spray products. STS101 is specifically designed to deliver the advantages of DHE while overcoming these shortcomings. We have completed a Phase 1 clinical trial in 42 healthy volunteers, in which STS101 demonstrated rapid and sustained DHE plasma concentrations, low pharmacokinetic variability, and a favorable safety and tolerability profile. In July 2019, we initiated our Phase 3 EMERGE efficacy trial of STS101 and expect to report topline data in the second half of 2020.

Migraine is a chronic and debilitating neurological disorder characterized by attacks of often severe headache and accompanying neurological symptoms lasting four to 72 hours. Based on reported prevalence data, approximately 39 million individuals in the United States and over 100 million individuals in Europe suffer from migraine. Migraine is most prevalent among adults ages 18 to 44 and disproportionately affects women over men on a three-to-one basis. It has been estimated that migraine results in up to $36 billion in healthcare and lost productivity costs and up to 157 million lost workdays annually in the United States. Despite its high prevalence and burden, migraine remains a highly underdiagnosed and undertreated illness due to lack of awareness, stigma and the inherent limitations of currently available therapies.

Acute treatments are categorized as non-specific therapies, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen, and migraine-specific therapies, such as triptans and ergot alkaloids (including DHE-based products). In 2018, more than 15 million prescriptions for migraine-specific acute therapies were written in the United States. This figure excludes prescriptions for non-specific therapies and therefore likely significantly understates the total number of prescriptions written for the acute treatment of migraine. Oral triptans are currently the predominant class of drug for acute treatment of migraine, accounting for over 90% of migraine-specific acute therapy prescriptions. However, triptans have been reported to have a number of shortcomings, including that they have inconsistent efficacy across patients and migraine types, require early treatment, cause various side effects, may cause medication overuse headache, or MOH, and have slow and variable onset of action and short duration of effect that necessitates retreatment. DHE products have long been recommended as a first-line therapeutic option for the acute treatment of migraine and have significant advantages over other therapeutics, including triptans, for many patients. However, approved DHE products have drawbacks that have resulted in limited clinical use. For instance, injectable DHE, while effective, has invasive administration requirements, and in the case of intravenous (IV) delivery, generally must be administered by a healthcare provider, typically in the hospital or clinic setting, requires specialized equipment and may often result

 

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in side effects, in particular, nausea and vomiting. Similarly, intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC) injections are invasive, require administration via injection by the patient, caregiver or healthcare provider and patients typically prefer non-injectable therapies. In addition, DHE liquid nasal sprays have complex, time-consuming and burdensome administration, as well as high variability and slow absorption that may result in inconsistent and sub-optimal clinical performance. Further, due to DHE’s low oral bioavailability, there are no approved oral DHE products in the United States.

STS101 was designed to be a reliable and convenient DHE product capable of delivering the advantages of DHE while overcoming the shortcomings of existing DHE products. STS101 has a number of key attributes that we believe may provide significant advantages over existing acute treatments for migraine and result in robust and consistent clinical performance and thereby facilitate broad adoption and use. These attributes are primarily the result of our proprietary dry-powder formulation, which incorporates a mucoadhesive drug carrier and engineered drug particle technologies, and our proprietary nasal delivery device. Key STS101 attributes include:

 

   

Targeted plasma concentrations rapidly achieved and sustained. In our Phase 1 clinical trial, administration of STS101 resulted in achievement within 10 minutes of a mean DHE plasma concentration of 1.0 ng/ml, which we estimate is the minimum threshold concentration necessary for therapeutic response to DHE. In addition, DHE exposure (plasma concentration over time expressed as area-under-curve) following STS101 administration at all times exceeded that for Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray 2.0 mg, which is the only DHE product marketed in the United States that has been approved by the FDA based upon demonstration of efficacy and safety in clinical studies. Further, DHE exposure following STS101 administration was similar to or greater than DHE exposures reported with DHE mesylate IM injection, which is marketed in the United States but has not been approved by the FDA based on demonstration of efficacy, and DHE administered via pulmonary inhalation (MAP0004), which met all four of its primary efficacy endpoints in a large Phase 3 clinical trial, but was later discontinued and has not been approved by the FDA. For instance, although peak DHE plasma concentration following administration of STS101 5.2 mg did not reach peak concentration levels associated with IV or IM delivery of DHE, DHE exposure was approximately 83% of that achieved with a DHE mesylate IM injection in our Phase 1 clinical trial.

 

   

Low variability. In our Phase 1 clinical trial, STS101 demonstrated significantly lower variability in peak DHE plasma concentration and DHE exposure as compared to Migranal® DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray, which may lead to more reliable clinical performance.

 

   

Quick and convenient self-administration. STS101 utilizes a convenient, patient-friendly, single-use, nasal delivery device designed to enable self-administration of a full dose of DHE into a single nostril in a matter of seconds.

 

   

Well tolerated. In our Phase 1 clinical trial, all treatments were well tolerated, all adverse events were mild and transient, and no subject withdrew from the trial due to an adverse event. Moreover, STS101 did not exhibit the rapid and high peak concentration associated with IV delivery of DHE, which may often result in side effects, in particular, nausea and vomiting.

We believe the foregoing attributes of STS101 could lead to it having a favorable therapeutic response profile as compared to IV, IM or SC delivery of DHE and Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray. The faster a DHE product can produce the threshold DHE plasma concentration necessary for a therapeutic response, the more quickly following administration it may be able to achieve a therapeutic response. At the same time, we believe that rapid and high peak DHE plasma concentrations that greatly exceed the threshold therapeutic level may result in adverse side effects. For example, IV delivery of DHE has demonstrated peak DHE plasma concentrations of 50 ng/ml or more within several minutes of administration, and is reported to more frequently result in side effects (including nausea and vomiting, increases in blood pressure, flushing, dizziness, extremity pain, and abnormal skin sensations) than delivery of DHE by other routes of administration, such as IM or SC

 

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injection, nasal or pulmonary, which exhibit much lower peak DHE plasma concentrations that generally have not been reported to exceed approximately 3 to 4 ng/ml. Based on published DHE PK and clinical efficacy trial data relating to DHE plasma concentrations and clinical efficacy and safety data of different DHE doses, we estimate that 1.0 ng/ml is the threshold concentration necessary for therapeutic response to DHE. As demonstrated in Part 2 of our Phase 1 clinical trial, administration of STS101 5.2 mg and DHE mesylate IM injection resulted in DHE plasma concentrations rising rapidly, with mean concentrations exceeding 1.0 ng/ml at 10 minutes and 5 minutes after dosing, respectively. While STS101’s peak DHE plasma concentration (approximately 2.2 ng/ml) did not exceed the peak DHE plasma concentration of DHE mesylate IM injection (approximately 3.3 ng/ml), DHE exposure following administration of STS101 5.2 mg was approximately 83% of that achieved with a DHE mesylate IM injection. In contrast, the mean maximum DHE plasma concentration after Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray administration did not reach 1.0 ng/ml.

While subjects treated with STS101 5.2 mg reported a higher frequency of nasal adverse events than those treated with DHE mesylate IM injection or Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray, all adverse events were mild and transient, and subjective nasal symptom severity scores self-reported by subjects were very low, with all nasal symptom severity scores averaging less than five on a zero to one hundred scale in which zero represents absence of the symptom and one hundred represents presence of the symptom with the worst imaginable severity. Subjective nasal symptom severity scores self-reported in Part 1 of our Phase 1 clinical trial by subjects treated with STS101 1.3 mg and 2.6 mg were negligible. As a result, we do not believe the tolerability of STS101 should present a barrier to patient adoption or use, if approved.

In July 2019, we initiated our Phase 3 EMERGE efficacy trial of STS101, a multi-center, single-dose, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study in approximately 1,140 migraine patients, and we expect to report topline data in the second half of 2020. In our EMERGE trial, STS101 will be self-administered by patients to treat a single migraine attack and the two co-primary endpoints to be assessed at two hours after STS101 administration are freedom from pain and freedom from most bothersome symptom. In addition, we expect to prospectively evaluate a number of secondary endpoints and the performance of STS101 in a number of patient subgroups that could enhance the differentiated clinical profile of STS101. After the completion of our Phase 3 EMERGE efficacy trial, we plan to initiate a 12-month safety trial of STS101, with a new drug application, or NDA, filing with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, anticipated by the end of 2021.

Our Strategy

Our strategy is to develop and commercialize STS101 and address the significant unmet medical needs of a large number of people with migraine. Key elements of our strategy include:

 

   

Advance STS101 through clinical development and regulatory approval for the acute treatment of migraine. In July 2019, we initiated our Phase 3 EMERGE efficacy trial, with a target enrollment of 1,140 patients. We expect to report topline data from this trial in the second half of 2020. We expect to commence a 12-month safety trial in the second half of 2020, with an NDA filing anticipated by the end of 2021.

 

   

Commercialize STS101 in the United States. If approved, we plan to commercialize STS101 in the United States by building a specialized sales organization focusing on headache specialists, as well as general neurologists and primary care physicians who are high prescribers of migraine therapeutics.

 

   

Pursue market opportunities for STS101 outside the United States with one or more partners. We believe there is a significant market opportunity for STS101 in markets outside the United States. To address these markets, we plan to seek one or more ex-U.S. partners who can commercialize STS101.

 

   

Maximize commercial potential of STS101. We may conduct additional clinical trials and consider additional headache indications for STS101 to maximize its commercial potential.

 

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Our Team

Our management team has extensive pharmaceutical industry experience in drug development, regulatory approval, manufacturing, reimbursement, commercialization and finance from their prior roles at other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including ALZA, AstraZeneca, Athena Neurosciences, Elan Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline, Ilypsa, Immunex, Johnson & Johnson, Pearl Therapeutics, Protagonist Therapeutics, Relypsa and Roivant Sciences. Collectively, our management team has materially contributed to the clinical development, registration and/or commercialization of 37 approved drug products, including 15 drug-device combination products, 13 of which are delivered via inhalation.

Intellectual Property

For purposes of our development and potential commercialization of STS101, we rely on the licensing and assignment agreement we entered into with Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd., or SNBL, in June 2016, pursuant to which SNBL assigned to us certain patent rights and know-how that are directed to SNBL’s proprietary nasal drug delivery technology, including its proprietary nasal delivery device and formulation technologies, for use with DHE. From the time we entered into the license and assignment agreement until the consummation of our Series A convertible preferred stock financing in December 2016, we were a subsidiary of SNBL and SNBL continues to hold over 5% of our outstanding capital stock.

Risks Associated with Our Business

Our ability to implement our business strategy is subject to numerous risks that you should be aware of before making an investment decision. These risks are described more fully in the section of this prospectus titled “Risk factors,” immediately following this prospectus summary. These risks include the following, among others:

 

   

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a limited operating history and no products approved for commercial sale. We have incurred significant losses since our inception, and we anticipate that we will continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future, which, together with our limited operating history, makes it difficult to assess our prospects.

 

   

We will require substantial additional financing to achieve our goals, and a failure to obtain this capital when needed on acceptable terms, or at all, could force us to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our product development or commercialization efforts.

 

   

Our business is entirely dependent on the successful development, regulatory approval and commercialization of STS101, our only product candidate under development.

 

   

We have only recently begun testing STS101 in patients with migraine to assess its effectiveness, and, while we believe that it will be an effective acute treatment for migraine based on the historical pharmacokinetic profiles and effective usage of DHE products, we are utilizing a novel dry-powder formulation and delivery device which may not achieve better or similar levels of efficacy as other DHE products. Further, the results of earlier studies and trials of other DHE products, including cross-trial comparisons of results that are not derived from head-to-head clinical trials, may not be predictive of future trial results for STS101.

 

   

We may be unable to obtain regulatory approval for STS101 under applicable regulatory requirements. The denial or delay of any such approval would delay commercialization of STS101 and adversely impact our potential to generate revenue, our business and our results of operations.

 

   

Even if STS101 obtains regulatory approval, it may fail to achieve broad market acceptance.

 

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We rely, and intend to continue to rely, on qualified third parties to supply all components of STS101. As a result, we are dependent on several third parties, most of which are sole source suppliers, for the manufacture of STS101 and our supply chain, and if we experience problems with any of these suppliers, or they fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements or to supply sufficient quantities at acceptable quality levels or prices, or at all, it would materially and adversely affect our business.

 

   

We rely, and intend to continue to rely, on third parties in the conduct of all of our clinical trials. If these third parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties, fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements or meet expected deadlines, we may be unable to obtain regulatory approval for STS101.

 

   

Our success depends on our ability to protect our intellectual property and our proprietary technologies.

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

We are an emerging growth company as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the year following the fifth anniversary of the consummation of this offering, (2) the last day of the year in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, (3) the last day of the year in which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeded $700.0 million as of the last business day of the second fiscal quarter of such year or (4) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting requirements and is relieved of certain other significant requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies. As an emerging growth company:

 

   

We will present only two years of audited financial statements, plus unaudited condensed financial statements for any interim period, and related management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations;

 

   

We will avail ourselves of the exemption from the requirement to obtain an attestation and report from our auditors on the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;

 

   

We will provide less extensive disclosure about our executive compensation arrangements;

 

   

We will not require stockholder non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements; and

 

   

We may take advantage of extended transition periods to comply with new or revised accounting standards, delaying the adoption of these accounting standards until they would apply to private companies.

Corporate Information

We were founded on June 21, 2016 as a Delaware corporation under the name Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Our principal executive offices are located at 400 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 221, South San Francisco, CA 94080, and our telephone number is (650) 410-3200. Our website address is www.satsumarx.com. The information on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this prospectus. We have included our website address as an inactive textual reference only.

 

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Trademarks

Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and our logo are some of our trademarks used in this prospectus. This prospectus also includes trademarks, tradenames and service marks that are the property of other organizations. Solely for convenience, our trademarks and tradenames referred to in this prospectus may appear without the ® and symbol, but those references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights, or the right of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and tradenames.

 

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THE OFFERING

 

Issuer

Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

Common stock offered by us

5,000,000 shares.

 

Common stock to be outstanding after the offering

16,105,256 shares (or 16,855,256 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full).

 

Underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares

750,000 shares.

 

Use of proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $66.7 million, or approximately $77.1 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full, at an assumed initial public offering price of $15.00 per share, the midpoint of the estimated price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

  We currently expect to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund our Phase 3 EMERGE efficacy trial for STS101, our Phase 3 safety trial for STS101, manufacturing activities relating to STS101, and any remaining amounts to prepare for the commercial launch of STS101 and for working capital and general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” on page 65 for a more complete description of the intended use of proceeds from this offering.

 

Risk factors

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 and other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of factors that you should consider carefully before deciding to invest in our common stock.

 

Proposed Nasdaq Global Market symbol

“STSA”

The number of shares of common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 11,105,256 shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2019 and includes an aggregate of 9,936,341 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of our outstanding convertible preferred stock as of June 30, 2019, and excludes the following:

 

   

1,665,514 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of options to purchase common stock that were outstanding as of June 30, 2019, with a weighted average exercise price of $2.68 per share;

 

   

251,043 shares of our common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to future awards under our 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, which will no longer be available for issuance effective on the day prior to the first public trading date of our common stock;

 

   

10,232 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants with a weighted average exercise price of $1.04 per share;

 

   

1,850,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to future awards under our 2019 Incentive Award Plan, as well as any automatic increases in the number of shares of our common stock

 

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reserved for future issuance under this plan, which will become effective immediately prior to the consummation of this offering; and

 

   

160,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to future awards under our 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as well as any automatic increases in the number of shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under this plan, which will become effective immediately prior to the consummation of this offering.

In addition, unless we specifically state otherwise, all information in this prospectus assumes:

 

   

a 1-for-4.7 reverse stock split of our common stock to be effected prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part;

 

   

the conversion of all shares of our outstanding convertible preferred stock as of June 30, 2019 into an aggregate of 9,936,341 shares of common stock immediately prior to the consummation of this offering;

 

   

the filing and effectiveness of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation in Delaware and the adoption of our amended and restated bylaws, each of which will occur immediately prior to the consummation of this offering;

 

   

no exercise of outstanding stock options or warrants subsequent to June 30, 2019;

 

   

no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock; and

 

   

the number of shares of common stock outstanding includes 15,958 unvested restricted shares of common stock subject to repurchase as of June 30, 2019.

Unless otherwise specified and unless the context otherwise requires, we refer to our Series A and Series B convertible preferred stock collectively as “convertible preferred stock” or “preferred stock” in this prospectus, as well as for financial reporting purposes and in the financial tables included in this prospectus, as more fully explained in Note 8 to our audited financial statements included in this prospectus.

Certain of our existing investors affiliated with certain of our directors have indicated an interest in purchasing an aggregate of up to approximately $25 million in shares of our common stock in this offering at the initial public offering price and on the same terms as the other purchasers in this offering. However, because indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase, these investors may determine to purchase fewer shares than they indicate an interest in purchasing or not to purchase any shares in this offering. It is also possible that these investors could indicate an interest in purchasing more shares of our common stock. In addition, the underwriters could determine to sell fewer shares to any of these investors than the investors indicate an interest in purchasing or not to sell any shares to these investors.

 

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SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA

The following tables present summary financial data for our business. We derived the statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 from our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The statement of operations data for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019 and the balance sheet data as of June 30, 2019 have been derived from our unaudited interim condensed financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus and are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year. The unaudited interim condensed financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly our financial position as of June 30, 2019 and the results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future. You should read this data together with our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus and the information in the sections of this prospectus titled “Selected Financial Data” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

     Years Ended December 31,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2017     2018             2018                     2019          
           (unaudited)  
     (in thousands, except share and per share data)  

Statements of Operations Data:

        

Operating expenses:

        

Research and development

   $ 4,193     $ 6,433     $ 3,099     $ 7,605  

General and administrative

     754       1,082       532       1,531  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     4,947       7,515       3,631       9,136  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (4,947     (7,515     (3,631     (9,136

Interest income

     30       72       33       271  

Interest expense

     (15     (90     (2     (244

Other income (expense), net

     (240     187       185       3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss and comprehensive loss

   $ (5,172   $ (7,346   $ (3,415   $ (9,106
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted(1)

   $ (9.26   $ (7.15   $ (3.49   $ (8.05
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted(1)

     558,597       1,026,905       977,694       1,131,147  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pro forma net loss per share, basic and diluted(1)

     $ (1.86     $ (1.34
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares used in computing pro forma net loss per share, basic and diluted(1)

       3,942,460         6,802,221  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(1)

See Notes 1 and 11 to our audited financial statements for an explanation of the calculations of our basic and diluted net loss per common share, pro forma net loss per common share, and the weighted-average number of common shares used in the computation of the per share amounts.

 

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The table below presents our balance sheet data as of June 30, 2019:

 

   

on an actual basis;

 

   

on a pro forma basis to give effect to: (i) the conversion of all shares of our outstanding Series A and Series B convertible preferred stock as of June 30, 2019 into an aggregate of 9,936,341 shares of common stock immediately prior to the consummation of this offering; and (ii) the filing and effectiveness of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which will occur, in each case, immediately prior to the consummation of this offering; and

 

   

on a pro forma as adjusted basis to give further effect to the sale of 5,000,000 shares of common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $15.00 per share, the midpoint of the estimated price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

     As of June 30, 2019  
     Actual     Pro Forma     Pro Forma As
Adjusted(1)
 
    

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

Balance Sheet Data:

  

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities

   $ 55,041   $ 55,041     $ 121,691  

Working capital

     54,424       54,424       121,074  

Total assets

     60,574       60,574       127,224  

Long-term debt

     5,028       5,028       5,028  

Convertible preferred stock

     73,138       —         —    

Accumulated deficit

     (23,932     (23,932     (23,932

Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity

     (20,987     52,151       118,802  

 

(1)

Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $15.00 per share (the midpoint of the estimated price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus), would increase (decrease) the amount of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, working capital, total assets and total stockholders’ equity by $4.7 million, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discount and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We may also increase (decrease) the number of shares we are offering. An increase (decrease) of 1,000,000 in the number of shares we are offering would increase (decrease) the amount of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, working capital, total assets and stockholders’ equity by approximately $14.0 million, assuming the assumed initial public offering price per share of $15.00 (the midpoint of the estimated price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) remains the same. The pro forma as adjusted information is illustrative only and we will adjust this information based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as the other information in this prospectus, including our financial statements and the related notes and the sections of this prospectus titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” before deciding whether to invest in our common stock. The occurrence of any of the events or developments described below could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. In such an event, the market price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations.

Risks Related to Our Business

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a limited operating history and no products approved for commercial sale. We have incurred significant losses since our inception, and we anticipate that we will continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future, which, together with our limited operating history, makes it difficult to assess our prospects.

Biopharmaceutical product development is a highly speculative undertaking and involves a substantial degree of risk. We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, and we have only a limited operating history upon which you can evaluate our business and prospects. We have no products approved for commercial sale, have not generated any revenue from product sales and have incurred losses in each year since our inception in June 2016. In addition, we have limited experience and have not yet demonstrated an ability to successfully overcome many of the risks and uncertainties frequently encountered by companies in new and rapidly evolving fields, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry. In July 2019, we initiated our Phase 3 EMERGE efficacy trial for our product candidate, STS101. We have no other experience as a company conducting Phase 3 clinical trials, submitting applications for regulatory approvals, such as a new drug application, or NDA, or commercializing any products.

We have had significant operating losses since our inception. Our net losses for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 were approximately $5.2 million and $7.3 million, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019 were approximately $3.4 million and $9.1 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2019, we had an accumulated deficit of $23.9 million. Substantially all of our losses have resulted from expenses incurred in connection with the development of STS101 and general and administrative costs associated with our operations. STS101 will require substantial additional development time and resources before we would be able to apply for or receive regulatory approvals and begin generating revenue from product sales. In addition, upon the completion of this offering we expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company. We also do not yet have a sales organization or commercial infrastructure and, accordingly, we will incur significant expenses to develop a sales organization or commercial infrastructure in advance of generating any commercial product sales. We expect to continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future, and we anticipate these losses will increase as we continue to develop STS101 through clinical trials and regulatory submissions. Even if we achieve profitability in the future, we may not be able to sustain profitability in subsequent periods. Our prior losses, combined with expected losses, have had and will continue to have an adverse effect on our stockholders’ equity and working capital.

We will require substantial additional financing to achieve our goals, and a failure to obtain this capital when needed on acceptable terms, or at all, could force us to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our product development or commercialization efforts.

Since our inception, we have invested substantially all of our efforts and financial resources in the development of STS101 for the acute treatment of migraine. We believe that we will continue to expend substantial resources for the foreseeable future in connection with the clinical development of STS101, including

 

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in connection with our Phase 3 clinical trials. These expenditures will include costs associated with clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approvals, and manufacturing and supply, as well as marketing and selling STS101, if approved for sale. In addition, other unanticipated costs may arise. Because the outcome of any clinical trial is highly uncertain, we cannot reasonably estimate the actual amounts necessary to successfully complete the development and commercialization of STS101.

As of June 30, 2019, we had resources consisting of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $55.0 million. We believe the net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, will be sufficient to fund our planned operations for at least 12 months following the date of this offering. However, our operating plans may change as a result of many factors currently unknown to us, and we may need to seek additional funds sooner than planned. In addition, we may seek additional capital due to favorable market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans.

Our future capital requirements depend on many factors, including:

 

   

the scope, timing, rate of progress, results and costs of our clinical trials for STS101;

 

   

the number and scope of clinical programs we decide to pursue;

 

   

the scope and costs of manufacturing development and commercial manufacturing activities;

 

   

the cost, timing and outcome of regulatory review of STS101;

 

   

the cost of building a sales force in anticipation of commercialization of STS101;

 

   

the cost and timing associated with commercializing STS101, if approved;

 

   

the costs of preparing, filing and prosecuting patent applications, maintaining and enforcing our intellectual property rights and defending intellectual property-related claims;

 

   

any product liability or other lawsuits related to STS101;

 

   

our efforts to enhance operational systems and our ability to attract, hire and retain qualified personnel, including personnel to support the development of STS101;

 

   

the extent to which we acquire or in-license other product candidates or technologies;

 

   

the payment of royalty payments owed under our existing license agreement;

 

   

our ability to establish and maintain collaborations on favorable terms, if at all;

 

   

the costs associated with being a public company; and

 

   

the timing, receipt and amount of sales of STS101, if approved.

Additional funds may not be available when we need them, on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all. If adequate funds are not available to us on a timely basis, we may be required to:

 

   

delay, limit, reduce or terminate clinical studies or other development activities for STS101; or

 

   

delay, limit, reduce or terminate our efforts to establish manufacturing and sales and marketing capabilities or other activities that may be necessary to commercialize STS101, or reduce our flexibility in developing or maintaining our sales and marketing strategy.

We also could be required to seek funds through arrangements with collaborators or others that may require us to relinquish rights to some of our technologies or STS101 that we would otherwise pursue on our own. We do not expect to realize revenue from sales of STS101 in the foreseeable future, if at all, and unless and until STS101 is clinically tested, approved for commercialization and successfully marketed. To date, we have funded our operations through private placements of convertible preferred stock, a convertible promissory note, and

 

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long-term debt. We will be required to seek additional funding in the future and currently intend to do so through public or private equity offerings or debt financings, credit or loan facilities or a combination of one or more of these funding sources. Our ability to raise additional funds will depend on financial, economic and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, our stockholders will suffer dilution and the terms of any financing may adversely affect the rights of our stockholders. In addition, as a condition to providing additional funds to us, future investors may demand, and may be granted, rights superior to those of existing stockholders. Debt financing, if available, is likely to involve restrictive covenants limiting our flexibility in conducting future business activities, and, in the event of insolvency, debt holders would be repaid before holders of our equity securities received any distribution of our corporate assets.

Our business is entirely dependent on the successful development, regulatory approval and commercialization of STS101, our only product candidate under development.

We have invested substantially all of our efforts and financial resources in the development of STS101 for the acute treatment of migraine, which has not been approved for sale or commercial use. Currently, STS101 is our only product candidate and we have not licensed, acquired, or invented any other product candidates for pre-clinical or clinical evaluation. This may make an investment in our company riskier than similar companies that have multiple product candidates in active development and that therefore may be able to better sustain a failure of a lead candidate. The success of our business, including our ability to finance our company and generate any revenue in the future, will, at this point, depend entirely on the successful development, regulatory approval and commercialization of STS101, which may never occur. We may have inadequate financial or other resources to advance STS101 through the clinical trial process, depending on the requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA. In addition, our clinical development program for STS101 may not lead to regulatory approval from the FDA and similar foreign regulatory agencies if we fail to demonstrate that STS101 is safe and effective in our ongoing and planned Phase 3 clinical trials, and we may therefore fail to commercialize STS101. Even if approved, we may fail to obtain differentiated product labeling for STS101 as compared to other available dihydroergotamine mesylate, or DHE, products for migraine and, as a result, our commercial prospects may be impaired. Further, STS101 may not receive regulatory approval even if it is successful in planned and future clinical trials. Any failure to obtain regulatory approval of STS101 would have a material and adverse impact on our business. Even if we successfully obtain regulatory approvals to market STS101, our revenue will be dependent, in part, upon the size of the markets in the territories for which we gain regulatory approval. If the markets or patient subsets that we are targeting are not as significant as we estimate, we may not generate significant revenues from sales of STS101, even if approved.

We plan to seek regulatory approval to commercialize STS101 in the United States and potentially in selected foreign countries. The clinical and commercial success of STS101 will depend on a number of factors, including the following:

 

   

our ability to raise any additional required capital on acceptable terms, or at all;

 

   

timely completion of our clinical trials, which may be significantly slower or cost more than we currently anticipate and will depend substantially upon the performance of third-party contractors;

 

   

whether we are required by the FDA or similar foreign regulatory agencies to conduct additional clinical trials or other studies beyond those planned to support approval of STS101;

 

   

acceptance of our co-primary endpoint assessments relating to the proposed indication of STS101 by the FDA and similar foreign regulatory authorities;

 

   

our ability to consistently manufacture STS101 on a timely basis;

 

   

our ability, and the ability of any third parties with whom we contract, to remain in good standing with regulatory agencies and develop, validate and maintain commercially viable manufacturing processes that are compliant with current good manufacturing practices, or cGMPs;

 

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our ability to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the FDA and similar foreign regulatory authorities the safety, efficacy and acceptable risk-benefit profile of STS101;

 

   

the prevalence, duration and severity of potential side effects or other safety issues experienced with STS101;

 

   

the timely receipt of necessary marketing approvals from the FDA and similar foreign regulatory authorities;

 

   

achieving and maintaining, and, where applicable, ensuring that our third-party contractors achieve and maintain, compliance with our contractual obligations and with all regulatory requirements applicable to STS101;

 

   

the differentiation of STS101 from other available DHE products and other acute treatments of migraine, and the willingness of physicians, operators of hospitals and clinics and patients to adopt and utilize STS101;

 

   

our ability to successfully develop a commercial strategy and thereafter commercialize STS101 in the United States and internationally, if approved for marketing, sale and distribution in such countries and territories, whether alone or in collaboration with others;

 

   

the availability of coverage and adequate reimbursement from managed care plans, private insurers, government payors (such as Medicare and Medicaid and similar foreign authorities) and other third-party payors for STS101;

 

   

patients’ willingness to pay out-of-pocket for STS101 in the absence of coverage and/or adequate reimbursement from third-party payor;

 

   

the convenience of the administration of STS101;

 

   

acceptance by physicians, payors and patients of the benefits, safety and efficacy of STS101, if approved;

 

   

patient demand for STS101, if approved;

 

   

our ability to establish and enforce intellectual property rights in and to STS101; and

 

   

our ability to avoid third-party patent interference, intellectual property challenges or intellectual property infringement claims.

These factors, many of which are beyond our control, could cause us to experience significant delays or an inability to obtain regulatory approvals or commercialize STS101. Even if regulatory approvals are obtained, we may never be able to successfully commercialize STS101. Accordingly, we cannot provide assurances that we will be able to generate sufficient revenue through the sale of STS101 to continue our business or achieve profitability.

While the scope of regulatory approval generally is similar in other countries, in order to obtain separate regulatory approval in other countries we must comply with numerous and varying regulatory requirements of such countries regarding safety and efficacy. For example, European regulatory authorities generally require a trial comparing the efficacy of the new drug to an existing drug prior to granting approval. Other countries also have their own regulations governing, among other things, clinical trials and commercial sales, as well as pricing and distribution of STS101, and we may be required to expend significant resources to obtain regulatory approval and to comply with ongoing regulations in these jurisdictions. Regulatory approval in one country does not ensure regulatory approval in another, but a failure or delay in obtaining regulatory approval in one country may have a negative effect on the regulatory process in others.

 

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We have only recently begun testing STS101 in patients with migraine to assess its effectiveness, and, while we believe that it will be an effective acute treatment for migraine based on the historical pharmacokinetic profiles and effective usage of DHE products, we are utilizing a novel dry-powder formulation and delivery device which may not achieve better or similar levels of efficacy as other DHE products. Further, the results of earlier studies and trials of other DHE products, including cross-trial comparisons of results that are not derived from head-to-head clinical trials, may not be predictive of future trial results for STS101.

STS101 is a drug-device combination of a proprietary dry-powder formulation of DHE, which incorporates novel mucoadhesive drug carrier and engineered drug particle technologies, and our proprietary nasal delivery device. While we have completed a Phase 1 clinical trial for STS101 in 42 healthy volunteers in which STS101 demonstrated rapid and sustained DHE plasma concentrations, low pharmacokinetic variability, and a favorable safety and tolerability profile, STS101 has not yet been tested in any patients with migraine to assess its effectiveness, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the FDA the safety, efficacy and acceptable risk-benefit profile of STS101 during our ongoing and planned Phase 3 clinical trials. Success in preclinical studies and early clinical trials does not ensure that later clinical trials will be successful. A number of companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have suffered significant setbacks in Phase 3 clinical trials, even after positive results in earlier clinical trials. These setbacks have been caused by, among other things, preclinical findings made while clinical trials were underway and safety or efficacy observations made in clinical trials, including previously unreported adverse events. Notwithstanding any promising results in our preclinical studies and Phase 1 clinical trial, we cannot be certain that we will not face similar setbacks.

In July 2019, we initiated our Phase 3 efficacy trial of STS101 with a target enrollment of 1,140 patients and expect to report topline data from this Phase 3 trial in the second half of 2020. The results of our preclinical testing and Phase 1 clinical trial, as well as preclinical and clinical testing by third parties of other DHE products and product candidates, may not be predictive of the results of our ongoing and planned Phase 3 clinical trials. Product candidates in later stages of clinical trials may fail to show the desired pharmacological properties or safety and efficacy traits despite having progressed through preclinical studies and initial clinical trials. For example, our ongoing and planned Phase 3 clinical trials will involve the administration of STS101 by the patient in the patient’s home or other outpatient settings rather than a clinical setting, and decreased compliance with product instructions for use may negatively impact results. As a further example, based on published DHE pharmacokinetic and clinical trial data relating to DHE plasma concentrations and clinical efficacy of different DHE doses with other DHE products, we estimate that 1.0 ng/ml is the threshold concentration necessary for therapeutic response to DHE. While the administration of STS101 2.6 mg and 5.2 mg during our Phase 1 clinical trial consistently resulted in healthy subjects achieving DHE plasma concentrations in excess of 1.0 ng/ml, our estimation that such threshold may be sufficient for the effective treatment of migraine may be based on invalid assumptions or inferences and may not be correct. As a result, even if STS101 does achieve similar DHE plasma concentrations in our Phase 3 efficacy trial, there can be no assurance that STS101 will exhibit similar or improved efficacy as compared to previously-approved DHE products.

In addition, while DHE products have long been recommended as a first-line therapeutic option for the acute treatment of migraine, STS101 is specifically designed to have a differentiated pharmacokinetic profile and administration procedure as compared to such products, including injectable DHE and DHE liquid nasal spray. As such, even though STS101 demonstrated favorable safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic profile in our Phase 1 clinical trial, there can be no assurance that STS101 will exhibit comparable or more favorable clinical performance in our Phase 3 clinical trial as compared to other DHE products. Furthermore, while in our Phase 1 clinical trial STS101 demonstrated greater DHE plasma concentration and lower pharmacokinetic variability than Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray and higher DHE exposure (plasma concentration over time expressed as area-under-curve) and comparable pharmacokinetic variability than certain other DHE products, such results may not be indicative of the comparative efficacy of STS101. The results of clinical trials in one set of patients or disease indications may not be predictive of those obtained in another. In some instances, there can be significant variability in safety or efficacy results between different clinical trials of the same product candidate due to numerous factors, including changes in trial procedures set forth in protocols, differences in the size and type of

 

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the patient populations, changes in and adherence to the dosing regimen and other clinical trial protocols and the rate of dropout among clinical trial participants.

Further, certain of our hypotheses regarding the potential clinical and therapeutic benefit of STS101 compared to other DHE products and product candidates are based on cross-trial comparisons of results that were not derived from head-to-head clinical trials. Such clinical trial data may not be directly comparable due to differences in study protocols, conditions and patient populations. Accordingly, these cross-trial comparisons may not be reliable predictors of the relative efficacy or other benefits of STS101 compared to other product candidates that may be approved or that are or were in development for the acute treatment of migraine.

As a result of the foregoing, even if we are able to complete any planned and future clinical trials of STS101, the results may not be sufficient to obtain regulatory approval.

Clinical development involves a lengthy and expensive process with an uncertain outcome, and delays can occur for a variety of reasons outside of our control.

Clinical development is expensive and can take many years to complete, and its outcome is inherently uncertain. Failure can occur at any time during the clinical trial process. In July 2019, we initiated our Phase 3 efficacy trial of STS101 and expect to commence a Phase 3 safety trial in the second half of 2020. The FDA has agreed in principle with the proposed study design of our Phase 3 efficacy trial, dose strengths, statistical analysis and that a single efficacy study could be sufficient to support an NDA. However, changes in regulatory requirements and guidance may occur and we may need to amend our clinical trial protocols to reflect these changes with appropriate regulatory authorities. In addition, we may experience delays in initiating or completing our planned studies and trials of STS101. Furthermore, we cannot be certain that studies or trials for STS101 will begin on time, not require redesign, enroll an adequate number of subjects on time or be completed on schedule, if at all. Clinical trials can be delayed or terminated for a variety of reasons, including delays or failures related to:

 

   

the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities disagreeing as to the design or implementation of our clinical trials;

 

   

delays in obtaining regulatory authorization to commence a trial;

 

   

reaching agreement on acceptable terms with prospective contract research organizations, or CROs, and clinical trial sites, the terms of which can be subject to extensive negotiation and may vary significantly among different CROs and trial sites;

 

   

obtaining institutional review board, or IRB, approval at each trial site;

 

   

recruiting an adequate number of suitable patients to participate in a trial;

 

   

having subjects complete a trial or return for post-treatment follow-up;

 

   

clinical sites deviating from trial protocol or dropping out of a trial;

 

   

addressing subject safety concerns that arise during the course of a trial;

 

   

adding a sufficient number of clinical trial sites; or

 

   

obtaining sufficient quantities of STS101 for use in clinical trials from third-party suppliers on a timely basis.

We may experience numerous adverse or unforeseen events during, or as a result of, preclinical studies and clinical trials that could delay or prevent our ability to receive marketing approval or commercialize STS101, including:

 

   

we may receive feedback from regulatory authorities that requires us to modify the design of our clinical trials;

 

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clinical trials of STS101 may produce negative or inconclusive results, and we may decide, or regulators may require us, to conduct additional clinical trials or abandon our development program for STS101;

 

   

the number of patients required for clinical trials of STS101 may be larger than we anticipate, enrollment in these clinical trials may be slower than we anticipate or participants may drop out of these clinical trials at a higher rate than we anticipate;

 

   

we or our third-party contractors may fail to comply with regulatory requirements, fail to maintain adequate quality controls, or be unable to produce sufficient product supply to conduct and complete clinical trials of STS101 in a timely manner, or at all;

 

   

we or our investigators might have to suspend or terminate clinical trials of STS101 for various reasons, including non-compliance with regulatory requirements, a finding that STS101 has undesirable side effects or other unexpected characteristics, or a finding that the participants are being exposed to unacceptable health risks;

 

   

the cost of clinical trials of STS101 may be greater than we anticipate;

 

   

the quality of STS101 or other materials necessary to conduct clinical trials of STS101 may be insufficient or inadequate;

 

   

regulators may revise the requirements for approving STS101, or such requirements may not be as we anticipate; and

 

   

future collaborators may conduct clinical trials in ways they view as advantageous to them but that are sub-optimal for us.

If we are required to conduct additional clinical trials or other testing of STS101 beyond those that we currently contemplate, if we are unable to successfully complete clinical trials of STS101 or other testing, if the results of these trials or tests are not positive or are only moderately positive or if there are safety concerns, we may:

 

   

incur unplanned costs;

 

   

be delayed in obtaining marketing approval for STS101 or not obtain marketing approval at all;

 

   

obtain marketing approval in some countries and not in others;

 

   

obtain marketing approval for indications or patient populations that are not as broad as intended or desired;

 

   

obtain marketing approval with labeling that includes significant use or distribution restrictions or safety warnings, including boxed warnings;

 

   

be subject to additional post-marketing testing requirements, which could be expensive and time consuming; or

 

   

have the treatment removed from the market after obtaining marketing approval.

We could also encounter delays if a clinical trial is suspended or terminated by us, by the IRBs of the institutions in which such trials are being conducted or by the FDA or other regulatory authorities. Such authorities may suspend or terminate a clinical trial due to a number of factors, including failure to conduct the clinical trial in accordance with regulatory requirements or our clinical protocols, inspection of the clinical trial operations or trial site by the FDA or other regulatory authorities resulting in the imposition of a clinical hold, unforeseen safety issues or adverse side effects, failure to demonstrate a benefit from using a product candidate, changes in governmental regulations or administrative actions or lack of adequate funding to continue the clinical trial.

Further, conducting clinical trials in foreign countries, as we could do for STS101, presents additional risks that may delay completion of our clinical trials. These risks include the failure of enrolled patients in foreign

 

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countries to adhere to clinical protocol as a result of differences in healthcare services or cultural customs, managing additional administrative burdens associated with foreign regulatory schemes, as well as political and economic risks relevant to such foreign countries.

Principal investigators for our clinical trials may serve as scientific advisors or consultants to us from time to time and may receive cash or equity compensation in connection with such services. If these relationships and any related compensation result in perceived or actual conflicts of interest, or a regulatory authority concludes that the financial relationship may have affected the interpretation of the trial, the integrity of the data generated at the applicable clinical trial site may be questioned and the utility of the clinical trial itself may be jeopardized, which could result in the delay or rejection of the marketing application we submit. Any such delay or rejection could prevent or delay us from commercializing STS101.

If any of our clinical trials of STS101 are unsuccessful, delayed or terminated, its commercial prospects may be harmed, and our ability to generate revenues from sales of STS101 will be delayed or not realized at all. In addition, any delays in completing our clinical trials may increase our costs, slow down our STS101 development and approval process and jeopardize our ability to commence product sales and generate revenues. Any of these occurrences may significantly harm our business, financial condition and prospects. In addition, many of the factors that cause, or lead to, a delay in the commencement or completion of clinical trials may also ultimately lead to the denial of regulatory approval of STS101. If STS101 generally proves to be ineffective, unsafe or commercially unviable, it would have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

We may be unable to obtain regulatory approval for STS101 under applicable regulatory requirements. The denial or delay of any such approval would delay commercialization of STS101 and adversely impact our potential to generate revenue, our business and our results of operations.

We have not previously submitted an NDA or any other marketing application to the FDA or similar filings to comparable foreign regulatory authorities. An NDA or other similar regulatory filing requesting approval to market a product candidate must include extensive preclinical and clinical data and supporting information to establish that the product candidate is safe, effective, pure and potent for each desired indication. The NDA or other similar regulatory filing must also include significant information regarding the chemistry, manufacturing and controls for the product.

The research, testing, manufacturing, labeling, approval, sale, marketing and distribution of pharmaceutical products are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA and other regulatory authorities in the United States and other countries, and such regulations differ from country to country. We are not permitted to market STS101 in the United States or in any foreign countries until it receives the requisite approval from the applicable regulatory authorities of such jurisdictions.

The FDA or any foreign regulatory bodies can delay, limit or deny approval of STS101 for many reasons, including:

 

   

our inability to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the FDA or the applicable foreign regulatory body that STS101 is safe and effective for the requested indication;

 

   

the FDA’s or the applicable foreign regulatory agency’s disagreement with our trial protocol or the interpretation of data from preclinical studies or clinical trials;

 

   

our inability to demonstrate that the clinical and other benefits of STS101 outweigh any safety or other perceived risks;

 

   

the FDA’s or the applicable foreign regulatory agency’s requirement for additional preclinical studies or clinical trials;

 

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the FDA’s or the applicable foreign regulatory agency’s non-approval of the formulation, labeling or specifications of STS101;

 

   

the FDA’s or the applicable foreign regulatory agency’s failure to approve our manufacturing processes and facilities or the facilities of third-party manufacturers upon which we rely; or

 

   

the potential for approval policies or regulations of the FDA or the applicable foreign regulatory agencies to significantly change in a manner rendering our clinical data insufficient for approval.

Of the large number of pharmaceutical products in development, only a small percentage successfully complete the FDA or other regulatory bodies’ approval processes and are commercialized.

Even if we eventually complete clinical testing and receive approval from the FDA or applicable foreign agencies for STS101, the FDA or the applicable foreign regulatory agency may grant approval contingent on the performance of costly additional clinical trials which may be required after approval. For example, because migraine affects adolescents (12 to 17 years of age) and children (six to eleven years of age), pediatric studies are required under the Federal Food, Drug, Cosmetic Act, or the FDCA. To address such requirements, we designed an initial pediatric study plan, or iPSP, consistent with the FDA guidance Migraine: Developing Drugs for Acute Treatment, February 2018, which we submitted as an amendment to the STS101 investigational new drug application in May 2019. In August 2019, the FDA provided comments to our iPSP in which the FDA agreed with our plan to request a waiver of clinical studies in children under age six. We are currently revising the iPSP to address the FDA’s comments on our proposed study plan for children (six to eleven years of age) and adolescents (12 to 17 years of age) and our requests for a deferral of any pediatric studies until after the initial approval of STS101 in the adult population. While we plan to work with the FDA to finalize the iPSP, there can be no assurance that the FDA will ultimately grant our proposed waiver and/or deferrals. As a result, we could be required to conduct pediatric studies in such patient populations prior to or following any approval of STS101. The FDA or the applicable foreign regulatory agency also may approve STS101 for a more limited indication or a narrower patient population than we originally requested, and the FDA, or applicable foreign regulatory agency, may not approve it with the labeling that we believe is necessary or desirable for the successful commercialization.

Any delay in obtaining, or inability to obtain, applicable regulatory approval would delay or prevent commercialization of STS101 and would materially adversely impact our business and prospects.

If we encounter difficulties enrolling patients in our clinical trials, our clinical development activities could be delayed or otherwise adversely affected.

The timely completion of clinical trials in accordance with their protocols depends, among other things, on our ability to enroll a sufficient number of patients who remain in the study until its conclusion. We may experience difficulties in patient enrollment in our clinical trials for a variety of reasons. In particular, in July 2019, we initiated our Phase 3 efficacy trial of STS101 with a target enrollment of 1,140 patients and we may experience difficulties enrolling patients due to the availability of approved preventive and acute treatments for migraine. The enrollment of patients depends on many additional factors, including:

 

   

the patient eligibility criteria defined in the protocol;

 

   

the general willingness of patients to enroll in the trial;

 

   

the size of the patient population required for analysis of the trial’s primary endpoints;

 

   

the proximity of patients to trial sites;

 

   

the design of the trial;

 

   

our ability to recruit clinical trial investigators with the appropriate competencies and experience;

 

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clinicians’ and patients’ perceptions as to the potential advantages of the product candidate being studied in relation to other available therapies, including any new therapies that may be approved for the indications we are investigating; and

 

   

the clinical site’s ability to obtain and maintain patient consents.

In addition, our clinical trials may compete with other clinical trials for product candidates that seek to treat migraine, and this competition will reduce the number and types of patients available to us, because some patients who might have opted to enroll in our trials may instead opt to enroll in a trial being conducted by one of our competitors. Since the number of qualified clinical investigators is limited, we may conduct some of our clinical trials at the same clinical trial sites that some of our competitors use, which will reduce the number of patients who are available for our clinical trials in such clinical trial site.

Delays in patient enrollment may result in increased costs or may affect the timing or outcome of the planned clinical trials, which could prevent completion of these trials and adversely affect our ability to advance the development of STS101.

STS101 may cause undesirable side effects or have other properties that could delay or prevent its regulatory approval, limit the commercial profile of an approved label, or result in significant negative consequences following marketing approval, if any.

The results of our clinical trials may show that STS101 may cause undesirable side effects, which could interrupt, delay or halt clinical trials, resulting in the denial of regulatory approval by the FDA and other regulatory authorities. In light of widely publicized events concerning the safety risk of certain drug products, regulatory authorities, members of Congress, the Government Accounting Office, medical professionals and the general public have raised concerns about potential drug safety issues. These events have resulted in the withdrawal of drug products, revisions to drug labeling that further limit use of the drug products and establishment of risk management programs that may, for instance, restrict distribution of drug products. The increased attention to drug safety issues may result in a more cautious approach by the FDA to clinical trials. Data from clinical trials may receive greater scrutiny with respect to safety, which may make the FDA or other regulatory authorities more likely to terminate clinical trials before completion, or require longer or additional clinical trials that may result in substantial additional expense and a delay or failure in obtaining approval or approval for a more limited indication than originally sought.

While STS101 was generally well-tolerated in our Phase 1 clinical trial, subjects treated with STS101 5.2 mg reported a higher frequency of nasal adverse events than those treated with DHE mesylate IM injection or Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray. However, all adverse events were mild and transient, and subjective nasal symptom severity scores self-reported by subjects were very low, with all nasal symptom severity scores averaging less than five on a zero to one hundred scale in which zero represents absence of the symptom and one hundred represents presence of the symptom with the worst imaginable severity. Subjective nasal symptom severity scores self-reported in Part 1 of our Phase 1 clinical trial by subjects treated with STS101 1.3 mg and 2.6 mg were negligible. As a result, we do not believe the tolerability of STS101 should present a barrier to patient adoption or use, if approved. Nevertheless, if unacceptable side effects arise in any of our Phase 3 clinical trials or other trials we may conduct in the future, we, the FDA, or the IRBs at the institutions in which our studies are conducted could suspend or terminate our clinical trials or the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities could order us to cease clinical trials or deny approval of STS101 for its targeted indications.

In addition, if undesirable side effects caused by other available DHE products or DHE products in development, the development and successful commercialization of STS101, if approved, could be negatively affected. Treatment-related side effects in our clinical trials or in the use of approved DHE products could also affect patient recruitment or the ability or willingness of enrolled patients to complete any of our clinical trials, and/or result in potential product liability claims. Due to DHE’s vasoconstrictive effects, DHE products are not

 

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recommended for use in patients with cardiovascular risk factors. In addition, approved DHE products carry a “black box” warning in their labels for a risk that the coadministration of DHE and certain other drugs, including specific antivirals and antibiotics, may result in elevated levels of DHE in the blood, potentially causing vasospasm that may result in inadequate blood flow to the extremities or the brain. Unless we can successfully demonstrate by conducting a drug-drug interaction study that the coadministration of DHE and certain other drugs does not result in inhibition of DHE metabolism and elevated DHE levels, the FDA is likely to require the label for STS101, if approved, to include such warning, and this could result in STS101 not achieving its full commercial potential. We are currently evaluating the feasibility of undertaking such drug-drug interaction studies. Treatment-related side effects in our clinical trials or in the use of approved DHE products could also affect patient recruitment or the ability of enrolled patients to complete any of our clinical trials or result in potential product liability claims.

If STS101 receives marketing approval and we or others later identify undesirable side effects caused by such product or by other DHE products, a number of potentially significant negative consequences could result, including:

 

   

regulatory authorities may withdraw their approval of the product;

 

   

we may be required to recall a product or change the way such product is administered to patients;

 

   

additional restrictions may be imposed on the marketing of the particular product or the manufacturing processes for the product or any component thereof;

 

   

regulatory authorities may require the addition of labeling statements, such as a “black box” warning or a contraindication similar to those that are currently included with the labels of DHE products;

 

   

we may be required to implement a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, or create a Medication Guide outlining the risks of such side effects for distribution to patients;

 

   

we could be sued and held liable for harm caused to patients;

 

   

the product may become less competitive; and

 

   

our reputation may suffer.

Any of the foregoing events could prevent us from achieving or maintaining market acceptance of the particular product candidate, if approved, and result in the loss of significant revenues to us, which would materially and adversely affect our results of operations and business.

We may be unable to rely on Section 505(b)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which could result in a longer development program and more costly trials than we anticipate.

We may not be able to seek FDA marketing approval of STS101 under Section 505(b)(2) of the FDCA. Section 505(b)(2), if applicable to us, would allow any NDA we file with the FDA to rely in part on data in the public domain or the FDA’s prior conclusions regarding the safety and effectiveness of approved DHE products, which could expedite the development program for STS101 by potentially decreasing the overall scope of work we must do ourselves. If we are unable to rely on Section 505(b)(2), the development program for STS101 would be longer than we expect, and we would also have to conduct more costly trials than we anticipate, which would harm our business.

STS101 is a drug-device combination product, which may result in additional regulatory risks.

Our finished drug product and nasal delivery device will be regulated as a drug-device combination product. There may be additional regulatory risks for drug-device combination products. We may experience delays in obtaining regulatory approval of STS101 given the increased complexity of the review process when approval of the product and a delivery device is sought under a single marketing application. In the United States, each

 

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component of a combination product is subject to the requirements established by the FDA for that type of component, whether a drug, biologic or device. The delivery system device will be subject to FDA device requirements regarding design, performance and validation as well as human factors testing, among other things. Delays in or failure of the studies conducted by us, or failure of our company, our collaborators, if any, or our third-party providers or suppliers to obtain or maintain regulatory approval could result in increased development costs, delays in or failure to obtain regulatory approval, and associated delays in STS101 reaching the market.

Even if STS101 obtains regulatory approval, it may fail to achieve broad market acceptance.

Even if STS101 receives FDA or other regulatory approvals, its commercial success will depend significantly on its broad adoption and use by physicians and patients for approved indications. The degree of market acceptance of STS101, if approved, will depend on a number of factors, including:

 

   

the safety and efficacy of STS101 as compared to other available acute therapies for treatment of migraine;

 

   

patient satisfaction with the results and administration of STS101 and overall treatment experience, including, the ease and convenience of administration of STS101;

 

   

the clinical indications for which STS101 is approved and patient demand for approved products that treat those indications;

 

   

our ability to manufacture and release adequate commercial supplies on a timely basis;

 

   

the availability of coverage and adequate reimbursement from managed care plans, private insurers, government payors (such as Medicare and Medicaid) and other third-party payors for STS101;

 

   

the cost of treatment with STS101 in relation to alternative treatments and patients’ willingness to pay out-of-pocket for the product, if approved, in the absence of coverage and/or adequate reimbursement from third-party payors;

 

   

acceptance by physicians, operators of hospitals and clinics and patients of the product as a safe, effective and easy to administer treatment;

 

   

physician and patient willingness to adopt a new therapy over other available preventive and acute therapies for treatment of migraine;

 

   

the prevalence and severity of side effects;

 

   

limitations or warnings contained in the FDA-approved labeling for STS101, such as a “black box” warning or a contraindication similar to those that are currently included with the labels of DHE products;

 

   

the willingness of physicians, operators of hospitals and clinics and patients to utilize or adopt our product as a solution;

 

   

the effectiveness of our sales, marketing and distribution efforts;

 

   

adverse publicity about STS101 or favorable publicity about competitive products;

 

   

patients’ willingness to take a dry-powder intranasal medication; and

 

   

potential product liability claims.

We cannot assure you that STS101, if approved, will achieve broad market acceptance among physicians and patients. Any failure by STS101, if approved, to achieve market acceptance or commercial success would adversely affect our results of operations.

 

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We face, and will continue to face, significant competition in an environment of rapid technological and scientific change and our failure to effectively compete may prevent us from achieving significant market penetration for STS101, if approved. Most of our competitors have significantly greater resources than we do and we may not be able to successfully compete.

The pharmaceutical industry is highly competitive, with a number of established, large pharmaceutical companies, as well as many smaller companies. Many of these companies have greater financial resources, marketing capabilities and experience in obtaining regulatory approvals for product candidates. There are many pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, public and private universities, government agencies and research organizations actively engaged in research and development of products which may target the same markets as STS101. We expect STS101 to compete on the basis of, among other things, product efficacy and safety, time to market, price, extent of adverse side effects experienced and convenience of administration. One or more of our competitors may develop products based upon the principles underlying our proprietary technologies earlier than us, obtain approvals for such products from the FDA more rapidly than us or develop alternative products or therapies that are safer, more effective and/or more cost effective than STS101. We also expect to face competition in our efforts to identify appropriate collaborators or partners to help commercialize STS101 in our target commercial areas.

The majority of the prescriptions written for the acute treatment of migraine are for generic triptans. There are seven FDA-approved triptan molecules available in branded and branded generic/generic oral dosage forms, and two of these molecules are also available in injectable and/or liquid nasal spray dosage forms that may have faster onset of action than oral dosage forms.

With respect to DHE products, we will compete with Bausch Health’s Migranal and its authorized generic, both of which are DHE liquid nasal spray products, as well as branded and generic DHE injectable products. In addition, we believe Impel NeuroPharma is developing a DHE liquid nasal spray product utilizing the same liquid formulation as Migranal, but with a different propellant-powered, single-use delivery device for which Impel NeuroPharma has indicated it plans to file an NDA in 2020. In addition, Promius Pharma reports that it is developing a DHE nasal liquid spray product. Impel NeuroPharma in particular, has indicated that it plans to pursue approval of its product on the basis of a clinical development program that includes only a comparative pharmacokinetic study and an open-label, uncontrolled, repeat-dose safety trial (and not a randomized, controlled, double-blind Phase 3 efficacy study which the FDA typically requires to support any product-specific marketing claims relating to efficacy). There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully bring STS101 to the market faster than these liquid nasal spray candidates or compete against such products, if approved.

We may also face competition from non-DHE acute treatments for migraine currently under development. For instance, modulation of CGRP is a therapeutic avenue being investigated for migraine treatment. CGRP is normally produced in neurons, but elevated levels of CGRP in the trigeminovascular system can have adverse effects on neurovascular and neurological function, leading to symptoms of migraine. Allergan recently submitted an NDA for ubrogepant and Biohaven recently submitted two NDAs for rimegepant, and any of such product candidates may become the first oral CGRP receptor antagonist marketed for the acute treatment of migraine. Furthermore, Eli Lilly is developing and has submitted an NDA for lasmiditan, an oral 5HT1F agonist, for the acute treatment of migraine. In contrast with triptan and ergot alkaloid (including DHE) products, both CGRP and 5HT1F product candidates are thought to act by mechanisms other than vasoconstriction, which may result in these new products having reduced potential for cardiovascular adverse effects and thus being indicated for use in a broader population of migraine patients that includes patients with cardiovascular risk factors for whom triptan and ergot alkaloid treatments are not recommended.

Further, preventive treatment of migraine, if broadly adopted and used successfully, could reduce the need and demand for acute treatment options. Injectable formulations of anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies (e.g. erenumab, fremanezumab, and galcanezumab) have recently been approved for prevention of migraine attacks

 

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and Allergan and Biohaven have also reported that they are conducting clinical trials of oral CGRP antagonists for prevention of migraine attacks. In addition, Alder Biopharmaceuticals recently announced it was commencing a study of its intravenously injected monoclonal CGRP antibody, eptinezumab, for which it submitted a Biologics License Application for a migraine prevention indication in February 2019, for an acute treatment of migraine indication.

Many of our competitors have significantly greater financial, technical, manufacturing, marketing, sales and supply resources and experience than we do. If we successfully obtain approval for STS101, we will face competition based on many different factors, including the safety and effectiveness of STS101, the ease with which STS101 can be administered and the extent to which patients accept the nasal route of administration, the timing and scope of regulatory approvals for STS101, the availability and cost of manufacturing, marketing and sales capabilities, price, reimbursement coverage and patent position. Competing products could present superior treatment alternatives, including by being more effective, safer, less expensive or marketed and sold more effectively than STS101. Competitive products may make any products we develop obsolete or noncompetitive before we recover the expense of developing and commercializing STS101. Such competitors could also recruit our employees, which could negatively impact our level of expertise and our ability to execute our business plan. For additional information regarding our competition, see “Business—Competition.”

The successful commercialization of STS101 will depend in part on the extent to which governmental authorities, private health insurers, and other third-party payors provide coverage, adequate reimbursement levels and implement pricing policies favorable for it. Failure to obtain or maintain coverage and adequate reimbursement for STS101, if approved, could limit our ability to market our product and decrease our ability to generate revenue.

The availability of coverage and adequacy of reimbursement by managed care plans, governmental healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, private health insurers and other third-party payors are essential for most patients to be able to afford medical services and pharmaceutical products that receive FDA approval. Our ability to achieve acceptable levels of coverage and reimbursement for STS101 by third-party payors will have an effect on our ability to successfully commercialize it. A decision by a third-party payor not to cover or separately reimburse for STS101, could reduce physician utilization if approved. Assuming there is coverage for STS101 by a third-party payor, the resulting reimbursement payment rates may not be adequate or may require co-payments that patients find unacceptably high. We cannot be sure that coverage and reimbursement in the United States, the European Union or elsewhere will be available for STS101 and any reimbursement that may become available may not be adequate or may be decreased or eliminated in the future.

Moreover, increasing efforts by governmental and other third-party payors in the United States and abroad to cap or reduce healthcare costs have resulted in increasing challenges to prices charged for pharmaceutical products and services, and many third-party payors may refuse to provide coverage and adequate reimbursement for particular drugs when an equivalent generic drug, biosimilar or a less expensive therapy is available. It is possible that a third-party payor may consider STS101 as substitutable and only offer to reimburse patients for the less expensive product, if any. For example, there are currently generic versions of both DHE liquid nasal spray products and DHE injectable products, with which we may compete. Even if we show improved efficacy or improved convenience of administration with STS101, pricing of existing third-party therapeutics may limit the amount we will be able to charge for it. These third-party payors may deny or revoke the reimbursement status of STS101, if approved, or establish prices for it at levels that are too low to enable us to realize an appropriate return on our investment. If reimbursement is not available or is available only at limited levels, we may not be able to successfully commercialize STS101.

No uniform policy for coverage and reimbursement for products exists among third-party payors in the United States. Therefore, coverage and reimbursement for products can differ significantly from payor to payor. As a result, the coverage determination process is often a time-consuming and costly process that may require us to provide scientific and clinical support for the use of STS101 to each payor separately, with no assurance that

 

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coverage and adequate reimbursement will be applied consistently or obtained in the first instance. Furthermore, rules and regulations regarding reimbursement change frequently, in some cases on short notice, and we believe that changes in these rules and regulations are likely.

Outside the United States, international operations are generally subject to extensive governmental price controls and other market regulations, and we believe the increasing emphasis on cost-containment initiatives in Europe and other countries will likely put pressure on the pricing and usage of medical products. In many countries, the prices of medical products are subject to varying price control mechanisms as part of national health systems. Other countries allow companies to fix their own prices for medical products, but monitor and control company profits. Additional foreign price controls or other changes in pricing regulation could restrict the amount that we are able to charge for STS101. Accordingly, in markets outside the United States, the reimbursement for STS101 may be reduced compared with the United States and may be insufficient to generate commercially-reasonable revenue and profits.

We currently have no sales organization. If we are unable to establish sales capabilities on our own or through third parties, we may not be able to market and sell STS101 effectively in the United States and foreign jurisdictions, if approved, or generate product revenue.

We currently do not have a marketing or sales organization. In order to commercialize STS101, if approved, in the United States and foreign jurisdictions, we must build our marketing, sales, distribution, managerial and other non-technical capabilities or make arrangements with third parties to perform these services, and we may not be successful in doing so. If STS101 receives regulatory approval, we expect to establish a sales organization in the United States with technical expertise and supporting marketing and distribution capabilities to commercialize it, which will be expensive and time consuming. We have no prior experience in the marketing, sale and distribution of pharmaceutical products and there are significant risks involved in building and managing a sales organization, including our ability to hire, retain, and incentivize qualified individuals, generate sufficient sales leads, provide adequate training to sales and marketing personnel, and effectively manage a geographically dispersed sales and marketing team. Any failure or delay in the development of our internal sales, marketing and distribution capabilities would adversely impact the commercialization of STS101. We may choose to collaborate with third parties that have direct sales forces and established distribution systems, either to augment our own sales force and distribution systems or in lieu of our own sales force and distribution systems. If we are unable to enter into such arrangements on acceptable terms or at all, we may not be able to successfully commercialize STS101. If we are not successful in commercializing STS101, either on our own or through arrangements with one or more third parties, we may not be able to generate product revenue and we would incur significant additional losses.

We rely, and intend to continue to rely, on qualified third parties to supply all components of STS101. As a result, we are dependent on several third parties, most of which are sole source suppliers, for the manufacture of STS101 and our supply chain, and if we experience problems with any of these suppliers, or they fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements or to supply sufficient quantities at acceptable quality levels or prices, or at all, it would materially and adversely affect our business.

We do not own or operate manufacturing facilities for clinical or commercial manufacture of either the proprietary dry-powder formulation of DHE component of STS101 or the proprietary pre-filled, single-use, nasal delivery device, including the drug substance and packaging. We have limited personnel with experience in drug-device product manufacturing and we lack the capabilities to manufacture either the drug or device components of STS101 on a clinical or commercial scale. We currently outsource all manufacturing and packaging of STS101 to third parties, and we do not plan to own or operate our own manufacturing and packaging facilities. There can be no assurance that our clinical development product supplies will not be limited, interrupted, or of satisfactory quality or continue to be available at acceptable prices. In particular, any replacement of any of our third-party suppliers could require significant effort and expertise because there may be a limited number of qualified replacements. In addition, we may encounter issues with transferring technology to a new third-party

 

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manufacturer, and we may encounter regulatory delays if we need to move the manufacturing of our products from one third-party manufacturer to another. For example, we have initiated the transfer of the STS101 formulation manufacturing process from the supplier responsible for manufacturing the STS101 formulation for our Phase 3 EMERGE efficacy trial to a new supplier, who will be responsible for manufacturing the STS101 formulation for our Phase 3 safety trial and any commercial supplies, if STS101 is approved. There can be no assurance that we will not experience a disruption to the supply of the formulation for STS101 in connection with such transfer or that the transfer will be successful.

In addition, we do not currently have long-term commercial supply agreements with third-party manufacturers for either the formulation or device components of STS101 or the STS101 finished product. We may be unable to enter into agreements for commercial supply with all third-party manufacturers, or may be unable to do so on acceptable terms. Even if we enter into these agreements or, for those agreements that we have already entered into, the various manufacturers utilized for STS101 will likely be single source suppliers to us for a significant period of time. We may not be able to establish additional sources of supply for STS101 prior to commercialization. Certain of such suppliers are subject to regulatory requirements covering manufacturing, testing, quality control and record keeping relating to STS101, and are subject to pre-approval and ongoing inspections by the regulatory agencies. Failure by any of our suppliers to comply with applicable regulations may result in long delays and interruptions to our manufacturing capacity while we seek to secure another supplier that meets all regulatory requirements.

Reliance on third-party manufacturers entails risks to which we would not be subject if we manufactured STS101 ourselves, including:

 

   

reliance on the third parties for regulatory compliance, quality assurance and hazardous materials handling;

 

   

the possible breach of the manufacturing and quality agreements by the third parties because of factors beyond our control;

 

   

the possibility of termination or nonrenewal of the agreements by the third parties because of our breach of the manufacturing agreement or based on their own business priorities; and

 

   

with respect to any manufacturers with which we do not have a long-term agreement, the possibility that the manufacturer decides to stop supplying to us or changes the price or other terms of supply.

Any of these factors could cause the delay of required approvals or commercialization of STS101, could prevent us from commercializing it successfully, could cause the suspension of initiation or completion of clinical trials and regulatory submissions, and could lead to higher product costs.

In addition, the facilities used by our CMOs to manufacture STS101 are subject to various regulatory requirements and may be subject to the inspection of the FDA or other regulatory authorities. We do not directly control manufacturing at our CMOs, and are completely dependent on them for compliance with current regulatory requirements. If our CMOs cannot successfully manufacture components of finished product that conforms to our specifications and the regulatory requirements of the FDA or comparable regulatory authorities in foreign jurisdictions, we may not be able to rely on them for the manufacture of STS101. For example, MAP0004, another company’s orally-inhaled, pulmonary-route DHE product candidate, met all four of its primary efficacy endpoints and demonstrated a favorable safety profile in a large Phase 3 clinical trial, but was later discontinued by Allergan. The discontinuation of MAP0004 (then known by the brand name Semprana) followed multiple requests from the FDA that the developer address certain issues relating to chemistry, manufacturing, and controls, after certain manufacturing deficiencies were identified during the FDA’s inspection of a facility operated by a third-party manufacturer. In addition, we have limited control over the ability of our CMOs to maintain adequate quality control, quality assurance and qualified personnel. If the FDA or a comparable foreign regulatory authority finds our facilities or those of our CMOs inadequate for the manufacture of STS101 or if such facilities are subject to enforcement action in the future or are otherwise

 

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inadequate, we may need to find alternative manufacturing facilities, which would significantly impact our ability to develop, obtain regulatory approval for or commercialize STS101 and the timing of any such approval and commercialization.

Additionally, our CMOs may experience manufacturing difficulties due to resource constraints or as a result of labor disputes or unstable political environments. If our CMOs were to encounter any of these difficulties, our ability to provide STS101 to patients in clinical trials, or to provide product for the treatment of patients once approved, would be jeopardized.

We rely, and intend to continue to rely, on third-party suppliers for materials used in the manufacture of STS101, and the loss of third-party suppliers or their inability to supply us with adequate key materials could harm our business.

We rely, and intend to continue to rely, on third-party suppliers, most of which are sole source suppliers, for certain key materials required for the production of the DHE dry-powder formulation of STS101. Our dependence on these third-party suppliers and the challenges we may face in obtaining adequate supplies of these materials involve several risks, including limited control over pricing, availability, quality and delivery schedules. As a small company, our negotiation leverage is limited and we are likely to get lower priority than other companies or purchasers that are larger than we are. We cannot be certain that our suppliers will continue to provide us with the quantities of these key materials that we require or satisfy our anticipated specifications and quality requirements. Any supply interruption in limited or sole sourced key materials could materially harm the manufacture of STS101 until a new source of supply, if any, could be identified and qualified. We may be unable to find a sufficient alternative supplier in a reasonable time or on commercially reasonable terms. Any performance failure on the part of our suppliers could delay the development and potential commercialization of STS101, including limiting supplies necessary for clinical trials and regulatory approvals, which would have a material adverse effect on our business.

We rely, and intend to continue to rely, on third parties in the conduct of all of our clinical trials. If these third parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties, fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements or meet expected deadlines, we may be unable to obtain regulatory approval for STS101.

We currently do not have the ability to independently conduct any clinical trials. The FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions require us to comply with regulations and standards, commonly referred to as good clinical practice, or GCP, requirements for conducting, monitoring, recording and reporting the results of clinical trials, in order to ensure that the data and results are scientifically credible and accurate and that the trial subjects are adequately informed of the potential risks of participating in clinical trials. We rely on medical institutions, clinical investigators, contract laboratories and other third parties, such as CROs, to conduct GCP-compliant clinical trials of STS101 properly and on time. While we have agreements with these third parties, we monitor and control only certain aspects of their activities and have limited influence over their actual performance and the amount or timing of resources that they devote to our programs. Third parties with whom we contract may also have relationships with other commercial entities, including our competitors, for whom they may also be conducting clinical trials or other drug development activities that could harm our competitive position. The third parties with whom we contract for execution of our clinical trials play a significant role in the conduct of these trials and the subsequent collection and analysis of data. Although we rely on these third parties to conduct our clinical trials, we remain responsible for ensuring that each of our clinical trials is conducted in accordance with its investigational plan and protocol and applicable laws and regulations, and our reliance on these third parties does not relieve us of our regulatory responsibilities.

If the third parties conducting our clinical trials do not adequately perform their contractual duties or obligations, experience significant business challenges, disruptions or failures, do not meet expected deadlines, terminate their agreements with us or need to be replaced, or if the quality or accuracy of the data they obtain is compromised due to their failure to adhere to our protocols or to GCPs, or for any other reason, we may need to

 

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enter into new arrangements with alternative third parties. This could be difficult, costly or impossible, and clinical trials may need to be extended, delayed, terminated or repeated. As a result, we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval in a timely fashion, or at all, for STS101, our results our business and results of operations and the commercial prospects for STS101 would be harmed, our costs could increase, and our ability to generate revenues could be delayed.

The terms of our loan agreement place restrictions on our operating and financial flexibility.

In October 2018, we entered into a loan and security agreement with Silicon Valley Bank, or the Loan Agreement, that is secured by a lien covering all of our tangible and intangible property. As of June 30, 2019, there was $5.0 million of principal balance outstanding under the Loan Agreement, which was funded in October 2018. An additional $5.0 million term loan may be drawn by us in $1.0 million increments. Under the terms of the Loan Agreement, we are required to make payments on a monthly basis commencing December 1, 2019, and the final maturity date of the loan is May 1, 2022. The Loan Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default, including covenants and restrictions that among other things, restrict our ability to incur liens, incur additional indebtedness, make loans and investments, engage in mergers and acquisitions, engage in asset sales or sale and leaseback transactions, and declare dividends or redeem or repurchase capital stock. A failure to comply with these covenants could permit the lender under the Loan Agreement to declare the term loans, together with accrued interest and fees, to be immediately due and payable. In addition, if we default under the terms of the Loan Agreement, including failure to satisfy our operating covenants, the lender may accelerate all of our repayment obligations and take control of our pledged assets, potentially requiring us to renegotiate our loan agreement on terms less favorable to us or to immediately cease operations. Further, if we are liquidated, the lender’s right to repayment would be senior to the rights of the holders of our common stock. Any declaration by the lender of an event of default could significantly harm our business and prospects and could cause the price of our common stock to decline.

We will need to increase the size of our organization, and we may experience difficulties in managing growth.

As of June 30, 2019, we had 11 full-time employees. We will need to continue to expand our managerial, operational, finance and other resources in order to manage our operations and clinical trials, continue our development activities and commercialize STS101. Our management and personnel, systems and facilities currently in place may not be adequate to support this future growth. Our need to effectively execute our growth strategy requires that we:

 

   

effectively manage our clinical trials and the development of STS101;

 

   

identify, recruit, retain, incentivize and integrate additional employees, including sales personnel;

 

   

manage our internal development and operational efforts effectively while carrying out our contractual obligations to third parties; and

 

   

continue to improve our operational, financial and management controls, reports systems and procedures.

We may be unable to successfully implement these tasks, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, prospects and stock price.

If we fail to attract and retain senior management and key scientific personnel, our business may be materially and adversely affected.

Our success depends in part on our continued ability to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified management, clinical and scientific personnel. We are highly dependent upon our senior management, particularly our President and Chief Executive Officer, as well as other members of our senior management team. The loss of services of any of these individuals could delay or prevent the successful development of STS101, initiation or completion of our planned clinical trials or the commercialization of STS101.

 

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Competition for qualified personnel in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology fields is intense due to the limited number of individuals who possess the skills and experience required by our industry. We will need to hire additional personnel as we expand our clinical development and if we initiate commercial activities. We may not be able to attract and retain quality personnel on acceptable terms, or at all. In addition, to the extent we hire personnel from competitors, we may be subject to allegations that they have been improperly solicited or that they have divulged proprietary or other confidential information, or that their former employers own their research output.

If product liability lawsuits are brought against us, we may incur substantial liabilities and may be required to limit commercialization of STS101.

We face an inherent risk of product liability as a result of the planned clinical testing of STS101 and will face an even greater risk if we commercialize it. For example, we may be sued if STS101 allegedly causes injury. Any such product liability claims may include allegations of defects in manufacturing, defects in design, a failure to warn of dangers inherent in the product, negligence, strict liability, and a breach of warranty. Claims could also be asserted under state consumer protection acts. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against product liability claims, we may incur substantial liabilities or be required to limit commercialization of STS101. Even successful defense would require significant financial and management resources. Regardless of the merits or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:

 

   

decreased demand for STS101;

 

   

injury to our reputation;

 

   

withdrawal of clinical trial participants;

 

   

costs to defend the related litigation;

 

   

a diversion of management’s time and our resources;

 

   

substantial monetary awards to trial participants or patients;

 

   

regulatory investigations, product recalls, withdrawals or labeling, marketing or promotional restrictions;

 

   

loss of revenue; and

 

   

the inability to commercialize STS101.

Our inability to obtain and maintain sufficient product liability insurance at an acceptable cost and scope of coverage to protect against potential product liability claims could prevent or inhibit the commercialization of STS101. We currently carry product liability insurance covering our clinical trials in the amount of $5.0 million in the aggregate. Although we maintain such insurance, any claim that may be brought against us could result in a court judgment or settlement in an amount that is not covered, in whole or in part, by our insurance or that is in excess of the limits of our insurance coverage. Our insurance policies also have various exclusions and deductibles, and we may be subject to a product liability claim for which we have no coverage. We will have to pay any amounts awarded by a court or negotiated in a settlement that exceed our coverage limitations or that are not covered by our insurance, and we may not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to pay such amounts. Moreover, in the future, we may not be able to maintain insurance coverage at a reasonable cost or in sufficient amounts to protect us against losses. If and when we obtain approval for marketing any dosage of STS101, we intend to expand our insurance coverage to include its sale; however, we may be unable to obtain this liability insurance on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

Our insurance policies may be inadequate and potentially expose us to unrecoverable risks.

We have limited director and officer insurance and product liability insurance policies. Any significant insurance claims would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of

 

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operations. Insurance availability, coverage terms, including deductibles and pricing, continue to vary with market conditions. We endeavor to obtain appropriate insurance coverage for insurable risks that we identify; however, we may fail to correctly anticipate or quantify insurable risks, we may not be able to obtain appropriate insurance coverage, and insurers may not respond as we intend to cover insurable events that may occur. We have observed rapidly changing conditions in the insurance markets relating to nearly all areas of traditional corporate insurance. Such conditions have resulted in higher premium costs, higher policy deductibles and lower coverage limits. For some risks, we may not have or maintain insurance coverage because of cost or availability.

We may conduct additional clinical trials and consider additional headache indications for STS101 to enhance its commercial potential; however, these trials may not produce results necessary to enable additional commercial potential or enhancement of its label.

Following any initial regulatory approval and successful commercialization of STS101 in the United States, we may conduct additional clinical trials and consider additional headache indications for STS101 to expand its commercial potential. However, any positive results from our ongoing or planned Phase 3 clinical trials of STS101 and results from clinical testing by third parties of other DHE products and product candidates, may not be predictive of the results of any such additional clinical trials. Therefore, there can be no assurance that we will ever be successful enhancing the commercial potential of STS101 or expanding its label.

Any future collaboration arrangements that we may enter into, may not be successful, which could significantly limit the likelihood of receiving the potential economic benefits of the collaboration and adversely affect our ability to develop and commercialize STS101.

To the extent that we pursue collaborations relating to STS101 in the future, we may face significant competition in seeking appropriate collaborators and may not be able to ultimately enter into collaborations. Moreover, any such collaboration arrangements may be complex and time-consuming to negotiate, document, implement and maintain and challenging to manage. We may not be successful in our efforts with any such collaborator and we may never receive any milestone or royalty payments under any such agreements. Further, the terms of any collaborations or other arrangements that we may establish, may not be favorable to us.

The success of any collaboration arrangement will depend heavily on the efforts and activities of our collaborators. Collaborations are subject to numerous risks, which may include risks that:

 

   

collaborators have significant discretion in determining the efforts and resources that they will apply to collaborations;

 

   

collaborators may not pursue development and commercialization of STS101 or may elect not to continue or renew development or commercialization programs based on clinical trial results, changes in their strategic focus due to their acquisition of competitive products or their internal development of competitive products, availability of funding or other external factors, such as a business combination that diverts resources or creates competing priorities;

 

   

collaborators may delay clinical trials, provide insufficient funding for a clinical trial program, stop a clinical trial, abandon a product candidate, repeat or conduct new clinical trials or require a new formulation of a product candidate for clinical testing;

 

   

collaborators could independently develop, or develop with third parties, products that compete directly or indirectly with STS101;

 

   

we could grant exclusive rights to our collaborators that would prevent us from collaborating with others;

 

   

collaborators may not properly maintain or defend our intellectual property rights or may use our intellectual property or proprietary information in a way that gives rise to actual or threatened litigation that could jeopardize or invalidate our intellectual property or proprietary information or expose us to potential liability;

 

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disputes may arise between us and a collaborator that causes the delay or termination of the development or commercialization of STS101 or that results in costly litigation or arbitration that diverts our management’s attention and resources;

 

   

collaborations may be terminated, and, if terminated, this may result in a need for additional capital to pursue further development or commercialization of STS101;

 

   

disputes may arise with respect to the ownership of any intellectual property developed pursuant to our collaborations; and

 

   

a collaborator’s sales and marketing activities or other operations may not be in compliance with applicable laws, resulting in civil or criminal proceedings.

If we engage in future acquisitions or strategic partnerships, this may increase our capital requirements, dilute our stockholders, cause us to incur debt or assume contingent liabilities, and subject us to other risks.

We may evaluate various acquisitions and strategic partnerships, including licensing or acquiring complementary products, intellectual property rights, technologies, or businesses. Any potential acquisition or strategic partnership may entail numerous risks, including:

 

   

increased operating expenses and cash requirements;

 

   

the assumption of additional indebtedness or contingent and unforeseen liabilities;

 

   

the issuance of our equity securities;

 

   

assimilation of operations, intellectual property and products of an acquired company, including difficulties associated with integrating new personnel;

 

   

the diversion of our management’s attention from our existing product programs and initiatives in pursuing such a strategic merger or acquisition;

 

   

retention of key employees, the loss of key personnel, and uncertainties in our ability to maintain key business relationships;

 

   

risks and uncertainties associated with the other party to such a transaction, including the prospects of that party and their existing products or product candidates and regulatory approvals; and

 

   

our inability to generate revenue from acquired technology and/or products sufficient to meet our objectives in undertaking the acquisition or even to offset the associated acquisition and maintenance costs.

In addition, if we undertake acquisitions, we may issue dilutive securities, assume or incur debt obligations, incur large one-time expenses and acquire intangible assets that could result in significant future amortization expense. Moreover, we may not be able to locate suitable acquisition opportunities and this inability could impair our ability to grow or obtain access to technology or products that may be important to the development of our business.

We or the third parties upon which we depend may be adversely affected by earthquakes or other natural disasters and our business continuity and disaster recovery plans may not adequately protect us from a serious disaster.

Our corporate headquarters are located in the San Francisco Bay Area, which in the past has experienced both severe earthquakes and wildfires. We do not carry earthquake insurance. In addition, we have a facility in North Carolina, which in the past has experienced severe hurricanes. Earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes or other natural disasters could severely disrupt our operations, and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.

 

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If a natural disaster, power outage or other event occurred that prevented us from using all or a significant portion of our headquarters or other facilities, that damaged our critical infrastructure or the critical infrastructure of our third-party suppliers, or that otherwise disrupted operations, it may be difficult or, in certain cases, impossible, for us to continue our business for a substantial period of time. The disaster recovery and business continuity plans we have in place currently are limited and are unlikely to prove adequate in the event of a serious disaster or similar event. We may incur substantial expenses as a result of the limited nature of our disaster recovery and business continuity plans, which, particularly when taken together with our lack of earthquake insurance, could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Furthermore, integral parties in our supply chain are similarly vulnerable to natural disasters or other sudden, unforeseen and severe adverse events. If such an event were to affect our supply chain, it could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We depend on our information technology systems, and any failure of these systems could harm our business. Any real or perceived security breaches, loss of data, and other disruptions or incidents could compromise the privacy, security, integrity or confidentiality of sensitive information related to our business or prevent us from accessing critical information and expose us to liability and reputational harm, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We collect and maintain data and information that is necessary to conduct our business, and we are increasingly dependent on information technology systems and infrastructure to operate our business, including systems infrastructure operated and maintained by our third party suppliers or providers. In the ordinary course of our business, we collect, store and transmit large amounts of confidential information, including intellectual property, proprietary business information and personal information. It is critical that we do so in a secure manner to maintain the privacy, security, confidentiality and integrity of such confidential information. We have established physical, electronic and organizational measures to safeguard and secure our systems and facilities to prevent an information compromise, and rely on commercially available systems, software, tools, and monitoring to provide security for our information technology systems and the processing, transmission and storage of digital information. We have also outsourced elements of our information technology infrastructure, and as a result a number of third-party vendors may or could have access to our confidential information. Our internal information technology systems and infrastructure, and those of our current and any future collaborators, contractors and consultants and other third parties on which we rely, are vulnerable to damage or unauthorized access or use resulting from computer viruses, malware, natural disasters, terrorism, war, telecommunication and electrical failures, denial-of-service attacks, cyber-attacks or cyber-intrusions over the Internet, hacking, phishing and other social engineering attacks, attachments to emails, persons inside our organization (including employees or contractors), lost or stolen devices, or persons with access to systems inside our organization.

The risk of a security breach or disruption or data loss, particularly through social engineering attacks, cyber-attacks or cyber-intrusion, including by computer hackers, foreign governments and cyber terrorists, has generally increased as the number, intensity and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions from around the world have increased. In addition, the prevalent use of mobile devices that access confidential information increases the risk of data security breaches, which could lead to the loss of confidential information or other intellectual property. The costs to us to mitigate, investigate and respond to potential security incidents, breaches, disruptions, network security problems, bugs, viruses, worms, malicious software programs and security vulnerabilities could be significant, and while we have implemented security measures to protect our data security and information technology systems, our efforts to address these problems may not be successful, and these problems could result in unexpected interruptions, delays, cessation of service and other harm to our business and our competitive position. If such an event were to occur and cause interruptions in our operations, it could result in a material disruption of our product development programs. For example, the loss of clinical trial data from completed or ongoing or planned clinical trials could result in delays in our regulatory approval efforts and significantly increase our costs to recover or reproduce the data. Moreover, if a real or perceived security breach affects our systems (or those of our third party providers or suppliers) or results in the loss of or

 

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accidental, unlawful or unauthorized access to, use of, release of or other processing of personally identifiable information or clinical trial data, our reputation could be materially damaged. In addition, such a breach may require notification to governmental agencies, the media or individuals pursuant to various federal and state privacy and security laws, if applicable, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Clinical Health Act of 2009, or HITECH, and its implementing rules and regulations, as well as regulations promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission and state breach notification laws. We would also be exposed to a risk of loss, negative publicity, harm to our reputation, governmental investigation and/or enforcement actions, claims or litigation and potential liability, which could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. The global data protection landscape is rapidly evolving, and we may be affected by or subject to new, amended or existing laws and regulations in the future, including as our operations continue to expand or if we begin to operate in foreign jurisdictions.

Our employees and independent contractors, including principal investigators, consultants, commercial collaborators, service providers and other vendors may engage in misconduct or other improper activities, including noncompliance with regulatory standards and requirements, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

We are exposed to the risk that our employees and independent contractors, including principal investigators, consultants, any future commercial collaborators, service providers and other vendors may engage in misconduct or other illegal activity. Misconduct by these parties could include intentional, reckless and/or negligent conduct or other unauthorized activities that violate the laws and regulations of the FDA and other similar regulatory bodies, including those laws that require the reporting of true, complete and accurate information to such regulatory bodies; manufacturing standards; U.S. federal and state fraud and abuse laws, data privacy and security laws and other similar non-U.S. laws; or laws that require the true, complete and accurate reporting of financial information or data. Activities subject to these laws also involve the improper use or misrepresentation of information obtained in the course of clinical trials, the creation of fraudulent data in our preclinical studies or clinical trials, or illegal misappropriation of product, which could result in regulatory sanctions and cause serious harm to our reputation. It is not always possible to identify and deter misconduct by employees and other third-parties, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting us from governmental investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to be in compliance with such laws or regulations. In addition, we are subject to the risk that a person or government could allege such fraud or other misconduct, even if none occurred. If any such actions are instituted against us, and we are not successful in defending ourselves or asserting our rights, those actions could have a significant impact on our business and financial results, including, without limitation, the imposition of significant civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, monetary fines, disgorgement, possible exclusion from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and other U.S. federal healthcare programs or healthcare programs in other jurisdictions, integrity oversight and reporting obligations to resolve allegations of non-compliance, imprisonment, other sanctions, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings and curtailment of our operations, any of which could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our results of operations.

Our business involves the use of hazardous materials and we and our third-party manufacturers and suppliers must comply with environmental laws and regulations, which can be expensive and restrict how we do business.

Our third-party manufacturers’ and suppliers’ activities involve the controlled storage, use and disposal of hazardous materials owned by us, including the components of STS101 and other hazardous compounds. We and any third-party manufacturers and suppliers we engage are subject to numerous federal, state and local environmental, health and safety laws, regulations and permitting requirements, including those governing laboratory procedures; the generation, handling, use, storage, treatment, and disposal of hazardous and regulated materials and wastes; the emission and discharge of hazardous materials into the ground, air and water; and

 

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employee health and safety. Our operations involve the use of hazardous and flammable materials, including chemicals and biological materials. Our operations also produce hazardous waste. In some cases, these hazardous materials and various wastes resulting from their use are stored our manufacturers’ facilities pending their use and disposal. We generally contract with third parties for the disposal of these materials and wastes. We cannot eliminate the risk of contamination, which could cause an interruption of our commercialization efforts, research and development efforts and business operations, environmental damage resulting in costly clean-up and liabilities under applicable laws and regulations governing the use, storage, handling and disposal of these materials and specified waste products.

Although we believe that the safety procedures utilized by our third-party manufacturers for handling and disposing of these materials generally comply with the standards prescribed by these laws and regulations, we cannot guarantee that this is the case or eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials. Under certain environmental laws, we could be held responsible for costs relating to any contamination at our current or past facilities and at third-party facilities. In such an event, we may be held liable for any resulting damages and such liability could exceed our resources and state or federal or other applicable authorities may curtail our use of certain materials and/or interrupt our business operations. Furthermore, environmental laws and regulations are complex, change frequently and have tended to become more stringent. We cannot predict the impact of such changes and cannot be certain of our future compliance.

Compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations may be expensive, and current or future environmental laws and regulations may impair our research, product development and manufacturing efforts. In addition, we cannot entirely eliminate the risk of accidental injury or contamination from these materials or wastes.

Unfavorable global economic or political conditions could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Our results of operations could be adversely affected by general conditions in the global economy and in the global financial markets. A global financial crisis or a global or regional political disruption could cause extreme volatility in the capital and credit markets. A severe or prolonged economic downturn or political disruption could result in a variety of risks to our business, including weakened demand for STS101, if approved, and our ability to raise additional capital when needed on acceptable terms, if at all. A weak or declining economy or political disruption could also strain our manufacturers or suppliers, possibly resulting in supply disruption, or cause our customers to delay making payments for our services. Any of the foregoing could harm our business and we cannot anticipate all of the ways in which the political or economic climate and financial market conditions could adversely impact our business.

Risks Related to Intellectual Property

Our success depends on our ability to protect our intellectual property and our proprietary technologies.

Our commercial success depends in part on our ability to obtain and maintain patent protection and trade secret protection for STS101, proprietary technologies and their uses as well as our ability to operate without infringing upon the proprietary rights of others. We generally seek to protect our proprietary position by filing patent applications in the United States and abroad related to STS101, proprietary technologies and their uses that are important to our business. Our patent applications cannot be enforced against third parties practicing the technology claimed in such applications unless, and until, patents issue from such applications, and then only to the extent the issued claims cover the technology in appropriate jurisdictions. There can be no assurance that our patent applications or those of our licensors will result in additional patents being issued or that issued patents will afford sufficient protection against competitors with similar technology, nor can there be any assurance that the patents issued will not be infringed, designed around or invalidated by third parties. Even issued patents may later be found invalid or unenforceable or may be modified or revoked in proceedings instituted by third parties

 

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before various patent offices or in courts. The degree of future protection for our proprietary rights is uncertain. Only limited protection may be available and may not adequately protect our rights or permit us to gain or keep any competitive advantage. For example, we do not have a patent covering the composition of matter for DHE, the active ingredient in STS101. If we do not adequately protect our intellectual property and proprietary technology, competitors may be able to use STS101 and proprietary technologies and erode or negate any competitive advantage we may have, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We have applied, and we intend to continue applying, for patents covering aspects of STS101, proprietary technologies and their uses that we deem appropriate. However, we may not be able to apply for patents on certain aspects of STS101, proprietary technologies and their uses in a timely fashion, at a reasonable cost, in all jurisdictions, or at all, and any potential patent coverage we obtain may not be sufficient to prevent substantial competition. As of August 1, 2019, we have an exclusive license to 6 issued U.S. patents and 9 issued foreign patents, which include granted European patent rights that have been validated in various EU member states, and own or have an exclusive license to various pending U.S. non-provisional patent applications, U.S. provisional patent applications, and pending foreign patent applications, and an international Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) patent application. All issued U.S. and foreign patents relating to STS101 were exclusively licensed from SNBL. The pending U.S. and foreign patent applications (including U.S. provisionals) relating to STS101 are solely owned by us or exclusively licensed from SNBL. We cannot be certain that the claims in any of our patent applications will be considered patentable by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, courts in the United States or by the patent offices and courts in foreign countries, nor can we be certain that the claims in issued patents relating to STS101 will not be found invalid or unenforceable if challenged.

The patent application process is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that we or any of our actual or potential future collaborators will be successful in protecting STS101, proprietary technologies and their uses by obtaining and defending patents. These risks and uncertainties include the following:

 

   

the USPTO and various foreign governmental patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other provisions during the patent process, the noncompliance with which can result in abandonment or lapse of a patent or patent application, and partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction;

 

   

patent applications may not result in any patents being issued;

 

   

patents owned or in-licensed by us may be challenged, invalidated, modified, revoked, circumvented, found to be unenforceable or otherwise may not provide any competitive advantage;

 

   

our competitors, many of whom have substantially greater resources than we do and many of whom have made significant investments in competing technologies, may seek or may have already filed for or obtained patents that will limit, interfere with or eliminate our ability to make, use and sell STS101;

 

   

other parties may have designed around our claims or developed technologies that may be related or competitive to our platform, may have filed or may file patent applications and may have received or may receive patents that overlap or conflict with our patent applications, either by claiming the same compositions, methods or devices or by claiming subject matter that could dominate our patent position;

 

   

any successful opposition or other post-grant challenges to any patents owned by or licensed to us could result in revocation or amendment to our patents so that they no longer cover STS101;

 

   

because patent applications in the United States and most other countries are confidential for a period of time after filing, we cannot be certain that we or our licensors were the first to file any patent application related to STS101, proprietary technologies and their uses;

 

   

an interference proceeding can be provoked by a third party or instituted by the USPTO to determine who was the first to invent any of the subject matter covered by the patent claims of our applications for any application with an effective filing date before March 16, 2013;

 

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there may be significant pressure on the U.S. government and international governmental bodies to limit the scope of patent protection both inside and outside the United States for disease treatments that prove successful, as a matter of public policy regarding worldwide health concerns; and

 

   

countries other than the United States may have patent laws less favorable to patentees than those upheld by U.S. courts, allowing foreign competitors a better opportunity to create, develop and market competing product candidates.

The patent position of pharmaceutical companies generally is highly uncertain, involves complex legal and factual questions, and has been the subject of much litigation in recent years. Moreover, the patent prosecution process is also expensive and time-consuming, and we may not be able to file and prosecute all necessary or desirable patent applications at a reasonable cost or in a timely manner. It is also possible that we will fail to identify patentable aspects of our research and development output before it is too late to obtain patent protection. Although we enter into non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements with parties who have access to patentable aspects of our research and development output, such as our employees, corporate collaborators, outside scientific collaborators, CROs, contract manufacturers, consultants, advisors and other third parties, any of these parties may breach such agreements and disclose such output before a patent application is filed, thereby jeopardizing our ability to seek patent protection.

The issuance of a patent is not conclusive as to its inventorship, scope, validity or enforceability, and our patents, if issued, or the patent rights that we license from others, may be challenged in the courts or patent offices in the United States and abroad. Once granted, patents may remain open to opposition, interference, re-examination, post-grant review, inter partes review, nullification or derivation action in court or before patent offices or similar proceedings for a given period after allowance or grant, during which time third parties can raise objections against such initial grant. Such challenges may result in loss of exclusivity or in patent claims being narrowed, invalidated or held unenforceable, which could limit our ability to stop others from using or commercializing similar or identical products, or limit the duration of the patent protection of STS101. Given the amount of time required for the development, testing and regulatory review of new product candidates, patents protecting such candidates might expire before or shortly after such candidates are commercialized. As a result, our intellectual property may not provide us with sufficient rights to exclude others from commercializing products similar or identical to ours.

Our ability to enforce our patent rights depends on our ability to detect infringement. It may be difficult to detect infringers who do not advertise the components or methods that are used in connection with their products and services. Moreover, it may be difficult or impossible to obtain evidence of infringement in a competitor’s or potential competitor’s product or service. We may not prevail in any lawsuits that we initiate and the damages or other remedies awarded if we were to prevail may not be commercially meaningful.

In addition, proceedings to enforce or defend our patents could put our patents at risk of being invalidated, held unenforceable or interpreted narrowly. Such proceedings could also provoke third parties to assert claims against us or licensor Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd., or SNBL, which we have agreed to indemnify under certain circumstances, including that some or all of the claims in one or more of our patents are invalid or otherwise unenforceable. If any of our patents covering STS101 are invalidated or found unenforceable, or if a court found that valid, enforceable patents held by third parties covered STS101, our competitive position could be harmed or we could be required to incur significant expenses to enforce or defend our rights. If we initiate lawsuits to protect or enforce our patents, or litigate against third party claims, such proceedings would be expensive and would divert the attention of our management and technical personnel.

The degree of future protection for our proprietary rights is uncertain, and we cannot ensure that:

 

   

any of our patents, or any of our pending patent applications, if issued, or those of our licensors, will include claims having a scope sufficient to protect STS101;

 

   

any of our pending patent applications or those of our licensors may issue as patents;

 

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others will not or may not be able to make, use, offer to sell, or sell products that are the same as or similar to our own but that are not covered by the claims of the patents that we own or license;

 

   

we will be able to successfully commercialize STS101 on a substantial scale, if approved, before the relevant patents that we own or license expire;

 

   

we were the first to make the inventions covered by each of the patents and pending patent applications that we own or license;

 

   

we or our licensors were the first to file patent applications for these inventions;

 

   

others will not develop similar or alternative technologies that do not infringe the patents we own or license;

 

   

any of the patents we own or license will be found to ultimately be valid and enforceable;

 

   

any patents issued to us or our licensors will provide a basis for an exclusive market for our commercially viable products or will provide us with any competitive advantages;

 

   

a third party may not challenge the patents we own or license and, if challenged, a court would hold that such patents are valid, enforceable and infringed;

 

   

the patents of others will not have an adverse effect on our business;

 

   

our competitors do not conduct research and development activities in countries where we do not have enforceable patent rights and then use the information learned from such activities to develop competitive products for sale in our major commercial markets;

 

   

we will develop additional proprietary technologies or products that are separately patentable; or

 

   

our commercial activities or products will not infringe upon the patents of others.

To the extent we obtain licenses from or collaborate with third parties, in some circumstances, we may not have the right to control the preparation, filing and prosecution of patent applications, or to maintain the patents, covering technology that we license from third parties, or such activities, if controlled by us, may require the input of such third parties. We may also require the cooperation of our licensors and collaborators to enforce any licensed patent rights, and such cooperation may not be provided. Therefore, these patents and applications may not be prosecuted and enforced in a manner consistent with the best interests of our business. Moreover, if we do obtain necessary licenses, we will likely have obligations under those licenses, and any failure to satisfy those obligations could give our licensor the right to terminate the license. Termination of a necessary license, or expiration of licensed patents or patent applications, could have a material adverse impact on our business.

The lives of our patents may not be sufficient to effectively protect STS101 and our business.

Patents have a limited lifespan. In the United States, the natural expiration of a patent is generally 20 years after its first effective non-provisional filing date. Although various extensions may be available, the life of a patent, and the protection it affords, is limited. Even if patents covering STS101, proprietary technologies and their uses are obtained, once the patent life has expired, we may be open to competition. In addition, although upon issuance in the United States a patent’s life can be increased based on certain delays caused by the USPTO, this increase can be reduced or eliminated based on certain delays caused by the patent applicant during patent prosecution. Given the amount of time required for the development, testing and regulatory review of STS101, patents protecting it might expire before or shortly after it is commercialized. If we do not have sufficient patent life to protect STS101, proprietary technologies and their uses, our business and results of operations will be adversely affected.

If we are unable to protect the confidentiality of our trade secrets, our business and competitive position would be harmed.

We rely on the protection of our trade secrets, including unpatented know-how, technology and other proprietary information. We have taken steps to protect our trade secrets and unpatented know-how, including

 

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entering into confidentiality agreements with third parties, and confidential information and inventions agreements with employees, consultants and advisors. In addition to contractual measures, we try to protect the confidential nature of our proprietary information using commonly accepted physical and technological security measures. Despite these efforts, we cannot provide any assurances that all such agreements have been duly executed, and any of these parties may breach the agreements and disclose our proprietary information, including our trade secrets, and we may not be able to obtain adequate remedies for such breaches. In addition, such security measures may not provide adequate protection for our proprietary information, for example, in the case of misappropriation of a trade secret by an employee, consultant, customer or third party with authorized access. Our security measures may not prevent an employee, consultant or customer from misappropriating our trade secrets and providing them to a competitor, and recourse we take against such misconduct may not provide an adequate remedy to protect our interests fully. Monitoring unauthorized uses and disclosures is difficult, and we do not know whether the steps we have taken to protect our proprietary technologies will be effective. Unauthorized parties may also attempt to copy or reverse engineer certain aspects of STS101 that we consider proprietary. Enforcing a claim that a party illegally disclosed or misappropriated a trade secret can be difficult, expensive and time-consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. Even though we use commonly accepted security measures, the criteria for protection of trade secrets can vary among different jurisdictions.

Enforcing a claim that a party illegally disclosed or misappropriated a trade secret is difficult, expensive and time-consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. In addition, some courts inside and outside the United States are less willing or unwilling to protect trade secrets. Moreover, third parties may still obtain this information or may come upon this or similar information independently, and we would have no right to prevent them from using that technology or information to compete with us. Trade secrets will over time be disseminated within the industry through independent development, the publication of journal articles and the movement of personnel skilled in the art from company to company or academic to industry scientific positions. Though our agreements with third parties typically restrict the ability of our advisors, employees, collaborators, licensors, suppliers, third-party contractors and consultants to publish data potentially relating to our trade secrets, our agreements may contain certain limited publication rights. If any of our trade secrets were to be lawfully obtained or independently developed by a competitor, we would have no right to prevent such competitor from using that technology or information to compete with us, which could harm our competitive position. Because from time to time we expect to rely on third parties in the development, manufacture, and distribution of STS101, we must, at times, share trade secrets with them. Despite employing the contractual and other security precautions described above, the need to share trade secrets increases the risk that such trade secrets become known by our competitors, are inadvertently incorporated into the technology of others, or are disclosed or used in violation of these agreements. If any of these events occurs or if we otherwise lose protection for our trade secrets, the value of this information may be greatly reduced and our competitive position would be harmed. If we do not apply for patent protection prior to such publication or if we cannot otherwise maintain the confidentiality of our proprietary technology and other confidential information, then our ability to obtain patent protection or to protect our trade secret information may be jeopardized.

Our rights to develop and commercialize STS101 are subject in part to the terms and conditions of a license granted to us by SNBL. The patent protection, prosecution and enforcement for STS101 may be dependent on third parties.

We currently are reliant upon a license of certain patent rights and proprietary technology pursuant to a licensing and assignment agreement we entered with SNBL in June 2016, or the SNBL License. Such rights and technology are important or necessary to the development of STS101. This and other licenses we may enter into in the future may not provide adequate rights to use such intellectual property and technology in all relevant fields of use or in all territories in which we may wish to develop or commercialize our technology and products in the future. As a result, we may not be able to develop and commercialize our technology and products in fields of use and territories for which we are not granted rights pursuant to such licenses.

 

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Licenses to additional third-party technology that may be required for our development programs may not be available in the future or may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

In some circumstances, we may not have the right to control the preparation, filing, prosecution and enforcement of patent applications, or to maintain the patents, covering technology that we license from third parties. In addition, in some instances, the SNBL License requires us to negotiate in good faith a strategy with respect to infringement, and in some instances, SNBL retains the sole right to initiate and control some infringing activities, before we can enforce patent rights. Therefore, we cannot be certain that SNBL or any future licensors or collaborators will prosecute, maintain, enforce and defend such intellectual property rights in a manner consistent with the best interests of our business, including by taking reasonable measures to protect the confidentiality of know-how and trade secrets, or by paying all applicable prosecution and maintenance fees related to intellectual property registrations for STS101. We also cannot be certain that our licensors have drafted or prosecuted the patents and patent applications licensed to us in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, which may affect the validity and enforceability of such patents or any patents that may issue from such applications. If they fail to do so, this could cause us to lose rights in any applicable intellectual property that we in-license, and as a result our ability to develop and commercialize STS101 may be adversely affected and we may be unable to prevent competitors from making, using and selling competing products.

The SNBL License imposes a low single-digit royalty on net sales of STS101 along with certain other obligations on us, and any future licenses, if required, likely will impose various royalty payments, milestones, and other obligations on us. If we fail to comply with any of these obligations, we may be required to pay damages and the licensor may have the right to terminate the license. Termination by the licensor would cause us to lose valuable rights, and could prevent us from developing and commercializing STS101 and proprietary technologies. Our business would suffer if any current or future licenses terminate, if the licensors fail to abide

by the terms of the license, if the licensors fail to enforce licensed patents against infringing third parties, if the licensed patents or other rights are found to be invalid or unenforceable, or if we are unable to enter into necessary licenses on acceptable terms. Furthermore, if any current or future licenses terminate, or if the underlying patents fail to provide the intended exclusivity, competitors or other third parties may gain the freedom to seek regulatory approval of, and to market, products identical to ours. Moreover, our licensors may own or control intellectual property that has not been licensed to us and, as a result, we may be subject to claims, regardless of their merit, that we are infringing or otherwise violating the licensor’s rights. In addition, while we cannot currently determine the amount of the royalty obligations we would be required to pay on sales of future products, if any, the amounts may be significant. The amount of our future royalty obligations will depend on the technology and intellectual property we use in products that we successfully develop and commercialize, if any. Therefore, even if we successfully develop and commercialize STS101, we may be unable to achieve or maintain profitability.

Litigation or other proceedings or third-party claims of intellectual property infringement could require us to spend significant time and money and could prevent us from selling our products.

Our commercial success depends significantly on our ability to operate without infringing the patents and other proprietary rights of third parties. However, our research, development and commercialization activities may be subject to claims that we infringe or otherwise violate patents or other intellectual property rights owned or controlled by third parties. Claims by third parties that we infringe their proprietary rights may result in liability for damages or prevent or delay our developmental and commercialization efforts. We cannot assure you that our operations do not, or will not in the future, infringe existing or future patents.

Other entities may have or obtain patents or proprietary rights that could limit our ability to make, use, sell, offer for sale or import STS101 or impair our competitive position. There is a substantial amount of litigation, both within and outside the United States, involving patent and other intellectual property rights in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, including patent infringement lawsuits, interferences, oppositions,

 

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reexaminations, inter partes review proceedings and post-grant review proceedings before the USPTO and/or corresponding foreign patent offices. Numerous third-party U.S. and foreign issued patents and pending patent applications exist in the fields of STS101. There may be third-party patents or patent applications with claims to materials, formulations, methods of manufacture or methods for treatment related to the use or manufacture of STS101.

Furthermore, the scope of a patent claim is determined by an interpretation of the law, the written disclosure in a patent and the patent’s prosecution history and can involve other factors such as expert opinion. Our interpretation of the relevance or the scope of claims in a patent or a pending application may be incorrect, which may negatively impact our ability to market STS101. Further, we may incorrectly determine that our technologies or STS101 are not covered by a third party patent or may incorrectly predict whether a third party’s pending patent application will issue with claims of relevant scope. Our determination of the expiration date of any patent in the United States or abroad that we consider relevant may be incorrect, which may negatively impact our ability to develop and market STS101.

As the pharmaceutical industry expands and more patents are issued, the risk increases that STS101 may be subject to claims of infringement of the patent rights of third parties. Our competitors in both the United States and abroad, many of which have substantially greater resources and have made substantial investments in patent portfolios and competing technologies, may have applied for or obtained or may in the future apply for and obtain, patents that will prevent, limit or otherwise interfere with our ability to make, use and sell STS101. We do not always conduct independent reviews of pending patent applications of and patents issued to third parties.

Patent applications in the United States and elsewhere are typically published approximately 18 months after the earliest filing for which priority is claimed, with such earliest filing date being commonly referred to as the priority date. Certain U.S. applications that will not be filed outside the United States can remain confidential until patents issue. In addition, patent applications in the United States and elsewhere can be pending for many years before issuance, or unintentionally abandoned patents or applications can be revived. Furthermore, pending patent applications that have been published can, subject to certain limitations, be later amended in a manner that could cover our technologies, STS101 or the use of STS101. As such, there may be applications of others now pending or recently revived patents of which we are unaware. These applications may later result in issued patents, or the revival of previously abandoned patents, that will prevent, limit or otherwise interfere with our ability to make, use or sell STS101. Because patent applications are maintained as confidential for a certain period of time, until the relevant application is published we may be unaware of third-party patents that may be infringed by commercialization of STS101, and cannot be certain that we were the first to file a patent application related to a product candidate or technology. Moreover, because patent applications can take many years to issue, there may be currently-pending patent applications that may later result in issued patents that STS101 may infringe. In addition, identification of third-party patent rights that may be relevant to our technology is difficult because patent searching is imperfect due to differences in terminology among patents, incomplete databases and the difficulty in assessing the meaning of patent claims. Any claims of patent infringement asserted by third parties would be time consuming and could:

 

   

result in costly litigation;

 

   

divert the time and attention of our technical personnel and management;

 

   

cause development delays;

 

   

prevent us from commercializing STS101 until the asserted patent expires or is held finally invalid or not infringed in a court of law;

 

   

require us to develop non-infringing technology, which may not be possible on a cost-effective basis;

 

   

require us to pay damages to the party whose intellectual property rights we may be found to be infringing, which may include treble damages if we are found to have been willfully infringing such intellectual property;

 

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require us to pay the attorney’s fees and costs of litigation to the party whose intellectual property rights we may be found to be infringing; and/or

 

   

require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.

Although no third party has asserted a claim of patent infringement against us as of the date of this prospectus, others may hold proprietary rights that could prevent STS101 from being marketed. Any patent-related legal action against us claiming damages and seeking to enjoin commercial activities relating to STS101 or processes could subject us to potential liability for damages, including treble damages if we were determined to willfully infringe, and require us to obtain a license to manufacture or market STS101. Defense of these claims, regardless of their merit, would involve substantial litigation expense and would be a substantial diversion of employee resources from our business. We cannot predict whether we would prevail in any such actions or that any license required under any of these patents would be made available on commercially acceptable terms, if at all. Even if such licenses are available, we could incur substantial costs related to royalty payments for licenses obtained from third parties, which could negatively affect our gross margins, and the rights may be non-exclusive, which could give our competitors access to the same technology or intellectual property rights licensed to us. In addition, we cannot be certain that we could redesign STS101 or processes to avoid infringement, if necessary. Accordingly, an adverse determination in a judicial or administrative proceeding, or the failure to obtain necessary licenses, could prevent us from developing and commercializing STS101, which could harm our business, financial condition and operating results. In addition, intellectual property litigation, regardless of its outcome, may cause negative publicity and could prohibit us from marketing or otherwise commercializing STS101.

If we collaborate with third parties in the development of technology in the future, our collaborators may not properly maintain or defend our intellectual property rights or may use our proprietary information in such a way as to invite litigation that could jeopardize or invalidate our intellectual property or proprietary information or expose us to litigation or potential liability. Further, collaborators may infringe the intellectual property rights of third parties, which may expose us to litigation and potential liability. Also, we may be obligated under our agreements with our collaborators, licensors, suppliers and others to indemnify and hold them harmless for damages arising from intellectual property infringement by us.

We may be involved in lawsuits to protect or enforce our patents or the patents of our licensors, which could be expensive, time consuming, and unsuccessful. Further, issued patents relating to STS101 could be found invalid or unenforceable if challenged in court.

Competitors may infringe our intellectual property rights or those of our licensors. To prevent infringement or unauthorized use, we may be required to file infringement claims, which can be expensive and time-consuming. In addition, in a patent infringement proceeding, a court may decide that a patent we own or in-license is not valid, is unenforceable and/or is not infringed. If we or any of our potential future collaborators were to initiate legal proceedings against a third party to enforce a patent directed at STS101, the defendant could counterclaim that our patent is invalid and/or unenforceable in whole or in part. In patent litigation in the United States, defendant counterclaims alleging invalidity and/or unenforceability are commonplace. Grounds for a validity challenge include an alleged failure to meet any of several statutory requirements, including lack of novelty, obviousness or non-enablement. Grounds for an unenforceability assertion could include an allegation that someone connected with prosecution of the patent withheld relevant information from the USPTO or made a misleading statement during prosecution. Third parties may also raise similar claims before the USPTO, even outside the context of litigation. Similar mechanisms for challenging the validity and enforceability of a patent exist in ex-U.S. patent offices and may result in the revocation, cancellation, or amendment of any ex-U.S. patents we hold in the future. The outcome following legal assertions of invalidity and unenforceability is unpredictable, and prior art could render our patents or those of our licensors invalid. If a defendant were to prevail on a legal assertion of invalidity and/or unenforceability, we would lose at least part, and perhaps all, of

 

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the patent protection on such product candidate. Such a loss of patent protection would have a material adverse impact on our business.

Interference or derivation proceedings provoked by third parties or brought by us or declared by the USPTO may be necessary to determine the priority of inventions with respect to our patents or patent applications or those of our licensors. An unfavorable outcome could require us to cease using the related technology or to attempt to license rights to it from the prevailing party. Our business could be harmed if the prevailing party does not offer us a license on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or if a non-exclusive license is offered and our competitors gain access to the same technology. Our defense of litigation or interference proceedings may fail and, even if successful, may result in substantial costs and distract our management and other employees. In addition, the uncertainties associated with litigation could have a material adverse effect on our ability to raise the funds necessary to continue our clinical trials, continue our research programs, license necessary technology from third parties or enter into development or manufacturing partnerships that would help us bring STS101 to market.

Even if resolved in our favor, litigation or other legal proceedings relating to our intellectual property rights may cause us to incur significant expenses, and could distract our technical and management personnel from their normal responsibilities. In addition, there could be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments and if securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a substantial adverse effect on the price of our common stock. Such litigation or proceedings could substantially increase our operating losses and reduce the resources available for development activities or any future sales, marketing or distribution activities. We may not have sufficient financial or other resources to conduct such litigation or proceedings adequately. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of such litigation or proceedings more effectively than we can because of their greater financial resources. Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of patent litigation or other proceedings could compromise our ability to compete in the marketplace.

Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during this type of litigation. There could also be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments. If securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a material adverse effect on the price of our common stock.

We may fail to comply with our obligations under the SNBL License or any future agreements pursuant to which we may license or otherwise acquire intellectual property rights or technology, which could result in the loss of rights or technology that are material to our business.

Our business is dependent on the SNBL License for certain patent rights and know-how that are directed to SNBL’s proprietary nasal drug delivery technology, including its proprietary nasal delivery device and formulation technologies, for use with DHE. Our rights under the SNBL License and any license for intellectual property or technology that we may enter into in the future are and will be subject to the continuation of and our compliance with the terms of these agreements. Disputes may arise regarding our rights to intellectual property licensed to us from a third party, including but not limited to:

 

   

the scope of rights granted under the license agreement and other interpretation-related issues;

 

   

the extent to which our technology and processes infringe on intellectual property of the licensor that is not subject to the licensing agreement;

 

   

the sublicensing of patent and other rights;

 

   

our diligence obligations under the license agreement and what activities satisfy those diligence obligations;

 

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the ownership of inventions and know-how resulting from the creation or use of intellectual property by us, alone or with our licensors and collaborators;

 

   

the scope and duration of our payment obligations;

 

   

our rights upon termination of such agreement; and

 

   

the scope and duration of exclusivity obligations of each party to the agreement.

Any disputes over intellectual property and other rights under the SNBL License could prevent or impair our ability to maintain the license on acceptable terms and our ability to successfully develop and commercialize STS101. In addition, if we fail to comply with our obligations under the SNBL License, it may be terminated or the scope of our rights under it may be reduced and we might be unable to develop, manufacture or market STS101.

We may be subject to claims that we have wrongfully hired an employee from a competitor or that we or our employees have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged confidential information or trade secrets of their former employers.

As is common in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, in addition to our employees, we engage the services of consultants to assist us in the development of STS101. Many of these consultants, and many of our employees, were previously employed at, or may have previously provided or may be currently providing consulting services to, other pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies including our competitors or potential competitors. Although we try to ensure that our employees and consultants do not use the proprietary information or know-how of others in their work for us, we may become subject to claims that we, our employees or a consultant inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed trade secrets or other information proprietary to their former employers or their former or current clients. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. If we fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights, which could adversely affect our business. Even if we are successful in defending against these claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to our management team.

We may be subject to claims challenging the inventorship or ownership of our patents and other intellectual property.

We may also be subject to claims that former employees, collaborators or other third parties have an ownership interest in our patents or other intellectual property. In addition, we may face claims by third parties that our agreements with employees, contractors or consultants obligating them to assign intellectual property to us are ineffective or in conflict with prior or competing contractual obligations of assignment, which could result in ownership disputes regarding intellectual property we have developed or will develop and interfere with our ability to capture the commercial value of such intellectual property. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these and other claims challenging inventorship or ownership. If we fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights. Such an outcome could have a material adverse effect on our business. Even if we are successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and distraction to management and other employees.

If our trademarks and trade names are not adequately protected, then we may not be able to build name recognition in our markets of interest and our business may be adversely affected.

Our unregistered trademarks or trade names may be challenged, infringed, circumvented or declared generic or determined to be infringing on other marks. We may not be able to protect our rights to these trademarks and trade names, which we need to build name recognition among potential partners or customers in our markets of interest. At times, competitors may adopt trade names or trademarks similar to ours, thereby impeding our ability to build brand identity and possibly leading to market confusion. In addition, there could be potential trade name

 

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or trademark infringement claims brought by owners of other trademarks or trademarks that incorporate variations of our unregistered trademarks or trade names. Over the long term, if we are unable to establish name recognition based on our trademarks and trade names, then we may not be able to compete effectively and our business may be adversely affected. We may license our trademarks and trade names to third parties, such as distributors. Though these license agreements may provide guidelines for how our trademarks and trade names may be used, a breach of these agreements or misuse of our trademarks and tradenames by our licensees may jeopardize our rights in or diminish the goodwill associated with our trademarks and trade names. Our efforts to enforce or protect our proprietary rights related to trademarks, trade names, trade secrets, domain names, copyrights or other intellectual property may be ineffective and could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.

Changes in patent law in the U.S. or in other countries could diminish the value of patents in general, thereby impairing our ability to protect STS101.

Our patent rights may be affected by developments or uncertainty in U.S. or ex-U.S. patent statutes, patent case laws in USPTO rules and regulations or in the rules and regulations of ex-U.S. patent offices. There are a number of recent changes to the U.S. patent laws that may have a significant impact on our ability to protect our technology and enforce our intellectual property rights. For example, on September 16, 2011, the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, or Leahy-Smith Act, was signed into law. The Leahy-Smith Act includes a number of significant changes to U.S. patent law. These include provisions that affect the way patent applications will be prosecuted and may also affect patent litigation. In particular, under the Leahy-Smith Act, the United States transitioned in March 2013 to a “first to file” system in which the first inventor to file a patent application will be entitled to the patent. Third parties are allowed to submit prior art before the issuance of a patent by the USPTO, and may become involved in post-grant proceedings including opposition, derivation, reexamination, inter partes review or interference proceedings challenging our patent rights or the patent rights of others. An adverse determination in any such submission, proceeding or litigation could reduce the scope or enforceability of, or invalidate, our patent rights, which could adversely affect our competitive position. This could have a negative impact on some of our intellectual property and could increase uncertainties surrounding obtaining and enforcement or defense of issued patents relating to STS101. In addition, Congress may pass patent reform legislation that is unfavorable to us. The Supreme Court has ruled on several patent cases in recent years, either narrowing the scope of patent protection available in certain circumstances or weakening the rights of patent owners in certain situations. In addition to increasing uncertainty with regard to our ability to obtain patents in the future, this combination of events has created uncertainty with respect to the value of patents, once obtained. Depending on decisions by Congress, the federal courts and the USPTO, the laws and regulations governing patents could change in unpredictable ways that would weaken our ability to obtain new patents or to enforce our existing patents and patents we might obtain in the future.

Similarly, statutory or judicial changes to the patent laws of other countries may increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of patent applications and the enforcement or defense of issued patents.

We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights throughout the world.

Filing, prosecuting and defending all current and future patents in all countries throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive, and our intellectual property rights in some countries outside the United States can be less extensive than those in the United States. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as federal and state laws in the United States. Consequently, we may not be able to prevent third parties from practicing our inventions in all countries outside the United States, or from selling or importing products made using our inventions in and into the United States or other jurisdictions. Competitors may use our technologies in jurisdictions where we have not obtained patent protection to develop their own products and, further, may export otherwise infringing products to territories where we have patent protection but enforcement is not as strong as that in the United States. These products may compete with STS101, and our patents or other intellectual property rights may not be effective or sufficient to prevent them from competing.

 

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The legal systems of many foreign countries do not favor the enforcement of patents and other intellectual property protection, which could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents or marketing of competing products in violation of our proprietary rights. For example, some foreign countries have compulsory licensing laws under which a patent owner must grant licenses to third parties. In addition, some countries limit the enforceability of patents against third parties, including government agencies or government contractors. In these countries, patents may provide limited or no benefit. Proceedings to enforce our patent rights in foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial costs and divert our efforts and attention from other aspects of our business, could put our patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and our patent applications at risk of not issuing and could provoke third parties to assert claims against us. We may not prevail in any lawsuits that we initiate, and the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially meaningful. Accordingly, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights around the world may be inadequate to obtain a significant commercial advantage from the intellectual property that we develop or license.

Obtaining and maintaining patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submission, fee payment and other requirements imposed by governmental patent agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements.

The USPTO and various foreign governmental patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other provisions during the patent process. Periodic maintenance fees, renewal fees, annuity fees and various other governmental fees on patents and/or applications will be due to be paid to the USPTO and various governmental patent agencies outside of the U.S. in several stages over the lifetime of the patents and/or applications. We employ reputable professionals and rely on such third parties to help us comply with these requirements and effect payment of these fees with respect to the patents and patent applications that we own, and if we license intellectual property we may have to rely upon our licensors to comply with these requirements and effect payment of these fees with respect to any patents and patent applications that we license. In many cases, an inadvertent lapse can be cured by payment of a late fee or by other means in accordance with the applicable rules. However, there are situations in which noncompliance can result in abandonment or lapse of a patent or patent application, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction. In such an event, competitors might be able to enter the market earlier than would otherwise have been the case.

Intellectual property rights do not necessarily address all potential threats to our competitive advantage.

The degree of future protection afforded by our intellectual property rights is uncertain because intellectual property rights have limitations, and may not adequately protect our business or permit us to maintain our competitive advantage. For example:

 

   

others may be able to make therapies that are similar to ours but that are not covered by the claims of the patents that we own or have exclusively licensed;

 

   

we or our licensors or future collaborators might not have been the first to make the inventions covered by the issued patents or pending patent applications that we own or have exclusively licensed;

 

   

we or our licensors or future collaborators might not have been the first to file patent applications covering certain of our inventions;

 

   

others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or duplicate any of our technologies without infringing our intellectual property rights;

 

   

it is possible that our pending patent applications will not lead to issued patents;

 

   

issued patents that we own or have exclusively licensed may be held invalid or unenforceable, as a result of legal challenges by our competitors;

 

   

our competitors might conduct research and development activities in countries where we do not have patent rights and then use the information learned from such activities to develop competitive products for sale in our major commercial markets;

 

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we may not develop additional proprietary technologies that are patentable; and

 

   

the patents of others may have an adverse effect on our business.

Should any of these events occur, they could significantly harm our business, results of operations and prospects.

Risks Related to Government Regulation

Even if we obtain regulatory approval for STS101, STS101 will remain subject to regulatory scrutiny.

If STS101 is approved, it will be subject to ongoing regulatory requirements for manufacturing, labeling, packaging, storage, advertising, promotion, sampling, record-keeping, conduct of post-marketing studies, and submission of safety, efficacy, and other post- market information, including both federal and state requirements in the United States and requirements of comparable foreign regulatory authorities.

Manufacturers and manufacturers’ facilities are required to comply with extensive FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authority requirements, including ensuring that quality control and manufacturing procedures conform to cGMP regulations. As such, we and our contract manufacturers will be subject to continual review and inspections to assess compliance with cGMP and adherence to commitments made in any approved marketing application. Accordingly, we and others with whom we work must continue to expend time, money, and effort in all areas of regulatory compliance, including manufacturing, production, and quality control.

We will have to comply with requirements concerning advertising and promotion for STS101. Promotional communications with respect to prescription drugs are subject to a variety of legal and regulatory restrictions and must be consistent with the information in the product’s approved label. As such, we may not promote STS101 for indications or uses for which they do not have approval. However, companies may share truthful and not misleading information that is otherwise consistent with a product’s FDA approved labeling. We also must submit new or supplemental applications and obtain approval for certain changes to STS101, if approved, product labeling, or manufacturing process. We could also be asked to conduct post-marketing clinical studies to verify the safety and efficacy of STS101 in general or in specific patient subsets. An unsuccessful post-marketing study or failure to complete such a study could result in the withdrawal of marketing approval.

If we discover previously unknown problems with STS101, such as adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, or problems with the facility where STS101 is manufactured, or if the FDA disagrees with the promotion, marketing or labeling of STS101, the FDA may impose restrictions on it or us, including requiring withdrawal of it from the market. If we fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements, the FDA and other regulatory authorities may, among other things:

 

   

issue warning letters;

 

   

impose civil or criminal penalties;

 

   

suspend or withdraw regulatory approval;

 

   

suspend any of our ongoing clinical studies;

 

   

refuse to approve pending applications or supplements to approved applications;

 

   

impose restrictions on our operations, including closing our contract manufacturers’ facilities; or

 

   

require a product recall, seizure or detention.

Any government action or investigation of alleged violations of law could require us to expend significant time and resources in response, and could generate negative publicity. Any failure to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements may significantly and adversely affect our ability to commercialize and generate revenue from STS101. If regulatory sanctions are applied or if regulatory approval is withdrawn, the value of our company and our operating results will be adversely affected.

 

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Moreover, the policies of the FDA and of other regulatory authorities may change and additional government regulations may be enacted that could prevent, limit or delay regulatory approval of STS101. We cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative or executive action, either in the United States or abroad. For example, certain policies of the Trump administration may impact our business and industry. Namely, the Trump administration has taken several executive actions, including the issuance of a number of Executive Orders, that could impose significant burdens on, or otherwise materially delay, the FDA’s ability to engage in routine oversight activities such as implementing statutes through rulemaking, issuance of guidance, and review and approval of marketing applications. It is difficult to predict how these orders will be implemented, and the extent to which they will impact the FDA’s ability to exercise its regulatory authority. If these executive actions impose restrictions on the FDA’s ability to engage in oversight and implementation activities in the normal course, our business may be negatively impacted. In addition, if we are slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing requirements or the adoption of new requirements or policies, or if we are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, we could lose any marketing approval that we may have obtained and we may not achieve or sustain profitability.

If STS101 obtains regulatory approval, competitors could enter the market with generic versions, which may result in a material decline in sales of affected products.

Under the Hatch-Waxman Amendments, a pharmaceutical manufacturer may file an abbreviated new drug application, or ANDA, seeking approval of a generic version of an approved drug product. A manufacturer may also submit a new drug application, or NDA, under section 505(b)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which may be for a new or improved version of the originally approved drug product. The Hatch-Waxman Amendments also provide for certain periods of regulatory exclusivity, which preclude FDA approval of an ANDA or 505(b)(2) NDA for a specific timeframe. In addition to this non-patent exclusivity, an NDA holder may have patents claiming the active ingredient, product formulation or an approved use of the drug, which would be listed in the FDA publication, “Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations,” known as the Orange Book. If there are patents listed in the Orange Book for a product, a generic or 505(b)(2) applicant that seeks to market its product before expiration of the patents must include in their applications what is known as a “Paragraph IV” certification, challenging the validity or enforceability of, or claiming non-infringement of, the listed patent or patents. Notice of the certification must be given to the patent owner and NDA holder and if, within 45 days of receiving notice, either the patent owner or NDA holder sues for patent infringement, approval of the ANDA or 505(b)(2) NDA is stayed for up to 30 months.

Accordingly, if STS101 is approved, including through the 505(b)(2) pathway, competitors could file ANDAs for generic versions of STS101. If there are patents listed for STS101 in the Orange Book, those ANDAs would be required to include a certification as to each listed patent indicating whether the ANDA applicant does or does not intend to challenge the patent. We cannot predict which, if any, patents in our current portfolio or patents we may obtain in the future will be eligible for listing in the Orange Book, how any generic competitor would address such patents, whether we would sue on any such patents, or the outcome of any such suit.

We may not be successful in securing or maintaining proprietary patent protection for STS101. Moreover, if any of our owned or in-licensed patents that are listed in the Orange Book are successfully challenged by way of a Paragraph IV certification and subsequent litigation, STS101 could immediately face generic competition and its sales would likely decline rapidly and materially.

The successful commercialization of STS101 will depend in part on the extent to which governmental authorities, private health insurers, managed care plans and other third-party payors provide coverage, adequate reimbursement levels and implement pricing policies favorable for STS101. Failure to obtain or maintain coverage and adequate reimbursement for STS101, if approved, could limit our ability to market those products and decrease our ability to generate revenue.

The availability of coverage and adequacy of reimbursement by governmental healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, private health insurers, managed care plans and other third-party payors are essential for

 

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most patients to be able to afford medical services and pharmaceutical products such as STS101 that receive FDA approval. Our ability to achieve acceptable levels of coverage and reimbursement by third-party payors for our products will have an effect on our ability to successfully commercialize STS101.

No uniform policy for coverage and reimbursement for products exists among third-party payors in the United States. Therefore, coverage and reimbursement for products can differ significantly from payor to payor. The process for determining whether a third-party payor will provide coverage for a product typically is separate from the process for setting the price of such product or for establishing the reimbursement rate that the payor will pay for the product once coverage is approved. Third-party payors may limit coverage to specific products on an approved list, also known as a formulary, which might not include all of the FDA-approved products for a particular indication, or place products at certain formulary levels that result in lower reimbursement levels and higher cost-sharing obligation imposed on patients. One third-party payor’s decision to cover a particular medical product or service does not ensure that other payors will also provide coverage for the medical product or service. As a result, the coverage determination process will often require us to provide scientific and clinical support for the use of our products to each payor separately and can be a time-consuming process, with no assurance that coverage and adequate reimbursement will be applied consistently or obtained in the first instance. We cannot be sure that coverage will be available for any product that we may develop. A decision by a third-party payor not to cover STS101 could reduce physician utilization of our products once approved and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Assuming there is coverage for our products by a third-party payor, the resulting reimbursement payment rates may not be adequate or may require co-payments that patients find unacceptably high. Furthermore, rules and regulations regarding reimbursement change frequently, in some cases on short notice, and we believe that changes in these rules and regulations are likely. Third-party payors increasingly are challenging prices charged for pharmaceutical products and services, and many third-party payors may refuse to provide coverage and adequate reimbursement for particular drugs or biologics when an equivalent generic drug, biosimilar or a less expensive therapy is available. It is possible that a third-party payor may consider STS101 as substitutable and only offer to reimburse patients for the less expensive product. For example, there are currently generic versions of both DHE liquid nasal spray products and DHE injectable products, which we may compete with. Even if we show improved efficacy or improved convenience of administration with STS101, pricing of other third-party therapeutics may limit the amount we will be able to charge for our products. These third-party payors may deny or revoke the reimbursement status of our products, if approved, or establish prices for our products at levels that are too low to enable us to realize an appropriate return on our investment. If reimbursement is not available, is decreased or eliminated in the future, or is available only at limited levels, we may not be able to successfully commercialize our products and may not be able to obtain a satisfactory financial return on our products.

Outside the United States, international operations are generally subject to extensive governmental price controls and other market regulations, and we believe the increasing emphasis on cost-containment initiatives in Europe and other countries has and will continue to put pressure on the pricing and usage of our products, if any. In many countries, the prices of medical products are subject to varying price control mechanisms as part of national health systems. Other countries allow companies to fix their own prices for medical products but monitor and control company profits. Additional foreign price controls or other changes in pricing regulation could restrict the amount that we are able to charge for our products. Accordingly, in markets outside the United States, the reimbursement for our products may be reduced compared with the United States and may be insufficient to generate commercially reasonable revenue and profits.

Our business operations and current and future relationships with investigators, healthcare professionals, consultants, third-party payors, patient organizations and customers will be subject to applicable healthcare regulatory laws, which could expose us to penalties.

Our business operations and current and future arrangements with investigators, healthcare professionals, consultants, third-party payors, patient organizations and customers, may expose us to broadly applicable fraud

 

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and abuse and other healthcare laws. These laws may constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which we conduct our operations, including how we research, market, sell and distribute STS101, if approved. Such laws include, but are not limited to:

 

   

the U.S. federal Anti-Kickback Statute, which prohibits, among other things, persons or entities from knowingly and willfully soliciting, offering, receiving or providing any remuneration (including any kickback, bribe, or certain rebate), directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind, to induce or reward, or in return for, either the referral of an individual for, or the purchase, lease, order or recommendation of, any good, facility, item or service, for which payment may be made, in whole or in part, under any U.S. federal healthcare program, such as Medicare and Medicaid. A person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation;

 

   

the U.S. federal civil and criminal false claims and civil monetary penalties laws, including the civil federal False Claims Act, which can be enforced through civil whistleblower or qui tam actions, which prohibit, among other things, individuals or entities from knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, to the U.S. federal government, claims for payment or approval that are false or fraudulent, knowingly making, using or causing to be made or used, a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim, or from knowingly making a false statement to avoid, decrease or conceal an obligation to pay money to the U.S. federal government. Pharmaceutical manufacturers can cause false claims to be presented to the U.S. federal government by engaging in impermissible marketing practices, such as the off-label promotion of a product for an indication for which it has not received FDA approval. In addition, the government may assert that a claim including items and services resulting from a violation of the U.S. federal Anti-Kickback Statute constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the civil False Claims Act;

 

   

HIPAA, which imposes criminal and civil liability for, among other things, knowingly and willfully executing, or attempting to execute, a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program, or knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing or covering up a material fact or making any materially false statement, in connection with the delivery of, or payment for, healthcare benefits, items or services. Similar to the U.S. federal Anti-Kickback Statute, a person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of the healthcare fraud statute implemented under HIPAA or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation;

 

   

HIPAA, as amended by HITECH, and its implementing regulations, which also imposes certain obligations, including mandatory contractual terms, with respect to safeguarding the privacy and security of individually identifiable health information of covered entities subject to the rule, such as health plans, healthcare clearinghouses and certain healthcare providers as well as their business associates, independent contractors of a covered entity that perform certain services involving the use or disclosure of individually identifiable health information on their behalf;

 

   

the FDCA, which prohibits, among other things, the adulteration or misbranding of drugs, biologics and medical devices;

 

   

the U.S. Physician Payments Sunshine Act and its implementing regulations, which requires certain manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologics and medical supplies that are reimbursable under Medicare, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, with specific exceptions, to report annually to the government information related to certain payments and other transfers of value to physicians (defined to include doctors, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists and chiropractors) and teaching hospitals, as well as ownership and investment interests held by the physicians described above and their immediate family members;

 

   

federal consumer protection and unfair competition laws, which broadly regulate marketplace activities and activities that potentially harm consumers;

 

   

analogous U.S. state laws, including: state anti-kickback and false claims laws, which may apply to our business practices, including but not limited to, research, distribution, sales and marketing arrangements

 

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and claims involving healthcare items or services reimbursed by any third-party payor, including private insurers; state laws that require pharmaceutical companies to comply with the pharmaceutical industry’s voluntary compliance guidelines and the relevant compliance guidance promulgated by the U.S. federal government, or otherwise restrict payments that may be made to healthcare providers and other potential referral sources; state laws that require drug manufacturers to file reports relating to pricing and marketing information, which requires tracking gifts and other remuneration and items of value provided to healthcare professionals and entities; state and local laws requiring the registration of pharmaceutical sales representatives; and federal and state laws, regulations, standards and codes of conduct governing the privacy and security of personal information and health information in certain circumstances, many of which differ from each other in significant ways and often are not preempted by HIPAA, thus complicating compliance efforts;

 

   

the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, which prohibits, among other things, U.S. companies and their employees and agents from authorizing, promising, offering, or providing, directly or indirectly, corrupt or improper payments or anything else of value to foreign government officials, employees of public international organizations and foreign government owned or affiliated entities, candidates for foreign political office, and foreign political parties or officials thereof; and

 

   

similar healthcare and data protection laws in the European Union and other jurisdictions, including reporting requirements detailing interactions with and payments to healthcare providers and laws governing the privacy and security of certain protected information, such as the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, which imposes obligations and restrictions on the collection and use of personal data relating to individuals located in the European Economic Area, or the EEA and the United Kingdom (including health data).

Ensuring that our internal operations and future business arrangements with third parties comply with applicable healthcare laws and regulations will involve substantial costs. It is possible that governmental authorities will conclude that our business practices do not comply with current or future statutes, regulations, agency guidance or case law involving applicable fraud and abuse or other healthcare laws. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of the laws described above or any other governmental laws that may apply to us, we may be subject to significant penalties, including civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, fines, exclusion from government-funded healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid or similar programs in other countries or jurisdictions, integrity oversight and reporting obligations to resolve allegations of non-compliance, disgorgement, imprisonment, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations. If any of the physicians or other providers or entities with whom we expect to do business are found to not be in compliance with applicable laws, they may be subject to significant criminal, civil or administrative sanctions, including exclusions from government funded healthcare programs and imprisonment, which could affect our ability to operate our business. Further, defending against any such actions can be costly, time-consuming and may require significant personnel resources. Therefore, even if we are successful in defending against any such actions that may be brought against us, our business may be impaired.

Enacted and future healthcare legislation may increase the difficulty and cost for us to obtain marketing approval of and commercialize STS101 and may affect the prices we may set.

In the United States, the European Union and other jurisdictions, there have been, and we expect there will continue to be, a number of legislative and regulatory changes and proposed changes to the healthcare system that could affect our future results of operations. In particular, there have been and continue to be a number of initiatives at the U.S. federal and state levels that seek to reduce healthcare costs and improve the quality of healthcare. For example, in March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, or collectively the ACA, was enacted, which substantially

 

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changed the way healthcare is financed by both governmental and private payors. Among the provisions of the ACA, those of greatest importance to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries include the following:

 

   

an annual, non-deductible fee payable by any entity that manufactures or imports certain branded prescription drugs and biologic agents (other than those designated as orphan drugs), which is apportioned among these entities according to their market share in certain government healthcare programs;

 

   

an increase to the minimum Medicaid rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program and an extension the rebate program to individuals enrolled in Medicaid managed care organizations;

 

   

a new methodology by which rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program are calculated for drugs that are inhaled, infused, instilled, implanted or injected;

 

   

expansion of eligibility criteria for Medicaid programs by, among other things, allowing states to offer Medicaid coverage to certain individuals with income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level, thereby potentially increasing a manufacturer’s Medicaid rebate liability;

 

   

a new Medicare Part D coverage gap discount program, in which manufacturers must agree to offer point-of-sale discounts off negotiated prices of applicable brand drugs to eligible beneficiaries during their coverage gap period, as a condition for the manufacturer’s outpatient drugs to be covered under Medicare Part D;

 

   

a new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to oversee, identify priorities in, and conduct comparative clinical effectiveness research, along with funding for such research; and

 

   

establishment of a Center for Medicare Innovation at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, to test innovative payment and service delivery models to lower Medicare and Medicaid spending, potentially including prescription drug spending.

Since its enactment, there have been judicial and Congressional challenges to certain aspects of the ACA, and we expect there will be additional challenges and amendments to the ACA in the future. For example, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, or the Tax Act, which includes a provision that entered into effect on January 1, 2019, that repeals the tax-based shared responsibility payment imposed by the ACA on certain individuals who fail to maintain qualifying health coverage for all or part of a year that is commonly referred to as the “individual mandate.” On December 14, 2018, a U.S. District Court Judge in the Northern District of Texas, or Texas District Court Judge, ruled that the individual mandate is a critical and inseverable feature of the ACA, and therefore, because it was repealed as part of the Tax Act, the remaining provisions of the ACA are invalid as well. While the Texas District Court Judge, as well as the Trump Administration and CMS, have stated that the ruling will have no immediate effect, it is unclear how this decision, subsequent appeals, and other efforts to repeal and replace the ACA will impact the ACA and our business.

In addition, other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted in the United States since the ACA was enacted. In August 2011, the Budget Control Act of 2011, among other things, led to aggregate reductions of Medicare payments to providers of 2% per fiscal year. These reductions went into effect in April 2013 and, due to subsequent legislative amendments to the statute, will remain in effect through 2027 unless additional action is taken by Congress.

Moreover, payment methodologies may be subject to changes in healthcare legislation and regulatory initiatives. For example, CMS may develop new payment and delivery models, such as bundled payment models. In addition, recently there has been heightened governmental scrutiny over the manner in which manufacturers set prices for their marketed products, which has resulted in several U.S. Congressional inquiries and proposed and enacted federal and state legislation designed to, among other things, bring more transparency to drug pricing, reduce the cost of prescription drugs under government payor programs, and review the relationship

 

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between pricing and manufacturer patient programs. The Trump administration’s budget proposals for fiscal years 2019 and 2020 contain further drug price control measures that could be enacted during the 2019 budget process or in other future legislation, including, for example, measures to permit Medicare Part D plans to negotiate the price of certain drugs under Medicare Part B, to allow some states to negotiate drug prices under Medicaid, and to eliminate cost sharing for generic drugs for low-income patients. While some measures may require additional authorization to become effective, Congress and the Trump administration have each indicated that it will continue to seek new legislative and/or administrative measures to control drug costs. We expect that additional U.S. federal healthcare reform measures will be adopted in the future, any of which could limit the amounts that the U.S. federal government will pay for healthcare products and services, which could result in reduced demand for STS101 or additional pricing pressures.

Individual states in the United States have also increasingly passed legislation and implemented regulations designed to control pharmaceutical and biological product pricing, including price or patient reimbursement constraints, discounts, restrictions on certain product access and marketing cost disclosure and transparency measures, and, in some cases, designed to encourage importation from other countries and bulk purchasing. Legally-mandated price controls on payment amounts by third-party payors or other restrictions could harm our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. In addition, regional healthcare authorities and individual hospitals are increasingly using bidding procedures to determine what pharmaceutical products and which suppliers will be included in their prescription drug and other healthcare programs. Furthermore, there has been increased interest by third party payors and governmental authorities in reference pricing systems and publication of discounts and list prices.

In the European Union, similar political, economic and regulatory developments may affect our ability to profitably commercialize STS101, if approved. In addition to continuing pressure on prices and cost containment measures, legislative developments at the European Union or member state level may result in significant additional requirements or obstacles that may increase our operating costs. The delivery of healthcare in the European Union, including the establishment and operation of health services and the pricing and reimbursement of medicines, is almost exclusively a matter for national, rather than European Union, law and policy. National governments and health service providers have different priorities and approaches to the delivery of health care and the pricing and reimbursement of products in that context. In general, however, the healthcare budgetary constraints in most European Union member states have resulted in restrictions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines by relevant health service providers. Coupled with ever-increasing European Union and national regulatory burdens on those wishing to develop and market products, this could prevent or delay marketing approval of STS101, restrict or regulate post-approval activities and affect our ability to commercialize STS101, if approved. In markets outside of the United States and European Union, reimbursement and healthcare payment systems vary significantly by country, and many countries have instituted price ceilings on specific products and therapies.

We cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative action in the United States, the European Union or any other jurisdiction. If we or any third parties we may engage are slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing requirements or the adoption of new requirements or policies, or if we or such third parties are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, STS101 may lose any regulatory approval that may have been obtained and we may not achieve or sustain profitability.

 

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Risks Related to Our Common Stock and This Offering

Our stock price may be volatile and you may not be able to resell shares of our common stock at or above the price you paid.

The trading price of our common stock following this offering could be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control. These factors include those discussed in this “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus and others such as:

 

   

results from, and any delays in, our clinical trials for STS101;

 

   

results of clinical trials of our competitors’ products;

 

   

competition from existing products or new products that may emerge;

 

   

announcements by academic, guideline publishers or other third parties challenging the fundamental premises underlying our approach to treating migraine;

 

   

announcements of regulatory approval or disapproval of STS101;

 

   

failure or discontinuation of any of our research and development programs;

 

   

manufacturing setbacks or delays of or issues with the supply of the materials for STS101;

 

   

announcements relating to future licensing, collaboration or development agreements, including the early termination or failure of an existing strategic collaboration;

 

   

delays in the commercialization of STS101;

 

   

acquisitions and sales of new products, technologies or businesses;

 

   

quarterly variations in our results of operations or those of our future competitors;

 

   

changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by securities analysts;

 

   

announcements by us or our competitors of new products, significant contracts, commercial relationships, acquisitions or capital commitments;

 

   

developments with respect to intellectual property rights;

 

   

our commencement of, or involvement in, litigation;

 

   

changes in financial estimates or guidance, including our ability to meet our future revenue and operating profit or loss estimates or guidance;

 

   

any major changes in our board of directors or management;

 

   

new legislation in the United States or relevant foreign jurisdictions relating to the sale or pricing of pharmaceuticals;

 

   

FDA or other U.S. or foreign regulatory actions affecting us or our industry;

 

   

product liability claims or other litigation or public concern about the safety of STS101 or other DHE products;

 

   

market conditions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors; and

 

   

general economic conditions in the United States and abroad.

In addition, the stock markets in general, and the markets for pharmaceutical and biotechnology stocks in particular, have experienced extreme volatility that may have been unrelated to the operating performance of the issuer. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price or liquidity of our common stock. In the past, when the market price of a stock has been volatile, holders of that stock have sometimes instituted securities class action litigation against the issuer. If we were to become involved in securities litigation, we could incur substantial costs and resources and the attention of our management could be diverted from the operation of our business.

 

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There has been no public market for our common stock and an active, liquid and orderly market for our common stock may not develop, and you may not be able to resell your common stock at or above the public offering price.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for shares of our common stock, and an active public market for our shares may not develop or be sustained after this offering. We and the representatives of the underwriters will determine the initial public offering price of our common stock through negotiation. This price will not necessarily reflect the price at which investors in the market will be willing to buy and sell our shares following this offering. In addition, an active trading market may not develop following the consummation of this offering or, if it is developed, may not be sustained. Further, certain of our existing investors affiliated with certain of our directors have indicated an interest in purchasing an aggregate of approximately $25 million in shares of our common stock in this offering at the initial public offering price and on the same terms as the other purchasers in this offering and, to the extent these affiliated investors purchase shares in this offering, fewer shares may be actively traded in the public market because these stockholders will be restricted from selling the shares by restrictions under applicable securities laws, which would reduce the liquidity of the market for our common stock. The lack of an active market may impair your ability to sell your shares at the time you wish to sell them or at a price that you consider reasonable. An inactive market may also impair our ability to raise capital by selling shares and may impair our ability to acquire other businesses, applications, or technologies using our shares as consideration.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they issue an adverse or misleading opinion regarding our stock or business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. We do not currently have and may never obtain research coverage by securities and industry analysts. If no or few securities or industry analysts commence coverage of us, the trading price for our stock would be negatively impacted. In the event we obtain securities or industry analyst coverage, if any of the analysts who cover us issue an adverse or misleading opinion regarding us, our business model, our intellectual property or our stock performance, or if our clinical trials and operating results fail to meet the expectations of analysts, demand for our common stock could decrease and our stock price could decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of us or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.

We are an “emerging growth company” and as a result of the reduced disclosure and governance requirements applicable to emerging growth companies, our common stock may be less attractive to investors.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Jumpstart Our Business Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, and we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Section 404, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and obtaining stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. In addition, as an “emerging growth company,” the JOBS Act allows us to delay adoption of new or revised accounting pronouncements applicable to public companies until such pronouncements are made applicable to private companies. We have elected to use this extended transition period under the JOBS Act. As a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to the financial statements of issuers who are required to comply with the effective dates for new or revised accounting standards that are applicable to public companies, which may make comparison of our financials to those of other public companies more difficult.

We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading

 

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market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile. We may take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer an emerging growth company. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the year following the fifth anniversary of the consummation of this offering, (2) the last day of the year in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, (3) the last day of the year in which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeded $700.0 million as of the last business day of the second fiscal quarter of such year or (4) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period.

We will incur significant costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management will devote substantial time to new compliance initiatives. We may fail to comply with the rules that apply to public companies, including Section 404, which could result in sanctions or other penalties that would harm our business.

We will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses as a public company, including costs resulting from public company reporting obligations under the Exchange Act and regulations regarding corporate governance practices. The listing requirements of The Nasdaq Global Market and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, require that we satisfy certain corporate governance requirements relating to director independence, filing annual and interim reports, stockholder meetings, approvals and voting, soliciting proxies, conflicts of interest and a code of conduct. Our management and other personnel will need to devote a substantial amount of time to ensure that we comply with all of these requirements. Moreover, the reporting requirements, rules and regulations will increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time-consuming and costly. Any changes we make to comply with these obligations may not be sufficient to allow us to satisfy our obligations as a public company on a timely basis, or at all. These reporting requirements, rules and regulations, coupled with the increase in potential litigation exposure associated with being a public company, could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or board committees or to serve as executive officers, or to obtain certain types of insurance, including directors’ and officers’ insurance, on acceptable terms and we may be forced to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage.

After this offering, we will be subject to Section 404 and the related rules of the SEC, which generally require our management and independent registered public accounting firm to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Beginning with the second annual report that we will be required to file with the SEC, Section 404 requires an annual management assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. However, for so long as we remain an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act, we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404. Once we are no longer an emerging growth company or, if prior to such date, we opt to no longer take advantage of the applicable exemption, we will be required to include an opinion from our independent registered public accounting firm on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the year following the fifth anniversary of the consummation of this offering, (2) the last day of the year in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, (3) the last day of the year in which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeded $700.0 million as of the last business day of the second fiscal quarter of such year or (4) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period.

To date, we have never conducted a review of our internal control for the purpose of providing the reports required by these rules. During the course of our review and testing, we may identify deficiencies and be unable to remediate them before we must provide the required reports. Furthermore, if we have a material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting, we may not detect errors on a timely basis and our financial

 

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statements may be materially misstated. We or our independent registered public accounting firm may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting, which could harm our operating results, cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information and cause the trading price of our stock to fall. In addition, as a public company we will be required to file accurate and timely quarterly and annual reports with the SEC under the Exchange Act. In order to report our results of operations and financial statements on an accurate and timely basis, we will depend on CROs to provide timely and accurate notice of their costs to us. Any failure to report our financial results on an accurate and timely basis could result in sanctions, lawsuits, delisting of our shares from The Nasdaq Global Market or other adverse consequences that would materially harm to our business.

We identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting at December 31, 2017 and 2018, and we may identify additional material weaknesses in the future that may cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations or result in material misstatements of our financial statements. If we fail to remediate any material weaknesses or if we otherwise fail to establish and maintain effective control over financial reporting, our ability to accurately and timely report our financial results could be adversely affected.

In connection with the contemporaneous audits of our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, we identified control deficiencies in the design and operation of our internal control over financial reporting that constituted a material weakness. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

The material weakness identified in our internal control over financial reporting related to a lack of appropriately designed and implemented controls over the review and approval of manual journal entries and the related supporting journal entry calculations. We have taken certain actions to remediate the material weakness, including engaging SEC compliance and technical accounting consultants. We intend to hire additional finance and accounting personnel to augment accounting staff and to provide more resources for complex accounting matters and financial reporting. However, we cannot assure you that these measures will be sufficient to remediate the material weakness that has been identified or prevent future material weaknesses or significant deficiencies from occurring.

Neither we nor our independent registered public accounting firm has performed an evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting during any period in accordance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Sarbanes-Oxley. In light of the control deficiencies and the resulting material weakness that were previously identified as a result of the limited procedures performed, we believe that it is possible that, had we and our independent registered public accounting firm performed an evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley, additional material weaknesses and significant control deficiencies may have been identified.

We may identify future material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting or fail to meet the demands that will be placed upon us as a public company, including the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley, and we may be unable to accurately report our financial results, or report them within the timeframes required by law or stock exchange regulations. Under Section 404, we will be required to evaluate and determine the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and, beginning with our second annual report following this offering, provide a management report on internal control over financial reporting. Failure to comply with Section 404 could also potentially subject us to sanctions or investigations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities. We cannot assure that our existing material weakness will be remediated or that additional material weaknesses will not exist or otherwise be discovered, any of which could adversely affect our reputation, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Purchasers in this offering will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the book value of their investment.

The initial public offering price of our common stock is substantially higher than the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock before giving effect to this offering. Accordingly, if you purchase our common stock in this offering, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution of approximately $7.70 per share, based on the initial public offering price of $15.00 per share, and our pro forma net tangible book value as of June 30, 2019. In addition, following this offering, purchasers in this offering will have contributed approximately 50.4% of the total gross consideration paid by stockholders to us to purchase shares of our common stock, through June 30, 2019, but will own only approximately 31.0% of the shares of common stock outstanding immediately after this offering. Furthermore, if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares, or outstanding options and warrants are exercised, you could experience further dilution. For a further description of the dilution that you will experience immediately after this offering, see “Dilution.”

If we sell shares of our common stock in future financings, stockholders may experience immediate dilution and, as a result, our stock price may decline.

We may from time to time issue additional shares of common stock at a discount from the current trading price of our common stock, including pursuant to our 2019 Incentive Award Plan and 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. As a result, our stockholders would experience immediate dilution upon the purchase of any shares of our common stock sold at such discount. In addition, as opportunities present themselves, we may enter into financing or similar arrangements in the future, including the issuance of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock. If we issue common stock or securities convertible into common stock, our common stockholders would experience additional dilution and, as a result, our stock price may decline.

Our principal stockholders and management own a significant percentage of our stock and will be able to exert significant control over matters subject to stockholder approval.

As of August 1, 2019, our executive officers, directors, holders of 5.0% or more of our capital stock and their respective affiliates held approximately 96.1% of our outstanding voting stock and, upon the closing of this offering, that same group will hold approximately 66.3% of our outstanding voting stock (inclusive of shares purchased in this offering and assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares and no exercise of outstanding options or warrants). Certain of our existing investors affiliated with certain of our directors have indicated an interest in purchasing an aggregate of approximately $25 million in shares of our common stock in this offering at the initial public offering price. Any such purchases, if completed, would be made on the same terms as the shares that are sold to the public generally and not pursuant to any pre-existing contractual rights or obligations. If such investors purchase all of the shares they have indicated interests in purchasing, our executive officers, directors, holders of 5% or more of our capital stock and their respective affiliates will beneficially own approximately 76.6% of our outstanding common stock upon the completion of this offering (based on the assumed initial public offering price of $15.00 per share, the midpoint of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares and no exercise of outstanding options or warrants). Therefore, even after this offering these stockholders will have the ability to influence us through this ownership position. These stockholders may be able to determine all matters requiring stockholder approval. For example, these stockholders may be able to control elections of directors, amendments of our organizational documents, or approval of any merger, sale of assets, or other major corporate transaction. This may prevent or discourage unsolicited acquisition proposals or offers for our common stock that you may feel are in your best interest as one of our stockholders.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market could cause our stock price to fall.

If our existing stockholders sell, or indicate an intention to sell, substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market after the lock-up and other legal restrictions on resale discussed in this prospectus lapse, the

 

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trading price of our common stock could decline. Based upon the number of shares outstanding as of June 30, 2019, upon the closing of this offering, we will have outstanding a total of 16,105,256 shares of common stock, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock and no exercise of outstanding options or warrants. Of these shares, all of the shares of our common stock sold in this offering (other than shares sold to entities affiliated with certain of our directors), plus any shares sold upon exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, will be freely tradable, without restriction, in the public market immediately following this offering.

The lock-up agreements pertaining to this offering will expire 180 days from the date of this prospectus. After the lock-up agreements expire, as of June 30, 2019, up to approximately 11.1 million additional shares of common stock will be eligible for sale in the public market, approximately 10.7 million of which shares are held by directors, executive officers and other affiliates and will be subject to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and applicable vesting schedules. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, SVB Leerink LLC and Evercore Group L.L.C. may, however, in their sole discretion, permit our officers, directors and other stockholders who are subject to these lock-up agreements to sell shares prior to the expiration of the lock-up agreements.

In addition, as of June 30, 2019, approximately 1.9 million shares of common stock that are either subject to outstanding options or reserved for future issuance under our existing equity incentive plan will become eligible for sale in the public market to the extent permitted by the provisions of various vesting schedules, the lock-up agreements and Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act. If these additional shares of common stock are sold, or if it is perceived that they will be sold, in the public market, the trading price of our common stock could decline.

After this offering, the holders of approximately 10.9 million shares of our common stock, or approximately 63.7% of our total outstanding common stock as of June 30, 2019, will be entitled to rights with respect to the registration of their shares under the Securities Act, subject to vesting schedules and to the lock-up agreements described above. Registration of these shares under the Securities Act would result in the shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act, except for shares purchased by affiliates. Any sales of securities by these stockholders could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock.

We have broad discretion to determine how to use the funds raised in this offering, and may use them in ways that may not enhance our operating results or the price of our common stock.

Our management will have broad discretion over the use of proceeds from this offering, and we could spend the proceeds from this offering in ways our stockholders may not agree with or that do not yield a favorable return, if at all. We currently expect to use the net proceeds of this offering to fund our Phase 3 EMERGE efficacy trial for STS101, our Phase 3 safety trial for STS101, manufacturing activities relating to STS101, and any remaining amounts to prepare for the commercial launch of STS101 and for working capital and general corporate purposes. However, our use of these proceeds may differ substantially from our current plans. If we do not successfully invest or apply the proceeds of this offering, we may fail to achieve expected financial results, which could cause our stock price to decline.

Our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited.

We have incurred substantial losses during our history and do not expect to become profitable in the near future, and we may never achieve profitability. To the extent that we continue to generate taxable losses, unused losses will carry forward to offset a portion of future taxable income, if any, until such unused losses expire, if ever. Under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” generally defined as a greater than 50 percentage point change (by value) in its equity ownership by certain stockholders over a three-year period, the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change net operating loss carryforwards, or NOLs, and other pre-change tax attributes (such as research and development tax

 

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credits) to offset its post-change income or taxes may be limited. While we do not believe we have experienced ownership changes in the past, it is possible we have done so, and we may experience ownership changes in the future as a result of this offering and/or subsequent shifts in our stock ownership (some of which shifts are outside our control). There is also a risk that due to regulatory changes, such as suspensions on the use of NOLs, or other unforeseen reasons, our existing NOLs could expire or otherwise become unavailable to offset future income tax liabilities. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or the Tax Act, the amount of post-2017 NOLs that are permitted to deduct from U.S. federal income taxes in any taxable year is limited to 80% of our taxable income in such year, where taxable income is determined without regard to the NOL deduction itself. The Tax Act generally eliminates the ability to carry back any NOLs to prior taxable years, while allowing post-2017 unused NOLs to be carried forward indefinitely without expiration. Additionally, state NOLs generated in one state cannot be used to offset income generated in another state. For these reasons, even if we attain profitability, we may be unable to use a material portion of our NOLs and other tax attributes.

Recent U.S. tax legislation and future changes to applicable U.S. tax laws and regulations may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Changes in laws and policy relating to taxes may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. For example, the U.S. government recently enacted significant tax reform legislation, and certain provisions of the new law may adversely affect us. Changes include, but are not limited to, a federal corporate income tax rate decrease to 21% for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, a reduction to the maximum deduction allowed for net operating losses generated in tax years after December 31, 2017, eliminating carrybacks of net operating losses, providing for indefinite carryforwards for losses generated in tax years after December 31, 2017, imposing significant additional limitations on the deductibility of interest, allowing for the accelerated expensing of capital expenditures, and putting into effect the migration from a “worldwide” system of taxation to a largely territorial system. The legislation is unclear in many respects and could be subject to potential amendments and technical corrections, and will be subject to interpretations and implementing regulations by the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service, any of which could mitigate or increase certain adverse effects of the legislation. In addition, it is unclear how these U.S. federal income tax changes will affect state and local taxation. Generally, future changes in applicable U.S. tax laws and regulations, or their interpretation and application could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Provisions in our charter documents and under Delaware law could discourage a takeover that stockholders may consider favorable and may lead to entrenchment of management.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws that will be in effect immediately prior to the consummation of this offering will contain provisions that could delay or prevent changes in control or changes in our management without the consent of our board of directors. These provisions will include the following:

 

   

a classified board of directors with three-year staggered terms, which may delay the ability of stockholders to change the membership of a majority of our board of directors;

 

   

no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which limits the ability of minority stockholders to elect director candidates;

 

   

the exclusive right of our board of directors to elect a director to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of the board of directors or the resignation, death or removal of a director, which prevents stockholders from being able to fill vacancies on our board of directors;

 

   

the ability of our board of directors to authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock and to determine the price and other terms of those shares, including preferences and voting rights, without stockholder approval, which could be used to significantly dilute the ownership of a hostile acquiror;

 

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the ability of our board of directors to alter our amended and restated bylaws without obtaining stockholder approval;

 

   

the required approval of at least 66 2/3% of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors to adopt, amend or repeal our amended and restated bylaws or repeal the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation regarding the election and removal of directors;

 

   

a prohibition on stockholder action by written consent, which forces stockholder action to be taken at an annual or special meeting of our stockholders;

 

   

the requirement that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by our chief executive officer or president or by the board of directors, which may delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or to take action, including the removal of directors; and

 

   

advance notice procedures that stockholders must comply with in order to nominate candidates to our board of directors or to propose matters to be acted upon at a stockholders’ meeting, which may discourage or deter a potential acquiror from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquiror’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us.

We are also subject to the anti-takeover provisions contained in Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Under Section 203, a corporation may not, in general, engage in a business combination with any holder of 15% or more of its capital stock unless the holder has held the stock for three years or, among other exceptions, the board of directors has approved the transaction. For a description of our capital stock, see “Description of Capital Stock.”

Claims for indemnification by our directors and officers may reduce our available funds to satisfy successful third-party claims against us and may reduce the amount of money available to us.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers, in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.

In addition, as permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated bylaws to be effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering and our indemnification agreements that we have entered into with our directors and officers will provide that:

 

   

We will indemnify our directors and officers for serving us in those capacities or for serving other business enterprises at our request, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Delaware law provides that a corporation may indemnify such person if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the registrant and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful.

 

   

We may, in our discretion, indemnify employees and agents in those circumstances where indemnification is permitted by applicable law.

 

   

We are required to advance expenses, as incurred, to our directors and officers in connection with defending a proceeding, except that such directors or officers shall undertake to repay such advances if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification.

 

   

We will not be obligated pursuant to our amended and restated bylaws to indemnify a person with respect to proceedings initiated by that person against us or our other indemnitees, except with respect to proceedings authorized by our board of directors or brought to enforce a right to indemnification.

 

   

The rights conferred in our amended and restated bylaws are not exclusive, and we are authorized to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors, officers, employees and agents and to obtain insurance to indemnify such persons.

 

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We may not retroactively amend our amended and restated bylaw provisions to reduce our indemnification obligations to directors, officers, employees and agents.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will provide for an exclusive forum in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware for certain disputes between us and our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty, any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws, or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine; provided that, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction; and provided further that, if and only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware dismisses any such action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, such action may be brought in another state or federal court sitting in the State of Delaware. Nothing in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws precludes stockholders that assert claims under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act from bringing such claims in state or federal court, subject to applicable law.

We believe these provisions may benefit us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law and federal securities laws by chancellors and judges, as applicable, particularly experienced in resolving corporate disputes, efficient administration of cases on a more expedited schedule relative to other forums and protection against the burdens of multi-forum litigation. This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims, although our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. If a court were to find the choice of forum provision that will be contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

We do not currently intend to pay dividends on our common stock, and, consequently, your ability to achieve a return on your investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our common stock.

We do not currently intend to pay any cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Further, we are currently subject to covenants under our Loan Agreement that place restrictions on our ability to pay dividends. We currently intend to invest our future earnings, if any, to fund our growth. Therefore, you are not likely to receive any dividends on your common stock for the foreseeable future. Since we do not intend to pay dividends, your ability to receive a return on your investment will depend on any future appreciation in the market value of our common stock. There is no guarantee that our common stock will appreciate or even maintain the price at which our holders have purchased it.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements concerning our business, operations and financial performance and condition, as well as our plans, objectives and expectations for our business operations and financial performance and condition. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “due,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “positioned,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and other similar expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events and future trends, or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

   

our expectations regarding the potential market size and size of the potential patient populations for STS101, if approved for commercial use;

 

   

our clinical and regulatory development plans;

 

   

our expectations with regard to the data to be derived from our ongoing and planned Phase 3 clinical trials;

 

   

the timing of commencement of future nonclinical studies and clinical trials and research and development programs;

 

   

our intentions and our ability to establish collaborations and/or partnerships;

 

   

the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals for STS101;

 

   

our commercialization, marketing and manufacturing plans and expectations;

 

   

the pricing and reimbursement of STS101, if approved;

 

   

the implementation of our business model and strategic plans for our business and STS101;

 

   

the scope of protection we are able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights covering STS101, including the projected terms of patent protection;

 

   

estimates of our expenses, future revenue, capital requirements, our needs for additional financing and our ability to obtain additional capital;

 

   

our use of proceeds from this offering;

 

   

our future financial performance; and

 

   

developments and projections relating to our competitors and our industry, including competing therapies and procedures.

These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our business and the industry in which we operate and management’s beliefs and assumptions and are not guarantees of future performance or development and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are in some cases beyond our control. As a result, any or all of our forward-looking statements in this prospectus may turn out to be inaccurate and you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, those listed under the section of this prospectus titled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. Potential investors are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus. Except as required by law, we

 

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assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future. You should, however, review the factors and risks we describe in the reports we will file from time to time with the SEC after the date of this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

This prospectus contains estimates, projections and other information concerning our industry, our business, and the markets for STS101, including data regarding the estimated patient population and market size for STS101, as well as data regarding market research, estimates and forecasts prepared by our management. Information that is based on estimates, forecasts, projections, market research or similar methodologies is inherently subject to uncertainties and actual events or circumstances may differ materially from events and circumstances that are assumed in this information. Unless otherwise expressly stated, we obtained this industry, business, market, clinical and other data from reports, research surveys, studies and similar data prepared by market research firms and other third parties, industry, medical, clinical and general publications, government data and similar sources. In some cases, we do not expressly refer to the sources from which this data is derived. In that regard, when we refer to one or more sources of this type of data in any paragraph, you should assume that other data of this type appearing in the same paragraph is derived from the same sources, unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of 5,000,000 shares of common stock in this offering will be approximately $66.7 million at an assumed initial public offering price of $15.00 per share (the midpoint of the estimated price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus), after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase 750,000 additional shares in full, we estimate that the net proceeds will be approximately $77.1 million at an assumed initial public offering price of $15.00 per share (the midpoint of the estimated price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $15.00 per share (the midpoint of the estimated price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, by approximately $4.7 million, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same. We may also increase or decrease the number of shares we are offering. An increase (decrease) of 1,000,000 in the number of shares we are offering would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, by approximately $14.0 million, assuming the assumed initial public offering price of $15.00 (the midpoint of the estimated price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) stays the same. The estimated net proceeds from this offering is illustrative only, and we will adjust this information based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering as follows:

 

   

approximately $18.0 million to $22.0 million to fund our Phase 3 EMERGE efficacy trial for STS101;

 

   

approximately $20.0 million to $25.0 million to fund our Phase 3 safety trial for STS101;

 

   

approximately $10.0 million to $12.0 million to fund manufacturing activities relating to STS101; and

 

   

any remaining amounts to prepare for the commercial launch of STS101 and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering, together with our current cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, will be sufficient for us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements through at least the end of 2021, and, assuming the successful completion of our ongoing and planned Phase 3 clinical trials for STS101, through the filing of a new drug application for STS101.

This expected use of the net proceeds from this offering represents our intentions based upon our current plans and business conditions. As of the date of this prospectus, we cannot predict with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to be received upon the completion of this offering or the amounts that we will actually spend on the uses set forth above. The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures and the extent of our development activities may vary significantly depending on numerous factors, including the progress of our development efforts, the status of and results from any current clinical trials or clinical trials we may commence in the future, our ability to take advantage of expedited programs or to obtain regulatory approval for STS101, the timing and costs associated with the manufacture and supply of STS101, and any unforeseen cash needs. As a result, our management will retain broad discretion over the allocation of the net proceeds from this offering.

Pending our use of the net proceeds from this offering, we intend to invest the net proceeds in interest-bearing, investment-grade instruments and government securities.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock. We intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings, if any, to fund the development and expansion of our business and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. In addition, we are currently subject to covenants under our loan agreement with Silicon Valley Bank that place restrictions on our ability to pay dividends. Any future determination related to dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities and capitalization as of June 30, 2019:

 

   

on an actual basis;

 

   

on a pro forma basis to give effect to: (i) the conversion of all shares of our outstanding Series A and Series B convertible preferred stock as of June 30, 2019 into an aggregate of 9,936,341 shares of common stock immediately prior to the consummation of this offering; and (ii) the filing and effectiveness of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which will occur immediately prior to the consummation of this offering; and

 

   

on a pro forma as adjusted basis to give further effect to the sale of 5,000,000 shares of common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $15.00 per share (the midpoint of the estimated price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus), after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

You should read this information together with our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus and the information set forth in the sections of this prospectus titled “Selected Financial Data” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

     As of June 30, 2019  
     Actual     Pro Forma     Pro Forma As
Adjusted(1)
 
     (In thousands, except share and per
share amounts)
 

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities

   $ 55,041     $ 55,041     $ 121,691  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt

   $ 5,028     $ 5,028     $ 5,028  

Convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value — 9,936,355 shares authorized; 9,936,341 shares issued and outstanding, actual; no shares authorized, issued or outstanding, pro forma or pro forma as adjusted

   $ 73,138     $ —       $ —    

Stockholders’ (deficit) equity:

      

Common stock, $0.0001 par value — 13,148,936 shares authorized; 1,152,957 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 300,000,000 shares authorized, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted; 11,089,298 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma; 16,089,298 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted

     1       5       6  

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value — no shares authorized, issued and outstanding, actual; 10,000,000 shares authorized, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted; no shares issued and outstanding, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted

     —         —         —    

Additional paid-in capital

     2,944       76,078       142,728  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     —         —         —    

Accumulated deficit

     (23,932     (23,932     (23,932
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity

     (20,987     52,151       118,802  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ 57,179     $ 57,179     $ 123,830  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $15.00 per share (the midpoint of the estimated price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) would increase (decrease) the amount of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, additional paid-in capital, total stockholders’ (deficit) equity and total capitalization by approximately $4.7 million, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each increase (decrease) of 1,000,000 in the number of shares offered by us would increase (decrease) cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, additional paid-in capital, total stockholders’

 

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(deficit) equity and total capitalization by approximately $14.0 million, assuming the assumed initial public offering price of $15.00 per share (the midpoint of the estimated price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) remains the same, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. The pro forma as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only and will be adjusted based on the actual public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

The number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding actual, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted in the table above excludes the following:

 

   

1,665,514 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of options to purchase common stock that were outstanding as of June 30, 2019, with a weighted average exercise price of $2.68 per share;

 

   

251,043 shares of our common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to future awards under our 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, which will no longer be available for issuance effective on the day prior to the first public trading date of our common stock;

 

   

10,232 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants with a weighted-average exercise price of $1.04 per share;

 

   

15,958 unvested restricted shares of common stock subject to repurchase as of June 30, 2019;

 

   

1,850,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to future awards under our 2019 Equity Incentive Award Plan, as well as any automatic increases in the number of shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under this plan, which will become effective immediately prior to the consummation of this offering; and

 

   

160,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to future awards under our 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as well as any automatic increases in the number of shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under this plan, which will become effective immediately prior to the consummation of this offering.

 

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DILUTION

If you invest in our common stock in this offering, your interest will be immediately diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per share of our common stock in this offering and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock after this offering.

As of June 30, 2019, we had a historical net tangible book value (deficit) of $(22.2) million, or $(18.99) per share of common stock. Our net tangible book value represents total tangible assets (total assets less deferred offering costs) less total liabilities and our redeemable convertible preferred stock all divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding on June 30, 2019. Our pro forma net tangible book value as of June 30, 2019, before giving effect to this offering, was $50.9 million, or $4.59 per share of our common stock. Pro forma net tangible book value, before the issuance and sale of shares in this offering, gives effect to:

 

   

the conversion of all shares of our outstanding Series A and Series B convertible preferred stock as of June 30, 2019 into an aggregate of 9,936,341 shares of common stock immediately prior to the consummation of this offering; and

 

   

the filing and effectiveness of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which will occur immediately prior to the consummation of this offering.

Net tangible book value dilution per share to new investors represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of shares of common stock in this offering and the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share of common stock immediately after completion of this offering. After giving effect to the sale of 5,000,000 shares of common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $15.00 per share (the midpoint of the estimated price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2019 would have been approximately $117.6 million, or $7.30 per share. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value of $2.71 per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of $7.70 per share to new investors. The following table illustrates this per share dilution:

 

Assumed initial public offering price per share

     $ 15.00  

Historical net tangible book value (deficit) per share as of June 30, 2019

   $ (18.99  

Pro forma increase in net tangible book value per share

     23.58    
  

 

 

   

Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of June 30, 2019

     4.59    

Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share attributable to new investors

     2.71    
  

 

 

   

Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering

       7.30  
    

 

 

 

Dilution per share to new investors participating in this offering

       7.70  
    

 

 

 

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $15.00 per share (the midpoint of the estimated price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) would increase (decrease) our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2019 after this offering by approximately $4.7 million, or approximately $0.29 per share, and would increase (decrease) dilution to investors in this offering by approximately $0.71 per share, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover of this prospectus, remains the same, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We may also increase or decrease the number of shares we are offering. An increase of 1,000,000 in the number of shares we are offering would increase our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2019 after this offering by approximately $14.0 million, or approximately $0.39 per share, and would decrease dilution to investors in this offering by approximately $0.39 per share, assuming the assumed initial public offering price per share remains the same, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. A decrease of 1,000,000 in the number of shares we are offering

 

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would decrease our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2019 after this offering by approximately $14.0 million, or approximately $0.44 per share, and would increase dilution to investors in this offering by approximately $0.44 per share, assuming the assumed initial public offering price per share remains the same, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. The pro forma as adjusted information is illustrative only, and we will adjust this information based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

If the underwriters fully exercise their option to purchase additional shares, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value after this offering would increase to approximately $7.60 per share, the increase in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share to existing stockholders would be $3.01 per share and the dilution to new investors purchasing shares in this offering would be $7.40 per share.

To the extent that outstanding options or warrants with an exercise price per share that is less than the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share are exercised, new investors will experience further dilution. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.

The following table shows, as of June 30, 2019, on a pro forma as adjusted basis, the number of shares of common stock purchased from us, the total consideration paid to us and the average price paid per share by existing stockholders and by new investors purchasing common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $15.00 per share (the midpoint of the estimated price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus), before deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us (in thousands, except share and per share amounts and percentages):

 

     Shares Purchased     Total Consideration     Average
Price Per

Share
 
     Number      Percent     Amount      Percent  

Existing stockholders(1)

     11,105,256        69.0   $ 73,860,000        49.6   $ 6.65  

Investors participating in this offering(1)

     5,000,000        31.0       75,000,000        50.4       15.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     16,105,256        100   $ 148,860,000        100   $ 9.24  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)   Certain of our existing investors affiliated with certain of our directors have indicated an interest in purchasing an aggregate of up to approximately $25 million in shares of our common stock in this offering at the initial public offering price. The presentation in this table regarding ownership by existing stockholders does not give effect to any purchases in this offering by such investors.

The number of shares of common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on the number of shares outstanding as of June 30, 2019 and excludes the following:

 

   

1,665,514 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of options to purchase common stock that were outstanding as of June 30, 2019, with a weighted average exercise price of $2.68 per share;

 

   

251,043 shares of our common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to future awards under our 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, which will no longer be available for issuance effective on the day prior to the first public trading date of our common stock;

 

   

10,232 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants with a weighted average exercise price of $1.04 per share;

 

   

1,850,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to future awards under our 2019 Incentive Award Plan, as well as any automatic increases in the number of shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under this plan, which will become effective immediately prior to the consummation of this offering; and

 

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160,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to future awards under our 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as well as any automatic increases in the number of shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under this plan, which will become effective immediately prior to the consummation of this offering.

 

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SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

You should read the following selected historical financial data below together with the sections of this prospectus titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements, related notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected financial data in this section are not intended to replace the financial statements and are qualified in their entirety by the financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

We derived our selected statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2018 from our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected statement of operations data for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019 and the selected balance sheet data as of June 30, 2019 are derived from our unaudited interim condensed financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The unaudited interim condensed financial information has been prepared on the same basis as the annual financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflects all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments that we consider necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information set forth in those statements. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in any future period.

 

     Year Ended December 31,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2017     2018             2018                     2019          
           (unaudited)  
     (in thousands, except share and per share data)  

Statements of Operations Data:

        

Operating expenses:

        

Research and development

   $ 4,193     $ 6,433     $ 3,099     $ 7,605  

General and administrative

     754       1,082       532       1,531  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     4,947       7,515       3,631       9,136  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (4,947     (7,515     (3,631     (9,136

Interest income

     30       72       33       271  

Interest expense

     (15     (90     (2     (244

Other income (expense), net

     (240     187       185       3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss and comprehensive loss

   $ (5,172   $ (7,346   $ 3,415     $ (9,106
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted(1)

   $ (9.26   $ (7.15   $ (3.49   $ (8.05
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted(1)

     558,597       1,026,905       977,694       1,131,147  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pro forma net loss per share, basic and diluted(1)

     $ (1.86              $ (1.34
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares used in computing pro forma net loss per share, basic and diluted(1)

       3,942,460                  6,802,221  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(1)   See Notes 1 and 11 to our audited financial statements for an explanation of the calculations of our basic and diluted net loss per common share, pro forma net loss per common share, and the weighted-average number of common shares used in the computation of the per share amounts.

 

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     December 31,      June 30,  
             2018                      2019          
            (unaudited)  
     (in thousands)  

Balance Sheet Data:

     

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities

   $ 5,205      $ 55,041  

Working capital

     3,439        54,424  

Total assets

     6,381        60,574  

Long-term debt

     4,965        5,028  

Convertible preferred stock

     11,648        73,138  

Accumulated deficit

     (14,826      (23,932

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (12,132      (20,987

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with the section of this prospectus titled “Selected Financial Data” and our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition to the historical financial information, this discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risk, assumptions and uncertainties, such as statements of our plans, objectives, expectations, intentions, forecasts and projections. Our actual results and the timing of selected events could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements as a result of several factors, including those set forth under the section of this prospectus titled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. You should carefully read the section of this prospectus titled “Risk Factors” to gain an understanding of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements. Please also see the section of this prospectus titled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Overview

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel therapeutic product for the acute treatment of migraine. Our product candidate, STS101, is a drug-device combination of a proprietary dry-powder formulation of dihydroergotamine mesylate, or DHE, which can be quickly and easily self-administered with a proprietary pre-filled, single-use, nasal delivery device. DHE products have long been recommended as a first-line therapeutic option for the acute treatment of migraine and have significant advantages over other therapeutics for many patients. However, broad use has been limited by invasive and burdensome administration and/or sub-optimal clinical performance of available injectable and liquid nasal spray products. STS101 is specifically designed to deliver the advantages of DHE while overcoming these shortcomings. We have completed a Phase 1 clinical trial in 42 healthy volunteers, in which STS101 demonstrated rapid and sustained DHE plasma concentrations within ranges previously associated with efficacy and safety in controlled studies of other DHE products, low pharmacokinetic variability, and a favorable safety and tolerability profile. In July 2019, we initiated our Phase 3 EMERGE efficacy trial of STS101 and expect to report topline data in the second half of 2020.

Since our inception in June 2016, we have invested substantially all of our efforts and financial resources in the development of STS101 for the acute treatment of migraine. We have incurred significant operating losses to date and expect that our operating expenses will increase significantly as we advance STS101 through clinical development, manufacturing and regulatory approval, and as we prepare for commercialization of STS101, if approved; obtain, maintain, protect and enforce our intellectual property portfolio; and hire additional personnel. In addition, upon the completion of this offering, we expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company.

Our net losses were $5.2 million and $7.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018, respectively, and $3.4 million and $9.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, respectively. As of June 30, 2019, we had an accumulated deficit of $23.9 million.

We do not have any products approved for sale and have not generated any product revenue since our inception. Since our inception through June 30, 2019, we have funded our operations primarily with an aggregate of $78.8 million in gross cash proceeds from the sale and issuance of convertible preferred stock, a convertible promissory note, and long-term debt.

Our ability to generate product revenue will depend on the successful development and eventual commercialization of STS101. Until such time as we can generate significant revenue from sales of STS101, if ever, we expect to finance our operations through the sale of equity, debt financings or other capital sources, including potential collaborations with other companies or other strategic transactions. Adequate funding may

 

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not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. If we fail to raise capital or enter into such agreements as and when needed, we may have to significantly delay, scale back, or discontinue the development and commercialization of STS101.

As of June 30, 2019, we had cash and cash equivalents of $47.6 million and short-term marketable securities of $7.4 million. In April 2019, we received $61.7 million in gross cash proceeds from the issuance and sale of 6,889,986 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock at $8.95444 per share.

In October 2018, we entered into a Loan and Security Agreement, or the Loan Agreement, with Silicon Valley Bank. The Loan Agreement provides for loan advances of up to $10.0 million. The first advance of $5.0 million was drawn down during the year ended December 31, 2018. The remaining $5.0 million is available to us for draw down in $1.0 million increments.

We believe that current cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities will be sufficient to fund our planned operations for at least 12 months following the date of this offering.

Components of Operating Results

Operating Expenses

Research and Development Expenses

All of our research and development expenses consist of expenses incurred in connection with the development of STS101 for the acute treatment of migraine. These expenses include:

 

   

payroll and personnel-related expenses, including salaries, annual cash bonuses, employee benefit costs and stock-based compensation expenses for our research and product development employees;

 

   

fees paid to third parties to conduct preclinical and clinical studies and other research and development activities, including contract research organizations, or CROs, contract manufacturing organizations, or CMOs, and other service providers; and

 

   

costs for licenses and allocated overhead, including rent, equipment, depreciation, information technology costs and utilities.

We expense both internal and external research and development expenses as they are incurred. We have entered into various agreements with CROs and CMOs. Our research and development accruals are estimated based on the level of services performed, progress of the studies, including the phase or completion of events or tasks, and contracted costs. The estimated costs of research and development provided, but not yet invoiced, are included in accrued liabilities on the balance sheet. If the actual timing of the performance of services or the level of effort varies from the original estimates, we adjust the accrual accordingly. Payments made to CROs and CMOs under these arrangements in advance of the performance of the related services are recorded as prepaid expenses and other current assets until the services are rendered. Nonrefundable payments made prior to the receipt of goods or services that will be used or rendered for future research and development activities are deferred and capitalized as prepaid expenses and other current assets on our balance sheet. The capitalized amounts are recognized as expense as the goods are delivered or the related services are performed.

We expect our research and development expenses to increase substantially following this offering, as we advance STS101 through clinical development, manufacturing and regulatory approval, and as we prepare for commercialization of STS101, if approved. Predicting the timing or the cost to complete our clinical program or validation of our commercial manufacturing and supply processes is difficult and delays may occur because of many factors, including factors outside of our control. For example, if the FDA or other regulatory authorities were to require us to conduct clinical trials beyond those that we currently anticipate, or if we experience significant delays in enrollment in any of our clinical trials, we could be required to expend significant additional financial resources and time on the completion of clinical development. Furthermore, we are unable to predict when or if STS101 will receive regulatory approval with any certainty.

 

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General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist principally of payroll and personnel expenses, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation expenses, professional fees for legal, consulting, accounting and tax services, allocated overhead, including rent, debt service, equipment, depreciation, information technology costs, and utilities, and other general operating expenses not otherwise classified as research and development expenses.

We anticipate that our general and administrative expenses will increase as a result of increased personnel costs, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation expenses, expanded infrastructure and higher consulting, legal and accounting services associated with maintaining compliance with stock exchange listing and Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, requirements, investor relations costs and director and officer insurance premiums associated with being a public company.

Interest Income

Interest income consists primarily of interest earned on our cash, cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities.

Interest Expense

Interest expense consists primarily of interest related to our long-term debt, convertible note, and accretion of debt discount and debt issuance costs.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net primarily consists of changes in the fair value of convertible preferred stock tranche liability and the obligation to issue additional shares of common stock.

Results of Operations

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and 2019

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the periods indicated (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,              
             2018                     2019             Change     % Change  

Operating expenses:

        

Research and development

   $ 3,099     $ 7,605     $ 4,506       145%  

General and administrative

     532       1,531       999       188%  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Loss from operations

     (3,631     (9,136     (5,505     152%  

Interest income

     33       271       238       721%  

Interest expense

     (2     (244     (242     *%  

Other income, net

     185       3       (182     (98%
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net loss

   $ (3,415   $ (9,106   $ (5,691     167%  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

*

Not meaningful

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses increased by $4.5 million, or 145%, from the six months ended June 30, 2018 to the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in research and development expenses was

 

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primarily due to an increase of $3.8 million in fees paid to CROs and CMOs as a result of increased clinical trial activities, an increase of $0.5 million in payroll and personnel expenses, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation expenses, due to increases in headcount, and an increase of $0.2 million in allocated overhead, including depreciation and travel expenses.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses increased by $1.0 million, or 188%, from the six months ended June 30, 2018 to the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to an increase of $0.3 million of payroll and personnel expenses, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation expenses, due to increases in headcount, and an increase of $0.7 million of professional fees for legal, consulting, accounting, tax and other services.

Interest Income

Interest income increased by $0.2 million from the six months ended June 30, 2018 to the six months ended June 30, 2019, which was primarily attributable to interest income from cash and cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased by $0.2 million from the six months ended June 30, 2018 to the six months ended June 30, 2019, which was primarily attributable to interest expense related to our long-term debt, including accretion of debt discount and debt issuance costs.

Other Income, Net

Other income, net decreased by $0.2 million from the six months ended June 30, 2018 to the six months ended June 30, 2019, which was primarily due to a decrease in the fair value of the convertible preferred stock tranche liability of $0.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2018.

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2018

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the periods indicated (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     Years Ended December 31,              
             2017                     2018             Change     % Change  

Operating expenses:

        

Research and development

   $ 4,193     $ 6,433     $ 2,240       53

General and administrative

     754       1,082       328       44
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Loss from operations

     (4,947     (7,515     (2,568     52

Interest income

     30       72       42       140

Interest expense

     (15     (90     (75     500

Other income (expense), net

     (240     187       427       (178 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net loss

   $ (5,172   $ (7,346   $ (2,174     42
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses increased by $2.2 million, or 53%, from the year ended December 31, 2017 to the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase in research and development expenses was primarily

 

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due to an increase of $1.3 million in fees paid to CROs and CMOs, and an increase of $0.9 million in payroll and personnel expenses, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation expenses, due to increases in headcount.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses increased by $0.3 million, or 44%, from the year ended December 31, 2017 to the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to an increase of $0.1 million of payroll and personnel expenses, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation expenses, and an increase of $0.1 million of professional fees for legal, consulting, accounting, tax and other services.

Interest Income

Interest income increased by less than $0.1 million from the year ended December 31, 2017 to the year ended December 31, 2018, which was primarily attributable to interest income from cash and cash equivalents.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased by $0.1 million from the year ended December 31, 2017 to the year ended December 31, 2018, which was primarily attributable to interest expense related to our long-term debt, including accretion of debt discount and debt issuance costs.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net increased by $0.4 million from the year ended December 31, 2017 to the year ended December 31, 2018, which was primarily due to a decrease in the fair value of the convertible preferred stock tranche liability of $0.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2018.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources of Liquidity

Since our inception, we have funded our operations primarily through private placements of convertible preferred stock, a convertible promissory note, and long-term debt. We do not have any products approved for sale and have never generated any revenue. In August 2016, we received $0.1 million under a convertible promissory note. We received gross cash proceeds of $6.0 million from the sale and issuance of Series A convertible preferred stock during the year ended December 31, 2016, and gross cash proceeds of $6.0 million from the sale and issuance of Series A convertible preferred stock during the year ended December 31, 2018. In April 2019, we received gross cash proceeds of $61.7 million from the sale and issuance of Series B convertible preferred stock. We also entered into the credit facility described below with Silicon Valley Bank.

Credit Facility

In October 2018, we entered into the Loan Agreement with Silicon Valley Bank. The Loan Agreement provides for loan advances of up to $10.0 million. We drew down the first advance of $5.0 million as of the effective date of the Loan Agreement. The remaining $5.0 million is available for draw down in $1.0 million increments. The Loan Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default, including covenants and restrictions that among other things, restrict our ability to incur liens, incur additional indebtedness, make loans and investments, engage in mergers and acquisitions, engage in asset sales or sale and leaseback transactions, and declare dividends or redeem or repurchase capital stock. Interest on the loan advances is payable monthly at a floating per annum rate equal to the greater of 1.5% above the prime rate and 6.5%. Upon

 

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the occurrence of an event of default, interest will increase to 5.0% above the rate that is otherwise applicable. Principal on the outstanding loan advance is repayable commencing on December 1, 2019 in 30 monthly payments through maturity. The maturity date of the loan advances is May 1, 2022.

Future Funding Requirements

We have incurred net losses since our inception. Our net losses were $5.2 million and $7.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively, and $3.4 million and $9.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, respectively, and we expect to incur substantial additional losses in future periods. Based on our current business plan, we believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, will be sufficient to fund our planned operations for at least 12 months following the date of this offering.

We do not expect to generate any meaningful revenue unless and until we obtain regulatory approval of and commercialize STS101 or enter into collaborative agreements with third parties, and we do not know when, or if, either will occur. We expect to continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future, and we expect the losses to increase as we continue the development of, and seek regulatory approvals for, STS101 and begin to commercialize STS101, if approved. We are subject to the risks typically related to the development of new product candidates, and we may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other unknown factors that may adversely affect our business. Moreover, following the completion of this offering, we expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company.

We will continue to require additional capital to develop STS101 and fund operations for the foreseeable future. We may seek to raise capital through private or public equity or debt financings, collaborative or other arrangements with corporate sources, or through other sources of financing. Adequate additional funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. Our failure to raise capital as and when needed would have a negative impact on our financial condition and our ability to pursue the development and commercialization of STS101. We anticipate that we will need to raise substantial additional capital, the requirements for which will depend on many factors, including:

 

   

the scope, timing, rate of progress, results and costs of our clinical trials for STS101;

 

   

the number and scope of clinical programs we decide to pursue;

 

   

the scope and costs of manufacturing development and commercial manufacturing activities;

 

   

the cost, timing and outcome of regulatory review of STS101;

 

   

the cost of building a sales force in anticipation of commercialization of STS101;

 

   

the cost and timing associated with commercializing STS101, if approved;

 

   

the costs of preparing, filing and prosecuting patent applications, maintaining and enforcing our intellectual property rights and defending intellectual property-related claims;

 

   

any product liability or other lawsuits related to STS101;

 

   

our efforts to enhance operational systems and our ability to attract, hire and retain qualified personnel, including personnel to support the development and commercialization of STS101;

 

   

the extent to which we acquire or in-license other product candidates or technologies;

 

   

the payment of royalty payments owed under our existing license agreement;

 

   

our ability to establish and maintain collaborations on favorable terms, if at all;

 

   

the costs associated with being a public company; and

 

   

the timing, receipt and amount of sales of STS101, if approved.

 

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A change in the outcome of any of these or other variables with respect to the development of STS101 could significantly change the costs and timing associated with its development. Furthermore, our operating plans may change in the future, and we will continue to require additional capital to meet operational needs and capital requirements associated with such operating plans. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, our stockholders may experience dilution. Any debt financing into which we enter may impose upon us covenants that restrict our operations, including limitations on our ability to incur liens or additional debt, pay dividends, repurchase our common stock, make certain investments or engage in certain merger, consolidation or asset sale transactions. For example, the Loan Agreement contains many of these restrictions. Any debt financing or additional equity that we raise may contain terms that are not favorable to us or our stockholders. If we are unable to raise additional funds when needed, we may be required to delay, reduce, or terminate our development program and clinical trials. We may also be required to sell or license to others rights to STS101 in certain territories or indications that we would prefer to develop and commercialize ourselves. Adequate additional funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms or at all. See “Risk Factors” for additional risks associated with our substantial capital requirements.

Summary Statement of Cash Flows

The following table sets forth the primary sources and uses of cash and cash equivalents for each of the periods presented below (in thousands):

 

     Years Ended December 31,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
             2017                         2018                     2018                     2019          

Net cash (used in) provided by:

        

Operating activities

   $ (4,321   $ (6,981   $ (3,925   $ (11,133

Investing activities

     (58     (402     (98     (7,885

Financing activities

     —         10,930       5,986       61,434  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

   $ (4,379   $ 3,547     $ 1,963     $ 42,416  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows used in Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities was $3.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018. Cash used in operating activities was primarily due to the use of funds in our operations to develop STS101, which resulted in a net loss of $3.4 million, adjusted for changes in fair value of convertible preferred stock tranche liability of $0.3 million, an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $0.1 million, a decrease in accounts payable of $0.2 million, a decrease accrued and other liabilities of $0.1 million, which amounts were partially offset by change in the fair value of the obligation to issue additional common stock by $0.1 million, and stock-based compensation expense of $0.1 million. The decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities resulted from the timing of payments to our service providers.

Net cash used in operating activities was $11.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. Cash used in operating activities was primarily due to the use of funds in our operations to develop STS101, which resulted in a net loss of $9.1 million, adjusted for net amortization of premiums and discounts on marketable securities of $0.1 million, an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $2.6 million, a decrease accrued and other liabilities of $0.3 million, which amounts were partially offset by depreciation expense of $0.1 million, non-cash interest expense and amortization of debt discount and issuance costs of $0.1 million, stock-based compensation expense of $0.2 million, and an increase in accounts payable of $0.7 million. The increase in accounts payable and prepaid expenses and other current assets and decrease in accrued and other liabilities resulted from the timing of payments to our service providers.

Net cash used in operating activities was $4.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Cash used in operating activities was primarily due to the use of funds to develop STS101, which resulted in a net loss of

 

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$5.2 million, adjusted for an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $0.3 million, which amounts were partially offset by a change in the fair value of the obligation to issue additional shares of common stock of $0.2 million, stock-based compensation expense of $0.1 million, an increase in accrued and other liabilities of $0.4 million, and an increase in accounts payable of $0.4 million. The increase in accrued and other liabilities was primarily due to an increase in accrued research and development and accrued compensation. The increase in accounts payable resulted from the timing of payments to our service providers.

Net cash used in operating activities was $7.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. Cash used in operating activities was primarily due to the use of funds in our operations to develop STS101, which resulted in a net loss of $7.3 million, adjusted for changes in fair value of convertible preferred stock tranche liability of $0.3 million, an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $0.5 million, a decrease in accounts payable of $0.2 million, which amounts were partially offset by depreciation expense of $0.1 million, change in the fair value of the obligation to issue additional common stock by $0.1 million, stock-based compensation expense of $0.2 million, and an increase in accrued and other liabilities of $0.9 million. The decrease in accounts payable resulted from the timing of payments to our service providers. The increase in accrued and other liabilities was primarily due to an increase in accrued research and development and accrued compensation.

Cash Flows used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, which consisted of $0.1 million used to purchase property and equipment.

Net cash used in investing activities was $7.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019, which consisted of $7.4 million used to purchase short-term marketable securities and $0.5 million towards advance payments for purchases of property and equipment.

Net cash used in investing activities was $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, which consisted of $0.1 million used to purchase property and equipment.

Net cash used in investing activities was $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, which consisted of $0.4 million used to purchase property and equipment.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was $6.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, which consisted of $6.0 million of net cash proceeds from the issuance of Series A convertible preferred stock.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $61.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019, which consisted of $61.5 million of net cash proceeds from the issuance of Series B convertible preferred stock, partially offset by payments of deferred offering costs of $0.1 million.

We did not undertake any financing activities in the year ended December 31, 2017.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $10.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, which consisted of $6.0 million of net cash proceeds from the issuance of Series A convertible preferred stock and borrowings of $4.9 million under our long-term debt facility with Silicon Valley Bank, net of issuance costs.

 

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Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2018:

 

     Payments Due by Period ($ in thousands)  
     Less than
1 year
     1 to 3 years      3 to 5 years      More than
5 years
     Total  

Operating lease obligations(1)

   $ 161      $ 218      $ —        $ —        $ 379  

Long-term debt obligations(2)

   $ 509      $ 4,400      $ 1,098      $ —        $ 6,007  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contractual obligations

   $ 670      $ 4,618      $ 1,098      $ —        $ 6,386  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

We lease our office facilities in South San Francisco, California under non-cancelable operating leases through April 2021. There is an option to renew for an additional three years. The minimum lease payments above do not include any related common area maintenance charges or real estate taxes.

In December 2018, we entered into an office lease agreement for office space in North Carolina. The initial term of the lease was January 2019 to March 2019. We subsequently extended the term to September 2019 by exercising our options to renew the lease for two additional periods of three months each. In March 2019, we also entered into an amendment to the lease agreement for the office space in North Carolina to lease additional workspace at the same address over the same lease term.

 

(2)

In October 2018, we entered into the Loan Agreement with Silicon Valley Bank. The Loan Agreement provides for loan advances of up to $10.0 million. The first advance of $5.0 million was drawn down during the year ended December 31, 2018. The loan is repayable commencing on December 1, 2019 in 30 monthly payments through maturity. In addition to regular monthly payments, a final payment equal to the original amount of the loan multiplied by 5.0% is due on the earliest to occur of (a) May 1, 2020 or (b) the prepayment in full of the loan.

We enter into contracts in the normal course of business with third-party contract organizations for clinical trials, manufacturing and testing and providing other services and products for operating purposes. These contracts generally provide for termination following a certain period after notice, and therefore we believe that our non-cancelable obligations under these agreements are not material.

Under the terms of our license agreement with Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd., or SNBL, we have agreed to make royalty payments based on a low single-digit percentage of worldwide net sales of certain products covered thereby, payable on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis until the latest of the expiration of the last-to-expire patent covering such product and the ten-year anniversary of the first commercial sale of such product in such country. No upfront or milestone payments are otherwise owed pursuant to the license agreement.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Since our inception, we have not engaged in any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in the rules and regulations of the SEC.

Critical Accounting Policies, Significant Judgments and Estimates

Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported expenses incurred during the reporting periods. Our estimates are based on our historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe that the accounting policies discussed below are critical to understanding our historical and future performance, as these policies relate to the more significant areas involving management’s judgments and estimates. For more detail on our critical accounting policies, refer to Note 1 to the financial statements and unaudited interim condensed financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

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Obligation to Issue Additional Shares of Common Stock

The obligation to issue additional shares of common stock to SNBL pursuant to the Series A convertible preferred stock financing documents, or the SNBL Grant, was accounted and classified for as a liability as it is not indexed to our stock, specifically because the settlement amount of the SNBL Grant can be affected by future issuance of equity shares or potential equity shares. Therefore, the obligation to issue additional shares of common stock to SNBL was initially measured at fair value and subsequently remeasured at fair value at each reporting date until it was extinguished upon issuance of common stock in February 2018, with changes in fair value recognized as a component of other income (expense), net in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Accrued Research and Development

We monitor the activity under its various agreements with CROs, CMOs and other service providers to the extent possible through communication with each service provider, detailed invoice and task completion review, analysis of actual expenses against budget, pre-approval of any changes in scope, and review of contractual terms. Our research and development accruals are estimated based on the level of services performed, progress of the studies, including the phase or completion of events, and contracted costs. These estimates may or may not match the actual services performed by the service providers. The estimated costs of research and development provided, but not yet invoiced, are included in accrued liabilities on the balance sheet. If the actual timing of the performance of services or the level of effort varies from the original estimates, we will adjust the accrual accordingly. Payments made to service providers under these arrangements in advance of the performance of the related services are recorded as prepaid expenses and other current assets until the services are rendered.

Stock-Based Compensation

We use a fair value-based method to account for all stock-based compensation arrangements with employees and non-employees, including stock options and stock awards. Our determination of the fair value of stock options on the date of grant utilizes the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

The fair value of the option granted is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period during which an optionee is required to provide services in exchange for the option award, known as the requisite service period, which usually is the vesting period. We account for forfeitures as they occur.

Estimates of the fair value of equity awards as of the grant date using valuation models such as the Black-Scholes option pricing model are affected by assumptions with a number of complex variables. Changes in the assumptions can materially affect the fair value and ultimately the amount of stock-based compensation expense recognized. These inputs are subjective and generally require significant analysis and judgment to develop. Changes in the following assumptions can materially affect the estimate of the fair value of stock-based compensation:

 

   

Expected Term – The expected term is calculated using the simplified method, which is available where there is insufficient historical data about exercise patterns and post-vesting employment termination behavior. The simplified method is based on the vesting period and the contractual term for each grant, or for each vesting-tranche for awards with graded vesting. The mid-point between the vesting date and the maximum contractual expiration date is used as the expected term under this method. For awards with multiple vesting-tranches, the times from grant until the mid-points for each of the tranches may be averaged to provide an overall expected term.

 

   

Expected Volatility – For all stock options granted to date, the volatility data was estimated based on a study of publicly traded industry peer companies as we did not have any trading history for our common stock. For purposes of identifying these peer companies, we considered the industry, stage of development, size and financial leverage of potential comparable companies. For each grant, we

 

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measured historical volatility over a period equivalent to the expected term. We will continue to apply this process until a sufficient amount of historical information regarding the volatility of our own stock price becomes available.

 

   

Expected Dividend – The Black-Scholes valuation model calls for a single expected dividend yield as an input. We currently have no history or expectation of paying cash dividends on our common stock. Accordingly, we have estimated the dividend yield to be zero.

 

   

Risk-Free Interest Rate – The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield available on U.S. Treasury instruments whose term is similar in duration to the expected term of the respective stock option.

Common Stock Valuations

The estimated fair value of the common stock underlying our stock options and stock awards was determined at each grant date by our board of directors, with input from management. All options to purchase shares of our common stock are intended to be exercisable at a price per share not less than the per-share fair value of our common stock underlying those options on the date of grant.

In the absence of a public trading market for our common stock, on each grant date, we develop an estimate of the fair value of our common stock based on the information known to us on the date of grant, upon a review of any recent events and their potential impact on the estimated fair value per share of the common stock, and in part on contemporaneous input from an independent third-party valuation firm.

Our valuations of our common stock were determined in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Practice Aid, Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation, or the Practice Aid.

The assumptions used to determine the estimated fair value of our common stock are based on numerous objective and subjective factors, combined with management judgment, including:

 

   

external market conditions affecting the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry and trends within the industry;

 

   

our stage of development and business strategy;

 

   

the rights, preferences and privileges of our convertible preferred stock relative to those of our common stock;

 

   

the prices at which we sold shares of our convertible preferred stock;

 

   

our financial condition and operating results, including our levels of available capital resources;

 

   

the progress of our research and development efforts;

 

   

equity market conditions affecting comparable public companies; and

 

   

general U.S. market conditions and the lack of marketability of our common stock.

The Practice Aid identifies various available methods for allocating enterprise value across classes and series of capital stock to determine the estimated fair value of common stock at each valuation date. In accordance with the Practice Aid, we considered the following methods:

 

   

Option Pricing Method. Under the option pricing method, or OPM, shares are valued by creating a series of call options with exercise prices based on the liquidation preferences and conversion terms of each equity class. The estimated fair values of the preferred and common stock are inferred by analyzing these options.

 

   

Probability-Weighted Expected Return Method. The probability-weighted expected return method, or PWERM, is a scenario-based analysis that estimates value per share based on the probability-weighted

 

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present value of expected future investment returns, considering each of the possible outcomes available to us, as well as the economic and control rights of each share class.

Based on our early stage of development and other relevant factors, we determined that a hybrid approach of the OPM and the PWERM methods was the most appropriate method for allocating our enterprise value to determine the estimated fair value of our common stock. In determining the estimated fair value of our common stock, our board of directors also considered the fact that our stockholders could not freely trade our common stock in the public markets. Accordingly, we applied discounts to reflect the lack of marketability of our common stock based on the weighted-average expected time to liquidity. The estimated fair value of our common stock at each grant date reflected a non-marketability discount partially based on the anticipated likelihood and timing of a future liquidity event.

Following the completion of this offering, our board of directors intends to determine the fair value of our common stock based on the closing sales price of our common stock on the date of grant of equity awards.

The intrinsic value of all outstanding options as of June 30, 2019 was approximately $20.5 million, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $15.00 per share (the midpoint of the estimated price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus), of which approximately $14.2 million is related to vested options and approximately $6.3 million is related to unvested options.

Other Company Information

Income Taxes

As of December 31, 2018, we had federal and state net operating loss carryforwards, or NOLs, of $11.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The federal NOLs consists of $4.7 million generated before January 1, 2018, which will begin to expire in 2036 but are able to offset 100% of taxable income and $7.0 million generated after December 31, 2017 that will carryforward indefinitely but are subject to an 80% taxable income limitation. The state NOLs will begin to expire in 2036 if unused. We also have California state tax credit carryforwards of $0.2 million, which do not expire, and federal tax credit carryforwards of $0.2 million which will begin to expire in 2038.

NOLs and tax credit carryforwards are subject to review and possible adjustment by the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, and may become subject to an annual limitation in the event of certain cumulative changes in the ownership interest of significant stockholders over a three-year period in excess of 50 percentage points under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code, which could limit the amount of tax attributes that can be utilized annually to offset future taxable income or tax liabilities. The amount of the annual limitation is determined based on our value immediately prior to the ownership change. Subsequent ownership changes may further affect the limitation in future years. We have determined that no significant limitation would be placed on the utilization of our NOLs and tax credit carryforwards due to prior ownership changes. Subsequent ownership changes may affect the limitation in future years.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or Tax Act. The Tax Act significantly revises the future ongoing U.S. corporate income tax by, among other things, lowering the U.S. corporate income tax rates and implementing a modified territorial tax system. The corporate tax rate was reduced from 34% to 21% for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. Changes in tax law are accounted for in the period of enactment. As such, our financial statements as of December 31, 2017 reflect the impact of the Tax Act, which primarily consisted of remeasuring our deferred tax assets, deferred tax liabilities and valuation allowance using the newly enacted U.S. corporate tax rate. This rate change resulted in a $0.6 million reduction in our net deferred tax assets from the prior year with a corresponding offset to the valuation allowance. Under the Tax Act, net operating losses arising after December 31, 2017 do not expire and cannot be carried back. However, the Tax Act limits the amount of net operating losses that can be

 

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used annually to 80% of taxable income for periods beginning after December 31, 2017. Existing net operating losses arising in years ending on or before December 31, 2017 are not affected by these provisions.

Indemnification Agreements

We enter into standard indemnification arrangements in the ordinary course of business. Pursuant to these arrangements, we indemnify, hold harmless and agree to reimburse the indemnified parties for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party, in connection with any trade secret, copyright, patent or other intellectual property infringement claim by any third party with respect to its technology. The term of these indemnification agreements is generally perpetual any time after the execution of the agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these arrangements is not determinable. We have never incurred costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements. As a result, we believe the fair value of these agreements is minimal.

JOBS Act Accounting Election

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, permits an “emerging growth company” such as us to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies. We have elected to use this extended transition period under the JOBS Act. As a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to the financial statements of issuers who are required to comply with the effective dates for new or revised accounting standards that are applicable to public companies, which may make comparison of our financials to those of other public companies more difficult.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See “Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in Note 1 to our financial statements and unaudited interim condensed financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for additional information.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Interest Rate Sensitivity

The market risk inherent in our financial instruments and in our financial position represents the potential loss arising from adverse changes in interest rates or exchange rates. As of June 30, 2019, we had cash, cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities of $55.0 million, consisting of interest-bearing money market funds, investments in corporate bonds, overnight repurchase agreements, and asset-backed securities for which the fair value would be affected by changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates. However, due to the short-term maturities and the low-risk profile of our cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities, an immediate 10% change in interest rates would not have a material effect on the fair value of our cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities.

We do not believe that inflation, interest rate changes or exchange rate fluctuations have had a significant impact on our results of operations for any periods presented herein.

 

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BUSINESS

Overview

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel therapeutic product for the acute treatment of migraine. Our product candidate, STS101, is a drug-device combination of a proprietary dry-powder formulation of dihydroergotamine mesylate, or DHE, which can be quickly and easily self-administered with a proprietary pre-filled, single-use, nasal delivery device. DHE products have long been recommended as a first-line therapeutic option for the acute treatment of migraine and have significant advantages over other therapeutics for many patients. However, broad use has been limited by invasive and burdensome administration and/or sub-optimal clinical performance of available injectable and liquid nasal spray products. STS101 is specifically designed to deliver the advantages of DHE while overcoming these shortcomings. We have completed a Phase 1 clinical trial in 42 healthy volunteers, in which STS101 demonstrated rapid and sustained DHE plasma concentrations, low pharmacokinetic variability, and a favorable safety and tolerability profile. In July 2019, we initiated our Phase 3 EMERGE efficacy trial of STS101 and expect to report topline data in the second half of 2020.

Migraine is a chronic and debilitating neurological disorder characterized by attacks of often severe headache and accompanying neurological symptoms lasting four to 72 hours. More than 90% of individuals suffering from migraine attacks are unable to work or function normally during a migraine attack, with many experiencing comorbid conditions such as depression, anxiety and insomnia. Failure to effectively treat migraine attacks can lead to disease progression, increased frequency of attacks and greater migraine-related disability.

Based on reported prevalence data, approximately 39 million individuals in the United States and over 100 million individuals in Europe suffer from migraine. Migraine is most prevalent among adults ages 18 to 44 and disproportionately affects women over men on a three-to-one basis. With a global prevalence of greater than one billion, migraine ranks as the world’s third most prevalent illness, the sixth highest specific cause of disability worldwide, and the leading cause of disability in people under 50 years of age. In addition, migraine is the second leading cause of disability worldwide in terms of number of years lost to disability. It has been estimated that migraine results in up to $36 billion in healthcare and lost productivity costs and up to 157 million lost workdays annually in the United States. Despite its high prevalence and burden, migraine remains a highly underdiagnosed and undertreated illness due to lack of awareness, stigma and the inherent limitations of currently available therapies.

Acute treatments are categorized as non-specific therapies, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen, and migraine-specific therapies, such as triptans and ergot alkaloids (including DHE-based products). In 2018, more than 15 million prescriptions for migraine-specific acute therapies were written in the United States. This figure excludes prescriptions for non-specific therapies and therefore likely significantly understates the total number of prescriptions written for the acute treatment of migraine. Oral triptans are currently the predominant class of drug for acute treatment of migraine, accounting for over 90% of migraine-specific acute therapy prescriptions. However, triptans have been reported to have a number of shortcomings, including that they have inconsistent efficacy across patients and migraine types, require early treatment, cause various side effects, may cause medication overuse headache, or MOH, and have slow and variable onset of action and short duration of effect that necessitates retreatment. DHE products have long been recommended as a first-line therapeutic option for the acute treatment of migraine and have significant advantages over other therapeutics, including triptans, for many patients. However, approved DHE products have drawbacks that have resulted in limited clinical use. For instance, injectable DHE, while effective, has invasive administration requirements, and in the case of intravenous (IV) delivery, generally must be administered by a healthcare provider, typically in the hospital or clinic setting, requires specialized equipment and may often result in side effects, in particular, nausea and vomiting. Similarly, intramuscular (IM) and or subcutaneous (SC) injections are invasive, require administration via injection by the patient, caregiver or healthcare provider and patients typically prefer non-injectable therapies. In addition, DHE liquid nasal sprays have complex, time-

 

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consuming and burdensome administration, as well as high variability and slow absorption that may result in inconsistent and sub-optimal clinical performance. Further, due to DHE’s low oral bioavailability, there are no approved oral DHE products in the United States.

STS101 was designed to be a reliable and convenient DHE product capable of delivering the advantages of DHE while overcoming the shortcomings of existing DHE products. STS101 has a number of key attributes that we believe may provide significant advantages over existing acute treatments for migraine and result in robust and consistent clinical performance and thereby facilitate broad adoption and use. These attributes are primarily the result of our proprietary dry-powder formulation, which incorporates a mucoadhesive drug carrier and engineered drug particle technologies, and our proprietary nasal delivery device. Key STS101 attributes include:

 

   

Targeted plasma concentrations rapidly achieved and sustained. In our Phase 1 clinical trial, administration of STS101 resulted in achievement within 10 minutes of a mean DHE plasma concentration of 1.0 ng/ml, which we estimate is the minimum threshold concentration necessary for therapeutic response to DHE. In addition, DHE exposure (plasma concentration over time expressed as area-under-curve) following STS101 administration at all times exceeded that for Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray 2.0 mg, which is the only DHE product marketed in the United States that has been approved by the FDA based upon demonstration of efficacy and safety in clinical studies. Further, DHE exposure following STS101 administration was similar to or greater than DHE exposures reported with DHE mesylate IM injection, which is marketed in the United States but has not been approved by the FDA based on demonstration of efficacy, and DHE administered via pulmonary inhalation (MAP0004), which met all four of its primary efficacy endpoints in a large Phase 3 clinical trial, but was later discontinued and has not been approved by the FDA. For instance, although peak DHE plasma concentration following administration of STS101 5.2 mg did not reach peak concentration levels associated with IV or IM delivery of DHE, DHE exposure was approximately 83% of that achieved with a DHE mesylate IM injection in our Phase 1 clinical trial.

 

   

Low variability. In our Phase 1 clinical trial, STS101 demonstrated significantly lower variability in peak DHE plasma concentration and DHE exposure as compared to Migranal® DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray, which may lead to more reliable clinical performance.

 

   

Quick and convenient self-administration. STS101 utilizes a convenient, patient-friendly, single-use, nasal delivery device designed to enable self-administration of a full dose of DHE into a single nostril in a matter of seconds.

 

   

Well tolerated. In our Phase 1 clinical trial, all treatments were well tolerated, all adverse events were mild and transient, and no subject withdrew from the trial due to an adverse event. Moreover, STS101 did not exhibit the rapid and high peak concentration associated with IV delivery of DHE, which may often result in side effects, in particular, nausea and vomiting.

We believe the foregoing attributes of STS101 could lead to it having a favorable therapeutic response profile as compared to IV, IM or SC delivery of DHE and Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray. The faster a DHE product can produce the threshold DHE plasma concentration necessary for a therapeutic response, the more quickly following administration it may be able to achieve a therapeutic response. At the same time, we believe that rapid and high peak DHE plasma concentrations that greatly exceed the threshold therapeutic level may result in adverse side effects. For example, IV delivery of DHE has demonstrated peak DHE plasma concentrations of 50 ng/ml or more within several minutes of administration, and is reported to more frequently result in side effects (including nausea and vomiting, increases in blood pressure, flushing, dizziness, extremity pain, and abnormal skin sensations) than delivery of DHE by other routes of administration, such as IM or SC injection, nasal or pulmonary, which exhibit much lower peak DHE plasma concentrations that generally have not been reported to exceed approximately 3 to 4 ng/ml. Based on published DHE PK and clinical efficacy trial data relating to DHE plasma concentrations and clinical efficacy and safety data of different DHE doses, we estimate that 1.0 ng/ml is the threshold concentration necessary for therapeutic response to DHE. As demonstrated in Part 2 of our Phase 1 clinical trial, administration of STS101 5.2 mg and DHE mesylate IM

 

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injection resulted in DHE plasma concentrations rising rapidly, with mean concentrations exceeding 1.0 ng/ml at 10 minutes and 5 minutes after dosing, respectively. While, STS101’s peak DHE plasma concentration (approximately 2.2 ng/ml) did not exceed the peak DHE plasma concentration of DHE mesylate IM injection (approximately 3.3 ng/ml), DHE exposure following administration of STS101 5.2 mg was approximately 83% of that achieved with a DHE mesylate IM injection. In contrast, the mean maximum DHE plasma concentration after Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray administration did not reach 1.0 ng/ml.

While subjects treated with STS101 5.2 mg reported a higher frequency of nasal adverse events than those treated with DHE mesylate IM injection or Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray, all adverse events were mild and transient, and subjective nasal symptom severity scores self-reported by subjects were very low, with all nasal symptom severity scores averaging less than five on a zero to one hundred scale in which zero represents absence of the symptom and one hundred represents presence of the symptom with the worst imaginable severity. Subjective nasal symptom severity scores self-reported in Part 1 of our Phase 1 clinical trial by subjects treated with STS101 1.3 mg and 2.6 mg were negligible. As a result, we do not believe the tolerability of STS101 should present a barrier to patient adoption or use, if approved.

In July 2019, we initiated our Phase 3 EMERGE efficacy trial of STS101, a multi-center, single-dose, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study in approximately 1,140 migraine patients, and we expect to report topline data in the second half of 2020. In our EMERGE trial, STS101 will be self-administered by patients to treat a single migraine attack and the two co-primary endpoints to be assessed at two hours after STS101 administration are freedom from pain and freedom from most bothersome symptom. In addition, we expect to prospectively evaluate a number of secondary endpoints and the performance of STS101 in a number of patient subgroups that could enhance the differentiated clinical profile of STS101. After the completion of our Phase 3 EMERGE efficacy trial, we plan to initiate a 12-month safety trial of STS101, with a new drug application, or NDA, filing with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, anticipated by the end of 2021.

Our management team has extensive pharmaceutical industry experience in drug development, regulatory approval, manufacturing, reimbursement, commercialization and finance from their prior roles at other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including ALZA, AstraZeneca, Athena Neurosciences, Elan Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline, Ilypsa, Immunex, Johnson & Johnson, Pearl Therapeutics, Protagonist Therapeutics, Relypsa and Roivant Sciences. Collectively, our management team has materially contributed to the clinical development, registration and/or commercialization of 37 approved drug products, including 15 drug-device combination products, 13 of which are delivered via inhalation.

Our Strategy

Our strategy is to develop and commercialize STS101 and address the significant unmet medical needs of a large number of people with migraine. Key elements of our strategy include:

 

   

Advance STS101 through clinical development and regulatory approval for the acute treatment of migraine. In July 2019, we initiated our Phase 3 EMERGE efficacy trial, with a target enrollment of 1,140 patients. We expect to report topline data from this trial in the second half of 2020. We expect to commence a 12-month safety trial in the second half of 2020, with an NDA filing anticipated by the end of 2021.

 

   

Commercialize STS101 in the United States. If approved, we plan to commercialize STS101 in the United States by building a specialized sales organization focusing on headache specialists, as well as general neurologists and primary care physicians who are high prescribers of migraine therapeutics.

 

   

Pursue market opportunities for STS101 outside the United States with one or more partners. We believe there is a significant market opportunity for STS101 in markets outside the United States. To address these markets, we plan to seek one or more ex-U.S. partners who can commercialize STS101.

 

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Maximize commercial potential of STS101. We may conduct additional clinical trials and consider additional headache indications for STS101 to maximize its commercial potential.

Migraine Overview

Migraine is a chronic and debilitating neurological disorder characterized by attacks of often severe headache and accompanying neurological symptoms lasting four to 72 hours. More than 90% of individuals suffering from migraine are unable to work or function normally during a migraine attack, with many experiencing comorbid conditions such as depression, anxiety and insomnia. Failure to effectively treat migraine attacks can lead to disease progression, increased frequency of attacks and greater migraine-related disability. Migraine is often accompanied by one or more of the following disabling symptoms:

 

   

extreme sensitivity to light, sound, touch or smell;

 

   

nausea and/or vomiting;

 

   

dizziness;

 

   

visual disturbances;

 

   

tingling or numbness in the extremities or face; and

 

   

neck pain.

Based on reported prevalence data, approximately 39 million individuals in the United States and over 100 million individuals in Europe suffer from migraine. Migraine is most prevalent among adults ages 18 to 44 and disproportionately affects women over men on a three-to-one basis. With a global prevalence of greater than one billion, migraine ranks as the world’s third most prevalent illness, the sixth highest specific cause of disability worldwide, and the leading cause of disability in people under 50 years of age. In addition, migraine is the second leading cause of disability in terms of number of patient-years lost to disability. It has been estimated that migraine results in up to $36 billion in healthcare and lost productivity costs and up to 157 million lost workdays annually in the United States. In 2018, more than 15 million prescriptions for migraine-specific acute therapies were written in the United States. This figure excludes prescriptions for non-specific therapies, such as NSAIDs and acetaminophen, and therefore likely significantly understates the total number of prescriptions written for the acute treatment of migraine.

The underlying causes of migraine are not well understood; however, both genetics and environmental factors appear to be relevant. Further, the underlying biology of migraine is complex and multifactorial, and it is believed that migraine susceptibility arises from genetic predisposition to generalized neuronal hyperexcitability. During a migraine attack, hyperexcitable neurons cause the release of various vasoactive, pro-inflammatory and neuroactive substances, including calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P, histamine, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and serotonin, leading to vasodilation, neurogenic inflammation and neurological symptoms, including headache and pain.

Migraine treatment can generally be categorized as either acute or preventive. Treatment guidelines indicate that all patients should be offered acute treatment, which is focused on stopping the migraine attack quickly and restoring the patient’s ability to function with minimal side effects. In addition to receiving acute treatments, a subset of patients (typically those with more severe and/or frequent migraine attacks) may also receive preventive treatment, which is focused on reducing the frequency, duration or severity of migraine attacks or the associated disability caused by such attacks. Historically, preventive therapies, such as anti-convulsants, beta blockers and BOTOX®, have lacked strong efficacy for many patients, have been associated with significant side effects or required burdensome administration. The recent introduction of anti-CGRP antibodies as a new class of preventive therapy is raising awareness of the treatment opportunities in migraine and may lead to an increase in the number patients being diagnosed and treated for migraine. However, these new therapies do not alleviate the need for acute therapies, as such products on average result in patients experiencing a reduction of only two

 

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migraine days per month. Despite its high prevalence and burden, migraine remains a highly underdiagnosed and undertreated illness due to lack of awareness, stigma and the inherent limitations of currently available therapies.

Current Acute Treatment Paradigm

Patients typically seek acute treatment for migraine to relieve pain and associated symptoms. The current treatment guidelines from the American Headache Society define the five goals of acute therapy as:

 

   

Rapid and consistent freedom from pain and associated symptoms without recurrence;

 

   

Restored ability to function;

 

   

Minimal need for repeat dosing or rescue medications;

 

   

Optimal self-care and reduced subsequent use of resources (e.g., emergency room visits, diagnostic imaging, healthcare provider and ambulatory infusion center visits); and

 

   

Minimal or no side effects.

Acute treatments are typically administered orally, via injection or nasally. Orally-administered acute treatments have significant limitations, including relatively slow onset of effect due to the time required for absorption of the drug from the gastrointestinal tract following ingestion. During a migraine attack, absorption of orally-administered treatments can be delayed due to gastric stasis, which commonly occurs in people with migraine both during and between attacks. In addition, orally-administered acute treatments are inappropriate for the many migraine patients who experience significant nausea or vomiting with their attacks or who have trouble swallowing orally-administered medications. Injectable therapies, while often offering the fastest means of achieving therapeutic blood levels of the administered drug product, often require the involvement of a healthcare provider, can be difficult to self-administer and typically result in greater side effects than non-injectable therapies. As a result, patients generally prefer non-injectable therapies over injectable therapies. While nasal administration of acute treatments has the potential to address certain of these limitations by facilitating rapid absorption of drug from the linings of the nasal passages into the bloodstream while simultaneously limiting side effects, currently available and development-stage nasally-administered acute treatments have drawbacks and limitations. These drawbacks and limitations may include one or more of the following:

 

   

Efficacy that is comparable or only incrementally better than orally-administered acute treatments;

 

   

Partial or variable absorption in the nose, with the remaining fraction of drug delivered into the nasal passage, running down the back of the throat, being swallowed and subsequently absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract;

 

   

Variable pharmacokinetics (PK), resulting in inconsistent and sub-optimal clinical performance and perceived lack of reliability;

 

   

For liquid nasal spray formulations, the administered drug product often drips out of the nose and runs-off down the back of throat, which can result in unpleasant taste;

 

   

Non-intuitive and cumbersome administration procedures, including the need for assembly, priming and multiple administrations (sprays or insufflations) over time in order to deliver a full dose. For example, this is the case with Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray, for which the self-administration procedure requires four sprays, one in each nostril initially, followed by an additional spray in each nostril 15 minutes later, to administer a full dose; and

 

   

Large size, which reduces practicality of transport for patients and ability to discreetly self-administer.

Acute treatments are categorized as non-specific therapies, including NSAIDs and acetaminophen, and migraine-specific therapies, such as triptans and ergot alkaloids (including DHE-based products). Non-specific therapies are generally recommended for the acute treatment of migraine with mild to moderate pain, and migraine-specific therapies are generally recommended for the acute treatment of migraine with moderate to

 

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severe pain. However, none of the currently available treatment options adequately achieve the acute treatment goals for a significant percentage of migraine patients.

Triptans

Oral triptans are currently the predominant class of drug for acute treatment of migraine, accounting for over 90% of migraine-specific acute therapy prescriptions, or more than 14 million prescriptions in the United States in 2018. Triptans are serotonergic agonists, typically with selective activity on a limited number of serotonergic receptors, including the 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors. While widely prescribed, triptans have been reported to have low treatment persistence, with up to 66% of patients never refilling their initial triptan prescriptions. A substantial majority of patients who discontinue triptans cite a lack of efficacy and side effects as the reasons for discontinuation. Triptans have been reported to have a number of shortcomings, including the following:

 

   

Inconsistent and sub-optimal efficacy. Approximately 40% of migraine patients do not respond to oral triptan therapy (assessed based on pain relief at two hours from the administration of treatment) and up to 80% do not achieve sustained freedom from pain. In addition, triptans have been reported to have poor effectiveness in multiple common migraine types, including migraine with allodynia (painful touch), migraine with aura (visual or olfactory disturbance), prolonged migraine, menstrual-related migraine, migraine with multiple recurrences, severe migraine, and migraine upon awakening.

 

   

Side effects and medication overuse headache. Triptans may produce unpleasant “triptan sensation” side effects, including tightening of the throat, chest, neck and limbs with paresthesias, or tingling, and hot or cold sensations. In addition, triptans have the potential to cause MOH, which can require inpatient detoxification and significantly complicate migraine management. As a result, triptans carry a label warning against use on 10 or more days per month.

 

   

Requirement for early treatments. While triptans have been shown to be more effective when taken early in the course a migraine attack, the opportunity for early treatment has been estimated to exist in only 50% of all migraine attacks. Moreover, migraine patients often wait to treat following the onset of a migraine attack due to uncertainty with respect to the peak severity of a particular migraine attack, concern over side effects or dosing limitations, or inability to treat early (for instance, in cases of migraine upon awakening). In one published study, 79% of patients experienced freedom from pain when attacks were treated within one hour of pain onset, but only 21% experienced freedom from pain when attacks were treated four hours after the onset of pain. As a result, many patients may not fully benefit from triptan therapy.

 

   

Slow and variable onset of action and short duration of effect. With oral and nasal triptan therapies, the onset of pain relief tends to be relatively slow and variable due to inconsistent systemic absorption via oral and nasal routes of administration.

 

   

Recurrence within 24 hours. Migraine recurrence within 24 hours occurs in up to 45% of attacks treated with triptans, resulting in the need for rescue medication and/or re-treatment. Published studies have reported that recurrence of migraine, or the recurrence within 24 hours of an effectively treated migraine, is a common reason given for dissatisfaction among people with migraine and is reported to be a significant unmet need with current acute treatments.

DHE

DHE products have long been recommended as a first-line therapeutic option for the acute treatment of migraine. DHE has broader pharmacological activity than triptans across multiple receptor types, including serotonergic, adrenergic and dopaminergic receptors, represses CGRP release, and is thought to inhibit neuroinflammation and central sensitization via adrenergic receptors. In addition, DHE has a long pharmacodynamic half-life thought to be attributed to slow receptor dissociation. Because of its differentiated clinical attributes, many headache specialists consider DHE to be a preferred treatment for many difficult-to-treat migraine types, including severe migraine, migraine with allodynia, migraine upon awakening, fast onset migraine, prolonged and recurrent migraine attacks, including menstrual-related migraine, and migraine attacks

 

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requiring late treatment (i.e., more than one hour after onset of attack). In addition, DHE is considered a standard-of-care treatment for MOH and for status migrainosus, which is a condition characterized by debilitating migraine attacks that last more than 72 hours. Given the complexity of migraine biology and the redundancy and interdependence of migraine disease pathways, DHE’s activity across multiple receptors is thought to offer the potential for better responses for many migraine patients.

DHE has a number of differentiating clinical attributes providing advantages for the acute treatment of migraine, including:

 

   

Effective in patients who are non-responsive or refractory to triptan therapy. Published data indicate that approximately half of all patients who have previously failed to adequately respond to triptan therapy, do respond to DHE therapy.

 

   

Effective in migraine attacks with allodynia. Allodynia is present in up to two-thirds of migraine attacks, and its presence is associated with poor response to triptans and most other acute treatments. DHE, however, has demonstrated strong efficacy in migraine attacks in which allodynia is present.

 

   

Effective irrespective of when administered during the time course of a migraine attack. Unlike triptans and certain other acute treatments for migraine, which are most effective when administered within one hour of onset of pain, DHE remains effective when administered late after onset of attack.

 

   

Low risk of headache recurrence. DHE has been demonstrated in head-to-head controlled studies to have significantly lower headache recurrence rates than available triptan therapies.

 

   

Lower risk of causing MOH. DHE is thought to have a lower potential for causing MOH with frequent use and, unlike triptan class therapies, currently approved DHE products do not contain a label warning for MOH potential.

Based on published DHE PK and clinical trial data relating to DHE plasma concentrations and clinical efficacy of different DHE doses, we estimate that 1.0 ng/ml is the threshold concentration necessary for therapeutic response to DHE. Due to its chemical properties and structure, DHE has low bioavailability (approximately 1%) when administered orally and, as a result, oral forms have generally not been effective for the acute treatment of migraine. There are currently no approved oral DHE treatments in the United States. Approved DHE products include injectable and liquid nasal spray dosage forms, which have drawbacks that have resulted in limited clinical use.

Due to DHE’s vasoconstrictive effects, DHE products are not recommended for use in patients with cardiovascular risk factors. In addition, approved DHE products carry a “black box” warning in their labels for a risk that the coadministration of DHE and certain other drugs, including specific antivirals and antibiotics, may result in elevated levels of DHE in the blood, potentially causing vasospasm that may result in inadequate blood flow to the extremities or the brain. Unless we can successfully demonstrate by conducting a drug-drug interaction study that the coadministration of DHE and certain other drugs does not result in inhibition of DHE metabolism and elevated DHE levels, the FDA is likely to require the label for STS101, if approved, to include such warning, and this could result in STS101 not achieving its full commercial potential. We are currently evaluating the feasibility of undertaking such drug-drug interaction studies.

Injectable DHE

IV delivery is the fastest means of achieving plasma concentration levels of DHE that we estimate to be necessary to effectively treat a migraine attack, with anti-migraine responses reported as quickly as 15-20 minutes following administration. IV-delivered DHE is typically administered by a healthcare provider in a hospital, clinic or infusion center setting, which is expensive and requires the patient to travel to one of these locations while suffering from a migraine attack. Because IV delivery of DHE results in rapid achievement of high DHE blood levels, side effects are more common with IV administration than with other routes of administration, with nausea and vomiting being particularly common and typically requiring coadministration of

 

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anti-nausea medication. DHE can also be administered by IM or SC injection. However, IM and SC administration require a patient, caregiver or healthcare provider to use proper technique during a migraine attack to draw the correct dose of DHE solution for injection from a vial or glass ampule into a syringe and then inject the solution into the muscle or subcutaneous layer of the skin. Although generally considered effective, the challenges of injectable DHE and the fact that migraine patients typically prefer non-injectable therapies for acute treatment of attacks make injectable DHE a less favored treatment option for many people with migraine.

DHE Liquid Nasal Spray

DHE may also be delivered via liquid nasal spray. However, Migranal, the only FDA-approved DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray product, and development-stage DHE liquid nasal spray products may have a number of limitations and complexities related to their liquid nasal spray formulation and delivery devices, including the following:

 

   

High variability and slow absorption. The required administration of DHE via multiple liquid nasal sprays often results in highly variable delivered doses of DHE and highly variable DHE plasma concentrations. Moreover, absorption of DHE following administration of Migranal is relatively low and slow in comparison with injectable DHE products, and often fails to achieve plasma concentration levels of DHE of at least 1.0 ng/ml, which we estimate is the minimum threshold concentration necessary for therapeutic response to DHE. For example, in our Phase 1 clinical trial, 65% of subjects receiving Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray administration did not achieve 1.0 ng/ml at any time following administration. The low, slow, and highly variable DHE plasma levels achieved with Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray administration can result in inconsistent and unreliable clinical performance and sub-optimal therapeutic response for many patients.

 

   

Complex and burdensome administration. The administration of DHE liquid nasal spray typically requires a complex and burdensome multi-step process, including the opening of the glass vial containing the nasal liquid spray solution and the assembly and priming of a nasal spray device. Due to the low aqueous solubility of DHE, an adequate dosage of DHE via liquid nasal spray requires multiple sprays. For example, Migranal requires four sprays, one in each nostril initially, followed by an additional spray in each nostril 15 minutes later, to administer a full dose. Following administration, liquid can drip out of the nose and run-off down the back of throat, which can result in bad taste.

 

   

Inconvenient packaging and degradation potential. Formulations of DHE liquid nasal spray are sensitive to heat, light and oxygen, which necessitates packaging in a sealed, amber-colored, glass vial that cannot be stored in warm environments. In addition, any unused DHE liquid nasal spray remaining after eight hours since the opening of a DHE glass vial must be discarded.

Headache specialists articulate a need for a patient-friendly, self-administered, non-injected DHE product that consistently and reliably provides the rapid, durable and robust efficacy that is currently available only with injectable DHE therapies. Given the differentiated clinical features of DHE, we believe DHE, if made available in a non-injectable dosage form that is well tolerated, facilitates quick and convenient administration and delivers rapid and sustained achievement of therapeutic concentrations with low variability, could provide significant benefits over existing acute treatments for migraine and help a large number of people with migraine better achieve migraine treatment goals.

Our Solution: STS101 for the Acute Treatment of Migraine

STS101 is a drug-device combination of a proprietary dry-powder formulation of DHE administered by a proprietary pre-filled, single-use, nasal delivery device. STS101 is specifically designed to deliver the advantages of DHE while overcoming the shortcomings that have limited the utility of DHE for the acute treatment of migraine The proprietary and foundational dry-powder formulation and nasal delivery device technologies incorporated in STS101 were developed over more than 15 years by a dedicated team at Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd., or SNBL.

 

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Subsequent to licensing such technology from SNBL, we advanced the development of STS101 by developing and optimizing the STS101 formulation, establishing analytical methods and scalable manufacturing performed in accordance with good manufacturing practices, conducting extensive analytical characterization of STS101 and its components, and completing toxicology studies in accordance with good laboratory practices. The manufacturing processes we established employ standard technologies that are commonly utilized in the pharmaceutical industry for the manufacture of approved drug and drug-device combination products and that we believe will be reproducible on commercial-scale equipment. Furthermore, we have completed a Phase 1 clinical trial in 42 healthy volunteers and a preliminary human factors study that we believe validates the STS101 instructions for use that are being utilized in the EMERGE Phase 3 efficacy trial, and we have obtained written feedback from the FDA on various aspects of our STS101 Phase 3 development program, including the protocol for our EMERGE Phase 3 efficacy trial, which we initiated in July 2019. Following our Phase 3 efficacy trial, we expect to commence a 12-month safety trial in the second half of 2020, with an NDA filing anticipated by the end of 2021.

 

 

LOGO

STS101 was designed to be a rapidly-acting, reliable, and convenient DHE therapeutic product. It has a number of key attributes that we believe may provide significant advantages over existing acute treatments for migraine and result in robust and consistent clinical performance and thereby facilitate broad adoption and use. These attributes are primarily the result of our proprietary dry-powder formulation, which incorporates a mucoadhesive drug carrier and engineered drug particle technologies, and our proprietary nasal delivery device. Key STS101 attributes include:

 

   

Targeted plasma concentrations rapidly achieved and sustained. In our Phase 1 clinical trial, administration of STS101 resulted in achievement within 10 minutes of a mean DHE plasma concentration of 1.0 ng/ml, which we estimate is the minimum threshold concentration necessary for therapeutic response to DHE. In addition, DHE exposure (plasma concentration over time expressed as area-under-curve) following STS101 administration at all times exceeded that for Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray 2.0 mg, which is the only DHE product marketed in the United States that has been approved by the FDA based upon demonstration of efficacy and safety in clinical studies. Further, DHE exposure following STS101 administration was similar to or greater than DHE exposures reported with DHE mesylate IM injection, which is marketed in the United States but has not been approved by the FDA based on demonstration of efficacy, and DHE administered via pulmonary inhalation (MAP0004), which met all four of its primary efficacy endpoints in a large Phase 3 clinical trial, but was later discontinued and has not been approved by the FDA. For instance, although peak DHE plasma concentration following administration of STS101 5.2 mg did not reach peak concentration levels associated with IV or IM delivery of DHE, DHE exposure was approximately 83% of that achieved with a DHE mesylate IM injection in our Phase 1 clinical trial.

 

   

Low variability. In our Phase 1 clinical trial, STS101 demonstrated significantly lower variability in peak DHE plasma concentration and DHE exposure as compared to Migranal, which may lead to more reliable clinical performance.

 

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Quick and convenient self-administration. STS101 utilizes a convenient, patient-friendly, single-use, nasal delivery device designed to enable self-administration of a full dose of DHE into a single nostril in a matter of seconds. The pre-filled device is pocket-sized and more compact than available DHE liquid nasal spray products, enabling portability and discreet use, and requires no assembly or priming. In addition, the STS101 dry-powder formulation has demonstrated favorable stability properties (including, insensitivity to light, heat or oxygen) we expect will enable storage across a wide range of temperatures and conditions.

 

   

Well tolerated. In our Phase 1 clinical trial, all treatments were well tolerated, all adverse events were mild and transient, and no subject withdrew from the trial for an adverse event. Moreover, STS101 did not exhibit the rapid and high peak concentration associated with IV delivery of DHE, which may often result in side effects, in particular nausea and vomiting.

We believe the foregoing attributes of STS101 could lead to it having a favorable therapeutic response profile as compared to IV, IM or SC delivery of DHE and Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray. The faster a DHE product can produce the threshold DHE plasma concentration necessary for a therapeutic response, the more quickly following administration it may be able to achieve a therapeutic response. At the same time, we believe that rapid and high peak DHE plasma concentrations that greatly exceed the threshold therapeutic level may result in adverse side effects. For example, IV delivery of DHE has demonstrated peak DHE plasma concentrations of 50 ng/ml or more within several minutes of administration, and is reported to more frequently result in side effects (including nausea and vomiting, increases in blood pressure, flushing, dizziness, extremity pain, and abnormal skin sensations) than delivery of DHE by other routes of administration, such as IM or SC injection, nasal or pulmonary, which exhibit much lower peak DHE plasma concentrations that generally have not been reported to exceed approximately 3 to 4 ng/ml. Based on published DHE PK and clinical efficacy trial data relating to DHE plasma concentrations and clinical efficacy and safety data of different DHE doses, we estimate that 1.0 ng/ml is the threshold concentration necessary for therapeutic response to DHE.

The STS101 administration procedure is shown in the figure below:

 

 

 

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Phase 1 Pharmacokinetic and Safety Trial Results

We have completed a Phase 1 clinical trial of STS101, which demonstrated favorable PK, safety and tolerability, and which established the doses of STS101 to be evaluated in our Phase 3 EMERGE efficacy trial. Our Phase 1 clinical trial evaluated STS101 in 42 healthy volunteers in a single-center, single-dose, open-label, 2-part, 3-period crossover, PK and safety trial. As reflected in the figure below, in Part 1 of the trial, 15 subjects each received three ascending doses of STS101 per a 3-period crossover design. The active pharmaceutical ingredient in each dose of STS101 is DHE and, like all currently approved migraine products that contain DHE, the STS101 formulation also contains mesylate salt. Per a request from the FDA, our dose strengths of STS101 are calculated as the active moiety without including the mesylate salt. As a result, for purposes of the following discussion, all references to STS101 doses herein are to the DHE content of such doses, whereas the doses for the Migranal and DHE mesylate IM injection include the mesylate in accordance with the commercially-available

 

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versions of such products. The STS101 DHE doses used in Part 1 of the trial were 1.3 mg (equivalent to 1.5 mg DHE mesylate), 2.6 mg (equivalent to 3.0 mg DHE mesylate) and 5.2 mg (equivalent to 6.0 mg DHE mesylate). Based on the results from Part 1, the STS101 5.2 mg (DHE) dose was selected for Part 2 of the clinical trial in which 27 subjects received STS101, Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray and an DHE mesylate IM injection in a random order.

STS101 Phase 1 Trial Design

 

 

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As reflected in the figure below, Part 1 of the clinical trial demonstrated that DHE was rapidly absorbed after intranasal administration of single doses of STS101 1.3 mg, 2.6 mg, and 5.2 mg, with mean DHE plasma concentrations increasing in a dose-dependent manner. DHE plasma concentrations for STS101 2.6 and 5.2 mg rapidly exceeded 1.0 ng/ml. Based on published DHE PK and clinical trial data relating to DHE plasma concentrations and clinical efficacy of different DHE doses, we estimate that 1.0 ng/ml is the minimum threshold concentration necessary for therapeutic response to DHE. This conclusion is supported by data from certain clinical trials of Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray conducted by third parties, which have demonstrated that DHE plasma concentrations resulting from Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray are dose dependent and linear. In certain such studies, the administration of 2.0 mg of Migranal DHE mesylate resulted in a mean maximum concentration of approximately 1.0 ng/ml, while the administration of smaller doses of Migranal (e.g., 1.5 mg DHE mesylate) did not reach such maximum concentrations and failed to show statistically significant efficacy in controlled studies.

Phase 1, Part 1: Mean DHE Plasma Concentrations in Healthy Subjects after

Administration of a Single Dose of STS101 (1.3 mg, 2.6 mg and 5.2 mg DHE)

 

 

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Based on the PK, safety and tolerability data from Part 1 of our Phase 1 clinical trial, we selected STS101 5.2 mg for evaluation in Part 2 of the clinical trial.

 

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As reflected in the figure below, in Part 2 of our Phase 1 clinical trial, DHE plasma concentrations rose rapidly after administration of STS101 5.2 mg and DHE mesylate IM injection, with mean concentrations exceeding 1.0 ng/ml at 10 minutes and 5 minutes after dosing, respectively. In contrast, the mean maximum DHE plasma concentration after Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray administration did not reach 1.0 ng/ml. In general, the amount of DHE delivered by STS101 5.2 mg into systemic circulation over time was approximately 2-fold greater as compared with Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray and was approximately 83% of the amount delivered by an DHE mesylate IM injection. Importantly, in our Phase 1 clinical trial, the DHE plasma concentration profiles observed following administration of Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray and DHE mesylate IM injection were consistent with historical data, including those data included in the Migranal summary basis of approval.

Phase 1, Part 2: Mean DHE Plasma Concentration in Healthy Subjects after Administration of a Single Dose of STS101 5.2 mg DHE, DHE Mesylate IM Injection 1.0 mg, and Migranal DHE Mesylate Liquid Nasal Spray 2.0 mg

 

 

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Safety and Tolerability Profile

In our STS101 Phase 1 clinical trial, all treatments were well tolerated, all adverse events were mild and transient, and no subject withdrew from the trial for an adverse event. Subjects treated with STS101 reported a higher frequency of nasal adverse events than those treated with DHE mesylate IM injection or Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray. The treatment emergent adverse events reported after STS101 administration, all of which were mild and transient, were nasal discomfort (STS101 5.2 mg (34%), IM injection (0%) and Migranal (7%)) nasal congestion (STS101 5.2mg (13%), IM Injection (0%) and Migranal (0%)), nasal itch (STS101 5.2

 

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mg (7.3%), IM Injection (0%), Migranal (0%)), rhinalgia (pain in the nose) (STS101 5.2mg (12%), IM Injection (0%) and Migranal (4%)), bitter or sour taste (STS101 5.2 mg (22%), IM Injection (0%) and Migranal (7%)), runny nose (STS101 5.2mg (15%), IM Injection (0%) and Migranal (0%)), shedding of tears (STS101 5.2 mg (7.3%), IM Injection (0%), Migranal (0%)), sneezing (STS101 5.2 mg (4.9%), IM Injection (0%), Migranal (0%)) and abdominal pain (STS101 5.2 mg (4.9%), IM injection (0%), Migranal (0%)). Patients receiving lower doses of STS101 reported fewer adverse events. No adverse events involving nausea or vomiting were reported after administration of STS101, IM injection or Migranal.

We further assessed nasal symptoms utilizing a subjective nasal symptom severity score self-reported by subjects on the visual analog scale, or VAS score, on a zero to one-hundred scale in which zero represents absence of the symptom and one-hundred represents presence of the symptom with the worst imaginable severity. The average scores for nasal symptoms (including, abnormal taste, nasal blockage or obstruction, nasal burning, nasal discomfort, nasal itching, nasal pain, runny nose and sneezing) were all under 5 mm following administration of STS101 5.2 mg. In addition, subjective nasal symptom severity scores self-reported in Part 1 of our Phase 1 clinical by subjects treated with STS101 1.3 mg and 2.6 mg were negligible.

Based on the safety and tolerability profile observed in our Phase 1 clinical trial, including the results of nasal examinations and subjective nasal symptom scores reported by subjects, we do not believe the tolerability of the STS101 5.2 mg dose should present a barrier to patient adoption or use, if approved.

Comparison of STS101 PK Data to Other Non-Injectable DHE Products

We conducted a further analysis comparing data from our Phase 1 clinical trial data of STS101 5.2 mg and Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray 2.0 mg to published data from earlier Phase 1 clinical trials of MAP0004, another company’s orally-inhaled, pulmonary-route DHE product candidate. Following such Phase 1 clinical trials, MAP0004 met all four of its primary efficacy endpoints and demonstrated a favorable safety profile, but was later discontinued by Allergan. The discontinuation of MAP0004 (previously referred to as the brand names Levadex and Semprana) followed multiple requests from the FDA that the developer address certain issues relating to chemistry, manufacturing, and controls, after certain manufacturing deficiencies were identified during the FDA’s inspection of a facility operated by a third party manufacturer. As a result, MAP0004 was never approved by the FDA and no determination was made by the FDA with respect to its efficacy and safety.

As the data presented below is based on a cross-trial comparison and not a head-to-head clinical trial, such data may not be directly comparable due to differences in study protocols, conditions and patient populations. Accordingly, cross-trial comparisons may not be reliable predictors of the relative efficacy or other benefits of STS101 compared to other product candidates that may be approved or that are or were in development for the acute treatment of migraine. In particular, our Phase 1 clinical trial and the Phase 3 clinical study of MAP0004 (FREEDOM-301) conducted by a third party used similar study designs with different patient eligibility criteria. While our Phase 1 clinical trial was conducted in healthy volunteers, the MAP0004 study (FREEDOM-301) required participants to have a one-year history of migraine according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders and a baseline frequency of two to eight migraine attacks per month. In addition, our Phase 1 clinical trial was designed to provide PK, safety and tolerability data for STS101, whereas the MAP0004 study (FREEDOM-301), used four co-primary endpoints at the 2-hour post dosing time point: pain relief, photophobia-free, phonophobia-free, and nausea-free. The MAP0004 study (FREEDOM-301) reported similar age ranges, gender and race among the participants as our Phase 1 clinical trial of STS101.

As reflected in the figures below, in our Phase 1 clinical trial, STS101 5.2 mg achieved greater DHE exposure by approximately 30 minutes and all time points thereafter as compared to DHE exposure achieved by MAP0004 in Phase 1 clinical trials conducted by its developer.

 

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Mean DHE Plasma Concentration in Healthy Subjects after Administration of a Single Dose of STS101 5.2 mg DHE, Migranal DHE Mesylate Liquid Nasal Spray 2.0 mg and MAP0004 1.0 mg

 

 

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In addition, in our Phase 1 clinical trial, STS101 5.2 mg showed significantly lower variability in peak DHE plasma concentrations and the amounts of DHE delivered into systemic circulation over 0.5, 2 and 48 hours after administration as compared to Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray. The variability of STS101 in peak plasma concentrations and in DHE exposure expressed as area-under-curve, or AUC, over 2 and 48 hours was comparable to that of MAP0004 in a Phase 1 clinical trial conducted by its developer. The figure below reflects the PK variability of STS101 5.2 mg and Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray from our Phase 1 clinical trial and the previously reported third-party Phase 1 clinical trial data for MAP0004 measured by a mean percent coefficient of variation, which represents the variability of the specified data points.

PK Variability of STS101 5.2 mg DHE vs. Other Non-Injectable DHE Products

 

 

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As reflected in the figure below, total DHE exposure with STS101 5.2 mg in our Phase 1 clinical trial was almost three times greater than reported for MAP0004 in a Phase 1 clinical trial conducted by its developer. Within one hour after administration, STS101 5.2 mg delivered greater amounts of DHE into systemic circulation as compared to the amounts of DHE delivered into systemic circulation by Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray and MAP0004 over two hours.

DHE Exposure (AUC) for STS101 5.2 mg DHE and Other Non-Injectable DHE Products

 

 

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In summary, the results from the STS101 Phase 1 clinical trial showed that, within 10 minutes after administration, STS101 5.2 mg achieved target DHE plasma concentrations exceeding 1.0 ng/ml and remained above this level for over 2.5 hours. Furthermore, trial results showed that in comparison with Migranal DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray, STS101 5.2 mg achieved more than a 2-fold higher mean maximum DHE plasma concentration, achieved the maximum concentration much more rapidly, and delivered nearly 2-fold as much DHE into systemic circulation.

Based on our Phase 1 clinical trial data and published data from separate clinical trials conducted by others for different DHE products, including a large Phase 3 study conducted with MAP0004, we believe that the PK profile of STS101 may lead to strong clinical performance expressed in rapid onset of pain relief, excellent 2-hour pain free rates, and sustained efficacy and low recurrence rates at 24 and 48 hours. Accordingly, we believe STS101 has the potential to treat a broad spectrum of migraine types, including those that are often difficult to treat, such as menstrual-related migraine, migraine upon awakening, migraine with allodynia, migraine associated with severe pain and migraine with nausea and vomiting. We expect to prospectively evaluate the performance of STS101 in these subgroups during our Phase 3 EMERGE efficacy trial.

Comparing efficacy data of a third-party DHE product candidate, MAP0004, with efficacy data of other emerging treatments for migraine

We performed a cross-trial comparative analysis of the largest placebo-adjusted effect size for key endpoints in Phase 3 trials conducted by third parties of product candidates for the acute treatment of migraine across a range of classes including inhaled DHE (MAP0004), oral CGRP antagonists (rimegepant, and ubrogepant) and an oral 5HT1F agonist (lasmiditan). The comparative analysis indicated that the DHE product MAP0004 had a greater effect size across a range of efficacy measures relative to the other product candidates.

 

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We also conducted a comparison of the migraine attack severity, timing-of-treatment in relation to migraine onset, and study design information available to us from the clinical trials of the various product candidates. This comparison indicated that a larger proportion of treated patients in the MAP0004 Phase 3 trial experienced severe migraine attacks versus those treated patients in the Phase 3 trials for lasmiditan, rimegepant, and ubrogepant. In addition, we believe the MAP0004 Phase 3 trial allowed for a longer time window for treatment relative to the other trials.

The data presented below for each product candidate represents data from the trial with the largest placebo-adjusted effect size for each endpoint (the percentage of responding patients treated with study medication less the percentage of responding patients treated with placebo), where multiple trials have been conducted for a product candidate. Not all available trial data is presented. As the data presented below is based on a cross-trial comparison and not head-to-head clinical trials, such data may not be directly comparable due to differences in study protocols, conditions and patient populations. Accordingly, cross-trial comparisons may not be reliable predictors of the relative efficacy or other benefits of product candidates that may be approved or that are or were in development for the acute treatment of migraine.

The Phase 3 clinical studies with rimegepant, ubrogepant, lasmiditan and MAP0004 were all conducted between 2008 to 2018 and used substantially similar study designs and patient eligibility criteria. All studies required participants to have a one-year history of migraine according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders and a baseline frequency of two to eight migraine attacks per month. All studies were double-blinded, placebo-controlled and assessed the efficacy and safety of self-administered study medication or placebo in the outpatient setting following the treatment of a single migraine attack with moderate or severe pain during the treatment period. The lasmiditan studies allowed the use of a second dose for rescue, but the primary analyses were based on the first dose administered. The MAP0004 study (FREEDOM-301) used four co-primary endpoints at the 2-hour post dosing time point: pain relief, photophobia-free, phonophobia-free, and nausea-free. Pain free at two hours was used as a secondary endpoint. The studies with rimegepant, ubrogepant, and lasmiditan used freedom from pain and most bothersome symptom (selected by the patient from among photophobia, phonophobia and nausea) at 2-hours post dosing as co-primary endpoints. Pain relief, photophobia-free, phonophobia-free, and nausea-free were used as secondary endpoints. All studies reported similar age ranges, gender and race among the participants. Placebo-adjusted effect sizes, are shown for the different endpoints to account for possible differences in the placebo response rates in the studies.

In addition, while MAP0004 was a DHE-based product candidate, none of the clinical trials presented below studied STS101. The performance of STS101 across these or other efficacy measures in our planned clinical trials may differ materially from any results that could be inferred from this cross-trial comparison, including due to differences between MAP0004 and STS101, as well as differences in study protocols, conditions and patient populations.

 

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Placebo-adjusted efficacy data (% of patients) from the clinical trials of various product candidates for migraine

 

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Development Plan

Our development plan for STS101 is informed by published FDA guidance as well our discussions with the FDA. Following completion of our Phase 1 study, the FDA provided us with written feedback on our proposed STS101 development program, which we expect will be comprised of a single Phase 3 efficacy trial and a single Phase 3 safety trial to support approval of STS101 for the acute treatment of migraine headaches with or without aura. Our development program is intended to support registration of STS101 through the 505(b)(2) approval pathway. We plan to conduct both trials in the United States.

Phase 3 Efficacy Trial

Our Phase 3 EMERGE efficacy trial is designed to be a multi-center, single-dose, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study in approximately 1,140 patients experiencing episodic migraine attacks. To establish eligibility, study participants must have at least two but no more than eight migraine attacks during a 28-day screening period. After establishing full eligibility, the study participants are randomized (1:1:1) to receive one of three treatments: STS101 DHE 3.9 mg, STS101 DHE 5.2 mg or matching placebo. After randomization, the trial participants will be instructed to treat their next migraine attack of at least moderate pain severity with the allocated blinded study medication. All study participants are trained multiple times in the STS101 administration procedure prior to use, and we provide each participant with an electronic device preloaded with diary software designed to capture relevant trial data.

Our EMERGE trial will follow certain of the recommendations outlined in the FDA Guidance Migraine: Developing Drugs for Acute Treatment, February 2018. In particular, the two co-primary endpoints of our EMERGE trial to be assessed at two hours after STS101 administration are freedom from pain and freedom from most bothersome symptom. We believe the trial is powered to achieve these endpoints (i.e. at greater than 99% power for the freedom from pain endpoint and greater than 95% power for the freedom from most bothersome symptom endpoint). In addition, several secondary endpoints, including those suggested in the FDA guidance, are incorporated into the trial protocol. Such endpoints include rescue medication usage, headache relapse

 

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measurements, and functional impairment scales. Further, we expect to prospectively evaluate the performance of STS101 in patient subgroups, including menstrual-related migraine, migraine upon awakening, migraine with allodynia, migraine associated with severe pain and migraine with nausea and vomiting, during our Phase 3 EMERGE efficacy trial to assess whether further study may be of interest. If both doses are successful in our EMERGE trial, then both doses may be submitted in the NDA.

The figure below provides details of the trial design of our Phase 3 EMERGE efficacy trial:

STS101 Phase 3 EMERGE Efficacy Trial Design

 

 

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If successful, we believe our EMERGE trial’s differentiated secondary endpoints and clinical performance in prospectively-defined patient subgroups, could provide us with a strong foundation for promotion and commercialization. Labels for current DHE products, such as D.H.E. 45® and Migranal, do not address the differentiating attributes of DHE and its potential to address unmet needs of many patients with difficult-to-treat migraine types, which we believe has led to low clinical awareness of its benefits by physicians other than headache specialists.

We initiated our EMERGE trial in July 2019 and expect topline data expected in the second half of 2020.

Phase 3 Safety Trial

We also plan to initiate a Phase 3 safety trial of STS101. This safety trial is expected to be a multi-center, open-label, 12-month trial in approximately 200 episodic migraine patients. After establishing eligibility, the study participants will be expected to use STS101 on an as-needed basis to treat migraine attacks for up to 12 months. We anticipate that at least 150 and 50 subjects will complete six and twelve months, respectively. Following the completion of this trial, if successful, we expect to submit our NDA to the FDA by the end of 2021.

Additional Trials

We are currently evaluating the feasibility of undertaking additional clinical trials with STS101, including a drug-drug interaction study. Unless we can successfully demonstrate by conducting such a study that the

 

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coadministration of STS101 and certain other drugs does not result in inhibition of DHE metabolism and elevated DHE levels, the FDA is likely to require a “black box” warning in the label for STS101, if approved, in line with the warnings that are included in the labels for other approved DHE products.

Because migraine affects adolescents (12 to 17 years of age) and children (six to eleven years of age), pediatric studies are required under the Federal Food, Drug, Cosmetic Act, or the FDCA. To address such requirements, we designed an initial pediatric study plan, or iPSP, consistent with the FDA guidance Migraine: Developing Drugs for Acute Treatment, February 2018, which we submitted as an amendment to the STS101 investigational new drug application in May 2019. In August 2019, the FDA provided comments to our iPSP in which the FDA agreed with our plan to request a waiver of clinical studies in children under age six. We are currently revising the iPSP to address the FDA’s comments on our proposed study plan for children (six to eleven years of age) and adolescents (12 to 17 years of age) and our requests for a deferral of any pediatric studies until after the initial approval of STS101 in the adult population. While we plan to work with the FDA to finalize the iPSP, and to our knowledge the FDA has not previously required initiation of pediatric studies for any drug for the acute treatment of migraine prior to its approval in the adult population, there can be no assurance that the FDA will ultimately grant our proposed waiver and/or deferrals. As a result, we could be required to conduct pediatric studies in such patient populations prior to or following any approval of STS101. Under the pediatric exclusivity provision of the FDCA, if FDA issues a written request for the pediatric studies and they are conducted pursuant to the written request, STS101 could qualify for an additional six months of marketing exclusivity.

To date, we and SNBL have completed preliminary human factor studies that we believe support self-administration of STS101 in the outpatient setting for the treatment of migraine and validate the STS101 instructions for use that we are utilizing in our Phase 3 EMERGE efficacy trial, which we initiated in July 2019. Following completion of such trial, we will evaluate whether further human factor studies are required.

Regulatory Pathway

Since DHE is well characterized and previously approved, we intend to seek FDA marketing approval of STS101 under Section 505(b)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which provides an alternate path to FDA approval for modifications to formulations of products previously approved by the FDA. Section 505(b)(2) permits the filing of an NDA where at least some of the information required for approval comes from non-clinical studies and clinical trials not conducted by or for the applicant and for which the applicant has not obtained a right of reference. By utilizing this pathway, and based on our discussions with the FDA, we believe we would be able to forego a Phase 2 clinical trial of STS101 by establishing that STS101 has comparative bioavailability to a reference listed drug with the PK results of our Phase 1 clinical trial.

In the United States, we intend to pursue a 505(b)(2) NDA for STS101 referencing the NDAs for D.H.E. 45 (DHE mesylate injectable solution) and Migranal (DHE mesylate liquid nasal spray). Migranal has no therapeutic equivalents (other than an authorized generic) and is not covered under any unexpired patents that could delay approval of our NDA. We believe this development strategy could provide both an expeditious and cost-efficient approval pathway for STS101 in the United States, including by enabling us to forego a Phase 2 clinical trial. Our Phase 3 efficacy trial is intended to clinically and commercially differentiate STS101 from the reference products.

Manufacturing

Our manufacturing and regulatory teams, although limited in size, have substantial experience in manufacturing process development, registration and the commercial manufacture of drug-device combination products, including inhalation-route drug-device combination products. We do not have any manufacturing facilities and all of our manufacturing processes, which must comply with current good manufacturing practices,

 

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or cGMP, are outsourced to third parties with oversight by our internal managers. We rely on third-party manufacturers to produce sufficient quantities of drug product for use in clinical trials. We intend to continue this practice for any future clinical trials and large-scale commercialization of STS101.

We selected processes for manufacturing of STS101 that we believe are readily scalable and transferable, and all of our STS101 manufacturing processes employ standard technologies that are commonly utilized in the pharmaceutical industry for the manufacture of approved drug and drug-device combination products. However, certain processes for the manufacture of STS101 involve trade secrets and/or require custom or semi-custom equipment that is not available for off-the-shelf purchase, requires substantial investment, and/or has long lead times associated with its design, manufacture, delivery, installation and qualification.

For clinical supplies used in the development of STS101, we contract with CMOs to manufacture the final powder drug formulation and to semi-automatically fill the powder formulation into and manually assemble the STS101 nasal delivery device.

The drug substance of STS101 is supplied by a drug substance manufacturer based in Europe with manufacturing facilities in the United States. The manufacturer has extensive experience manufacturing the STS101 drug substance under cGMP, has an active Drug Master File, or DMF, registered with FDA, and has the capacity to meet our anticipated clinical and commercial supply needs. We believe there are additional drug substance manufacturers with active DMFs registered with the FDA that could potentially serve as back-up suppliers for us.

The proprietary STS101 nasal powder delivery device plastic components are manufactured by two third-party CMOs using widely available common standard injection-molding and blow-molding equipment processes, and we are currently in the process of procuring the mold tooling, which we will own, that we plan to use for the manufacture of STS101 registration batches and commercial supplies.

For commercial supply of STS101, we intend to contract with one of the same CMOs that we utilize to manufacture the final nasal powder formulation for our clinical supplies, and we expect to use the same standard equipment and processes as used in the manufacture of such clinical supplies. For large-scale automated filling, automated assembly and packaging of the STS101 nasal powder delivery device for commercialization, we intend to contract with a CMO that we are utilizing to semi-automatically fill and manually assemble the STS101 delivery devices to be used in the STS101 Phase 3 clinical trial program. Automated filling, assembly and packaging of STS101 commercial supplies will utilize semi-custom equipment for which we have contracted, and, with respect to packaging, intend to contract.

Commercial Operations

We currently have no marketing and sales organization. If approved by the FDA for the acute treatment of migraine, we intend to market and commercialize STS101 in the United States by building a specialized sales organization focusing on headache specialists, as well as general neurologists and primary care physicians who are high prescribers of migraine therapeutics. Outside the United States, we intend to establish commercialization strategies for STS101 as we approach possible commercial approval in each market, which may include collaborations with other companies.

Competition

The pharmaceutical industry is highly competitive, with a number of established, large pharmaceutical companies, as well as many smaller companies. If approved for the acute treatment of migraine, we anticipate that STS101 would compete against other marketed migraine therapies for the acute treatment of migraine and may compete with products currently under development by other companies.

 

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In 2018, over 15 million prescriptions for migraine-specific acute therapies were written in the United States. This figure excludes prescriptions of non-specific therapies, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen, and thus likely understates the total number of prescriptions written for the acute treatment of migraine. The majority of the prescriptions written were for generic triptans. There are seven FDA-approved triptan molecules available in branded and branded generic/generic oral dosage forms, and two of these molecules are also available in injectable and/or liquid nasal spray dosage forms that may have faster onset of action than oral dosage forms. With respect to DHE products, we will compete with Bausch Health’s Migranal and its authorized generic, both of which are DHE liquid nasal spray products, as well as branded and generic DHE injectable products. In addition, we believe Impel NeuroPharma is developing a DHE liquid nasal spray product utilizing the same liquid formulation as Migranal, but with a different propellant-powered, single-use delivery device for which Impel NeuroPharma has indicated it plans to file an NDA in 2020. In addition, Promius Pharma reports that it is developing a DHE nasal liquid spray product. We believe these products will suffer from many of the same limitations as Migranal and have not been reported to significantly improve DHE absorption or pharmacokinetics as compared with Migranal to an extent that we believe likely to be clinically relevant. Impel NeuroPharma in particular has indicated that it plans to pursue approval of its product on the basis of a clinical development program that includes only a comparative pharmacokinetic study and an open-label, uncontrolled, repeat-dose safety trial (and not a randomized, controlled, double-blinded Phase 3 efficacy study which the FDA typically requires to support any product-specific marketing claims relating to efficacy). There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully bring STS101 to the market faster than these liquid nasal spray candidates or compete against such products, if approved.

We may also face competition from non-DHE acute treatments for migraine currently under development. For instance, modulation of CGRP is a therapeutic avenue being investigated for migraine treatment. CGRP is normally produced in neurons, but elevated levels of CGRP in the trigeminovascular system can have adverse effects on neurovascular and neurological function, leading to symptoms of migraine. Allergan recently submitted an NDA for ubrogepant and Biohaven recently submitted two NDAs for rimegepant, and any of such product candidates may become the first oral CGRP receptor antagonist marketed for the acute treatment of migraine. Although these oral CGRP receptor antagonist products may be approved and commercialized, the oral CGRP receptor antagonist class has previously been associated with rare but serious liver toxicity and the efficacy reported with these products is modest in comparison with efficacy historically reported with triptan and DHE products.

In addition, Eli Lilly is developing and has submitted an NDA for lasmiditan, an oral 5HT1F agonist, for the acute treatment of migraine. Although lasmiditan may be approved and commercialized, central nervous system adverse events such as dizziness, somnolence and paresthesia have been reported in significant proportions of patients treated with lasmiditan in Phase 2 and 3 studies, which may result in label warnings and/or product use limitations.

In contrast with triptan and ergot alkaloid (including DHE) products, both CGRP and 5HT1F product candidates are thought to act by mechanisms other than vasoconstriction, which may result in these new products having reduced potential for cardiovascular adverse effects and thus being indicated for use in a broader population of migraine patients that includes patients with cardiovascular risk factors for whom triptan and ergot alkaloid treatments are not recommended.

Further, preventive treatment of migraine, could, if broadly adopted and used successfully, reduce the need and demand for acute treatment options. Injectable formulations of anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies (e.g. erenumab, fremanezumab, and galcanezumab) have recently been approved for prevention of migraine attacks and Allergan and Biohaven have also reported that they are conducting clinical trials of oral CGRP antagonists for prevention of migraine attacks. In addition, Alder Biopharmaceuticals recently announced it was commencing a study of its intravenously injected monoclonal CGRP antibody, eptinezumab, for which it submitted a Biologics License Application for a migraine prevention indication in February 2019, for an acute treatment of migraine indication.

 

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There are many pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, public and private universities, government agencies and research organizations actively engaged in research and development of products which may target the same markets as STS101. We expect any future products we develop to compete on the basis of, among other things, product efficacy and safety, time to market, price, extent of adverse side effects experienced and convenience of administration and drug delivery. One or more of our competitors may develop products based upon the principles underlying our proprietary technologies earlier than us, obtain approvals for such products from the FDA more rapidly than us or develop alternative products or therapies that are safer, more effective and/or more cost effective than any future products developed by us. We also expect to face competition in our efforts to identify appropriate collaborators or partners to help commercialize STS101 in our target commercial areas outside the United States. Many of these companies have greater financial resources, marketing capabilities and experience in obtaining regulatory approvals for product candidates.

Intellectual Property

Our commercial success depends in part on our ability to obtain and maintain proprietary protection for STS101, manufacturing and process discoveries, and other know how, to operate without infringing the proprietary rights of others, and to prevent others from infringing our proprietary rights. Our policy is to seek to protect our proprietary position by, among other methods, filing U.S. and foreign patent applications related to our proprietary technology, inventions and improvements that are important to the development and implementation of our business. We also rely on trade secrets, know how, continuing technological innovation and potential in licensing opportunities to develop and maintain our proprietary position.

With regard to STS101, we have patents and applications to formulations, dosages, devices, and methods of use.

As of August 1, 2019, we have an exclusive license to 6 issued U.S. patents and 9 issued foreign patents, which include granted European patent rights that have been validated in various EU member states, and own or have an exclusive license to various pending U.S. non-provisional patent applications, U.S. provisional patent applications, and pending foreign patent applications, and an international Patent Cooperation Treat (PCT) patent application. Issued U.S. patents relating to STS101 are estimated to expire between 2029 and the end of 2033. If issued, future patents resulting from pending U.S. patent applications relating to STS101 would be estimated to expire between 2034 and 2039. All issued U.S. and foreign patents relating to STS101 were exclusively licensed from SNBL. The pending U.S. and foreign patent applications (including U.S. provisionals) relating to STS101 are solely owned by us or exclusively licensed from SNBL.

The patent portfolio for STS101 is directed to cover formulations, dosages, devices, and methods of treatment. This patent portfolio includes issued U.S. patents, pending U.S. patent applications and corresponding foreign national and regional counterpart patents and patent applications. The U.S. issued formulation patents and device patents are exclusively licensed from SNBL. Royalties on products covered by this exclusive license are payable on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis until the latest of the expiration of the last-to-expire patent covering such product and the ten year anniversary of the first commercial sale of such product in such country. For more information on the SNBL License, see the section titled “Business—Licenses and Collaborations.” We own U.S. patent applications relating to the formulations, dosages, and methods of use of STS101 for treatment.

The term of patents and patent applications, if issued, relating to STS101 in other jurisdictions (some of the major foreign jurisdictions include Europe, Japan, China, India, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Korea, Mexico, Russia), if the appropriate maintenance, renewal, annuity and other government fees are paid, are expected to expire between 2025 and 2038. We also protect our proprietary technology and processes, in part, by confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with our employees, consultants, scientific advisors and other contractors. These agreements may be breached, and we may not have adequate remedies for any breach. In

 

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addition, our trade secrets may otherwise become known or be independently discovered by competitors. To the extent that our employees, consultants, scientific advisors or other contractors use intellectual property owned by others in their work for us, disputes may arise as to the rights in related or resulting know how and inventions.

Our commercial success will also depend in part on not infringing the proprietary rights of third parties. It is uncertain whether the issuance of any third party patent would require us to alter our development or commercial strategies, alter our drugs or processes, obtain licenses or cease certain activities. Our breach of any license agreements or failure to obtain a license to proprietary rights that we may require to develop or commercialize our future drugs may have a material adverse impact on us. If third parties prepare and file patent applications in the United States that also claim technology to which we have rights, we may have to participate in interference proceedings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, to determine priority of invention.

Licenses and Collaborations

In June 2016, we and SNBL, entered into a licensing and assignment agreement, or the SNBL License, which was amended and restated in December 2016 and further amended in January 2017, April 2017, and October 2017. We currently rely and intend to continue to rely on the SNBL License for purposes of our development and potential commercialization of STS101. From the time we entered into the SNBL License until the consummation of our Series A convertible preferred stock financing in December 2016, we were a subsidiary of SNBL and SNBL continues to hold over 5% of our outstanding capital stock. Under the SNBL License, SNBL assigned to us certain patent rights and know-how that are directed to SNBL’s proprietary nasal drug delivery technology, including its proprietary nasal delivery device, or the Device, and formulation technologies, for use with DHE, or the DHE Product. SNBL granted to us an exclusive, worldwide, royalty-bearing, sublicensable license, under certain patent rights and know-how, other than the assigned patent rights and know-how, to develop, make, use, and commercialize DHE Products in the field of treatment, prevention or prophylaxis of all indications and human medical conditions, as well as the products consisting of the Device used to deliver a combination of DHE and one or more active pharmaceutical ingredients other than DHE, or DHE Combination Products, in the field of treatment, prevention or prophylaxis of migraine and non-migraine headaches. We granted to SNBL a non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable license, under our rights in improvements to the Device, to develop, make, use, and commercialize products and devices other than DHE Products and DHE Combination Products. During the term of the SNBL License, we, SNBL, and our and SNBL’s affiliates are not permitted to develop or commercialize, or to enable third parties to develop or commercialize, a product containing DHE as an active ingredient for delivery through nasal tissues or the respiratory system, other than pursuant to the SNBL License. We will be responsible, at our cost, for the development, manufacture and commercialization of DHE Products and DHE Combination Products under the SNBL License. We are required to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize at least one such product, initially in the United States.

Under the SNBL License, we reimbursed SNBL for approximately $80,000 of costs relating to our incorporation and prosecution and maintenance of the product-specific patents. We also agreed to make royalty payments based on a low single-digit percentage of worldwide net sales of DHE Products and DHE Combination Products, payable on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis until the latest of the expiration of the last-to-expire patent covering such product and the ten year anniversary of the first commercial sale of such product in such country. The royalty payments are subject to reductions based on royalties paid to any third party under a license to such third party’s patent rights.

We have the sole right to control the prosecution and maintenance of, and to enforce, the patent rights that SNBL assigned to us. SNBL has the first right to control the prosecution and maintenance of the patent rights that SNBL licensed to us. We have step in rights if SNBL does not continue such prosecution and maintenance. We also have the first right to enforce such licensed patent rights with respect to certain infringing products. If we do not bring an action to enforce such patents against infringing activities that involve such infringing products, SNBL has the right to bring such an action.

 

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The SNBL License will continue on a country-by-country and product-by-product basis until the expiration of the obligation to pay royalties with respect such product and country. We may terminate the SNBL License in its entirety without cause on ninety days’ prior written notice. SNBL may terminate the SNBL License for our material breach that remains uncured for ninety days. SNBL may also terminate the SNBL License if we challenge the licensed patents, or if we assist any third party in challenging such patents. In addition, SNBL has the right to terminate the license agreement upon our insolvency.

Government Regulation

The FDA and other regulatory authorities at federal, state, and local levels, as well as in foreign countries, extensively regulate, among other things, the research, development, testing, manufacture, storage, recordkeeping, approval, labeling, marketing and promotion, distribution, post-approval monitoring and reporting, sampling, and import and export of products, such as those we are developing. The process of obtaining regulatory approvals and the subsequent compliance with appropriate federal, state, local and foreign statutes and regulations require the expenditure of substantial time and financial resources.

Our product candidate, STS101, is subject to regulation in the United States as a drug-device combination product. If marketed individually, the drug component and the propriety device component would be subject to different regulatory pathways and would require approval of independent marketing applications by the FDA. A combination product, however, is assigned to a Center within FDA that will have primary jurisdiction over the product’s regulation based on a determination of the combination product’s primary mode of action, which is the single mode of action that provides the most important therapeutic action. In the case of STS101, the FDA has confirmed that the primary mode of action is attributable to the drug component of the product. Accordingly, STS101 will be regulated as a drug product by the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, or CDER, which will have primary jurisdiction over premarket development and approval. We plan to seek approval of STS101 through a single new drug application, or NDA, submitted to CDER through the 505(b)(2) approval pathway. We do not expect that the FDA will require separate marketing authorization for the proprietary device constituent of STS101. However, the drug delivery device component of STS101 will be subject to consulting review by FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, and we will be required to comply with applicable provisions of the medical device Quality System Regulation as part of ensuring STS101 complies with cGMP. The FDA will also require that we conduct human factors studies to support approval of STS101. To date, we and SNBL have completed preliminary human factor studies that we believe support self-administration of STS101 in the outpatient setting for the treatment of migraine and validate the STS101 instructions for use that we are utilizing in our Phase 3 EMERGE efficacy trial, which we initiated in July 2019. Following completion of such trial, we will evaluate whether further human factor studies are required.

U.S. Drug Regulation

In the United States, the FDA regulates drugs under the FDCA and its implementing regulations. FDA approval is required before any new unapproved drug or dosage form, including a new use or new formulation of a previously approved drug, can be marketed in the United States. Drugs are also subject to other federal, state and local statutes and regulations. Failure to comply with applicable FDA or other requirements may subject a company to a variety of administrative or judicial sanctions, such as FDA clinical holds, refusal to approve pending applications, withdrawal of an approval, warning or untitled letters, product recalls, product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, injunctions, fines, civil penalties and criminal prosecution.

The process required by the FDA before product candidates may be marketed in the United States generally involves the following:

 

   

completion of preclinical laboratory tests and animal studies, all performed in accordance with the FDA’s Good Laboratory Practice, or GLP, regulations;

 

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submission to the FDA of an IND, which must become effective before human clinical studies may begin and must be updated annually or when significant changes are made;

 

   

approval by an independent institutional review board, or IRB, representing each clinical site before a clinical study may be initiated;

 

   

performance of adequate and well-controlled human clinical trials in accordance with good clinical practice, or GCP, regulations to establish the safety and efficacy of the product candidate for each proposed indication;

 

   

preparation of and submission to the FDA of an NDA;

 

   

satisfactory completion of an FDA advisory committee review, if applicable;

 

   

a determination by the FDA within 60 days of its receipt of an NDA to file the application for review;

 

   

satisfactory completion of an FDA pre-approval inspection of the manufacturing facility(ies) where the product is manufactured to assess compliance with current good manufacturing practice, or cGMP, regulations, and of selected clinical investigation sites to assess compliance with GCP; and

 

   

FDA review and approval of an NDA to permit commercial marketing of the product for its particular labeled uses in the United States.

Preclinical and Clinical Studies

The preclinical and clinical testing and approval process can take many years and the actual time required to obtain approval, if any, may vary substantially based upon the type, complexity and novelty of the product or condition being treated.

Preclinical tests include laboratory evaluation of product chemistry, formulation and toxicity, as well as animal studies to assess the characteristics and potential safety and efficacy of the product. The conduct of preclinical tests must comply with federal regulations and requirements, including GLP. The results of preclinical testing are submitted to the FDA as part of an IND along with other information, including information about product chemistry, manufacturing and controls and any available human data or literature to support use of the product in humans. Long-term preclinical tests, such as animal tests of reproductive toxicity and carcinogenicity, may continue after the IND is submitted.

The central focus of an IND submission is on the general investigational plan and the protocol(s) for human studies. An IND must become effective before human clinical trials may begin. An IND will automatically become effective 30 days after receipt by the FDA, unless before that time the FDA raises concerns or questions related to the proposed clinical studies. In such a case, the IND may be placed on clinical hold and the IND sponsor and the FDA must resolve any outstanding concerns or questions before clinical studies can begin. A separate submission to an existing IND must also be made for each successive clinical trial conducted during product development along with any subsequent changes to the investigational plan.

Clinical studies involve the administration of the investigational new drug to human subjects under the supervision of qualified investigators in accordance with GCPs, which include the requirement that all research subjects provide their informed consent for participation in each clinical study. Clinical studies are conducted under protocols detailing, among other things, the objectives of the study, the parameters to be used in monitoring safety and the efficacy criteria to be evaluated. A protocol for each clinical study and any subsequent protocol amendments must be submitted to the FDA as part of the IND. Additionally, approval must also be obtained from each clinical study site’s IRB before a study may be initiated at the site, and the IRB must monitor the study until completed. Sponsors of clinical trials generally must register and report ongoing clinical studies and clinical study results to public registries, including the website maintained by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, ClinicalTrials.gov.

 

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For purposes of NDA approval, human clinical trials are typically divided into three or four phases. Although the phases are usually conducted sequentially, they may overlap or be combined.

 

   

Phase 1. The drug is initially introduced into healthy human subjects or into patients with the target disease or condition. These studies are designed to evaluate the safety, dosage tolerance, metabolism and pharmacologic actions of the drug in humans, the side effects associated with increasing doses, and if possible, to gain early evidence on effectiveness.

 

   

Phase 2. The drug is administered to a limited patient population to evaluate dosage tolerance and optimal dosage, identify possible adverse side effects and safety risks and preliminarily evaluate efficacy.

 

   

Phase 3. The drug is administered to an expanded patient population, generally at geographically dispersed clinical study sites to generate enough data to statistically evaluate dosage, clinical effectiveness and safety, to establish the overall benefit-risk relationship of the investigational product and to provide an adequate basis for product approval.

 

   

Phase 4. In some cases, the FDA may condition approval of an NDA for a product candidate on the sponsor’s agreement to conduct additional clinical studies after approval. In other cases, a sponsor may voluntarily conduct additional clinical studies after approval to gain more information about the drug. Such post-approval studies are typically referred to as Phase 4 clinical studies.

The FDA, the IRB or the clinical study sponsor may suspend or terminate a clinical study at any time on various grounds, including a finding that the research subjects are being exposed to an unacceptable health risk. We may also suspend or terminate a clinical study based on evolving business objectives and/or competitive climate.

Concurrent with clinical trials, companies may complete additional animal studies and develop additional information about the characteristics of the product candidate, and must finalize a process for manufacturing the product in commercial quantities in accordance with cGMP requirements. The manufacturing process must be capable of consistently producing quality batches of the product and, among other things, must include methods for testing the identity, strength, quality and purity of the final product. Additionally, appropriate packaging must be selected and tested and stability studies must be conducted to demonstrate that the product does not undergo unacceptable deterioration over its shelf life.

Submission of an NDA to the FDA

Assuming successful completion of all required testing in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements, the results of product development and testing are submitted to the FDA in the form of an NDA requesting approval to market the product for one or more indications. The submission of an NDA requires payment of a substantial application user fee to the FDA, unless a waiver or exemption applies.

An NDA must include all relevant data available from pertinent preclinical and clinical studies, including negative or ambiguous results as well as positive findings, together with detailed information relating to the product’s chemistry, manufacturing, controls and proposed labeling, among other things. Data can come from company-sponsored clinical studies intended to test the safety and effectiveness of a use of a product, or from a number of alternative sources, including studies initiated by investigators. To support marketing approval, the data submitted must be sufficient in quality and quantity to establish the safety and effectiveness of the investigational product to the satisfaction of the FDA.

The FDA has 60 days from its receipt of an NDA to determine whether the application will be accepted for filing based on the agency’s threshold determination that it is sufficiently complete to permit substantive review. The FDA may request additional information rather than accept an application for filing. In this event, the application must be resubmitted with the additional information and is subject to payment of additional user fees. The resubmitted application is also subject to review before the FDA accepts it for filing. Once the submission is

 

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accepted for filing, the FDA begins an in-depth substantive review. Under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, or PDUFA, the FDA has agreed to certain performance goals in the review of NDAs through a two-tiered classification system, standard review and priority review. Priority review designation is given to drugs that offer major advances in treatment, or provide a treatment where no adequate therapy exists. According to PDUFA performance goals, the FDA endeavors to review applications subject to standard review within ten to twelve months, whereas the FDA’s goal is to review priority review applications within six to eight months, depending on whether the drug is a new molecular entity.

The FDA may refer applications for novel drug products or drug products which present difficult questions of safety or efficacy to an advisory committee for review, evaluation and recommendation as to whether the application should be approved and under what conditions.

Before approving an NDA, the FDA typically will inspect the facility or facilities where the product is manufactured. The FDA will not approve an application unless it determines that the manufacturing processes and facilities are in compliance with cGMP requirements and adequate to assure consistent production of the product within required specifications. Additionally, the FDA will typically inspect one or more clinical sites to assure that relevant study data was obtained in compliance with GCP requirements.

After the FDA evaluates the NDA and conducts inspections of manufacturing facilities, it may issue an approval letter or a complete response letter. A complete response letter indicates that the review cycle of the application is complete and the application is not ready for approval. A tentative approval may be issued for an NDA submitted under Section 505(b)(2) of the FDCA if the sponsor must await the expiration of applicable patents or other exclusivity covering the previously approved product referenced in the application before obtaining final approval. A complete response letter generally outlines the deficiencies in the submission and may require substantial additional testing or information in order for the FDA to reconsider the application. Even with submission of this additional information, the FDA may ultimately decide that an application does not satisfy the regulatory criteria for approval. If, or when, the deficiencies have been addressed to the FDA’s satisfaction in a resubmission of the application, the FDA will issue an approval letter. An approval letter authorizes commercial marketing of the drug with specific prescribing information for specific indications.

As a condition of NDA approval, the FDA may require a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, or REMS, program to help ensure that the benefits of the drug outweigh its risks. If the FDA determines a REMS program is necessary during review of the application, the drug sponsor must agree to the REMS plan at the time of approval. For 505(b)(2) NDAs, FDA will typically require a REMS if the reference product is required to have a REMS. A REMS program may be required to include various elements, such as a medication guide or patient package insert, a communication plan to educate healthcare providers of the drug’s risks, or other elements to assure safe use, such as limitations on who may prescribe or dispense the drug, dispensing only under certain circumstances, special monitoring and the use of patient registries. In addition, all REMS programs must include a timetable to periodically assess the strategy following implementation.

Further, product approval may require substantial post-approval testing and surveillance to monitor the drug’s safety and efficacy, and the FDA has the authority to prevent or limit further marketing of a product based on the results of these post-marketing programs. Once granted, product approvals may be withdrawn if compliance with regulatory standards is not maintained or problems are identified following initial marketing. Moreover, changes to the conditions established in an approved application, including changes in indications, labeling or manufacturing processes or facilities may require submission and FDA approval of a new NDA or NDA supplement before the changes can be implemented. An NDA supplement for a new indication typically requires clinical data similar to that supporting the original approval, and the FDA uses similar procedures in reviewing supplements as it does in reviewing original applications.

 

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Post-Approval Requirements

Once an NDA is approved, a product will be subject to pervasive and continuing regulation by the FDA, including, among other things, requirements relating to drug listing and registration, recordkeeping, periodic reporting, product sampling and distribution, adverse event reporting and advertising, marketing and promotion. Drugs may be marketed only for the approved indications and in accordance with the provisions of the approved labeling. While physicians may prescribe for off-label uses, manufacturers may only promote for the approved indications and in accordance with the provisions of the approved label. However, companies may share truthful and not misleading information that is otherwise consistent with a product’s FDA approved labeling. The FDA and other agencies actively enforce the laws and regulations prohibiting the promotion of off-label uses, and a company that is found to have improperly promoted off-label uses may be subject to significant liability.

After approval, most changes to the approved product, such as adding new indications or other labeling claims, are subject to prior FDA review and approval. There also are continuing user fee requirements, under which FDA assesses an annual program fee for each product identified in an approved NDA. In addition, quality-control, drug manufacture, packaging and labeling procedures must continue to conform to cGMPs after approval. Drug manufacturers and certain of their subcontractors are required to register their establishments with the FDA and certain state agencies. Registration with the FDA subjects entities to periodic unannounced and announced inspections by the FDA and these state agencies, during which the agency inspects manufacturing facilities to assess compliance with cGMPs. FDA regulations also require investigation and correction of any deviations from cGMP and impose reporting requirements upon us and any third-party manufacturers that we may decide to use. Accordingly, manufacturers must continue to expend time, money and effort in the area of production and quality control to maintain compliance with cGMP and other aspects of regulatory compliance.

The FDA may withdraw approval of a product if compliance with regulatory requirements is not maintained or if problems occur after the product reaches the market. Later discovery of previously unknown problems with a product, including adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, or with manufacturing processes, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements, may result in revisions to the approved labeling to add new safety information; imposition of post-market studies or clinical studies to assess new safety risks; or imposition of distribution restrictions or other restrictions under a REMS program. Other potential consequences include, among other things:

 

   

restrictions on the marketing or manufacturing of a product, complete withdrawal of the product from the market or product recalls;

 

   

fines, warning or untitled letters or holds on post-approval clinical studies;

 

   

refusal of the FDA to approve pending applications or supplements to approved applications, or suspension or revocation of existing product approvals;

 

   

product seizure or detention, or refusal of the FDA to permit the import or export of products; or

 

   

injunctions or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties.

The FDA may also require post-approval studies and clinical trials if the FDA finds that scientific data, including information regarding related drugs, deem it appropriate. The purpose of such studies would be to assess a known serious risk or signals of serious risk related to the drug or to identify an unexpected serious risk when available data indicate the potential for a serious risk. The FDA may also require a labeling change if it becomes aware of new safety information that it believes should be included in the labeling of a drug.

The Hatch-Waxman Amendments

ANDA Approval Process

The Hatch-Waxman Amendments established abbreviated FDA approval procedures for drugs that are shown to be equivalent to proprietary drugs previously approved by the FDA through its NDA process. Approval

 

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to market and distribute these drugs is obtained by filing an abbreviated new drug application, or ANDA, with the FDA.

An ANDA is a comprehensive submission that contains, among other things, data and information pertaining to the active pharmaceutical ingredient, drug product formulation, specifications and stability of the generic drug, as well as analytical methods, manufacturing process validation data and quality control procedures. Premarket applications for generic drugs are termed abbreviated because they generally do not include preclinical and clinical data to demonstrate safety and effectiveness. Instead, a generic applicant must demonstrate that its product is bioequivalent to the innovator drug. In certain situations, an applicant may obtain ANDA approval of a generic product with a strength or dosage form that differs from a referenced innovator drug pursuant to the filing and approval of an ANDA suitability petition. The FDA will approve the generic product as suitable for an ANDA application if it finds that the generic product does not raise new questions of safety and effectiveness as compared to the innovator product. A product is not eligible for ANDA approval if the FDA determines that it is not equivalent to the referenced innovator drug or is intended for a different use, and it is not otherwise subject to an approved suitability petition. However, such a product might be approved under an NDA, with supportive data from clinical trials.

505(b)(2) NDAs

As an alternative path to FDA approval for modifications to formulations or uses of products previously approved by the FDA, an applicant may submit an NDA under Section 505(b)(2) of the FDCA. Section 505(b)(2) was enacted as part of the Hatch-Waxman Amendments and permits the filing of an NDA where at least some of the information required for approval comes from studies not conducted by, or for, the applicant. If the 505(b)(2) applicant can establish that reliance on FDA’s previous findings of safety and effectiveness is scientifically appropriate, it may eliminate the need to conduct certain preclinical or clinical studies of the new product. The FDA may also require companies to perform additional studies or measurements, including clinical trials, to support the change from the approved reference drug. The FDA may then approve the new product candidate for all, or some, of the label indications for which the reference drug has been approved, as well as for any new indication sought by the 505(b)(2) applicant.

Orange Book Listing

In seeking approval for a drug through an NDA, including a 505(b)(2) NDA, applicants are required to list with the FDA certain patents whose claims cover the applicant’s product. Upon approval of an NDA, each of the patents listed in the application for the drug is then published in the Orange Book. Any applicant who files an ANDA seeking approval of a generic equivalent version of a drug listed in the Orange Book or a 505(b)(2) NDA referencing a drug listed in the Orange Book must certify to the FDA that (1) no patent information on the drug product that is the subject of the application has been submitted to the FDA; (2) such patent has expired; (3) the date on which such patent expires; or (4) such patent is invalid or will not be infringed upon by the manufacture, use or sale of the drug product for which the application is submitted. This last certification is known as a paragraph IV certification. A notice of the paragraph IV certification must be provided to each owner of the patent that is the subject of the certification and to the holder of the approved NDA to which the ANDA or 505(b)(2) application refers. The applicant may also elect to submit a “section viii” statement certifying that its proposed label does not contain (or carves out) any language regarding the patented method-of-use rather than certify to a listed method-of-use patent.

If the reference NDA holder and patent owners assert a patent challenge directed to one of the Orange Book listed patents within 45 days of the receipt of the paragraph IV certification notice, the FDA is prohibited from approving the application until the earlier of 30 months from the receipt of the paragraph IV certification expiration of the patent, settlement of the lawsuit or a decision in the infringement case that is favorable to the applicant. The ANDA or 505(b)(2) application also will not be approved until any applicable non-patent exclusivity listed in the Orange Book for the reference drug has expired.

 

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Non-Patent Exclusivity

In addition to patent exclusivity, NDA holders may be entitled to a period of non-patent exclusivity, during which the FDA cannot approve an ANDA or 505(b)(2) application that relies on the listed drug. For example, a pharmaceutical manufacturer may obtain five years of non-patent exclusivity upon NDA approval of a new chemical entity, or NCE, which is a drug that contains an active moiety that has not been approved by FDA in any other NDA.

A non-NCE drug, including one approved under Section 505(b)(2), may qualify for a three-year period of exclusivity for a particular condition of approval or change to a previously approved product, such as a new formulation or method of administration for a previously approved product, if one or more new clinical studies (other than bioavailability or bioequivalence studies) was essential to the approval of the application and was conducted or sponsored by the applicant. Should this occur, the FDA would be precluded from approving any ANDA or 505(b)(2) application for the protected modification until after that three-year exclusivity period has concluded. However, unlike NCE exclusivity, the FDA can accept an application and being the review process during the exclusivity period. A drug approved under Section 505(b)(2) may also be eligible for pediatric exclusivity if the FDA issues a Written Request for one or more pediatric studies, the manufacturer conducts the studies and submits written reports to the FDA, and such studies meet the conditions of the Written Request. If granted, pediatric exclusivity extends any existing marketing exclusivity or patent protection for the product by an additional six months.

International Regulation

In addition to regulations in the United States, we could become subject to a variety of foreign regulations regarding development, approval, commercial sales and distribution of our products if we seek to market STS101 in other jurisdictions. Whether or not we obtain FDA approval for a product, we must obtain the necessary approvals by the comparable regulatory authorities of foreign countries before we can commence clinical trials or marketing of the product in those countries. The approval process varies from country to country and can involve additional product testing and additional review periods, and the time may be longer or shorter than that required to obtain FDA approval. The requirements governing, among other things, the conduct of clinical trials, product licensing, pricing and reimbursement vary greatly from country to country. Regulatory approval in one country does not ensure regulatory approval in another, but a failure or delay in obtaining regulatory approval in one country may negatively impact the regulatory process in others. If we fail to comply with applicable foreign regulatory requirements, we may be subject to fines, suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approvals, product recalls, seizure of products, operating restrictions and criminal prosecution.

Other Healthcare Laws

Pharmaceutical companies are subject to additional healthcare regulation and enforcement by the federal government and by authorities in the states and foreign jurisdictions in which they conduct their business. Such laws include, without limitation, U.S. federal and state fraud and abuse laws, including anti-kickback, false claims, civil monetary penalties laws, consumer protection and transparency laws as well as similar foreign laws in the jurisdictions outside the U.S. For example, the federal Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits, among other things, individuals or entities from knowingly and willfully offering, paying, soliciting or receiving remuneration, directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind to induce or in return for purchasing, leasing, ordering or arranging for or recommending the purchase, lease or order of any item or service reimbursable under Medicare, Medicaid or other federal healthcare programs. A person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of this statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation. In addition, the government may assert that a claim including items or services resulting from a violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the civil False Claims Act and the civil monetary penalties statute. The federal civil and criminal false claims laws, including the civil False Claims Act, prohibit, among other things, any individual or entity from knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, a false claim for payment to the federal

 

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government or knowingly making, using or causing to be made or used a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim to the federal government. The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, created additional federal civil and criminal statutes that prohibit, among other things, knowingly and willfully executing a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program. Similar to the U.S. federal Anti-Kickback Statute, a person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of the healthcare fraud statute implemented under HIPAA or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation. The federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires certain manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologics and medical supplies for which payment is available under Medicare, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, with specific exceptions, to report annually to CMS information related to payments or other transfers of value made to physicians and teaching hospitals, and applicable manufacturers and applicable group purchasing organizations to report annually to CMS ownership and investment interests held by physicians and their immediate family members.

Similar state and local laws and regulations may also restrict business practices in the pharmaceutical industry, such as state anti-kickback and false claims laws, which may apply to business practices, including but not limited to, research, distribution, sales and marketing arrangements and claims involving healthcare items or services reimbursed by non-governmental third-party payors, including private insurers, or by patients themselves; state laws that require pharmaceutical companies to comply with the pharmaceutical industry’s voluntary compliance guidelines and the relevant compliance guidance promulgated by the federal government, or otherwise restrict payments that may be made to healthcare providers and other potential referral sources; state laws and regulations that require drug manufacturers to file reports relating to pricing and marketing information or which require tracking gifts and other remuneration and items of value provided to physicians, other healthcare providers and entities; state and local laws that require the registration of pharmaceutical sales representatives; and state and local laws governing the privacy and security of health information in some circumstances, many of which differ from each other in significant ways and often are not preempted by HIPAA, thus complicating compliance efforts. Violation of any of such laws or any other governmental regulations that apply may result in penalties, including, without limitation, civil and criminal penalties, damages, fines, additional reporting obligation, the curtailment or restructuring of operations, exclusion from participation in governmental healthcare programs and individual imprisonment.

Data Privacy and Security Laws

Pharmaceutical companies may be subject to U.S. federal and state health information privacy, security and data breach notification laws, which may govern the collection, use, disclosure and protection of health-related and other personal information. State laws may be more stringent, broader in scope or offer greater individual rights with respect to protected health information, or PHI, than HIPAA and state laws may differ from each other, which may complicate compliance efforts. Entities that are found to be in violation of HIPAA as the result of a breach of unsecured PHI, a complaint about privacy practices or an audit by the Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, may be subject to significant civil, criminal and administrative fines and penalties and/or additional reporting and oversight obligations if required to enter into a resolution agreement and corrective action plan with HHS to settle allegations of HIPAA non-compliance.

European Union member states, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and other jurisdictions have also adopted data protection laws and regulations, which impose significant compliance obligations. In the EEA and the United Kingdom, the collection and use of personal data, including clinical trial data, is governed by the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR. The GDPR became effective on May 25, 2018, repealing its predecessor directive and increasing responsibility and liability of pharmaceutical companies in relation to the processing of personal data of EU data subjects. The GDPR, together with national legislation, regulations and guidelines of the EU member states and the United Kingdom governing the processing of personal data, impose strict obligations and restrictions on the ability to collect, analyze and transfer personal data, including health data from clinical trials and adverse event reporting. In particular, these obligations and restrictions concern the consent of the individuals to whom the personal data relates, the information provided to

 

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the individuals, the transfer of personal data out of the EEA or the United Kingdom, security breach notifications, security and confidentiality of the personal data and imposition of substantial potential fines for breaches of the data protection obligations. European data protection authorities may interpret the GDPR and national laws differently and impose additional requirements, which add to the complexity of processing personal data in or from the EEA or United Kingdom. Guidance on implementation and compliance practices are often updated or otherwise revised.

Coverage and Reimbursement

Sales of any pharmaceutical product depend, in part, on the extent to which such product will be covered by third-party payors, such as federal, state and foreign government healthcare programs, commercial insurance and managed healthcare organizations, and the level of reimbursement for such product by third-party payors. No uniform policy exists for coverage and reimbursement for products exists among U.S. third-party payors. Therefore, decisions regarding the extent of coverage and amount of reimbursement to be provided are made on a plan-by-plan basis. The process for determining whether a third-party payor will provide coverage for a product typically is separate from the process for setting the price of such product or for establishing the reimbursement rate that the payor will pay for the product once coverage is approved. Third-party payors may limit coverage to specific products on an approved list, also known as a formulary, which might not include all of the FDA-approved products for a particular indication, or place products at certain formulary levels that result in lower reimbursement levels and higher cost-sharing obligation imposed on patients. One third-party payor’s decision to cover a particular medical product or service does not ensure that other payors will also provide coverage for the medical product or service. As a result, the coverage determination process will often require us to provide scientific and clinical support for the use of our products to each payor separately and can be a time-consuming process, with no assurance that coverage and adequate reimbursement will be applied consistently or obtained in the first instance. Existing acute treatments for migraine are generally covered or reimbursed by third-party payers and, based on preliminary primary market research we have conducted with certain third-party payers, we believe that STS101, if approved, would qualify for coverage and reimbursement substantially similar to other branded acute treatments for migraine; however, such research is preliminary and we cannot guarantee the availability of coverage or adequacy of reimbursement at this time.

In international markets, reimbursement and healthcare payment systems vary significantly by country, and many countries have instituted price ceilings on specific products and therapies. For example, the European Union provides options for its member states to restrict the range of medicinal products for which their national health insurance systems provide reimbursement and to control the prices of medicinal products for human use. A member state may approve a specific price for the medicinal product or it may instead adopt a system of direct or indirect controls on the profitability of the company placing the medicinal product on the market. Pharmaceutical products may face competition from lower-priced products in foreign countries that have placed price controls on pharmaceutical products. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that a product will be considered medically reasonable and necessary for a specific indication, that a product will be considered cost-effective by third-party payors, that an adequate level of reimbursement will be established even if coverage is available or that the third-party payors’ reimbursement policies will not adversely affect the ability to sell a product profitably.

Healthcare Reform

In the United States and certain foreign jurisdictions, there have been, and we expect there will continue to be, a number of legislative and regulatory changes to the healthcare system. In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, or collectively the ACA, was signed into law, which substantially changed the way healthcare is financed by both governmental and private insurers in the United States and significantly affected the pharmaceutical industry. The ACA contains a number of provisions, including those governing enrollment in federal healthcare programs, reimbursement adjustments and fraud and abuse changes. Additionally, the ACA increased the minimum level of Medicaid rebates payable by manufacturers of brand name drugs from 15.1% to 23.1%; required collection of

 

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rebates for drugs paid by Medicaid managed care organizations; required manufacturers to participate in a coverage gap discount program, under which they must agree to offer 70 percent point-of-sale discounts off negotiated prices of applicable brand drugs to eligible beneficiaries during their coverage gap period, as a condition for the manufacturer’s outpatient drugs to be covered under Medicare Part D; imposed a non-deductible annual fee on pharmaceutical manufacturers or importers who sell certain “branded prescription drugs” to specified federal government programs, implemented a new methodology by which rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program are calculated for drugs that are inhaled, infused, instilled, implanted, or injected; expanded eligibility criteria for Medicaid programs; creates a new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to oversee, identify priorities in, and conduct comparative clinical effectiveness research, along with funding for such research; and established a Center for Medicare Innovation at CMS to test innovative payment and service delivery models to lower Medicare and Medicaid spending, potentially including prescription drug spending.

Since its enactment, there have been judicial and Congressional challenges to certain aspects of the ACA, and we expect there will be additional challenges and amendments to the ACA in the future. For example, in 2017, Congress enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which eliminated the tax-based shared responsibility payment imposed by the ACA on certain individuals who fail to maintain qualifying health coverage for all or part of a year that is commonly referred to as the “individual mandate.” On December 14, 2018, a U.S. District Court Judge in the Northern District of Texas, or the Texas District Court Judge, ruled that the individual mandate is a critical and inseverable feature of the ACA, and therefore, because it was repealed as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the remaining provisions of the ACA are invalid as well. While the Texas U.S. District Court Judge, as well as the Trump Administration and CMS, have stated that the ruling will have no immediate effect, and on December 30, 2018 the Texas District Court Judge issued an order staying the judgment pending appeal, it is unclear how this decision, subsequent appeals, and other efforts to repeal and replace the ACA will impact the ACA.

Other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted since the ACA was enacted, including aggregate reductions of Medicare payments to providers of 2% per fiscal year and reduced payments to several types of Medicare providers, which will remain in effect through 2027 absent additional congressional action. Moreover, there has recently been heightened governmental scrutiny over the manner in which manufacturers set prices for their marketed products, which has resulted in several Congressional inquiries and proposed and enacted legislation designed, among other things, to bring more transparency to product pricing, review the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs and reform government program reimbursement methodologies for pharmaceutical products. Further, the Trump Administration released a “Blueprint” to lower drug prices and reduce out of pocket costs of drugs that contains additional proposals to increase drug manufacturer competition, increase the negotiating power of certain federal healthcare programs, incentivize manufacturers to lower the list price of their products, and reduce the out of pocket costs of drug products paid by consumers. Individual states in the United States have also become increasingly active in implementing regulations designed to control pharmaceutical product pricing, including price or patient reimbursement constraints, discounts, restrictions on certain product access and marketing cost disclosure and transparency measures and, in some cases, mechanisms to encourage importation from other countries and bulk purchasing. Furthermore, there has been increased interest by third party payors and governmental authorities in reference pricing systems and publication of discounts and list prices.

Employees

As of June 30, 2019, we had 11 employees, all of whom were full-time. None of our employees is represented by a labor union or a collective bargaining agreement.

 

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Facilities

Our corporate headquarters are located in South San Francisco, California, where we lease approximately 4,148 square feet of office space pursuant to a lease dated January 9, 2018, which continues through April 30, 2021. In addition, we lease approximately 414 square feet of office space in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina pursuant to a lease dated December 8, 2018, which commenced on January 2, 2019 and which continues through September 30, 2019. We believe these facilities are sufficient for our near-term needs, and expect to expand to new and/or additional space as we grow. We believe the biotechnology environment in the South San Francisco area offers suitable additional space on commercially reasonable terms to enable our expansion.

Legal Proceedings

We are not currently involved in any litigation or legal proceedings that, in management’s opinion, are likely to have any material adverse effect on our company. While we know of no imminent legal action in which we are likely to be involved, we may in the future become engaged in litigation or other legal proceedings. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact due to defense fees, settlement costs, demands on management attention, and other concerns.

 

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MANAGEMENT

Executive Officers and Directors

The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers, directors and key employees as of August 1, 2019:

 

Name

   Age   

Position(s)

Executive Officers and Employee Directors

     

John Kollins

   56    Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

Detlef Albrecht, M.D.

   58    Chief Medical Officer

Tom O’Neil

   54    Chief Financial Officer

Significant Employees

     

Mic Iwashima

   41    Vice President and Head of Operations

Robert Schultz

   55    Vice President and Head of CMC

Shannon Strom, Ph.D., R.A.C.

   43    Vice President and Head of Regulatory Affairs

Non-Employee Directors

     

Thomas King(1)(2)

   64    Director

Heath Lukatch, Ph.D.(2)(3)

   52    Director

Michael Riebe(2)

   59    Director

Rajeev Shah(3)

   42    Director

Elisabeth Sandoval(1)(3)

   57    Director

Ken Takanashi(1)

   55    Director

 

(1)

Member of the audit committee.

(2)

Member of the compensation committee.

(3)

Member of the nominating and corporate governance committee.

Executive Officers and Employee Directors

John Kollins, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Kollins has served as a member of our board of directors and as our President and Chief Executive Officer since July 2016. Since 1989, Mr. Kollins has worked in the biopharmaceutical industry in Director, CEO, executive management, business and corporate development, and commercial roles. He has extensive experience working in CNS-focused biopharmaceutical companies, including Transcept Pharmaceuticals, where he served from June 2012 to October 2014 as Chief Business Officer, Renovis, Elan Pharmaceuticals and Athena Neurosciences. From November 2014 until co-founding Satsuma Pharmaceuticals in July 2016, Mr. Kollins was Managing Director of Parnassus Advisors, LLC, which he founded to provide strategic consulting and corporate development services to biopharmaceutical companies. Mr. Kollins earned an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia’s Darden School and an engineering degree from Duke University.

Detlef Albrecht, M.D., Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Albrecht has served as our Chief Medical Officer since July 2017. Previously, Dr. Albrecht served in various roles at Armetheon, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, from May 2015 to June 2017, most recently as Head of Research and Development. He also served as President and Chief Executive Officer for Sorbent Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from August 2010 to July 2014. Dr. Albrecht received a Physician Degree and an M.D. from Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen University.

Tom O’Neil, Chief Financial Officer. Mr. O’Neil has served as our Chief Financial Officer since January 2019. Previously, Mr. O’Neil served as Chief Financial Officer at Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc., a public biopharmaceutical company, from February 2016 to January 2019. Prior to that, he served as Chief Financial Officer for Arcadia Biosciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from March 2015 to September 2015. From

 

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January 2014 to July 2014, Mr. O’Neil served as Chief Financial Officer of Sorbent Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company. From September 2011 to December 2013, Mr. O’Neil served as a consultant to Sorbent and a variety of health care and technology companies. From December 2009 to August 2011, Mr. O’Neil served as Vice President of Finance & Administration of ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a biopharmaceutical company. From March 2007 to May 2009, Mr. O’Neil served as Vice President of Finance & Administration of Nodality, Inc., a biotechnology company. Mr. O’Neil received a BA in International Relations from Pomona College, and an M.B.A. from The UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management.

Significant Employees

Mic Iwashima, Vice President and Head of Operations. Mr. Iwashima has served as our Vice President and Head of Operations since January 2017. Prior to that, Mr. Iwashima was employed by Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd. from June 2002 to March 2017, most recently as Global Head of R&D. Mr. Iwashima received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University.

Robert Schultz, Vice President and Head of CMC. Mr. Schultz has served as our Vice President and Head of CMC since July 2017. Prior to that, Mr. Schultz was employed by Pearl Therapeutics from August 2007 to July 2019, most recently as Senior Director. He has also served as Associate Director for Kos Pharmaceuticals from July 2004 to August 2007. Mr. Schultz received a B.A. in Biochemistry from Dartmouth College.

Shannon Strom, Ph.D., R.A.C., Vice President and Head of Regulatory Affairs. Dr. Strom has served as our Vice President and Head of Regulatory Affairs since May 2018. Prior to that, Dr. Strom was employed by Roivant Sciences from January 2018 to May 2018, most recently as Senior Director, Global Regulatory Affairs. She was employed by Pearl Therapeutics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AstraZeneca, from January 2010 to January 2018, most recently as Senior Director for Regulatory Affairs. Dr. Strom received a B.S. in Biology from Duke University, and a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Non-Employee Directors

Thomas King. Mr. King has served as a member of our board of directors since September 2017. Mr. King also currently serves on the board of directors of VIVUS, Inc. a public pharmaceutical company. Previously, Mr. King served in various roles at VIVUS, Inc. from May 2017 to May 2018, including as the interim Chief Executive Officer, as interim President, and as an independent biotechnology consultant and advisor. Previously, Mr. King served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly traded pharmaceutical company, from June 2003 to August 2016. From October 2015 to August 2016, Mr. King also served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer of Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc. From September 2002 to April 2003, Mr. King served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of Cognetix, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical development stage company. From January 1994 to February 2001, Mr. King held various senior executive positions at Anesta Corporation, a publicly traded pharmaceutical company, including President and Chief Operating Officer from January 1995 to January 1997 and President and Chief Executive Officer from January 1997 to October 2000, and was a member of the board of directors from January 1995 until it was acquired by Cephalon, Inc., a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company. Mr. King currently serves on the board of directors of Concentric Analgesics, Inc. and Faraday Pharmaceuticals, Inc., both privately held biotechnology companies. Mr. King also serves as a mentor at SPIRE Bioventures, a multi-disciplinary international consortium aiding biotechnology entrepreneurs, and as an Advisory Board Member of the University of Colorado BioFrontiers Institute. Mr. King received a B.A. in chemistry from McPherson College and an M.B.A. from the University of Kansas Graduate School of Business. We believe that Mr. King’s extensive leadership experience in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry, including experience with small and large development stage pharmaceutical companies, and his experience serving on several boards of directors of both public and private companies, provides him with the qualifications and skills necessary to serve as a member of our board of directors.

 

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Heath Lukatch, Ph.D. Dr. Lukatch has served as the chairperson of our board of directors since December 2016. Dr. Lukatch is a Partner and Managing Director at TPG Biotechnology Partners, a life science venture investment firm. From May 2006 until April 2015, Dr. Lukatch was a Partner at Novo Ventures (US) Inc., which provides certain consultancy services to Novo A/S, a Danish limited liability company that manages investments and financial assets. He currently serves as the chairperson of the board of directors at Inogen, a publicly traded medical technology company, as a member of the board of directors of Flexion Therapeutics, Inc., a public biopharmaceutical company, and as chairperson of Engage Therapeutics, a private company. He also currently serves as a board member at Adynxx, Halo Neuroscience and ViewPoint Therapeutics. Previously he was a member of the board of directors of a number of private companies, including Amira Pharmaceuticals Inc., AnaptysBio, Inc., Cianna Medical, Inc., Elevation Pharmaceuticals, Inc., FoldRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., InSound Medical, Inc., Spinifex, Inc. and Synosia Therapeutics, Inc. Prior to joining Novo Ventures (US) Inc., Dr. Lukatch was a Managing Director responsible for biotechnology venture investments at Piper Jaffray Ventures and SightLine Partners, a private equity firm and spin off of Piper Jaffray Ventures, from 2001 to 2006. Prior to joining Piper Jaffray Ventures, Dr. Lukatch worked as a strategy consultant with McKinsey & Company, a consulting firm. Dr. Lukatch also served as co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of AutoMate Scientific, Inc., a biotechnology instrumentation company and held scientific positions with Chiron Corporation, a biotechnology company, Roche Bioscience, a healthcare company, and Cetus Corporation, a biotechnology company. Dr. Lukatch received his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Stanford University where he was a DOD USAF Fellow, and his B.A. in Biochemistry from the University of California at Berkeley. We believe that Dr. Lukatch’s extensive industry experience, his experience with venture capital investments, and his experience of serving on the board of directors for several biopharmaceutical and healthcare companies provides him with the qualifications and skills necessary to serve as a member of our board of directors.

Rajeev Shah. Mr. Shah has served as a member of our board of directors since December 2016. Mr. Shah currently serves as Portfolio Manager & Managing Director at RA Capital Management, LLC, an investment advisory firm that invests in healthcare and life science companies, a position he has held since June 2004. Mr. Shah is currently a member of the board of directors of the public companies Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Solid Biosciences, Inc. and Eidos Therapeutics, Inc., all life sciences companies. Mr. Shah was previously a member of the board of directors of KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a public pharmaceutical company, from June 2015 through April 2018. Mr. Shah holds a B.A. in Chemistry from Cornell University. We believe that Mr. Shah’s experience with biotechnology companies and his experience with venture capital investments provides him with the qualifications and skills necessary to serve as a member of our board of directors.

Michael Riebe. Dr. Riebe has served as a member of our board of directors since October 2017. Dr. Riebe currently serves as a Vice President at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, a position held since June 2016. Prior to joining AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Riebe was employed by Pearl Therapeutics from January 2013 to June 2016, most recently as Senior Vice President. He also previously served as Vice President of Research and Development for iCeutica, Inc. from January 2012 to December 2012. Dr. Riebe received a B.A. in Chemistry from Kalamazoo College, and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin Madison. We believe Dr. Riebe’s experience as an officer of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies provides him with the qualifications and skills necessary to serve as a member of our board of directors.

Elisabeth Sandoval. Ms. Sandoval has served as a member of our board of directors since May 2019. Ms. Sandoval currently serves as a consultant to the pharmaceutical industry. From September 2016 to April 2019, Ms. Sandoval served as the Chief Commercial Officer and Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy of Alder Biopharmaceuticals, a public biopharmaceutical company. Before joining Alder, Ms. Sandoval was Chief Commercial Officer for Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company, acquired by Allergan in 2015, from March 2012 to October 2015. Before Kythera, Ms. Sandoval was Vice President of Marketing for Bausch and Lomb Surgical from November 2010 to November 2012. From October 1987 to October 2010, Ms Sandoval held various senior commercial roles at Allergan, a publicly traded company, including Vice President of Global Marketing at Allergan. Ms. Sandoval also currently serves on the

 

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board of directors of Menlo Therapeutics, a public pharmaceutical company, as well as on the board of directors of one private company. Ms. Sandoval began her career in research and development at Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon division. She holds an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University and a B.S. in Biology from the University of California, Irvine. We believe that Ms. Sandoval is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of her background working in the life sciences industry and her experience as an officer of biopharmaceutical companies provides her with the qualifications and skills necessary to serve as a member of our board of directors.

Ken Takanashi. Mr. Takanashi has served as a member of our board of directors since June 2016. Mr. Takanashi currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories Ltd., where he has been employed since 2004. Prior to joining Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories Ltd., Mr.Takanashi was employed by Suasa Kristal (M) Bhd. from December 1996 to December 2002, most recently as Executive Director and General Manager. He also served as Business Development Manager for Mitsubishi Corporation from April 1987 to November 1996. Mr. Takanashi also currently serves on the board of directors of Wave Life Sciences, Ltd., a public biopharmaceutical company, as well as on the board of directors of several private companies. Mr. Takanashi is a Chartered Public Accountant in Delaware. Mr. Takanashi received a B.A. from The University of Tokyo, and an M.B.A. from The University of Warwick, Coventry U.K. We believe Mr. Takanashi’s experience as an officer and director of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies provides him with the qualifications and skills necessary to serve as a member of our board of directors.

Board Composition

Director Independence

Our board of directors currently consists of seven members. Our board of directors has determined that all of our directors, other than Mr. Kollins, qualify as “independent” directors in accordance with The Nasdaq Global Market listing requirements. Mr. Kollins is not considered independent because he is an employee of Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The Nasdaq Global Market’s independence definition includes a series of objective tests, such as that the director is not, and has not been for at least three years, one of our employees and that neither the director nor any of his or her family members has engaged in various types of business dealings with us. In addition, as required by The Nasdaq Global Market rules, our board of directors has made a subjective determination as to each independent director that no relationships exists that, in the opinion of our board of directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In making these determinations, our board of directors reviewed and discussed information provided by the directors and us with regard to each director’s business and personal activities and relationships as they may relate to us and our management. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.

Classified Board of Directors

In accordance with our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be in effect immediately prior to the consummation of this offering, our board of directors will be divided into three classes with staggered, three-year terms. At each annual meeting of stockholders, the successors to directors whose terms then expire will be elected to serve from the time of election and qualification until the third annual meeting following election. Effective upon the consummation of this offering, we expect that our directors will be divided among the three classes as follows:

 

   

the Class I directors will be Mr. Kollins, Ms. Sandoval and Mr. King, and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2020;

 

   

the Class II directors will be Mr. Shah and Mr. Takanashi, and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2021; and

 

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the Class III directors will be Dr. Lukatch and Dr. Riebe, and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2022.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of the board of directors. Any additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one-third of the directors. The division of our board of directors into three classes with staggered three-year terms may delay or prevent a change of our board of directors or a change in control of our company.

Voting Arrangements

Prior to this offering, the election of the members of our board of directors has been governed by the Amended and Restated Voting Agreement, dated as of April 23, 2019, that we entered into with certain holders of our common stock and certain holders of our convertible preferred stock and the related provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

Pursuant to the voting agreement and these provisions the holders of our Series A convertible preferred stock, voting together as a single class, have the right to elect two directors to our board of directors, the holders of our Series B convertible preferred stock, voting as a separate class, have the right to elect one director to our board of directors, the holders of our common stock, voting as a separate class, have the right to elect one director to our board of directors, and the holders of our common stock and our preferred stock, exclusively and voting together as a single class, have the right to elect the balance of the total number of our directors, which are designated as follows:

 

   

one member designated by RA Capital Healthcare Fund, L.P. (together with its affiliated funds) and elected by the holders of a majority of our Series A convertible preferred stock, voting together as a single class, for which Mr. Shah has been designated;

 

   

one member designated by TPG Biotechnology Partners V, L.P. (together with its affiliated funds) and elected by the holders of a majority of our Series A convertible preferred stock, voting together as a single class, for which Dr. Lukatch has been designated;

 

   

one member designated by the holders of a majority of our Series B convertible preferred stock, voting as a separate class, for which Ms. Sandoval has been designated;

 

   

two members, who are not employees of our company, are not otherwise affiliated with our company and are approved by our preferred directors, for which Mike Riebe and Tom King have been designated;

 

   

one member designated by Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd. and elected by the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock and convertible preferred stock, voting together as a single class, for which Mr. Takanashi has been designated; and

 

   

one member elected by the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock, voting as a separate class, who shall be our then-serving Chief Executive Officer, for which Mr. Kollins has been designated.

The holders of our common stock and convertible preferred stock who are parties to our voting agreement are obligated to vote for such designees indicated above. The provisions of this voting agreement will terminate upon the consummation of this offering and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will be amended and restated, after which there will be no further contractual obligations or charter provisions regarding the election of our directors by specific stockholders or classes of stockholders. Our directors hold office until their successors have been elected and qualified or appointed, or the earlier of their death, resignation or removal.

Leadership Structure of the Board

Our amended and restated bylaws and corporate governance guidelines will provide our board of directors with flexibility to combine or separate the positions of chairperson of the board of directors and Chief Executive

 

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Officer and to implement a lead director in accordance with its determination that utilizing one or the other structure would be in the best interests of our company. Dr. Lukatch currently serves as the chairperson of our board of directors. In that role, Dr. Lukatch presides over the executive sessions of the board of directors and serves as a liaison between management and the board of directors.

Our board of directors has concluded that our current leadership structure is appropriate at this time. However, our board of directors will continue to periodically review our leadership structure and may make such changes in the future as it deems appropriate.

Role of Board in Risk Oversight Process

Risk assessment and oversight are an integral part of our governance and management processes. Our board of directors encourages management to promote a culture that incorporates risk management into our corporate strategy and day-to-day business operations. Management discusses strategic and operational risks at regular management meetings, and conducts specific strategic planning and review sessions during the year that include a focused discussion and analysis of the risks facing us. Throughout the year, senior management reviews these risks with the board of directors at regular board meetings as part of management presentations that focus on particular business functions, operations or strategies, and presents the steps taken by management to mitigate or eliminate such risks.

Our board of directors does not have a standing risk management committee, but rather administers this oversight function directly through our board of directors as a whole, as well as through various standing committees of our board of directors that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. While our board of directors is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure, our audit committee is responsible for overseeing our major financial risk exposures and the steps our management has taken to monitor and control these exposures. The audit committee also monitors compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and considers and approves or disapproves any related person transactions. Our nominating and corporate governance committee monitors the effectiveness of our corporate governance guidelines. Our compensation committee assesses and monitors whether any of our compensation policies and programs has the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking.

Board Committees

Our board of directors has the following standing committees: an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee. Our board of directors may establish other committees to facilitate the management of our business. The composition and functions of each committee are described below.

Audit Committee

Our audit committee oversees our corporate accounting and financial reporting process. Among other matters, the audit committee:

 

   

appoints our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

   

evaluates the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and performance;

 

   

determines the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm;

 

   

reviews and approves the scope of the annual audit and pre-approves the audit and non-audit fees and services;

 

   

reviews and approves all related party transactions on an ongoing basis;

 

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establishes procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters

 

   

discusses with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the results of the annual audit and the review of our quarterly financial statements;

 

   

approves the retention of the independent registered public accounting firm to perform any proposed permissible non-audit services;

 

   

monitors the rotation of partners of the independent registered public accounting firm on our engagement team in accordance with requirements established by the SEC;

 

   

discusses on a periodic basis, or as appropriate, with management the Company’s policies and procedures with respect to risk assessment and risk management;

 

   

is responsible for reviewing our financial statements and our management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations to be included in our annual and quarterly reports to be filed with the SEC;

 

   

annually reviews and assesses internal controls and treasury functions including cash management procedures;

 

   

investigates any reports received through the ethics helpline and report to the Board periodically with respect to the information received through the ethics helpline and any related investigations;

 

   

reviews our critical accounting policies and estimates; and

 

   

reviews the audit committee charter and the committee’s performance at least annually.

The current members of our audit committee are Mr. King, Ms. Sandoval and Mr. Takanashi. Mr. Takanashi serves as the chairperson of the committee. All members of our audit committee meet the requirements for financial literacy under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and The Nasdaq Global Market. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Takanashi is an audit committee financial expert as defined under the applicable rules of the SEC and has the requisite financial sophistication as defined under the applicable rules and regulations of The Nasdaq Global Market. Under the rules of the SEC, members of the audit committee must also meet heightened independence standards. Our board of directors has determined that each of Mr. King, Ms. Sandoval and Mr. Takanashi are independent under the applicable rules of the SEC and The Nasdaq Global Market. The audit committee operates under a written charter that satisfies the applicable standards of the SEC and The Nasdaq Global Market.

Compensation Committee

Our compensation committee oversees policies relating to compensation and benefits of our officers and employees. The compensation committee reviews and approves or recommends to our board of directors corporate goals and objectives relevant to compensation of our executive officers (other than our Chief Executive Officer), evaluates the performance of these officers in light of those goals and objectives and approves the compensation of these officers based on such evaluations. The compensation committee also reviews and approves or makes recommendations to our board of directors regarding the issuance of stock options and other awards under our stock plans to our executive officers (other than our Chief Executive Officer). The compensation committee reviews the performance of our Chief Executive Officer and makes recommendations to our board of directors with respect to his compensation and our board of directors retains the authority to make compensation decisions relative to our Chief Executive Officer. The compensation committee will review and evaluate, at least annually, the performance of the compensation committee and its members, including compliance by the compensation committee with its charter. The current members of our compensation committee are Mr. King, Dr. Lukatch and Dr. Riebe. Mr. King serves as the chairperson of the committee. Each of the members of our compensation committee is independent under the applicable rules and regulations of The Nasdaq Global Market and is a “non-employee director” as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. The compensation committee operates under a written charter that satisfies the applicable standards of the SEC and The Nasdaq Global Market.

 

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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for making recommendations to our board of directors regarding candidates for directorships and the size and composition of our board of directors. In addition, the nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for overseeing our corporate governance policies and reporting and making recommendations to our board of directors concerning governance matters. The current members of our nominating and corporate governance committee are Dr. Lukatch, Ms. Sandoval and Mr. Shah. Dr. Lukatch serves as the chairman of the committee. Each of the members of our nominating and corporate governance committee is an independent director under the applicable rules and regulations of The Nasdaq Global Market relating to nominating and corporate governance committee independence. The nominating and corporate governance committee operates under a written charter that satisfies the applicable standards of the SEC and The Nasdaq Global Market.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During the year ended December 31, 2018, our compensation committee consisted of Mr. King, Dr. Lukatch and Dr. Riebe. None of the members of our compensation committee during 2018 nor any of the current members of our compensation committee has at any time been one of our officers or employees. None of our executive officers currently serves, or in the past fiscal year has served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers on our board of directors or compensation committee.

Board Diversity

Upon consummation of this offering, our nominating and corporate governance committee will be responsible for reviewing with the board of directors, on an annual basis, the appropriate characteristics, skills and experience required for the board of directors as a whole and its individual members. In evaluating the suitability of individual candidates (both new candidates and current members), the nominating and corporate governance committee, in recommending candidates for election, and the board of directors, in approving (and, in the case of vacancies, appointing) such candidates, may take into account many factors, including but not limited to the following:

 

   

personal and professional integrity;

 

   

ethics and values;

 

   

experience in corporate management, such as serving as an officer or former officer of a publicly held company;

 

   

experience in the industries in which we compete;

 

   

experience as a board member or executive officer of another publicly held company;

 

   

diversity of expertise and experience in substantive matters pertaining to our business relative to other board members;

 

   

conflicts of interest; and

 

   

practical and mature business judgment.

Our board of directors evaluates each individual in the context of the board of directors as a whole, with the objective of assembling a group that can best maximize the success of the business and represent stockholder interests through the exercise of sound judgment using its diversity of experience in these various areas.

 

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Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Prior to the consummation of this offering, we will adopt a code of business conduct and ethics that will apply to all of our employees, officers and directors, including those officers responsible for financial reporting. Following the consummation of this offering, the code of business conduct and ethics will be available on our website. We expect that any amendments to the code, or any waivers of its requirements, will be disclosed on our website.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification Matters

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which will become effective immediately prior to the consummation of this offering, will contain provisions that limit the liability of our directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Consequently, our directors will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duties as directors, except liability for:

 

   

any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;

 

   

any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

   

unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or

 

   

any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

Each of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, which will become effective immediately prior to the consummation of this offering, will provide that we are required to indemnify our directors and officers, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Our amended and restated bylaws will also obligate us to advance expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of any action or proceeding, and permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her actions in that capacity regardless of whether we would otherwise be permitted to indemnify him or her under Delaware law. We have entered and expect to continue to enter into agreements to indemnify our directors, executive officers and other employees as determined by our board of directors. With specified exceptions, these agreements provide for indemnification for related expenses including, among other things, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by any of these individuals in any action or proceeding. We believe that these bylaw provisions and indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers. We also maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors and officers for breach of their fiduciary duty. They may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit us and our stockholders. Further, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent that we pay the costs of settlement and damages.

Director Compensation

Historically, we have not had a formalized non-employee director compensation program. Our non-employee directors who were affiliated with our principal investors did not receive any cash or equity compensation in 2018. However, we paid director fees to our independent directors, Mr. King and Dr. Riebe in the amount of $33,333 and $25,000, respectively, for their board service. In addition, during 2018, we issued to

 

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(i) Mr. King an option to purchase 12,765 shares of our common stock with a per share exercise price of $1.04, which will vest in 24 substantially equal installments on each monthly anniversary of September 1, 2017, subject to Mr. King’s continued service to us through each such date, and (ii) Dr. Riebe, an option to purchase 12,765 shares of our common stock with a per share exercise price of $1.04, which will vest in 24 substantially equal installments on each monthly anniversary of November 1, 2017, subject to Dr. Riebe’s continued service to us through each such date. We did not make any other equity grants to our non-employee directors in 2018. We also provide reimbursement to our non-employee directors for their reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings of our board of directors and committees of our board of directors.

The following table summarizes the total compensation earned during the year ended December 31, 2018 for our non-employee directors.

 

Name

   Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash
($)
     Option
Awards(1)
($)
     Total
($)
 

Thomas King

     33,333        8,358        41,691  

Michael Riebe

     25,000        8,358        33,358  

Heath Lukatch

                    

Rajeev Shah

                    

Ken Takanashi

                    

Elisabeth Sandoval

                    

 

(1)

Amounts shown represents the grant date fair value of options granted during fiscal year 2018 as calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718. See footnote 10 of the financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for the assumptions used in calculating these amounts. As of December 31, 2018, Messrs. King and Riebe held options to purchase 25,530 shares of our common stock and no other non-employee directors held any outstanding options or other equity awards as of December 31, 2018.

In connection with this offering, our board of directors has approved a compensation policy for our non-employee directors, or the Director Compensation Program, to be effective in connection with the consummation of this offering. Pursuant to the Director Compensation Program, our non-employee directors will receive cash compensation as follows:

 

   

Each non-employee director will receive an annual cash retainer in the amount of $35,000 per year.

 

   

The chairperson of our board of directors will receive an additional annual cash retainer in the amount of $30,000 per year.

 

   

The chairperson of the audit committee will receive additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $15,000 per year for such chairperson’s service on the audit committee. Each non-chairperson member of the audit committee will receive additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $7,500 per year for such member’s service on the audit committee.

 

   

The chairperson of the compensation committee will receive additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $10,000 per year for such chairperson’s service on the compensation committee. Each non-chairperson member of the compensation committee will receive additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $5,000 per year for such member’s service on the compensation committee.

 

   

The chairperson of the nominating and corporate governance committee will receive additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $8,000 per year for such chairperson’s service on the nominating and corporate governance committee. Each non-chairperson member of the nominating and corporate governance committee will receive additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $4,000 per year for such member’s service on the nominating and corporate governance committee.

Under the Director Compensation Program, each non-employee director will automatically be granted an option to purchase 22,000 shares of our common stock upon the director’s initial appointment or election to

 

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our board of directors, referred to as the Initial Grant, and an option to purchase 11,000 shares of our common stock automatically on the date of each annual stockholder’s meeting thereafter, referred to as the Annual Grant. The Initial Grant will vest as to 1/36th of the underlying shares on a monthly basis over three years, subject to continued service through each applicable vesting date. The Annual Grant will vest on the earlier of the first anniversary of the date of grant or the date of the next annual stockholder’s meeting to the extent unvested as of such date, subject to continued service through each applicable vesting date. The exercise price per share of director options is equal to the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the grant date, and the director options will vest in full immediately prior to the consummation of a Change in Control (as defined in the 2019 Plan).

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following is a discussion and analysis of compensation arrangements of our named executive officers (“NEOs”). This discussion contains forward looking statements that are based on our current plans, considerations, expectations and determinations regarding future compensation programs. Actual compensation programs that we adopt may differ materially from currently planned programs as summarized in this discussion. As an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act, we are not required to include a Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and have elected to comply with the scaled disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies.

We seek to ensure that the total compensation paid to our executive officers is reasonable and competitive. Compensation of our executives is structured around the achievement of individual performance and near-term corporate targets as well as long-term business objectives.

Our NEOs for fiscal year 2018 were as follows:

 

   

John A. Kollins, Chief Executive Officer and President; and

 

   

Detlef Albrecht, M.D., Chief Medical Officer.

We did not have any other executive officers in 2018, as Tom O’Neil, our Chief Financial Officer, joined us in February 2019 and no other individual served as an executive officer in 2018.

2018 Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our NEOs for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

Name and Principal Position

   Year      Salary
($)
     Option
Awards(1)
($)
     Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation(2)
($)
     Total
($)
 

John A. Kollins,

Chief Executive Officer

     2018      $ 361,623      $ 86,400      $ 120,157      $ 568,180  

Detlef Albrecht, M.D.

Chief Medical Officer

     2018        343,050        34,560        98,582        476,192  

 

(1)

For the option awards column, amounts shown represents the grant date fair value of options granted during fiscal year 2018 as calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718. See footnote 10 of the financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for the assumptions used in calculating these amounts.

(2)

Amounts represent the annual performance-based cash bonuses earned by our NEOs based on the achievement of certain corporate performance objectives during 2018. These amounts were paid to the NEOs in early 2019. Please see the descriptions of the annual performance bonuses paid to our NEOs under “2018 Bonuses” below.

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at 2018 Fiscal Year End

The following table lists all outstanding equity awards held by our NEOs as of December 31, 2018.

 

    Vesting
Commencement
Date(1)
  Option Awards     Stock Awards  

Name

  Number
of Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable
    Number
Of Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable
    Option
Exercise
Price
($)
    Option
Expiration
Date
    Number
of Shares
That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
    Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Shares
that Have
Not Vested
as
($)(2)
 

John A. Kollins

  1/18/2017     61,170       66,489       0.90       1/18/2027      
  1/18/2017     61,170       66,489       1.04       5/1/2028      
  4/19/2017(3)     95,744       31,915       0.90       4/19/2027      
  12/16/2016(4)             31,914       33,000  

Detlef Albrecht

  6/19/2017     19,148       31,915       0.90       7/20/2027      
  6/19/2017     19,148       31,915       1.04       5/1/2028      

 

(1)

Except as otherwise noted, options and stock awards vest as to 25% of the shares on the one year anniversary of the vesting commencement date and vest as to 1/36th of the remaining shares monthly thereafter, such that all awards will be vested on the four year anniversary of the vesting commencement date, subject to the holder continuing to provide services to the Company through such vesting dates.

(2)

The market value of shares that have not vested is calculated based on the fair market value of our common stock as of December 31, 2018 which our board of directors determined to be $1.04.

(3)

Upon achievement of a qualified financing on February 1, 2018, (i) 66,489 of the shares subject to the option on the date of such financing vested and (ii) the remaining shares subject to the option will vest in equal monthly installments thereafter, subject to the holder continuing to provide services to the Company through such vesting dates.

(4)

The shares vested as to 25% of the shares upon the achievement of a qualified financing on December 16, 2016 and will vest as to 1/36th of the remaining shares monthly thereafter, subject to the holder continuing to provide services to the Company through such vesting dates.

Narrative to Summary Compensation Table

2018 Salaries

Our NEOs each receive a base salary to compensate them for services rendered to our company. The base salary payable to each NEO is intended to provide a fixed component of compensation reflecting the executive’s skill set, experience, role and responsibilities.

For fiscal year 2018, Mr. Kollins’ annual base salary was $361,623 and Dr. Albrecht’s annual base salary was $343,050.

2018 Bonuses

Each NEO’s target bonus opportunity is expressed as a percentage of base salary which can be achieved by meeting corporate goals. For each of our NEOs, their target bonus opportunity is originally set in their offer letter. Our board reviews these target percentages to ensure they are adequate. While reviewing these target percentages the board does not follow a formula, but rather reviews several factors, including each NEO’s general background information, prior to determining the target bonus opportunity rates for our participating NEOs.

The 2018 annual bonuses for Mr. Kollins and Dr. Albrecht were targeted at 35% and 30% of their respective base salaries.

 

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For determining performance bonus amounts, our board of directors set certain corporate performance goals after receiving input from our Chief Executive Officer. For 2018, the board of directors set corporate performance goals in two broad strategic areas: advancing development of STS101 so as to be positioned to initiate a Phase 3 efficacy trial for STS101 in 2019; and financing the company. Both areas included specific performance objectives and a corresponding weighting that the board of directors assessed and took into account in determining 2018 bonus awards. This approach was consistent with our general compensation policy of paying for performance by setting aggressive performance goals and rewarding our employees through an annual cash incentive bonus program that is based primarily upon achievement of these goals. Following its review and determinations of corporate and individual performance for 2018, our board of directors determined an achievement level of 95% for each NEO. The actual amounts of the cash bonuses awarded to each NEO for 2018 performance are set forth above in the Summary Compensation Table in the column titled “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation.”

Equity-Based Compensation

In May 2018, we granted to Mr. Kollins and Dr. Albrecht options to purchase an aggregate of 127,659 and 51,063 shares, respectively. Each option vests and becomes exercisable as to 25% of the shares on the one year anniversary of January 18, 2017 for Mr. Kollins and June 19, 2017 for Dr. Albrecht and vest as to 1/48 of the shares monthly thereafter, subject to the NEO’s continued service through the applicable vesting date. The exercise price per share for each option was $1.04, which was the fair market value of the Company’s common stock as of the date of grant.

We intend to adopt a 2019 Incentive Award Plan, referred to below as the 2019 Plan, in order to facilitate the grant of cash and equity incentives to directors, employees (including our NEOs) and consultants of our company and certain of its affiliates and to enable us to obtain and retain services of these individuals, which is essential to our long-term success. We expect that the 2019 Plan will be effective immediately prior to the consummation of this offering. For additional information about the 2019 Plan, see “Equity Compensation Plans” below.

Other Elements of Compensation

Retirement Savings and Health and Welfare Benefits

We currently maintain a 401(k) retirement savings plan for our employees, including our NEOs, who satisfy certain eligibility requirements. Our NEOs are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan on the same terms as other full-time employees. We believe that providing a vehicle for tax-deferred retirement savings though our 401(k) plan adds to the overall desirability of our executive compensation package and further incentivizes our employees, including our NEOs, in accordance with our compensation policies. Following the consummation of this offering, we anticipate that our employees will continue to be eligible to participate in our 401(k) plan. We currently do not match employee contributions.

All of our full-time employees, including our NEOs, are eligible to participate in our health and welfare plans, including medical, dental and vision benefits; medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts; short-term and long-term disability insurance; and life and AD&D insurance.

Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits

We provide limited perquisites to our NEOs when our compensation committee determines that such perquisites are necessary or advisable to fairly compensate or incentivize our employees.

 

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Executive Compensation Arrangements

Employment Agreements

As of December 31, 2018, we were party to offer letters with each of our NEOs which set forth their initial base salary, initial annual bonus opportunity, initial equity award grant, benefit plans participation and the other benefits noted below for each NEO.

Mr. Kollins. In addition to the above, Mr. Kollins is eligible to receive certain severance benefits upon qualifying terminations under the offer letter. In the event the company terminates Mr. Kollins other than for cause, death or disability, in any case, outside of the 12 months following a change in control, then he will receive (i) continued payment of his base salary for six months and (ii) reimbursement of COBRA premiums for up to six months. In the event Mr. Kollins resigns for good reason or the company terminates Mr. Kollins other than for cause, death or disability, in any case, within the 12 months following a change in control, then he will receive (i) a lump sum payment equal to six months of his base salary, (ii) a lump sum cash payment of his annual target bonus for the year in which the termination occurs (or, if higher, as in effect immediately prior to the change in control), (iii) reimbursement of COBRA premiums for up to six months and (iv) accelerated vesting of 100% of the then-unvested equity awards held by him. The severance benefits set forth above are subject to his timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims against the company. As described below under the heading “—Severance Agreements,” our board of directors approved our entry into a severance agreement with Mr. Kollins in August 2019, which supersedes and replaces the severance benefits in his offer letter.

Dr. Albrecht. Dr. Albrecht’s offer letter also included payment of a one-time signing bonus, which was paid to him in 2017. In addition, Dr. Albrecht is eligible to receive certain severance benefits upon qualifying terminations under the offer letter. In the event the company terminates Dr. Albrecht other than for cause, death or disability, in any case, outside of the 12 months following a change in control, then he will receive (i) continued payment of his base salary for six months and (ii) reimbursement of COBRA premiums for up to six months. In the event Dr. Albrecht resigns for good reason or the company terminates Dr. Albrecht other than for cause, death or disability, in any case, within the 12 months following a change in control, then he will receive (i) a lump sum payment equal to six months of his base salary, (ii) a lump sum cash payment of his annual target bonus for the year in which the termination occurs (or, if higher, as in effect immediately prior to the change in control), (iii) reimbursement of COBRA premiums for up to six months and (iv) accelerated vesting of 100% of the then-unvested equity awards held by him. The severance benefits set forth above are subject to his timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims against the company. As described below under the heading”—Severance Agreements,” our board of directors approved our entry into a severance agreement with Dr. Albrecht in August 2019, which supersedes and replaces the severance benefits in his offer letter.

Severance Agreements

In August 2019, our board of directors approved our entry into new severance agreements with both of our named executive officers, which agreements supersede and replace the severance benefits set forth in their respective offer letters described above under the heading “—Employment Agreements.”

Mr. Kollins. Under our severance agreement with Mr. Kollins, if his employment with us is terminated without “cause” or he resigns for “good reason” (as each is defined in the severance agreement), he will be entitled to receive: (i) 12 months of continued base salary and (ii) payment or reimbursement of the cost of continued healthcare coverage for 12 months. In lieu of the foregoing benefits, if Mr. Kollins’ employment with us is terminated without “cause” or he resigns for “good reason” during the three-month period prior to, or the 12-month period following, a Change in Control (as defined in the 2019 Plan), he will be entitled to receive: (i) 18 months of continued base salary, (ii) payment or reimbursement of the cost of continued healthcare coverage for 18 months, (iii) an amount equal to 18 months of his annual bonus for the year of termination

 

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assuming 100% of target performance and (iv) full accelerated vesting of any of his unvested equity awards (except for any performance awards). The foregoing severance benefits are subject to his delivery of an executed release of claims against us and continued compliance with his confidentiality agreement with us.

Dr. Albrecht. Under our severance agreement with Dr. Albrecht, if his employment with us is terminated without “cause” or he resigns for “good reason” (as each is defined in the severance agreement), he will be entitled to receive: (i) nine months of continued base salary and (ii) payment or reimbursement of the cost of continued healthcare coverage for nine months. In lieu of the foregoing benefits, if Dr. Albrecht’s employment with us is terminated without “cause” or he resigns for “good reason” during the three-month period prior to, or the 12-month period following, a Change in Control (as defined in the 2019 Plan), he will be entitled to receive: (i) 12 months of continued base salary, (ii) payment or reimbursement of the cost of continued healthcare coverage for 12 months, (iii) an amount equal to 12 months of his annual bonus for the year of termination assuming 100% of target performance and (iv) full accelerated vesting of any of his unvested equity awards (except any performance awards). The foregoing severance benefits are subject to his delivery of an executed release of claims against us and continued compliance with his confidentiality agreement with us.

Under Mr. Kollins’ and Dr. Albrecht’s severance agreements, “good reason” is defined as (i) a material reduction in their duties, authority or responsibilities, (ii) a material reduction by us of their annual base salary or annual bonus or incentive compensation opportunity, (iii) a requirement by us that their principal place of employment relocate to a location more than 30 miles from their principal place of employment immediately prior to their termination or our requiring they be based anywhere other than such principal place of employment (or permitted relocation thereof), (iv) any action or inaction that constitutes an uncured, material breach by the Company of any agreement between us and them, or any uncured, material breach by us of a policy relating to the benefits to which they are entitled and (v) in the case of Mr. Kollins’ severance agreement, a requirement by us that he report to a corporate officer or employee instead of directly to the board of directors.

Under Mr. Kollins’ and Dr. Albrecht’s severance agreements, “cause” is defined as the occurrence of any of the following: (i) their willful and continued failure to perform their material duties to the us that goes uncured after notice is provided; (ii) their willful or intentional conduct that causes or is expected to cause material and demonstrable injury to us; or (iii) their conviction of, or a plea of nolo contendere to, a crime constituting (A) a felony under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, or (B) a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.

Equity Compensation Plans

The following summarizes the material terms of the long-term incentive compensation plan in which our NEOs will be eligible to participate following the consummation of this offering and our 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, referred to as the 2016 Plan, under which we have previously made periodic grants of equity and equity-based awards to our NEOs and other employees. We intend to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-8 covering the shares of our common stock issuable under the 2019 Plan, the 2016 Plan and the ESPP.

2019 Incentive Award Plan

We intend to adopt the 2019 Plan, which we expect will become effective on the date on which it is adopted by our board of directors, subject to approval of such plan by our stockholders. The principal purpose of the 2019 Plan is to attract, retain and motivate selected employees, consultants and directors through the granting of stock-based compensation awards and cash-based performance bonus awards. The material terms of the 2019 Plan, as it is currently contemplated, are summarized below.

Share reserve. Under the 2019 Plan, 1,850,000 shares of our common stock will be initially reserved for issuance pursuant to a variety of stock-based compensation awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards and other stock-based awards. The number

 

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of shares initially reserved for issuance or transfer pursuant to awards under the 2019 Plan will be increased by an annual increase on the first day of each fiscal year beginning in 2020 and ending in 2029, equal to the lesser of (A) 4% of the shares of stock outstanding (on an as converted basis) on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (B) such smaller number of shares of stock as determined by our board of directors; provided, however, that no more than 10,000,000 shares of stock may be issued upon the exercise of incentive stock options.

The following counting provisions will be in effect for the share reserve under the 2019 Plan:

 

   

to the extent that an award terminates, expires or lapses for any reason or an award is settled in cash without the delivery of shares, any shares subject to the award at such time will be available for future grants under the 2019 Plan;

 

   

to the extent shares are tendered or withheld to satisfy the grant, exercise price or tax withholding obligation with respect to any award under the 2019 Plan, such tendered or withheld shares will be available for future grants under the 2019 Plan;

 

   

to the extent shares subject to SARs are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of SARs on exercise thereof, such shares will be available for future grants under the 2019 Plan;

 

   

to the extent that shares of our common stock are repurchased by us prior to vesting so that shares are returned to us, such shares will be available for future grants under the 2019 Plan;

 

   

the payment of dividend equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding awards will not be counted against the shares available for issuance under the 2019 Plan; and

 

   

to the extent permitted by applicable law or any exchange rule, shares issued in assumption of, or in substitution for, any outstanding awards of any entity acquired in any form of combination by us will not be counted against the shares available for issuance under the 2019 Plan.

Administration. The compensation committee of our board of directors is expected to administer the 2019 Plan unless our board of directors assumes authority for administration. The compensation committee must consist of at least three members of our board of directors, each of whom is intended to qualify as a “non-employee director” for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and an “independent director” within the meaning of the rules of the applicable stock exchange, or other principal securities market on which shares of our common stock are traded. The 2019 Plan provides that the board or compensation committee may delegate its authority to grant awards to employees other than executive officers and certain senior executives of the company to a committee consisting of one or more members of our board of directors or one or more of our officers, other than awards made to our non-employee directors, which must be approved by our full board of directors.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the 2019 Plan, the administrator has the authority to select the persons to whom awards are to be made, to determine the number of shares to be subject to awards and the terms and conditions of awards, and to make all other determinations and to take all other actions necessary or advisable for the administration of the 2019 Plan. The administrator is also authorized to adopt, amend or rescind rules relating to administration of the 2019 Plan. Our board of directors may at any time remove the compensation committee as the administrator and revest in itself the authority to administer the 2019 Plan. The full board of directors will administer the 2019 Plan with respect to awards to non-employee directors.

Eligibility. Options, SARs, restricted stock and all other stock-based and cash-based awards under the 2019 Plan may be granted to individuals who are then our officers, employees or consultants. Such awards also may be granted to our directors. Only employees of our company may be granted incentive stock options (“ISOs”).

Awards. The 2019 Plan provides that the administrator may grant or issue stock options, SARs, restricted stock, restricted stock units, other stock- or cash-based awards and dividend equivalents, or any combination

 

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thereof. Each award will be set forth in a separate agreement with the person receiving the award and will indicate the type, terms and conditions of the award.

 

   

Nonstatutory stock options. Nonstatutory stock options (“NSOs”) will provide for the right to purchase shares of our common stock at a specified price which may not be less than fair market value on the date of grant, and usually will become exercisable (at the discretion of the administrator) in one or more installments after the grant date, subject to the participant’s continued employment or service with us and/or subject to the satisfaction of corporate performance targets and individual performance targets established by the administrator. NSOs may be granted for any term specified by the administrator that does not exceed ten years.

 

   

Incentive stock options. ISOs will be designed in a manner intended to comply with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code and will be subject to specified restrictions contained in the Code. Among such restrictions, ISOs must have an exercise price of not less than the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant, may only be granted to employees, and must not be exercisable after a period of ten years measured from the date of grant. In the case of an ISO granted to an individual who owns (or is deemed to own) at least 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of our capital stock, the 2019 Plan provides that the exercise price must be at least 110% of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant and the ISO must not be exercisable after a period of five years measured from the date of grant.

 

   

Restricted stock. Restricted stock may be granted to any eligible individual and made subject to such restrictions as may be determined by the administrator. Restricted stock, typically, may be forfeited for no consideration or repurchased by us at the original purchase price if the conditions or restrictions on vesting are not met. In general, restricted stock may not be sold or otherwise transferred until restrictions are removed or expire. Purchasers of restricted stock, unlike recipients of options, will have voting rights and will have the right to receive dividends, if any, prior to the time when the restrictions lapse, however, extraordinary dividends will generally be placed in escrow, and will not be released until restrictions are removed or expire.

 

   

Restricted stock units. Restricted stock units may be awarded to any eligible individual, typically without payment of consideration, but subject to vesting conditions based on continued employment or service or on performance criteria established by the administrator. Like restricted stock, restricted stock units may not be sold, or otherwise transferred or hypothecated, until vesting conditions are removed or expire. Unlike restricted stock, stock underlying restricted stock units will not be issued until the restricted stock units have vested, and recipients of restricted stock units generally will have no voting or dividend rights prior to the time when vesting conditions are satisfied.

 

   

Stock appreciation rights. SARs may be granted in connection with stock options or other awards, or separately. SARs granted in connection with stock options or other awards typically will provide for payments to the holder based upon increases in the price of our common stock over a set exercise price. The exercise price of any SAR granted under the 2019 Plan must be at least 100% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of grant. SARs under the 2019 Plan will be settled in cash or shares of our common stock, or in a combination of both, at the election of the administrator.

 

   

Other stock or cash based awards. Other stock or cash based awards are awards of cash, fully vested shares of our common stock and other awards valued wholly or partially by referring to, or otherwise based on, shares of our common stock. Other stock or cash based awards may be granted to participants and may also be available as a payment form in the settlement of other awards, as standalone payments and as payment in lieu of base salary, bonus, fees or other cash compensation otherwise payable to any individual who is eligible to receive awards. The plan administrator will determine the terms and conditions of other stock or cash based awards, which may include vesting conditions based on continued service, performance and/or other conditions.

 

   

Dividend equivalents. Dividend equivalents represent the right to receive the equivalent value of dividends paid on shares of our common stock and may be granted alone or in tandem with awards other

 

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than stock options or SARs. Dividend equivalents are credited as of dividend payments dates during the period between a specified date and the date such award terminates or expires, as determined by the plan administrator. In addition, dividend equivalents with respect to shares covered by a performance award will only be paid to the participant at the same time or times and to the same extent that the vesting conditions, if any, are subsequently satisfied and the performance award vests with respect to such shares.

Any award may be granted as a performance award, meaning that the award will be subject to vesting and/or payment based on the attainment of specified performance goals.

Change in control. In the event of a change in control, unless the plan administrator elects to terminate an award in exchange for cash, rights or other property, or cause an award to accelerate in full prior to the change in control, such award will continue in effect or be assumed or substituted by the acquirer, provided that any performance-based portion of the award will be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable award agreement. In the event the acquirer refuses to assume or replace awards granted, prior to the consummation of such transaction, awards issued under the 2019 Plan will be subject to accelerated vesting such that 100% of such awards will become vested and exercisable or payable, as applicable. The administrator may also make appropriate adjustments to awards under the 2019 Plan and is authorized to provide for the acceleration, cash-out, termination, assumption, substitution or conversion of such awards in the event of a change in control or certain other unusual or nonrecurring events or transactions.

Adjustments of awards. In the event of any stock dividend or other distribution, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, recapitalization, repurchase or any other corporate event affecting the number of outstanding shares of our common stock or the share price of our common stock that would require adjustments to the 2019 Plan or any awards under the 2019 Plan in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the potential benefits intended to be made available thereunder, the administrator will make appropriate, proportionate adjustments to: (i) the aggregate number and type of shares subject to the 2019 Plan; (ii) the number and kind of shares subject to outstanding awards and terms and conditions of outstanding awards (including, without limitation, any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect to such awards); and (iii) the grant or exercise price per share of any outstanding awards under the 2019 Plan.

Amendment and termination. The administrator may terminate, amend or modify the 2019 Plan at any time and from time to time. However, we must generally obtain stockholder approval to the extent required by applicable law, rule or regulation (including any applicable stock exchange rule). Notwithstanding the foregoing, an option may be amended to reduce the per share exercise price below the per share exercise price of such option on the grant date and options may be granted in exchange for, or in connection with, the cancellation or surrender of options having a higher per share exercise price without receiving additional stockholder approval.

No incentive stock options may be granted pursuant to the 2019 Plan after the tenth anniversary of the effective date of the 2019 Plan, and no additional annual share increases to the 2019 Plan’s aggregate share limit will occur from and after such anniversary. Any award that is outstanding on the termination date of the 2019 Plan will remain in force according to the terms of the 2019 Plan and the applicable award agreement.

2016 Equity Incentive Plan

On December 16, 2016, our board of directors adopted the 2016 Plan. Following the offering, and in connection with the effectiveness of our 2019 Plan, the 2016 Plan will terminate, and no further awards will be granted under the 2016 Plan. However, all outstanding awards will continue to be governed by their existing terms.

Administration. Our board of directors, or a committee thereof appointed by our board of directors, has the authority to administer the 2016 Plan and the awards granted under it. After the closing of this offering, certain

 

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limitations as to the composition of the plan administrator may be imposed under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, Section 16 of the Exchange Act and/or stock exchange rules, as applicable. The plan administrator has broad authority to make determinations and interpretations under, prescribe forms for use with, and adopt rules for the administration of, the 2016 Plan, subject to its express terms and conditions. The plan administrator also sets the terms and conditions of all awards under the 2016 Plan, including any vesting and acceleration conditions.

Limitation on awards and shares available. The aggregate number of shares of our common stock that is authorized pursuant to the 2016 Plan is 1,970,279, which shares may be authorized but unissued shares, reacquired common stock or represent shares underlying forfeited awards. Shares tendered or withheld to satisfy grant or exercise price or tax withholding obligations associated with an award granted under the 2016 Plan and shares issued pursuant to awards of restricted stock or restricted stock units that are repurchased by us or are forfeited due to the failure to vest may be used again for new grants under the 2016 Plan.

Awards. The 2016 Plan provides that the administrator may grant or issue ISOs, NSOs, SARs, restricted stock and restricted stock units to our employees, directors and consultants, provided that only employees may be granted ISOs. Awards under the 2016 Plan are set forth in award agreements, which detail the terms and conditions of the awards, including any applicable vesting and payment terms and post-termination exercise limitations. Awards are generally settled in shares of our common stock.

 

   

Stock Options. Stock options provide for the purchase of shares of our common stock in the future at an exercise price set on the grant date. ISOs, by contrast to NSOs, may provide tax deferral beyond exercise and favorable capital gains tax treatment to their holders if certain holding period and other Internal Revenue Code requirements are satisfied. The exercise price of a stock option may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the underlying share on the date of grant (or 110% in the case of ISOs granted to certain significant shareholders), except with respect to certain substitute options granted in connection with a corporate transaction. The term of a stock option may not be longer than ten years (or five years in the case of ISOs granted to certain significant shareholders). Vesting conditions determined by the plan administrator may apply to stock options and may include continued service, performance and/or other conditions. A stock option may provide for “early exercise” prior to vesting in exchange for shares of restricted shares that vest on the option’s vesting schedule. Options may generally be exercised for 90 days following termination of employment, with longer periods for certain terminations (such as death or disability).

 

   

Stock appreciation rights. SARs may be granted in connection with stock options or other awards, or separately. SARs granted in connection with stock options or other awards typically will provide for payments to the holder based upon increases in the price of our common stock over a set exercise price. The exercise price of any SAR granted under the 2016 Plan must be at least 100% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of grant. SARs under the 2016 Plan will be settled in cash or shares of our common stock, or in a combination of both, at the election of the administrator.

 

   

Restricted stock. Restricted stock may be granted to any eligible individual and made subject to such restrictions as may be determined by the administrator. Restricted stock, typically, may be forfeited for no consideration or repurchased by us at the original purchase price if the conditions or restrictions on vesting are not met. In general, restricted stock may not be sold or otherwise transferred until restrictions are removed or expire. Purchasers of restricted stock, unlike recipients of options, will have voting rights and will have the right to receive dividends, if any, prior to the time when the restrictions lapse.

 

   

Restricted stock units. Restricted stock units may be awarded to any eligible individual, typically without payment of consideration, but subject to vesting conditions continuing service with us or our affiliates, the attainment of performance goals and/or such other conditions as the plan administrator may determine. Like restricted stock, restricted stock units may not be sold, or otherwise transferred or hypothecated, until vesting conditions are removed or expire. Unlike restricted stock, stock underlying restricted stock units will not be issued until the restricted stock units have vested, and recipients of restricted stock units generally will have no voting or dividend rights prior to the time when vesting conditions are satisfied.

 

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Certain transactions. The plan administrator has broad discretion to equitably adjust the provisions of the 2016 Plan, as well as the terms and conditions of existing and future awards, to prevent the diminution or enlargement of intended benefits and facilitate necessary or desirable changes in the event of certain transactions and events affecting our common stock, such as dividends or other distribution, recapitalizations, stock splits, reverse stock splits, split ups, spin-offs, repurchase or exchange of shares or other securities of our company, mergers, consolidations, combinations, reorganizations, asset sales and other corporate transactions. In the event of a merger of the company with or into another corporation or other entity or a change in control (as defined in the 2016 Plan), the surviving entity may assume outstanding awards or substitute economically equivalent awards for such outstanding awards; however, if the surviving entity declines to assume or substitute for some or all outstanding awards, then each outstanding award will be treated as the administrator determines without a service provider’s consent, including, without limitation and in any combination, (i) upon written notice to a service provider, that the service provider’s awards will terminate upon or immediately prior to the consummation of the merger or change in control; (ii) outstanding awards will vest and become exercisable, realizable or payable, or restrictions applicable to an award will lapse, in whole or in part prior to or upon consummation of such merger or change in control, and, to the extent the administrator determines, terminate upon or immediately prior to the effectiveness of the merger or change in control and (iii) (A) the termination of an award in exchange for an amount of cash and/or property, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such award or realization of the service provider’s rights as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction, or (B) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the administrator in its sole discretion. The administrator may also make appropriate adjustments to awards under the 2016 Plan and is authorized to provide for the acceleration, cash-out, termination, assumption, substitution or conversion of such awards in the event of a change in control or certain other unusual or nonrecurring events or transactions.

Foreign participants, transferability and participant payments. The plan administrator may modify award terms, establish supplements, amendments or alternative versions of the 2016 Plan and/or adjust other terms and conditions of awards, subject to the share limits described above, in order to facilitate grants of awards subject to the laws and/or stock exchange rules of countries outside of the United States. With limited exceptions for gifts or domestic relations orders, guardians or executors of the participant’s estate upon the participant’s death or disability, in connection with certain acquisitions or a change in control and transfers to us, awards under the 2016 Plan are generally non-transferable prior to exercise or delivery and are exercisable only by the participant. With regard to tax withholding, exercise price and purchase price obligations arising in connection with awards under the 2016 Plan, as applicable, the plan administrator may, in its discretion, accept cash or check, a promissory note, shares of our common stock that meet specified conditions, such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of shares, to the extent permitted by applicable laws, by “net exercise,” a “market sell order” or any combination thereof.

Amendment; termination. Our board of directors may amend or terminate the 2016 Plan at any time; however, (i) no amendment or termination may adversely affect an outstanding award without the affected participant’s written consent and (ii) except in connection with certain changes in our capital structure, stockholder approval will be required for any amendment that increases the number of shares available under the 2016 Plan or extends the term of the 2016 Plan. No award may be granted pursuant to the 2016 Plan after the ten year anniversary of the date the 2016 Plan, as amended or restated, was approved by our board of directors or our stockholders (whichever was earlier), however, we will cease granting awards under the 2016 Plan upon effectiveness of the 2019 Plan.

2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

We intend to adopt and ask our stockholders to approve the 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), which will be effective immediately prior to the consummation of this offering. The ESPP is designed to allow our eligible employees to purchase shares of our common stock, at semi-annual intervals, with their accumulated payroll deductions. The ESPP is intended to qualify under Section 423 of the Code. The material terms of the ESPP, as it is currently contemplated, are summarized below.

 

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Administration. Subject to the terms and conditions of the ESPP, our compensation committee will administer the ESPP. Our compensation committee can delegate administrative tasks under the ESPP to the services of an agent and/or employees to assist in the administration of the ESPP. The administrator will have the discretionary authority to administer and interpret the ESPP. Interpretations and constructions of the administrator of any provision of the ESPP or of any rights thereunder will be conclusive and binding on all persons. We will bear all expenses and liabilities incurred by the ESPP administrator.

Share reserve. The maximum number of shares of our common stock which will be authorized for sale under the ESPP is equal to the sum of (a) 160,000 shares of common stock and (b) an annual increase on the first day of each year beginning in 2020 and ending in 2029, equal to the lesser of (i) 1% of the shares of common stock outstanding (on an as converted basis) on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (ii) such number of shares of common stock as determined by our board of directors; provided, however, no more than 3,000,000 shares of our common stock may be issued under the ESPP. The shares reserved for issuance under the ESPP may be authorized but unissued shares or reacquired shares.

Eligibility. Employees eligible to participate in the ESPP for a given offering period generally include employees who are employed by us on the first day of the offering period, or the enrollment date. Our employees who customarily work less than five months in a calendar year or are customarily scheduled to work less than 20 hours per week will not be eligible to participate in the ESPP. Finally, an employee who owns (or is deemed to own through attribution) 5% or more of the combined voting power or value of all our classes of stock will not be allowed to participate in the ESPP.

Participation. Employees will enroll under the ESPP by completing a payroll deduction form permitting the deduction from their compensation of at least 1% of their compensation but not more than 15% of their compensation. Such payroll deductions may be expressed as either a whole number percentage or a fixed dollar amount, and the accumulated deductions will be applied to the purchase of shares on each purchase date. However, a participant may not purchase more than 50,000 shares in each offering period and may not subscribe for more than $25,000 in fair market value of shares of our common stock (determined at the time the option is granted) during any calendar year. The ESPP administrator has the authority to change these limitations for any subsequent offering period.

Offering. Under the ESPP, participants are offered the option to purchase shares of our common stock at a discount during a series of successive offering periods, the duration and timing of which will be determined by the ESPP administrator. However, in no event may an offering period be longer than 27 months in length.

The option purchase price will be the lower of 85% of the closing trading price per share of our common stock on the first trading date of an offering period in which a participant is enrolled or 85% of the closing trading price per share on the purchase date, which will occur on the last trading day of each offering period.

Unless a participant has previously canceled his or her participation in the ESPP before the purchase date, the participant will be deemed to have exercised his or her option in full as of each purchase date. Upon exercise, the participant will purchase the number of whole shares that his or her accumulated payroll deductions will buy at the option purchase price, subject to the participation limitations listed above.

A participant may cancel his or her payroll deduction authorization at any time prior to the end of the offering period. Upon cancellation, the participant will have the option to either (i) receive a refund of the participant’s account balance in cash without interest or (ii) exercise the participant’s option for the current offering period for the maximum number of shares of common stock on the applicable purchase date, with the remaining account balance refunded in cash without interest. Following at least one payroll deduction, a participant may also decrease (but not increase) his or her payroll deduction authorization once during any offering period. If a participant wants to increase or decrease the rate of payroll withholding, he or she may do so effective for the next offering period by submitting a new form before the offering period for which such change is to be effective.

 

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A participant may not assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of (other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution) payroll deductions credited to a participant’s account or any rights to exercise an option or to receive shares of our common stock under the ESPP, and during a participant’s lifetime, options in the ESPP shall be exercisable only by such participant. Any such attempt at assignment, transfer, pledge or other disposition will not be given effect.

Adjustments upon changes in recapitalization, dissolution, liquidation, merger or asset sale. In the event of any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of our common stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the common stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of common stock effected without receipt of consideration by us, we will proportionately adjust the aggregate number of shares of our common stock offered under the ESPP, the number and price of shares which any participant has elected to purchase under the ESPP and the maximum number of shares which a participant may elect to purchase in any single offering period. If there is a proposal to dissolve or liquidate us, then the ESPP will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed dissolution or liquidation, and any offering period then in progress will be shortened by setting a new purchase date to take place before the date of our dissolution or liquidation. We will notify each participant of such change in writing at least ten business days prior to the new exercise date. If we undergo a merger with or into another corporation or sell all or substantially all of our assets, each outstanding option will be assumed or an equivalent option substituted by the successor corporation or the parent or subsidiary of the successor corporation. If the successor corporation refuses to assume the outstanding options or substitute equivalent options, then any offering period then in progress will be shortened by setting a new purchase date to take place before the date of our proposed sale or merger. We will notify each participant of such change in writing at least ten business days prior to the new exercise date.

Amendment and termination. Our board of directors may amend, suspend or terminate the ESPP at any time. However, the board of directors may not amend the ESPP without obtaining stockholder approval within 12 months before or after such amendment to the extent required by applicable laws.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The following is a description of transactions since January 1, 2016 to which we have been a party, in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any of our directors, executive officers or beneficial owners of more than 5% of our capital stock, or an affiliate or immediate family member thereof, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

Sales and Purchases of Securities

Series B Convertible Preferred Stock Financing

In April 2019, we issued an aggregate of 6,889,986 shares of our Series B convertible preferred stock at $8.95444 per share for aggregate proceeds to us of approximately $61.7 million.

The table below sets forth the number of shares of Series B convertible preferred stock sold to our directors, executive officers or owners of more than 5% of a class of our capital stock, or an affiliate or immediate family member thereof:

 

Name

   Number of
Shares of
Series B Convertible
Preferred Stock
     Aggregate
Purchase
Price ($)
 

Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd.(1)

     307,110        2,750,000  

TPG Biotechnology Partners V, L.P.(2)

     781,734        6,999,998  

RA Capital Healthcare Fund, L.P.(3)

     1,139,635        10,204,800  

 

(1)

Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd. beneficially owned more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock at the time of the Series B convertible preferred stock financing. Mr. Takanashi, a member of our board of directors, is a director and executive officer of Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd.

(2)

TPG Biotechnology Partners V, L.P. beneficially owned more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock at the time of the Series B convertible preferred stock financing. Dr. Lukatch, our Chairperson and a member of our board of directors, is a Partner and Managing Director at TPG Biotechnology Partners, which is an affiliate of TPG Biotechnology Partners V, L.P.

(3)

RA Capital Healthcare Fund, L.P. and its affiliated funds beneficially owned more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock at the time of the Series B convertible preferred stock financing. Rajeev Shah, a member of our board of directors, is a Managing Director of RA Capital Management, LLC, which is the general partner of RA Capital Healthcare Fund, L.P.

Transactions with Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd.

In June 2016, we and Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd., or SNBL, entered into a licensing and assignment agreement, which we refer to as the SNBL License, which was amended and restated in December 2016 and further amended in January 2017, April 2017 and October 2017. In connection with the SNBL License, in July 2016, we entered into a common stock purchase agreement with SNBL pursuant to which it purchased 510,638 shares of our common stock at its par price of $0.0001 per share. Following the purchase of these shares, SNBL beneficially owned more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock. There have been no sales of products under the SNBL License to date. For more information about the terms of the SNBL License, see “Business—Licenses and Collaborations.”

In August 2016, SNBL purchased a convertible note from us in the principal amount of $0.1 million, which convertible note was later amended in December 2016. In February 2018, the convertible note and related accrued interest of less than $0.1 million converted into 33,741 shares of our Series A convertible preferred stock.

 

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In December 2016, as part of the Series A convertible preferred stock financing, we granted to SNBL a right to obtain shares of our common stock for no additional consideration, which we refer to as the SNBL Grant, upon the occurrence of subsequent closings of our Series A convertible preferred stock financing such that SNBL’s percentage ownership of our fully-diluted capitalization would be equal to 20% following the final closing of the Series A convertible preferred stock financing. In return, SNBL assigned certain product-specific know-how and patents relating to STS101 to us with a fair value of $1.4 million. In February 2018, we issued 476,897 shares of common stock for no consideration to settle the right to obtain shares of our common stock granted in December 2016 as part of the Series A convertible preferred stock financing.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, we purchased an actuator for less than $0.1 million from SNBL. During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, we incurred expenses in connection with preclinical study services of $0.2 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively. We incurred expenses in connection with clinical study services of less than $0.1 million during each of the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019.

Director and Executive Officer Compensation

See “Director Compensation” and “Executive Compensation” for information regarding the compensation of our directors and executive officers.

Employment Agreements

We have entered into employment agreements with our executive officers. For more information regarding these agreements, see “Executive Compensation—Executive Compensation Arrangements.”

Indemnification Agreements and Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance

We have entered into or intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. These agreements will require us to, among other things, indemnify each director and executive officer to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, including indemnification of expenses such as attorneys’ fees, judgments, penalties fines and settlement amounts incurred by the director or executive officer in any action or proceeding, including any action or proceeding by or in right of us, arising out of the person’s services as a director or executive officer. We have obtained an insurance policy that insures our directors and officers against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under applicable securities laws. For additional information see “Management—Limitation of Liability and Indemnification Matters.”

Participation in this Offering

Certain of our existing investors affiliated with certain of our directors have indicated an interest in purchasing an aggregate of approximately $25 million in shares of our common stock in this offering at the initial public offering price. Any such purchases, if completed, would be made on the same terms as the shares that are sold to the public generally and not pursuant to any pre-existing contractual rights or obligations.

Investors’ Rights Agreement

We entered into an amended and restated investors’ rights agreement with the purchasers of our outstanding convertible preferred stock, including entities with which certain of our directors are affiliated. As of June 30,

 

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2019, the holders of approximately 10.9 million shares of our common stock, including the shares of common stock issuable upon the automatic conversion of our Series A and Series B convertible preferred stock, are entitled to rights with respect to the registration of their shares under the Securities Act. For a more detailed description of these registration rights, see “Description of Capital Stock—Registration Rights.” The investors’ rights agreement also provides for a right of first refusal in favor of certain holders of preferred stock with regard to certain issuances of our capital stock. The rights of first refusal will not apply to, and will terminate upon the consummation of, this offering.

Voting Agreement

We entered into an amended and restated voting agreement with certain holders of our common stock and convertible preferred stock. Upon the consummation of this offering, the amended and restated voting agreement will terminate. For a description of the amended and restated voting agreement, see “Management—Board Composition—Voting Arrangements.”

Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement

We entered into an amended and restated right of first refusal and co-sale agreement with certain holders of our common stock and convertible preferred stock. This agreement provides for rights of first refusal and co-sale relating to the shares of our common stock held by the parties to the agreement. Upon the consummation of this offering, the amended and restated right of first refusal and co-sale agreement will terminate.

Policies and Procedures for Related Party Transactions

Prior to the consummation of this offering, our board of directors will adopt a written related person transaction policy, to be effective upon the consummation of this offering, setting forth the policies and procedures for the review and approval or ratification of related person transactions. This policy will cover, with certain exceptions set forth in Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, any transaction, arrangement or relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships in which we were or are to be a participant, where the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and a related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, including without limitation purchases of goods or services by or from the related person or entities in which the related person has a material interest, indebtedness, guarantees of indebtedness and employment by us of a related person. In reviewing and approving any such transactions, our audit committee is tasked to consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including but not limited to whether the transaction is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in an arm’s length transaction with an unrelated third party and the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction. All of the transactions described in this section occurred prior to the adoption of this policy.

 

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PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

The following table sets forth information relating to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of August 1, 2019, by:

 

   

each person, or group of affiliated persons, known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock;

 

   

each of our directors;

 

   

each of our named executive officers; and

 

   

all directors and executive officers as a group.

The number of shares beneficially owned by each entity, person, director or executive officer is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under such rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares over which the individual has sole or shared voting power or investment power as well as any shares that the individual has the right to acquire within 60 days after August 1, 2019 through the exercise of any stock option, warrants or other rights. Except as otherwise indicated, and subject to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock held by that person.

Certain of our existing investors affiliated with certain of our directors have indicated an interest in purchasing an aggregate of up to approximately $25 million in shares of our common stock in this offering at the initial public offering price and on the same terms as the other purchasers in this offering. However, because indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase, these investors may determine to purchase fewer shares than they indicate an interest in purchasing or not to purchase any shares in this offering. It is also possible that these investors could indicate an interest in purchasing more shares of our common stock. In addition, the underwriters could determine to sell fewer shares to any of these investors than the investors indicate an interest in purchasing or not to sell any shares to these investors. The figures in the table below do not reflect the purchase of the shares in this offering by these potential investors in the amounts they have indicated an interest in purchasing.

 

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The percentage of shares beneficially owned is computed on the basis of 11,105,256 shares of our common stock outstanding as of August 1, 2019, which reflects the assumed conversion of all of our outstanding shares of Series A and Series B convertible preferred stock into an aggregate of 9,936,341 shares of common stock. Shares of our common stock that a person has the right to acquire within 60 days after August 1, 2019 are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such rights, but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person, except with respect to the percentage ownership of all directors and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated below, the address for each beneficial owner listed is c/o Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 400 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 221, South San Francisco, CA 94080.

 

    Beneficial Ownership Prior to this Offering     Beneficial Ownership
After this Offering
 

Name of Beneficial Owner

  Number of
Outstanding
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
    Number of
Shares
Exercisable
Within 60 Days
    Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
    Percentage
of

Beneficial
Ownership
    Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
    Percentage
of
Beneficial
Ownership
 

5% and Greater Stockholders:

           

Entities affiliated with RA Capital(1)

    3,348,525       —         3,348,525       30.2     3,348,525       20.8

TPG Biotechnology Partners V, L.P.(2)

    1,785,939       —         1,785,939       16.1 %     1,785,939       11.1

Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd.(3)

    1,328,386       —         1,328,386       12.0 %     1,328,386       8.2

Entities affiliated with Wellington Management Group LLP(4)

    1,105,154       —         1,105,154       10.0 %     1,105,154       6.9

Osage University Partners III, LP(5)

    670,058       —         670,058       6.0     670,058       4.2

Entities affiliated with CAM Capital(6)

    614,220       —         614,220       5.5     614,220       3.8

Entities affiliated with Cormorant Asset Management(7)

    558,381       —         558,381       5.0     558,381       3.5

Citadel Multi-Strategy Equities Master Fund Ltd.(8)

    558,382       —         558,382       5.0     558,382       3.5

Mutual Fund Series Trust, On Behalf of Eventide Healthcare & Life Sciences Fund(9)

    558,382       —         558,382       5.0 %     558,382       3.5

Named Executive Officers and Directors:

           

John Kollins(10)

    127,661       312,941       440,602       3.9     440,602       2.7

Detlef Albrecht, MD(11)

    20,212       43,438       63,650       *       63,650       *  

Heath Lukatch, PhD

    —         —         —         *       —         *  

Thomas B. King(12)

    —         26,771       26,771       *       26,771       *  

Michael Riebe, PhD(13)

    —         24,645       24,645       *       24,645       *  

Rajeev Shah(14)

    3,348,525       —         3,348,525       30.2     3,348,525       20.8

Ken Takanashi, MBA, CPA(15)

    1,328,386       —         1,328,386       12.0     1,328,386       8.2

Elisabeth Sandoval(16)

    —         2,482       2,482       *       2,482       *  

All directors and executive officers as a group (9 persons)(17)

    4,824,784       416,305       5,241,089       45.5     5,241,089       31.7

 

*

Indicates beneficial ownership of less than 1% of the total outstanding common stock.

(1)

Consists of (i) 1,642,879 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series A Preferred Stock directly held by RA Capital Healthcare Fund, L.P. (“RA Capital Fund”), (ii) 1,139,635 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series B Preferred Stock directly held by RA Capital Fund, (iii) 365,530 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series A Preferred Stock directly held by a separately managed account (the “Account”) and (iv) 200,481 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series B Preferred Stock directly held by the

 

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Account. RA Capital Management, LLC (“RA Capital”) is the general partner of RA Capital Fund and the investment advisor to the Account. Peter Kolchinsky is the sole manager of RA Capital. Investment decisions with respect to the shares held by RA Capital Fund and the Account are made by a portfolio management team at RA Capital of which Mr. Shah is a member. Mr. Shah disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares held by RA Capital Fund and the Account, except to the extent of any actual pecuniary interest. The address for these entities is 200 Berkeley Street, 18th Floor, Boston, MA 02116.

(2)

Consists of (i) 1,004,205 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series A Preferred Stock and (ii) 781,734 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series B Preferred Stock, in each case held by TPG Biotechnology Partners V, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“TPG Biotechnology V”), whose general partner is TPG Biotechnology GenPar V, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, whose general partner is TPG Biotechnology GenPar V Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, whose sole member is TPG Holdings I, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, whose general partner is TPG Holdings I-A, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, whose sole member is TPG Group Holdings (SBS), L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, whose general partner is TPG Group Holdings (SBS) Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, whose sole member is TPG Group Holdings (SBS) Advisors, Inc., a Delaware corporation. David Bonderman and James G. Coulter are sole stockholders of TPG Group Holdings (SBS) Advisors, Inc. and may therefore be deemed to be the beneficial owners of the securities held by the TPG Biotechnology V. Messrs. Bonderman and Coulter disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities held by the TPG Biotechnology V except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. The address of each of TPG Group Holdings (SBS) Advisors, Inc. and Messrs. Bonderman and Coulter is c/o TPG Global, LLC, 301 Commerce Street, Suite 3300, Fort Worth, Texas 76102.

(3)

Consists of (i) 987,535 shares of common stock, (ii) 33,741 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series A Preferred Stock and (iii) 307,110 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series B Preferred Stock held by Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd. (“SNBL”). Mr. Takanashi is a director and executive officer of SNBL and its affiliates such that Mr. Takanashi may be deemed to hold the power to direct the disposition and vote of, and therefore to own the shares held by SNBL. Mr. Takanashi disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares held by SNBL except to the extent of any actual pecuniary interest. The address for this entity is St. Luke’s Tower, 28F, 8-1 Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-004, Japan.

(4)

Consists of 1,105,154 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series B Preferred Stock held by Hadley Harbor Master Investors (Cayman) II L.P. Wellington Management Company LLP, a registered investment company under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, as amended, is the investment adviser to Hadley Harbor Master Investors (Cayman) II L.P. Wellington Management Company LLP is an indirect subsidiary of Wellington Management Group LLP. Wellington Management Group LLP and Wellington Management Company LLP may be deemed beneficial owners (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) with shared investment and voting power over the shares held by Hadley Harbor Master Investors (Cayman) II L.P. The mailing address of Hadley Harbor Master Investors (Cayman) L.P. and the Wellington entities is 280 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.

(5)

Consists of 670,058 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series B Preferred Stock held by Osage University Partners III, LP. The address for this entity is 50 Monument Road, Suite 201, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania 19004.

(6)

Consists of (i) 577,367 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series B Preferred Stock directly held by CDK Associates, LLC (“CDK”) and (ii) 36,853 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series B Preferred Stock directly held by Third Street Holdings, LLC (“Third Street”). Caxton Alternative Management, LP (“CAM”), is the investment manager for CDK and Third Street, and Caxton Corporation is the general partner of CAM. Caxton Corporation and CAM may be deemed the beneficial owner with the power to direct the disposition and vote of the shares held by CDK and Third Street. The address for these entities is 731 Alexander Road, Building 2, Suite 500, Princeton, New Jersey 08540.

(7)

Consists of (i) 436,543 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series B Preferred Stock directly held by Cormorant Private Healthcare Fund II, LP, or Cormorant Private Fund II, (ii) 111,062 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series B Preferred Stock directly held by Cormorant Global Healthcare Master Fund, LP, or Cormorant Master Fund and (iii) 10,776 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series B Preferred Stock directly held by CRMA SPV, LP, or CRMA. The sole general partner of Cormorant Master Fund is Cormorant Global Healthcare GP, LLC and the sole general partner of Cormorant Private Fund II is Cormorant Private Healthcare II, LLC, or the Cormorant GP. The sole investment manager of CRMA is Cormorant Asset Management, LP. The address for these entities is 200 Clarendon Street, 52nd Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.

(8)

Consists of 558,382 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series B Preferred Stock held by Citadel Multi-Strategy Equities Master Fund Ltd (“Citadel”). Citadel Advisors LLC (“Citadel Advisors”), acts as the portfolio manager of Citadel. Citadel Advisors Holdings LP (“CAH”), is the sole member of Citadel Advisors, and Citadel

 

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GPLLC (“CGP”), is the general partner of CAH. Kenneth Griffin owns a controlling interest in CGP and may be deemed to share voting and dispositive power over shares held by Citadel. The address for this entity is 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022.

(9)

Consists of 558,382 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series B Preferred Stock held by Mutual Fund Series Trust, On Behalf of Eventide Healthcare & Life Sciences Fund. The address for this entity is One International Place, Suite 4210, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.

(10)

Consists of (i) 127,661 shares of common stock and (ii) 312,941 shares of common stock that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of stock options within 60 days of August 1, 2019.

(11)

Consists of (i) 20,212 shares of common stock and (ii) 43,438 shares of common stock that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of stock options within 60 days of August 1, 2019.

(12)

Consists of 26,771 shares of common stock that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of stock options within 60 days of August 1, 2019.

(13)

Consists of 24,645 shares of common stock that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of stock options within 60 days of August 1, 2019.

(14)

Consists of the shares described in footnote 1 above. Mr. Shah is a member of the portfolio management team at RA Capital such that Mr. Shah may be deemed to hold the power to direct the disposition and vote of, and therefore to own the shares held by RA Capital Fund and the Account. Mr. Shah disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares held by RA Capital Fund and the Account except to the extent of any actual pecuniary interest.

(15)

Consists of the shares described in footnote 3 above. Mr. Takanashi is a director and executive officer of SNBL and its affiliates such that Mr. Takanashi may be deemed to hold the power to direct the disposition and vote of, and therefore to own the shares held by SNBL. Mr. Takanashi disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares held by SNBL except to the extent of any actual pecuniary interest.

(16)

Consists of 2,482 shares of common stock that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of stock options within 60 days of August 1, 2019.

(17)

Consists of (i) the shares described in notes 10 through 16 above and (ii) 6,028 shares of common stock that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of stock options within 60 days of August 1, 2019.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following summary describes our capital stock and the material provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws, which will become effective immediately prior to the consummation of this offering, the amended and restated investors’ rights agreement to which we and certain of our stockholders are parties and of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Because the following is only a summary, it does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. For a complete description, you should refer to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and amended and restated investors’ rights agreement, copies of which have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is part.

General

Immediately prior to the consummation of this offering, we will file our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that authorizes 300,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share. As of June 30, 2019, there were outstanding:

 

   

11,105,256 shares of our common stock, on an as-converted basis, held by approximately 20 stockholders of record; and

 

   

1,665,514 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options.

In connection with this offering, we expect to consummate a 1-for-4.7 reverse stock split of our outstanding capital stock.

Common Stock

Voting Rights

Each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. Our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Accordingly, holders of a majority of the voting shares are able to elect all of the directors. In addition, the affirmative vote of holders of 6623% of the voting power of all of the then outstanding voting stock will be required to take certain actions, including amending certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, such as the provisions relating to amending our amended and restated bylaws, the classified board and director liability.

Dividends

Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding preferred stock, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds.

Liquidation

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our common stock will be entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities and the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any then outstanding shares of preferred stock.

Rights and Preferences

Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, conversion, subscription or other rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of our common stock are subject to and may be adversely affected by the rights of the holders of shares of any series of our preferred stock that we may designate in the future.

 

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Fully Paid and Nonassessable

All of our outstanding shares of common stock are, and the shares of common stock to be issued in this offering will be, fully paid and nonassessable.

Convertible Preferred Stock

Immediately prior to the consummation of this offering, all outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock will be converted into shares of our common stock. See Note 8 to our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for a description of our currently outstanding convertible preferred stock. Immediately prior to the consummation of this offering, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will be amended and restated to delete all references to such shares of convertible preferred stock. From and after the consummation of this offering, our board of directors will have the authority, without further action by our stockholders, to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof. These rights, preferences and privileges could include dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, sinking fund terms and the number of shares constituting, or the designation of, such series, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of our common stock. The issuance of our preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of holders of common stock and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon our liquidation. In addition, the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company or other corporate action. Immediately after consummation of this offering, no shares of preferred stock will be outstanding, and we have no present plan to issue any shares of preferred stock.

Registration Rights

Under our amended and restated investors’ rights agreement, based on the number of shares outstanding as of August 1, 2019, following the consummation of this offering, the holders of approximately 10.9 million shares of common stock, or their transferees, have the right to require us to register their shares under the Securities Act so that those shares may be publicly resold, and to include their shares in any registration statement we file, in each case as described below.

Demand Registration Rights

Based on the number of shares outstanding as of August 1, 2019, after the consummation of this offering, the holders of approximately 10.9 million shares of our common stock (on an as-converted basis), or their transferees, will be entitled to certain demand registration rights. Beginning 180 days following the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, the holders of at least 20% of these shares can, on not more than two occasions, request that we register all or a portion of their shares if the aggregate price to the public of the shares offered is at least $10.0 million (before deductions of underwriters’ commissions and expenses).

Piggyback Registration Rights

Based on the number of shares outstanding as of August 1, 2019, after the consummation of this offering, in the event that we determine to register any of our securities under the Securities Act (subject to certain exceptions), either for our own account or for the account of other security holders, the holders of approximately 10.9 million shares of our common stock (on an as-converted basis), or their transferees, will be entitled to certain “piggyback” registration rights allowing the holders to include their shares in such registration, subject to certain marketing and other limitations. As a result, whenever we propose to file a registration statement under the Securities Act, other than with respect to a registration related to employee benefit plans, the offer and sale of

 

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debt securities, or corporate reorganizations or certain other transactions, the holders of these shares are entitled to notice of the registration and have the right, subject to limitations that the underwriters may impose on the number of shares included in the registration, to include their shares in the registration. In an underwritten offering, the managing underwriter, if any, has the right, subject to specified conditions, to exclude or limit the number of shares such holders may include.

Form S-3 Registration Rights

Based on the number of shares outstanding as of August 1, 2019, after the consummation of this offering, the holders of approximately 10.9 million shares of our common stock (on an as-converted basis), or their transferees, will be entitled to certain Form S-3 registration rights. The holders of at least 20% of these shares can make a written request that we register their shares on Form S-3 if we are eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3 and if the aggregate price to the public of the shares offered is at least $1.0 million (before deductions of underwriters’ commissions and expenses). These stockholders may make an unlimited number of requests for registration on Form S-3, but in no event shall we be required to file more than two registrations on Form S-3 in any given twelve-month period.

Expenses of Registration

We will pay the registration expenses of the holders of the shares registered pursuant to the demand and Form S-3 registration rights described above.

Expiration of Registration Rights

The demand, piggyback and Form S-3 registration rights described above will expire, with respect to any particular stockholder, upon the earlier of five years after the consummation of this offering or when that stockholder can sell all of its shares under Rule 144 of the Securities Act during any 90-day period (and without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information required under Section c(1) of Rule 144 of the Securities Act).

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Amended and Restated Bylaws and Delaware Law

Certain provisions of Delaware law and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws that will become effective immediately prior to the consummation of this offering contain provisions that could make the following transactions more difficult: acquisition of us by means of a tender offer; acquisition of us by means of a proxy contest or otherwise; or removal of our incumbent officers and directors. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish or could deter transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interest or in our best interests, including transactions that might result in a premium over the market price for our shares.

These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging these proposals because negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute

We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibits persons deemed “interested stockholders” from engaging in a “business combination” with a publicly-held Delaware corporation

 

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for three years following the date these persons become interested stockholders unless the business combination is, or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder was, approved in a prescribed manner or another prescribed exception applies. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. The existence of this provision may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by the board of directors, such as discouraging takeover attempts that might result in a premium over the market price of our common stock.

Undesignated Preferred Stock

The ability to authorize undesignated preferred stock will make it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change control of us. These and other provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of our company.

Special Stockholder Meetings

Our amended and restated bylaws will provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called at any time by our board of directors, or our President or Chief Executive Officer, but such special meetings may not be called by the stockholders or any other person or persons.

Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals

Our amended and restated bylaws will establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors.

Elimination of Stockholder Action by Written Consent

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws will eliminate the right of stockholders to act by written consent without a meeting.

Classified Board; Election and Removal of Directors; Filling Vacancies

Effective upon the consummation of this offering, our board of directors will be divided into three classes. The directors in each class will serve for a three-year term, one class being elected each year by our stockholders, with staggered three-year terms. Only one class of directors will be elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective three-year terms. Because our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights, our stockholders holding a majority of the shares of common stock outstanding will be able to elect all of our directors. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide for the removal of any of our directors only for cause and requires a stockholder vote by the holders of at least a 66 2/3% of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock. For more information on the classified board, see “Management—Board Composition.” Furthermore, any vacancy on our board of directors, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the size of the board, may only be filled by a resolution of the board of directors unless the board of directors determines that such vacancies shall be filled by the stockholders. This system of electing and removing directors and filling vacancies may tend to discourage a third party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, because it generally makes it more difficult for stockholders to replace a majority of the directors.

 

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Choice of Forum

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be in effect immediately prior to the consummation of this offering provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf us, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors or officers to us or our stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us governed by the internal affairs doctrine. As a result, any action brought by any of our stockholders with regard to any of these matters will need to be filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and cannot be filed in any other jurisdiction; provided that, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction; and provided further that, if and only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware dismisses any such action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, such action may be brought in another state or federal court sitting in the State of Delaware. Nothing in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws precludes stockholders that assert claims under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act from bringing such claims in state or federal court, subject to applicable law.

This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims, although our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Amendment of Charter and Bylaws Provisions

The amendment of any of the above provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, except for the provision making it possible for our board of directors to issue undesignated preferred stock would require approval by a stockholder vote by the holders of at least a 66 2/3% of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock.

The provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws could have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and, as a consequence, they may also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.

Limitations of Liability and Indemnification Matters

For a discussion of liability and indemnification, see “Management—Limitation on Liability and Indemnification Matters.”

Listing

We have applied to have our common stock listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “STSA.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC. The transfer agent and registrar’s address is 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219.

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. Future sales of our common stock, including shares issued upon the exercise of outstanding options or warrants, in the public market after this offering, or the perception that those sales may occur, could cause the prevailing market price for our common stock to fall or impair our ability to raise equity capital in the future. As described below, only a limited number of shares of our common stock will be available for sale in the public market for a period of several months after consummation of this offering due to contractual and legal restrictions on resale described below. Future sales of our common stock in the public market either before (to the extent permitted) or after restrictions lapse, or the perception that those sales may occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock at such time and our ability to raise equity capital at a time and price we deem appropriate.

Sale of Restricted Shares

Based on the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2019 and assuming an initial public offering price of $15.00 per share (the midpoint of the estimated price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus), upon the consummation of this offering and assuming (1) the conversion of all shares of our outstanding Series A and Series B convertible preferred stock as of June 30, 2019, (2) no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock and (3) no exercise of any of our outstanding options or warrants, we will have outstanding an aggregate of approximately 16,105,256 shares of common stock. Of these shares, all of the shares of common stock to be sold in this offering, and any shares sold upon exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, will be freely tradable in the public market without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, unless the shares are held by any of our “affiliates” as such term is defined in Rule 144 of the Securities Act. All remaining shares of common stock held by existing stockholders immediately prior to the consummation of this offering will be “restricted securities” as such term is defined in Rule 144. These restricted securities were issued and sold by us, or will be issued and sold by us, in private transactions and are eligible for public sale only if registered under the Securities Act or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, including the exemptions provided by Rule 144 or Rule 701, which rules are summarized below.

As a result of the lock-up agreements referred to below and the provisions of Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act, based on the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2019 and assumptions (1)-(3) described above, the shares of our common stock (excluding the shares sold in this offering) that will be available for sale in the public market, subject (1) to any waivers by the underwriters and/or our board of directors under the respective lock-up agreements and (2) with respect to shares held by directors, executive officers and other affiliates, the volume limitations under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, are as follows:

 

Approximate Number of Shares

  

First Date Available for Sale into Public Market

11,105,256 shares

   180 days after the date of this prospectus upon expiration of the lock-up agreements referred to below, subject in some cases to applicable volume limitations under Rule 144

Lock-Up Agreements

In connection with this offering, we, our directors, our executive officers and substantially all of our other stockholders and option holders have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, with the underwriters not to dispose of or hedge any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock during the period from the date of the lock-up agreement continuing through the date 180 days after the date of this prospectus, except with the prior written consent of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, SVB Leerink LLC and Evercore Group L.L.C.

 

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Prior to the consummation of this offering, certain of our employees, including our executive officers, and/or directors may enter into written trading plans that are intended to comply with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act. Sales under these trading plans would not be permitted until the expiration of the lock-up agreements relating to the offering described above.

Following the lock-up periods set forth in the agreements described above, and assuming that the representatives of the underwriters do not release any parties from these agreements, all of the shares of our common stock that are restricted securities or are held by our affiliates as of the date of this prospectus will be eligible for sale in the public market in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

Rule 144

In general, under Rule 144, as currently in effect, once we have been subject to the public company reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for at least 90 days, a person (or persons whose shares are required to be aggregated) who is not deemed to have been one of our “affiliates” for purposes of Rule 144 at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least six months, including the holding period of any prior owner other than one of our “affiliates,” is entitled to sell those shares in the public market (subject to the lock-up agreement referred to above, if applicable) without complying with the manner of sale, volume limitations or notice provisions of Rule 144, but subject to compliance with the public information requirements of Rule 144. If such a person has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least one year, including the holding period of any prior owner other than “affiliates,” then such person is entitled to sell such shares in the public market without complying with any of the requirements of Rule 144 (subject to the lock-up agreement referred to above, if applicable). In general, under Rule 144, as currently in effect, once we have been subject to the public company reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for at least 90 days, our “affiliates,” as defined in Rule 144, who have beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least six months are entitled to sell in the public market, upon expiration of any applicable lock-up agreements and within any three-month period, a number of those shares of our common stock that does not exceed the greater of:

 

   

1% of the number of common shares then outstanding, which will equal approximately 161,052 shares of common stock immediately after this offering (calculated as of June 30, 2019 on the basis of the assumptions (1)-(3) described above); or

 

   

the average weekly trading volume of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to such sale.

Such sales under Rule 144 by our “affiliates” or persons selling shares on behalf of our “affiliates” are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions, notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us. Notwithstanding the availability of Rule 144, the holders of substantially all of our restricted securities have entered into lock-up agreements as referenced above and their restricted securities will become eligible for sale (subject to the above limitations under Rule 144) upon the expiration of the restrictions set forth in those agreements.

Rule 701

In general, under Rule 701 as currently in effect, any of our employees, directors, officers, consultants or advisors who acquired common stock from us in connection with a written compensatory stock or option plan or other written agreement in compliance with Rule 701 under the Securities Act before the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part (to the extent such common stock is not subject to a lock-up agreement) is entitled to rely on Rule 701 to resell such shares beginning 90 days after we become subject to the public company reporting requirements of the Exchange Act in reliance on Rule 144, but without compliance with the holding period requirements contained in Rule 144. Accordingly, subject to any applicable

 

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lock-up agreements, beginning 90 days after we become subject to the public company reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, under Rule 701 persons who are not our “affiliates,” as defined in Rule 144, may resell those shares without complying with the minimum holding period or public information requirements of Rule 144, and persons who are our “affiliates” may resell those shares without compliance with Rule 144’s minimum holding period requirements (subject to the terms of the lock-up agreement referred to above).

Registration Rights

Based on the number of shares outstanding as of August 1, 2019, after the consummation of this offering, the holders of approximately 10.9 million shares of our common stock, or their transferees, will, subject to the lock-up agreements referred to above, be entitled to certain rights with respect to the registration of the offer and sale of those shares under the Securities Act. For a description of these registration rights, see “Description of Capital Stock—Registration Rights.” If the offer and sale of these shares are registered, they will be freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act.

Stock Plans

We intend to file with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the shares of common stock that we may issue upon exercise of outstanding options reserved for issuance under our 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, our 2019 Incentive Award Plan and our 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Such registration statement is expected to be filed and become effective as soon as practicable after the consummation of this offering. Accordingly, shares registered under such registration statement will be available for sale in the open market following its effective date, subject to Rule 144 volume limitations and the lock-up agreements described above, if applicable.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS

The following discussion is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below) of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock issued pursuant to this offering, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects. The effects of other U.S. federal tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws, and any applicable state, local or non-U.S. tax laws are not discussed. This discussion is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions, and published rulings and administrative pronouncements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, in each case in effect as of the date hereof. These authorities may change or be subject to differing interpretations. Any such change or differing interpretation may be applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect a Non-U.S. Holder. We have not sought and will not seek any rulings from the IRS regarding the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position to that discussed below regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock.

This discussion is limited to Non-U.S. Holders that hold our common stock as a “capital asset” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to a Non-U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances, including the impact of the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income. In addition, it does not address consequences relevant to Non-U.S. Holders subject to special rules, including, without limitation:

 

   

U.S. expatriates and former citizens or long-term residents of the United States;

 

   

persons subject to the alternative minimum tax or the federal Medicare contribution tax on net investment income;

 

   

persons who acquire our common stock through the exercise of an option or otherwise as compensation;

 

   

persons subject to special tax accounting rules under Section 451(b) of the Code;

 

   

persons holding our common stock as part of a hedge, straddle or other risk reduction strategy or as part of a conversion transaction or other integrated investment;

 

   

banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions;

 

   

brokers, dealers or traders in securities;

 

   

“controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies” and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;

 

   

partnerships or other entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and investors therein);

 

   

tax-exempt organizations or governmental organizations;

 

   

persons deemed to sell our common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code;

 

   

tax-qualified retirement plans; and

 

   

“qualified foreign pension funds” as defined in Section 897(l)(2) of the Code and entities all of the interests of which are held by qualified foreign pension funds.

If an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will depend on the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. Accordingly, partnerships holding our common stock and the partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them.

 

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THIS DISCUSSION IS NOT TAX ADVICE. INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK ARISING UNDER THE U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR NON-U.S. TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.

Definition of Non-U.S. Holder

For purposes of this discussion, a “Non-U.S. Holder” is any beneficial owner of our common stock that is neither a “U.S. person” nor an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A U.S. person is any person that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is or is treated as any of the following:

 

   

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal tax purposes created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control substantial decisions of the trust, or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Distributions

As described in the section of this prospectus titled “Dividend Policy,” we have never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. However, if we do make distributions of cash or property on our common stock, such distributions will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Amounts not treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes will constitute a return of capital and first be applied against and reduce a Non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its common stock, but not below zero. Any excess will be treated as capital gain and will be treated as described below under “—Sale or Other Taxable Disposition.”

Subject to the discussion below regarding effectively connected income, dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividends (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty, provided the Non-U.S. Holder furnishes a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable documentation) certifying qualification for the lower treaty rate). In the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is an entity, Treasury Regulations and the relevant tax treaty provide rules to determine whether, for purposes of determining the applicability of a tax treaty, dividends will be treated as paid to the entity or to those holding an interest in that entity. If a Non-U.S. Holder holds stock through a financial institution of other agent acting on the holder’s behalf, the holder will be required to provide appropriate documentation to such agent. The holder’s agent will then be required to provide certification to us or our paying agent, either directly or through intermediaries. A Non-U.S. Holder that does not timely furnish the required documentation, but that qualifies for a reduced treaty rate, may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under any applicable tax treaties.

If dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. Holder maintains a permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States to which such dividends are attributable), the Non-U.S. Holder will be exempt from the U.S. federal withholding tax described above. To

 

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claim the exemption, the Non-U.S. Holder must furnish to the applicable withholding agent a valid IRS Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States.

Any such effectively connected dividends will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates. A Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected dividends, as adjusted for certain items. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding any applicable tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition

Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding and foreign accounts, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock unless:

 

   

the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. Holder maintains a permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States to which such gain is attributable);

 

   

the Non-U.S. Holder is a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the disposition and certain other requirements are met; or

 

   

our common stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest, or a USRPI, by reason of our status as a U.S. real property holding corporation, or a USRPHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding such disposition of such holder’s holding period.

Gain described in the first bullet point above generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates. A Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected gain, as adjusted for certain items.

Gain described in the second bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty), which may be offset by certain U.S. source capital losses of the Non-U.S. Holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided the Non-U.S. Holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

With respect to the third bullet point above, we believe we currently are not, and do not anticipate becoming, a USRPHC. Because the determination of whether we are a USRPHC depends, however, on the fair market value of our USRPIs relative to the fair market value of our non-U.S. real property interests and our other business assets, there can be no assurance we currently are not a USRPHC or will not become one in the future. Even if we are or were to become a USRPHC, gain arising from the sale or other taxable disposition by a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax if our common stock is “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations, on an established securities market, and such Non-U.S. Holder owned, actually and constructively, 5% or less of our common stock throughout the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or other taxable disposition or the Non-U.S. Holder’s holding period.

If any gain on a disposition by a holder of our common stock is taxable because we are a USRPHC and such holder’s ownership of our common stock exceeds 5%, such holder will be taxed on such disposition generally in the manner as gain that is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business (subject to the provisions under an applicable income tax treaty), except that the branch profits tax generally will not apply.

 

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Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding any applicable tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Payments of dividends on our common stock will not be subject to backup withholding, provided the Non-U.S. Holder certifies its non-U.S. status, such as by furnishing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI, or otherwise establishes an exemption. However, information returns are required to be filed with the IRS in connection with any dividends on our common stock paid to the Non-U.S. Holder, regardless of whether any tax was actually withheld. In addition, proceeds of the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related brokers generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting if the applicable withholding agent receives the certification described above or the Non-U.S. Holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Proceeds of a disposition of our common stock conducted through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker that does not have certain enumerated relationships with the United States generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting.

Copies of information returns that are filed with the IRS may also be made available under the provisions of an applicable treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides or is established.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Additional Withholding Tax on Payments Made to Foreign Accounts

Withholding taxes may be imposed under Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code (such Sections commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA) on certain types of payments made to non-U.S. financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends on, or (subject to the proposed Treasury Regulations discussed below) gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our common stock paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code), unless (1) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations, (2) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner, or (3) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in (1) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain “specified United States persons” or “United States owned foreign entities” (each as defined in the Code), annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on certain payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.

Under the applicable Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance, withholding under FATCA generally applies to payments of dividends on our common stock. While, beginning on January 1, 2019, withholding under FATCA would have applied also to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our common stock, recently proposed Treasury Regulations eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations until final Treasury Regulations are issued.

Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of withholding under FATCA to their investment in our common stock.

 

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UNDERWRITING

Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting agreement dated                 , 2019, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters named below, for whom Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, SVB Leerink LLC and Evercore Group L.L.C. are acting as representatives, the following respective numbers of shares of common stock:

 

Underwriter

   Number of Shares  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

  

SVB Leerink LLC

  

Evercore Group L.L.C.

  
  

 

 

 

Total

     5,000,000  
  

 

 

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters are obligated to purchase all the shares of common stock in the offering if any are purchased, other than those shares covered by the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares described below. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the offering may be terminated.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters and certain of their controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

We have granted to the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase on a pro rata basis up to 750,000 additional shares from us at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions. The option may be exercised only to cover any over-allotments of common stock.

Certain of our existing investors affiliated with certain of our directors have indicated an interest in purchasing an aggregate of approximately $25 million in shares of our common stock in this offering at the initial public offering price. Any such purchases, if completed, would be made on the same terms as the shares that are sold to the public generally and not pursuant to any pre-existing contractual rights or obligations. Whether or not these investors purchase any or all of the shares for which they indicated an interest in purchasing will not affect the underwriters’ commitment to purchase the common shares offered by us if the underwriters purchase any shares. The underwriters will receive the same underwriting discounts and any commissions on any shares purchased by these investors as they will on any other shares sold to the public in this offering.

The underwriters propose to offer the shares of common stock initially at the public offering price on the cover page of this prospectus and to selling group members at that price less a selling concession of up to $        per share. After the initial public offering the representatives may change the public offering price and the selling concession.

The following table summarizes the compensation and estimated expenses we will pay:

 

     Per Share      Total  
     Without
Option
     With
Option
     Without
Option
     With
Option
 

Underwriting discounts and commissions paid by us

   $                    $                    $                    $                

Expenses payable by us

   $        $        $        $    

We estimate that our out of pocket expenses for this offering excluding the underwriting discounts and commissions will be approximately $        . We have also agreed to reimburse the underwriters for up to $35,000 of

 

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expenses related to the review of this offering by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5110, this reimbursed fee is deemed underwriting compensation for this offering.

We have agreed that we will not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to, any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of our common stock, or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge, disposition or filing, without the prior written consent of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, SVB Leerink LLC and Evercore L.L.C. for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to certain exceptions.

Our officers, our directors and substantially all of our other securityholders have agreed that they will not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of our common stock, enter into a transaction that would have the same effect, or enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of our common stock, whether any of these transactions are to be settled by delivery of our common stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly disclose the intention to make any such offer, sale, pledge or disposition, or to enter into any such transaction, swap, hedge or other arrangement, or make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of our common stock, without, in each case, the prior written consent of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and SVB Leerink LLC and Evercore L.L.C. for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to certain exceptions.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in that respect.

We have applied to list our shares of common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “STSA”.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. The initial public offering price was determined by negotiations among us and the representatives and will not necessarily reflect the market price of our common stock following this offering. The principal factors that were considered in determining the initial public offering price included:

 

   

the information presented in this prospectus and otherwise available to the underwriters;

 

   

the history of, and prospects for, the industry in which we will compete;

 

   

the ability of our management;

 

   

the prospects for our future earnings;

 

   

the present state of our development, results of operations and our current financial condition;

 

   

the general condition of the securities markets at the time of this offering; and

 

   

the recent market prices of, and the demand for, publicly traded common stock of generally comparable companies.

We cannot assure you that the initial public offering price will correspond to the price at which the common stock will trade in the public market subsequent to this offering or that an active trading market for the common stock will develop and continue after this offering.

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions, penalty bids and passive market making in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act.

 

   

Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.

 

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Over-allotment involves sales by the underwriters of shares in excess of the number of shares the underwriters are obligated to purchase, which creates a syndicate short position. The short position may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of shares over-allotted by the underwriters is not greater than the number of shares that they may purchase in their option to purchase additional shares. In a naked short position, the number of shares involved is greater than the number of shares in their option to purchase additional shares. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option and/or purchasing shares in the open market.

 

   

Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the common stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. In determining the source of shares to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the option to purchase additional shares. If the underwriters sell more shares than could be covered by the option to purchase additional shares, a naked short position, the position can only be closed out by buying shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

 

   

Penalty bids permit the representatives to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the common stock originally sold by the syndicate member is purchased in a stabilizing transaction or a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions.

 

   

In passive market making, market makers in the common stock who are underwriters or prospective underwriters may, subject to limitations, make bids for or purchases of our common stock until the time, if any, at which a stabilizing bid is made.

These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock. As a result the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be effected on The Nasdaq Global Market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the web sites maintained by one or more of the underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in this offering and one or more of the underwriters participating in this offering may distribute prospectuses electronically. The representatives may agree to allocate a number of shares to underwriters and selling group members for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the underwriters and selling group members that will make internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.

Conflicts of Interest

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full-service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses. Silicon Valley Bank, a lender under the Loan Agreement, is an affiliate of SVB Leerink LLC, one of the underwriters in this offering.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers.

 

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These investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Selling Restrictions

Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland

This document is not intended to constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the securities described herein. The securities may not be publicly offered, sold or advertised, directly or indirectly, in, into or from Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange or on any other exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the securities constitutes a prospectus as such term is understood pursuant to article 652a or article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or a listing prospectus within the meaning of the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange or any other regulated trading facility in Switzerland, and neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the securities may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, nor the Company nor the securities have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. The securities are not subject to the supervision by any Swiss regulatory authority, e.g., the Swiss Financial Markets Supervisory Authority FINMA, and investors in the securities will not benefit from protection or supervision by such authority.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area

In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area (each, a “Member State”), no securities have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in that Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the securities which has been approved by the competent authority in that Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation), except that offers of securities may be made to the public in that Member State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:

 

  (a)

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Regulation;

 

  (b)

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or

 

  (c)

in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation,

provided that no such offer of securities shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any securities in any Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any securities, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

 

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Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

Each of the underwriters severally represents, warrants and agrees as follows:

 

  (a)

it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (FSMA), received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the securities in circumstances in which Section 21 of FSMA does not apply to us; and

 

  (b)

it has complied with, and will comply with all applicable provisions of FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the securities in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

Notice to Canadian Residents

Resale Restrictions

The distribution of our common stock in Canada is being made only in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia on a private placement basis exempt from the requirement that we prepare and file a prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in each province where trades of these securities are made. Any resale of our common stock in Canada must be made under applicable securities laws which may vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made under available statutory exemptions or under a discretionary exemption granted by the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authority. Purchasers are advised to seek legal advice prior to any resale of the securities.

Representations of Canadian Purchasers

By purchasing our common stock in Canada and accepting delivery of a purchase confirmation, a purchaser is representing to us and the dealer from whom the purchase confirmation is received that:

 

   

the purchaser is entitled under applicable provincial securities laws to purchase our common stock without the benefit of a prospectus qualified under those securities laws as it is an “accredited investor” as defined under National Instrument 45-106—Prospectus Exemptions,

 

   

the purchaser is a “permitted client” as defined in National Instrument 31-103—Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations, where required by law, the purchaser is purchasing as principal and not as agent, and

 

   

the purchaser has reviewed the text above under Resale Restrictions.

Conflicts of Interest

Canadian purchasers are hereby notified that the underwriters are relying on the exemption set out in section 3A.3 or 3A.4, if applicable, of National Instrument 33-105—Underwriting Conflicts from having to provide certain conflict of interest disclosure in this document.

Statutory Rights of Action

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if the offering memorandum (including any amendment thereto) such as this document contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser of these securities in Canada should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

 

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Enforcement of Legal Rights

All of our directors and officers as well as the experts named herein may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible for Canadian purchasers to effect service of process within Canada upon us or those persons. All or a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of those persons may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible to satisfy a judgment against us or those persons in Canada or to enforce a judgment obtained in Canadian courts against us or those persons outside of Canada.

Taxation and Eligibility for Investment

Canadian purchasers of our common stock should consult their own legal and tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of an investment in our common stock in their particular circumstances and about the eligibility of our common stock for investment by the purchaser under relevant Canadian legislation.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the issuance of our common stock offered in this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Latham & Watkins LLP, 140 Scott Drive, Menlo Park, California. Cooley LLP is acting as counsel for the underwriters in connection with this offering.

EXPERTS

The financial statements of Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2018, have been included herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of common stock offered hereby. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. For further information with respect to Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and the common stock offered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. Statements contained in this prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are not necessarily complete, and each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the full text of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The address is www.sec.gov.

Upon consummation of this offering, we will become subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance therewith, will file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such periodic reports, proxy statements and other information will be available for inspection and copying at the website of the SEC referred to above. We maintain a website at www.satsumarx.com. Upon consummation of this offering, you may access our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act with the SEC free of charge at our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The reference to our website address does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained on our website, and you should not consider the contents of our website in making an investment decision with respect to our common stock.

 

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SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

INDEX TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page  

Audited Financial Statements

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2  

Balance Sheets

     F-3  

Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

     F-4  

Statements of Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

     F-5  

Statements of Cash Flows

     F-6  

Notes to Financial Statements

     F-7  

Unaudited Interim Condensed Financial Statements

  

Condensed Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and June  30, 2019

     F-32  

Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and 2019

     F-33  

Condensed Statements of Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and 2019

     F-34  

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June  30, 2018 and 2019

     F-35  

Notes to Unaudited Interim Condensed Financial Statements

     F-36  

 

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Index to Financial Statements

When the transaction referred to in the fifth paragraph of Note 14 of the financial statements has been consummated, we will be in a position to render the following report.

/s/ KPMG LLP

San Diego, California

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors

Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc.:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, the related statements of operations and comprehensive loss, convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively, the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

[unsigned]

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2019.

San Diego, California

June 21, 2019, except as to the fifth paragraph of Note 14, which is as of September     , 2019

 

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Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

     December 31,  
     2017     2018  
              

Assets

    

Current assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,658     $ 5,205  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     256       199  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     1,914       5,404  

Property and equipment, net

     70       445  

Other non-current assets

     —         532  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,984     $ 6,381  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

    

Current liabilities

    

Accounts payable

   $ 473     $ 327  

Accrued liabilities

     566       1,490  

Deferred rent, current

     —         7  

Current portion of long-term debt

     —         141  

Convertible preferred stock tranche liability

     291       —    

Obligation to issue additional common stock

     370       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     1,700       1,965  

Long-term debt

     —         4,824  

Deferred rent, non-current

     —         16  

Convertible note

     94       —    

Other non-current liabilities

     94       60  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     1,888       6,865  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)

    

Series A convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 3,191,489 shares authorized as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018; 1,506,308 and 3,046,355 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018, respectively; liquidation value of $6,000 and $12,134 as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

     5,528       11,648  

Stockholders’ deficit

    

Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 5,319,148 shares authorized as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018; 574,468 and 1,083,280 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018.

     —         1  

Additional paid-in capital

     2,048       2,693  

Accumulated deficit

     (7,480     (14,826
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (5,432     (12,132
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities, convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit

   $ 1,984     $ 6,381  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2017     2018  

Operating expenses

    

Research and development

   $ 4,193     $ 6,433  

General and administrative

     754       1,082  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     4,947       7,515  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (4,947     (7,515

Interest income

     30       72  

Interest expense

     (15     (90

Other income (expense), net

     (240     187  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss and comprehensive loss

   $ (5,172)     $ (7,346)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

   $ (9.26   $ (7.15
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

     558,597       1,026,905  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pro forma net loss per share, basic and diluted (unaudited)

     $ (1.86
    

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares used in computing pro forma net loss per share, basic and diluted (unaudited)

       3,942,460  
    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Statements of Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

(in thousands, except share amounts)

 

    Convertible
Preferred Stock
          Common Stock     Additional
Paid-In

Capital
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Total
Stockholders’

Deficit
 
    Shares     Amount           Shares     Amount  

Balances at January 1, 2017

    1,506,308     $ 5,528           542,553     $ —       $ 1,982     $ (2,308   $ (326)  

Vesting of restricted stock

    —         —             31,915       —         —         —         —    

Stock-based compensation

    —         —             —         —         66       —         66  

Net loss

    —         —             —         —         —         (5,172     (5,172
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2017

    1,506,308       5,528           574,468       —         2,048       (7,480     (5,432
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Vesting of restricted stock

    —         —             31,915       —         —         —         —    

Issuance of common stock on settlement of obligation to issue additional common stock

    —         —             476,897       1       471       —         472  

Common stock warrants issued in connection with long-term debt

    —         —             —         —         4       —         4  

Issuance of Series A convertible preferred stock for cash, net of issuance costs of $14

    1,506,308       5,986           —         —         —         —         —    

Conversion of convertible note into Series A convertible preferred stock, including interest of $8 adjusted for derivative liability of $27

    33,739       134           —         —         —         —         —    

Stock-based compensation

    —         —             —         —         170       —         170  

Net loss

    —         —             —         —         —         (7,346     (7,346
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2018

    3,046,355     $ 11,648           1,083,280     $ 1     $ 2,693     $ (14,826)     $ (12,132)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

 

     December 31,  
     2017     2018  

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net loss

   $  (5,172   $  (7,346

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities

    

Depreciation

     10       57  

Non-cash interest expense, and amortization of debt discount and issuance costs

     15       28  

Stock-based compensation

     66       170  

Change in fair value of derivative liability

     7       1  

Change in fair value of obligation to issue additional common stock

     232       101  

Change in fair value of convertible preferred stock tranche liability

     —         (291

Loss on extinguishment of convertible note

     —         4  

Changes in assets and liabilities

    

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     (254     (475

Accounts payable

     363       (177

Accrued and other liabilities

     412       924  

Deferred rent

     —         23  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (4,321     (6,981
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Purchases of property and equipment

     (58     (402
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (58     (402
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Borrowings, net of issuance costs

     —         4,944  

Proceeds from issuance of convertible preferred stock, net of issuance costs

     —         5,986  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     —         10,930  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (4,379     3,547  

Cash and cash equivalents

    

Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period

     6,037       1,658  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period

   $ 1,658     $ 5,205  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Cash paid for income taxes

   $ 1     $ 4  

Cash paid for interest

   $ —       $ 34  

Supplemental non-cash investing and financing activities:

    

Purchases of property and equipment in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 22     $ 29  

Issuance of common stock warrants in connection with long-term debt

   $ —       $ 4  

Conversion of convertible note and accrued interest into preferred stock

   $ —       $ 134  

Issuance of common stock to settle liability for obligation to issue additional common stock

   $ —       $ 471  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

1.    Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of the Business

Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel therapeutic for the acute treatment of migraine. The Company’s product candidate, STS101, is a drug-device combination of a proprietary dry-powder formulation of dihydroergotamine mesylate, or DHE, which can be quickly and easily self-administered by a proprietary pre-filled, single-use, nasal delivery device. The Company, headquartered in South San Francisco, was incorporated in 2016 in the state of Delaware.

Liquidity

The Company is subject to risks and uncertainties common to early-stage companies in the biopharmaceutical industry, including, but not limited to, risks of clinical delays or failure, development by competitors of new technological innovations, protection of proprietary technology, dependence on key personnel, reliance on contract manufacturing organizations (“CMOs”), contract research organizations (“CROs”), compliance with government regulations and the need to obtain additional financing to fund operations. STS101 is currently under development and will require significant additional development efforts as the Company continues the development of, and seek regulatory approvals for, STS101 and begin to commercialize it, if approved. These efforts require significant amounts of additional capital, adequate personnel and infrastructure and extensive compliance and reporting.

There can be no assurance that the Company’s development of STS101 will be successfully completed, that adequate protection for the Company’s intellectual property will be obtained or maintained, that STS101 will obtain necessary government regulatory approval or that STS will be commercially viable, if approved. Even if STS101 development efforts are successful, it is uncertain when, if ever, the Company will generate revenue from product sales. The Company operates in an environment of rapid change in technology and substantial competition from other pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies. In addition, the Company is dependent upon the services of its employees, consultants and other third parties.

The Company has incurred significant losses and negative cash flows from operations in all periods since its inception and had an accumulated deficit of $14.8 million as of December 31, 2018. The Company has historically financed its operations primarily through private placements of convertible preferred stock, a convertible promissory note, and long-term debt. The Company has no products approved for sale, and the Company has not generated any revenue since its inception. The Company expects to incur significant additional operating losses over at least the next several years. There can be no assurance that in the event the Company requires additional financing, such financing will be available on terms which are favorable or at all. Failure to generate sufficient cash flows from operations, raise additional capital or reduce certain discretionary spending would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to achieve its intended business objectives.

As of December 31, 2018, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $5.2 million. The Company’s management team believes that the Company’s current cash and cash equivalents, including the gross proceeds of $61.7 million from its Series B convertible preferred stock financing in April 2019 (see Note 14), will be sufficient to fund its planned operations for at least 12 months from the date of the issuance of these financial statements.

Basis of Presentation

The financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

 

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Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

 

Unaudited Pro Forma Information

The unaudited pro forma information as of December 31, 2018 has been prepared to give effect to the conversion of all of the outstanding convertible preferred stock of the Company on a one-to-one basis into 3,046,355 shares of common stock, which will automatically convert upon the consummation of a Qualified IPO (as defined in Note 8). The unaudited pro forma information does not assume any issuance of shares of common stock or any proceeds from the initial public offering (“IPO”).

The unaudited pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share has been computed to give effect to (1) an adjustment to the denominator in the pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share calculation for the automatic conversion of the convertible preferred stock into shares of common stock as of the beginning of the period or the date of issuance, if later and (2) the filing and effectiveness of the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

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 financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Such estimates include the accrual of research and development expenses, valuation of the convertible preferred stock tranche liability, obligation to issue additional common stock, deferred tax assets, useful lives of property and equipment and the fair value of stock-based awards. The Company evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors and adjust those estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.

Segments

The Company operates and manages its business as a single operating and reportable segment, which is the business of developing, seeking regulatory approval for and commercializing STS101 for the acute treatment of migraine. The Company’s chief executive officer, who is the chief operating decision maker, reviews financial information on an aggregate basis for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. No product revenue has been generated since its inception and all of the Company’s long-lived assets are located in the United States.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company has no significant off balance sheet concentrations of credit risk. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents. Substantially all the Company’s cash is held by one financial institution that management believes to be of high credit quality. Such deposits may, at times, exceed federally insured limits. The Company invests its cash equivalents in money market funds. The Company has not experienced any credit losses on its deposits of cash or cash equivalents.

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate fair value due to their relatively short maturities and market interest rates, if applicable. The carrying amounts of the convertible preferred stock tranche liability and the obligation to issue additional common stock represent their fair value.

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which generally ranges from three to five years. Leasehold improvements are stated at cost and amortized over the shorter of the useful lives of the assets or the lease term. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the balance sheet and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss in the period realized.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets consist of property and equipment. The Company reviews property and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable or that the useful life is shorter than the Company had originally estimated. Recoverability is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of the asset or asset group to the future undiscounted cash flows which the asset or asset group is expected to generate. If the asset or asset group is considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset or asset group. If the useful life is shorter than originally estimated, the Company amortizes the remaining carrying value over the new shorter useful life. There have been no such impairments of long-lived assets during the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018.

Convertible Preferred Stock

The Company records all shares of convertible preferred stock at their respective fair values on the dates of issuance, net of issuance costs, or residual value, if issued together with other instruments that are remeasured to fair value on a recurring basis. The convertible preferred stock is recorded outside of permanent equity because while it is not mandatorily redeemable, in certain events considered not solely within the Company’s control, such as a merger or acquisition or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (each, a “deemed liquidation event”), the convertible preferred stock will become redeemable at the option of the holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding shares of such preferred stock. The Company has not adjusted the carrying values of the convertible preferred stock to its liquidation preference because a deemed liquidation event obligating the Company to pay the liquidation preferences to holders of shares of convertible preferred stock is not probable of occurring. Subsequent adjustments to the carrying values of the liquidation preferences will be made only when it becomes probable that such a deemed liquidation event will occur.

Convertible Preferred Stock Tranche Liability

The Company was obligated to issue additional shares of Series A convertible preferred stock at future dates pursuant to the Series A convertible preferred stock purchase agreement. This obligation was determined to be a freestanding instrument that should be accounted for as a liability. At initial recognition, the Company recorded the convertible preferred stock tranche liability on the balance sheet at its fair value. The liability was subject to

 

F-9


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

remeasurement at each balance sheet date, with changes in fair value recognized as a component of other income (expense), net in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss until it was extinguished upon issuance of Series A convertible preferred stock in February 2018 (see Note 6).

Obligation to Issue Additional Common Stock

The obligation to issue additional common stock to Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd., or SNBL, pursuant to the Series A convertible preferred stock financing documents (the “SNBL Grant”), was accounted and classified as a liability as it was not indexed to the Company’s stock, specifically because the settlement amount of the SNBL Grant could be affected by future issuance of equity shares or potential equity shares. Therefore, the obligation to issue additional shares of common stock to SNBL was initially measured at fair value and subsequently remeasured at fair value at each reporting date until it was extinguished upon issuance of common stock in February 2018, with changes in fair value recognized as a component of other income (expense), net in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Research and Development Expenses

The Company’s research and development expenses consist primarily of payroll and personnel-related expenses, including salaries, employee benefit costs and stock-based compensation expenses for the Company’s research and product development employees, fees paid to third parties to conduct preclinical and clinical studies and other research and development activities on behalf of the Company, including CROs, CMOs and other service providers, costs for licenses, and allocated overhead, including rent, equipment, depreciation, information technology costs and utilities. The Company charges all research and development costs, both internal and external, to research and development expenses within the statements of operations and comprehensive loss as incurred. Payments associated with licensing agreements to acquire exclusive licenses to develop, use, manufacture and commercialize products that have not reached technological feasibility and do not have alternate commercial use are also expensed as incurred.

Accrued Research and Development

The Company monitors the activity under its various agreements with CROs, CMOs and other service providers to the extent possible through communication with each service provider, detailed invoice and task completion review, analysis of actual expenses against budget, pre-approval of any changes in scope, and review of contractual terms. The Company’s research and development accruals are estimated based on the level of services performed, progress of the studies, including the phase or completion of events, and contracted costs. These estimates may or may not match the actual services performed by the service providers. The estimated costs of research and development provided, but not yet invoiced, are included in accrued liabilities on the balance sheet. If the actual timing of the performance of services or the level of effort varies from the original estimates, the Company will adjust the accrual accordingly. Payments made to service providers under these arrangements in advance of the performance of the related services are recorded as prepaid expenses and other current assets on the balance sheet until the services are rendered.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company maintains incentive plans under which incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options may be granted to employees and non-employee service providers. The Company accounts for all shared-based awards granted to employees and non-employees based on the fair value on the date of grant and recognizes compensation expense for those awards over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the respective award. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur. Generally, the Company issues

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

awards with only service-based vesting conditions. For share-based awards with service-based vesting conditions, the Company recognizes compensation expense using the straight-line method. The Company recognizes expense for awards subject to performance-based milestones over the requisite service period, using the accelerated attribution method, once the performance condition becomes probable of being achieved. Management evaluates when the achievement of a performance-based milestone is probable based on the expected satisfaction of the performance conditions at each reporting date.

Estimating fair value of stock-based awards using an option pricing model requires input of subjective assumptions, including fair value of the Company’s common stock, and, for stock options, expected term of options and stock price volatility. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to value its stock option awards. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent management’s estimates, involve inherent uncertainties and require application of management’s judgment. As a result, if factors change and management uses different assumptions, stock-based compensation expense could be materially different for future awards.

The Company classifies stock-based compensation expense in its statements of operations and comprehensive loss in the same manner in which the award recipient’s payroll costs are classified or in which the award recipient’s service payments are classified.

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss is defined as a change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. For the periods presented, there are no components of other comprehensive income or accumulated comprehensive income and the net loss is equal to the comprehensive loss.

Net Loss per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders

Basic net loss per common share is calculated by dividing the net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common stock outstanding during the period, without consideration of potentially dilutive securities. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common stock and potentially dilutive securities outstanding for the period. For purposes of the diluted net loss per share calculation, convertible preferred stock, convertible preferred stock tranche liability, obligation to issue additional common stock, convertible note, stock options and common stock subject to repurchase related to unvested restricted stock awards are considered to be potentially dilutive securities. Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is presented in conformity with the two-class method required for participating securities as the convertible preferred stock is considered a participating security because it participates in dividends with common stock. The holders of convertible preferred stock do not have a contractual obligation to share in the Company’s losses. As such, the net loss was attributed entirely to common stockholders. Because the Company has reported a net loss for all periods presented, diluted net loss per common share is the same as basic net loss per common share for those periods.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are recorded using an asset and liability approach. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Tax benefits are recognized when it is more

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

likely than not that a tax position will be sustained during an audit. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if current evidence indicates that it is considered more likely than not that these benefits will not be realized. In making such a determination, management considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If management determines that the Company would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, management would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

The Company’s tax positions are subject to income tax audits. The Company recognizes the tax benefit of an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the position is sustainable upon examination by the taxing authority, based on the technical merits. The tax benefit recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit which is more likely than not to be realized upon settlement with the taxing authority. The Company recognizes interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in its tax provision. The Company evaluates uncertain tax positions on a regular basis. The evaluations are based on a number of factors, including changes in facts and circumstances, changes in tax law, correspondence with tax authorities during the course of the audit, and effective settlement of audit issues. The provision for income taxes includes the effects of any accruals that the Company believes are appropriate, as well as the related net interest and penalties.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) under its accounting standard codifications (“ASC”) or other standard setting bodies and adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date, unless otherwise discussed below.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-05, Income Taxes (Topic 740)—Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118. This ASU amends ASC 740, Income Taxes, to provide guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, which allows companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740 within a one-year measurement period from the Tax Act enactment date. This ASU was effective upon issuance. The Company has applied the guidance in this ASU. See Note 12 for more information and disclosures related to this amended guidance.

New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASC 842”), which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e., lessees and lessors). The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee. This classification will determine whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, respectively. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. ASC 842 provides a lessee with an option to not account for leases with a term of 12 month or less as leases in the scope of the new standard. ASC 842 supersedes the previous leases standard, ASC 840 Leases. For public business entities, this ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, and should be applied through a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted. For all other entities, this ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company will adopt this ASU on January 1, 2020. In July 2018, the FASB issued supplemental adoption guidance and clarification to ASC 842 within ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases and ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements. ASU 2018-11 provides another transition method in addition to the existing modified retrospective transition method by allowing entities to initially apply the new leasing standard at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of these ASUs will have on its financial statements and related disclosures. The Company expects to recognize a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability for its real estate operating leases upon adoption. See Note 7 for more information related to the Company’s lease obligations, which are presented on an undiscounted basis therein.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 removes the requirement to disclose: the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; the policy for timing of transfers between levels; and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. For all entities, this ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this ASU will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.

2.    Fair Value Measurements

The Company applies fair value accounting for all financial assets and liabilities and non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, a three-tier fair value hierarchy has been established, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

Level 1—Observable inputs, such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.

Level 2—Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3—Unobservable inputs which reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Consideration is given to the risk inherent in the valuation technique and the risk inherent in the inputs to the model.

In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible as well as considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value. The Company’s Level 3 liabilities consist of the convertible preferred stock tranche liability and the obligation to issue additional common stock. The determination of the fair value of the convertible preferred stock tranche liability is discussed in Note 6 and the determination of the fair value of the obligation to issue additional common stock is discussed in Note 13.

 

F-13


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

As of December 31, 2017, financial assets and liabilities measured and recognized at fair value were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2017  
     Quoted Price
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

Assets

           

Money market funds(1)

   $ 1,633      $ —        $ —        $ 1,633  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fair value of assets

   $ 1,633      $
 

  

 
   $ —        $ 1,633  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

           

Convertible preferred stock tranche liability

   $ —        $ —        $ 291      $ 291  

Obligation to issue additional common stock

     —          —          370        370  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fair value of liabilities

   $ —        $ —        $ 661      $ 661  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Included in cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheets.

As of December 31, 2018, financial assets measured and recognized at fair value were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2018  
     Quoted Price
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

Assets

           

Money market funds(1)

   $  5,184      $  —        $ —      $  5,184  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fair value of assets

   $ 5,184      $ —        $  —        $ 5,184  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Included in cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheets.

There were no financial liabilities measured and recognized at fair value as of December 31, 2018.

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

The following tables set forth the changes in the fair value of Level 3 financial liabilities (in thousands):

 

     Convertible
Preferred Stock
Tranche
Liability
    Obligation
to Issue
Additional
Common
Stock
 

Fair value at January 1, 2017

   $ 291     $ 138  

Change in fair value included in other income (expense), net

     —         232  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value as of December 31, 2017

   $ 291     $ 370  

Change in fair value included in other income (expense), net

     (291     102  

Settlement of obligation

     —         (472
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value as of December 31, 2018

   $ —       $ —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of the convertible preferred stock tranche liability (see Note 6). The Company used the fair value of the Company’s common stock to estimate the fair value of the obligation to issue additional common stock (see Note 13).

3.    Balance Sheet Components

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands, except years):

 

        December 31,  
   

Useful Life (In Years)

      2017             2018      

Furniture and fixtures

  3   $  —       $ 13  

Leasehold improvements

  Shorter of useful life or lease term     —         7  

Machinery and equipment

  3-5     64       375  

Tooling

  3-5     16       117  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      80       512  

Less: Accumulated depreciation

      (10     (67
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ 70     $ 445  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018 was less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
         2017              2018      

Accrued salaries and benefits

   $ 287      $ 553  

Accrued research and development expenses

     196        772  

Accrued interest

     —          29  

Other

     83        136  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 566      $ 1,490  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

4.    Convertible Note

On August 1, 2016, the Company issued a $0.1 million convertible promissory note (the “Convertible Note”) to one of its founders and existing shareholders (see Note 13) bearing simple interest at 5.0% per annum. The outstanding amount was due and payable upon the earlier of (i) a demand made by the investor after the two-year anniversary of the initial issuance, or (ii) the continued occurrence of an event of default when declared due and payable by the investor.

The Convertible Note was amended on December 16, 2016 to redefine the automatic conversion trigger from a qualified financing before the maturity date of $7.0 million to the occurrence of the subsequent closing as defined in the Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement dated December 16, 2016.

The Convertible Note included an embedded derivative that was required to be bifurcated and accounted for separately as a derivative liability. The derivative instrument was measured at fair value and recorded as a discount to the Convertible Note. The discount was amortized to interest expense over the term of the Convertible Note using the effective interest rate and the derivative liability was remeasured at each reporting period, with changes in value recorded to other income (expense), net on the Company’s statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The estimated fair value of the derivative instrument was immaterial as of the issuance date and December 31, 2017, due to the probability of occurrence of the underlying events being remote.

Upon the subsequent financing, which occurred in February 2018 (see Note 8), the Convertible Note, including all accrued interest of less than $0.1 million at the date of the subsequent financing, converted into 33,739 shares of Series A preferred stock at $3.187 per share, which was equal to 80.0% of the price per share paid by the cash purchasers. The conversion of the Convertible Note was accounted for as an extinguishment with the loss on extinguishment of the Convertible Note of less than $0.1 million recorded in other income (expense), net on the Company’s statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Total interest expense for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018 was less than $0.1 million. At December 31, 2017, accrued interest expense of less than $0.1 million was included in accrued liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet. Amortization of debt discount for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018 was less than $0.1 million and was accounted for as interest expense on the Company’s statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Loss on revaluation of derivative liability for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018 was less than $0.1 million.

5.    Long-Term Debt

On October 26, 2018, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Silicon Valley Bank. The Loan Agreement provides for loan advances of up to $10.0 million. The first advance (the “Term A Loan”) of $5.0 million was available for draw down by the Company as of the effective date of the Loan Agreement. The remaining $5.0 million (the “Term B Loan” and together with the Term A Loan, the “Term Loans”) is available for draw down by the Company in $1.0 million increments. Interest on the loan advances is payable monthly at a floating per annum rate equal to the greater of 1.5% above the prime rate or 6.5%. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, interest will increase to 5.0% above the rate that is otherwise applicable. The maturity date of the loan advances is May 1, 2022.

Principal on the Term A Loan is repayable commencing on December 1, 2019 in 30 monthly payments through maturity, however if a Term B Loan advance is made, then the Term A Loan will be repayable in 24 monthly payments commencing on June 1, 2020. The Term B Loan, if drawn, will be repayable in 24 monthly payments commencing on June 1, 2020. In addition to regular monthly payments, a final payment equal to the original principal amount of the Term Loans multiplied by 5.0% is due on the earliest to occur of (a) May 1,

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2020 or (b) the prepayment in full of the term loan advances. The Company has the option to prepay the term loan advances with a prepayment premium of 3.0% of the outstanding principal if prepayment is made prior to October 26, 2019, 2.0% of the outstanding principal if prepayment is made after October 26, 2019 but before October 26, 2020, and 1.0% of the outstanding principal if prepayment is made after October 26, 2020 but before May 1, 2020. The repayment of term loan advances will be accelerated upon occurrence of an event of default. The Loan Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default, including covenants and restrictions that among other things, restrict the ability of the Company to incur liens, incur additional indebtedness, make loans and investments, engage in mergers and acquisitions, engage in asset sales or sale and leaseback transactions, and declare dividends or redeem or repurchase capital stock. The Company is in compliance with all the covenants contained in the Loan Agreement.

As of December 31, 2018, the future contractual maturities of debt by fiscal year are as follows (in thousands):

 

2019

   $ 167  

2020

     2,000  

2021

     2,000  

2022

     833  
  

 

 

 

Total future maturities of debt

   $ 5,000  
  

 

 

 

In accordance with the terms of the Loan Agreement, on October 26, 2018, the Company issued warrants to purchase 10,232 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.04 per share with a term of 10 years. The Company will be obligated to issue additional warrants to purchase up to a maximum aggregate amount of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to 0.15% of the Company’s fully-diluted capitalization in connection with drawdowns of the Term B Loan at an exercise price equal to the latest valuation of the Company’s common stock or if the Company’s common stock is publicly traded, the lower of the trailing 10-day average closing share price of the Company’s common stock prior to the first Term B Loan advance or the closing price per share on the day prior to the first Term B Loan advance (“Term B Warrants”). The Term B Warrants are considered issued and outstanding for accounting purposes on execution of the Loan Agreement. The warrants were accounted for and classified as equity at fair value using the following assumptions under the Option Pricing Model (“OPM”):

 

     Year Ended December 31,
2018
 

Expected term (years)

     10.0  

Expected volatility

     74.8

Risk-free interest rate

     3.1

Dividend yield

     0

The proceeds from the Term A Loan advance were allocated to the debt and the warrants based on their relative fair values. The resulting debt discount of less than $0.1 million is being recognized as interest expense over the term of the loan of 3.6 years using the effective interest method.

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

The Company incurred debt issuance costs of $0.1 million, which is presented as reduction of the Term A Loan advance, consistent with the presentation of debt discount. Debt issuance cost and final payment of $0.3 million is recognized as additional interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the loan.

As of December 31, 2018, the term loan advances, net of debt discount and debt issuance costs, were $5.0 million and are included in current portion of long-term debt and long-term debt on the Company’s balance sheet.

6.    Convertible Preferred Stock Tranche Liability

In December 2016, the Company executed a Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement to sell shares of Series A convertible preferred stock. The Series A convertible preferred stock issuance was structured in two tranches: (i) 1,506,308 shares at $3.9833 per share (the “First Tranche”) and (ii) 1,506,308 shares at $3.9833 per share on achieving a certain development milestone by the Company or at the option of First Tranche investors at any time before such milestone is achieved (the “Second Tranche”). In December 2016, the Company recognized a convertible preferred stock tranche liability for the First Tranche investors’ right to purchase from the Company, on the same terms, additional shares of Series A convertible preferred stock. The convertible preferred stock tranche liability was valued using the OPM, which resulted in an initial fair value of $0.3 million for the Company’s obligation to sell the convertible preferred stock related to the Second Tranche. On December 31, 2017, the convertible preferred stock tranche liability was revalued, and the Company recorded a gain of less than $0.1 million in other income (expense), net for the year then ended.

On February 1, 2018, the Company issued an additional 1,506,308 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock at $3.9833 per share thereby extinguishing the convertible preferred stock tranche liability for the Second Tranche. Immediately prior to the closing of the Second Tranche, the Company remeasured the convertible preferred stock tranche liability to its then fair value of $0 and recorded a gain of $0.3 million in other income (expense), net.

The convertible preferred stock tranche liability for the Second Tranche was valued using the following assumptions under the OPM:

 

     December
31,

    2017    
 

Stock price

   $ 3.98  

Expected term (years)

     0.1  

Expected volatility

     40.0

Risk-free interest rate

     1.28

Dividend yield

     0

7.    Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Leases

The Company entered into a one-year lease agreement for office space in South San Francisco, California. Total rent payment under the agreement, which ran from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017, was $0.1 million.

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

On January 9, 2018, the Company entered into an office lease agreement for office space in South San Francisco, California. The lease term is through April 30, 2021. There is an option to renew for an additional three years.

On December 8, 2018, the Company entered into an office lease agreement for office space in North Carolina. The lease commenced on January 2, 2019 and the lease term is through June 30, 2019. There is an option to renew for two additional periods of three months each. On March 14, 2019, the Company entered into an amendment to the lease agreement for the office space in North Carolina to lease additional workspace at the same address over the same lease term.

Rent expense was $0.1 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2018, less than $0.1 million of deferred rent representing future minimum rental payments for leases with scheduled rent escalations was included in deferred rent, current and deferred rent, non-current on the Company’s balance sheet.

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2018 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Operating
Leases
 

Year Ending December 31,

  

2019

   $ 161  

2020

     163  

2021

     55  
  

 

 

 

Total minimum lease payments

   $ 379  
  

 

 

 

Contingencies

From time to time, the Company may be involved in litigation related to claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business activities. The Company accrues for these matters when it is probable that future expenditures will be made and these expenditures can be reasonably estimated. As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018, the Company did not believe that any such matters, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Indemnification

The Company enters into standard indemnification arrangements in the ordinary course of business. Pursuant to these arrangements, the Company indemnifies, holds harmless and agrees to reimburse the indemnified parties for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party, in connection with any trade secret, copyright, patent or other intellectual property infringement claim by any third party with respect to its technology. The term of these indemnification agreements is generally perpetual any time after the execution of the agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these arrangements is not determinable. The Company has never incurred costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements. As a result, the Company believes the fair value of these agreements is minimal.

8.    Convertible Preferred Stock

The Company has authorized 3,191,489 shares of convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value.

 

F-19


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

In December 2016, the Company issued 1,506,308 shares of its Series A convertible preferred stock at $3.9833 per share to existing investors for proceeds of $5.8 million which was net of issuance costs of $0.2 million.

In February 2018, the Company issued 1,506,308 shares of its Series A convertible preferred stock at $3.9833 per share to existing investors for proceeds of $6.0 million, which was net of issuance costs of less than $0.1 million. The Convertible Note was exchanged for 33,739 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock at $3.187 per share, reflecting accrued interest of less than $0.1 million and a 20% discount to the purchase price per share paid by the cash investors.

Issued and outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock were as follows (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

December 31, 2017

 

     Convertible
Preferred Stock
     Liquidation
Value
     Carrying
Amount
     Original
Issue

Price Per
Share
 
     Authorized      Outstanding  

Series A convertible preferred stock

     3,191,489        1,506,308      $ 6,000      $ 5,528      $ 3.9833  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     3,191,489        1,506,308      $ 6,000      $ 5,528     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

December 31, 2018

 

     Convertible
Preferred Stock
     Liquidation
Value
     Carrying
Amount
     Original
Issue

Price Per
Share
 
     Authorized      Outstanding  

Series A convertible preferred stock

     3,191,489        3,046,355      $ 12,134      $ 11,648      $ 3.9833  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     3,191,489        3,046,355      $ 12,134      $ 11,648     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

The holders of the convertible preferred stock have various rights and preferences as follows:

Liquidation Preference

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, or a deemed liquidation event, the holders of the convertible preferred stock shall be entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of any of the assets of the Company to the holders of the common stock by reason of their ownership of such stock, an amount per share for each share of convertible preferred stock held by them equal to the greater of (i) $3.9833 per share (subject to adjustment from time to time for recapitalization), plus all declared but unpaid dividends (if any) on such share of convertible preferred stock, or (ii) such amount per share as would have been payable had all shares of convertible preferred stock been converted into common stock immediately prior to such liquidation. If available assets are insufficient to pay the full liquidation preference of the series of convertible preferred stock, the assets available for distribution to holders of such preferred stock will be distributed among such holders on a pro rata basis. Any remaining funds and assets of the Company legally available for distribution shall be distributed pro rata to the common shareholders in proportion to the number of shares of common stock held by them. Shares of convertible preferred stock shall not be entitled to be converted into shares of common stock in order to participate in any distribution, as shares of common stock, without first foregoing participation in the distribution as shares of convertible preferred stock.

 

F-20


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Conversion

Each share of convertible preferred stock is convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time and from time to time, and without the payment of additional consideration by the holder. The conversion price is determined by dividing the original issuance price applicable to each series of convertible preferred stock, adjusted for any anti-dilution adjustments, by the applicable conversion price for such series. As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018 the Company’s convertible preferred stock is convertible into the Company’s shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis.

The shares shall automatically convert into fully-paid non-assessable shares of common stock at the conversion rate (a) immediately prior to the closing of a firm commitment underwritten initial public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) provided that the aggregate gross proceeds to the Company are not less than $25.0 million and the per share price is at least three times the original issuance price (a “Qualified IPO”), or (b) at the time upon the receipt of a written request for conversion from the holders of at least a majority of the convertible preferred stock outstanding.

Dividends

In any calendar year, the holders of outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock shall be entitled to receive dividends, when, as and if declared by the Company’s board of directors (the “Board of Directors”), at a rate of $0.32 per share, in preference and priority to any declaration, set aside or payment of any distribution on common stock of the Company. The right to receive dividends on shares of convertible preferred stock shall not be cumulative, and no right to dividends shall accrue to holders of preferred stock unless dividends are declared. The Loan Agreement contains covenants that place restrictions on the Company’s ability to pay dividends.

Voting

The holders of convertible preferred stock have one vote for each full share of common stock into which their respective shares of convertible preferred stock could then be converted.

Redemption and Balance Sheet Classification

The convertible preferred stock is recorded in mezzanine equity because while it is not mandatorily redeemable, it will become redeemable at the option of the stockholders upon the occurrence of certain deemed liquidation events that are considered not solely within the Company’s control.

9.    Common Stock

The Company has authorized 5,319,148 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share.

Dividends—after the payment of dividends to the holders of the preferred stock, any additional dividends (other than dividends on common stock payable solely in common stock) shall be paid to the holders of the preferred stock and common stock then outstanding as if all shares of preferred stock were converted at the then effective conversion rate.

Liquidation Preference—after the payments to the holders of the preferred stock, the entire remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed pro rata to holders of the common stock of the Company in proportion to the number of shares of common stock held by them.

 

F-21


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Voting—each holder of shares of common stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share thereof held.

The Company had reserved common stock, on an as-converted basis, for future issuance as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2017      2018  

Conversion of Series A convertible preferred stock

     1,506,308        3,046,355  

Conversion of Series A convertible preferred stock issuable upon settlement of the convertible preferred stock tranche liability

     1,506,308        —    

Conversion of Convertible Note

     33,603        —    

Exercise of common stock warrants

     —          10,232  

Exercise of outstanding options under the 2016 Plan

     429,781        829,775  

Shares of common stock available for grant under the 2016 Plan

     106,388        114,905  

Obligation to issue additional common stock

     374,695        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     3,957,083        4,001,267  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

10.    Stock-Based Compensation

In 2016, the Company established its 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”) which provides for the granting of stock options to employees and consultants of the Company. Awards granted under the 2016 Plan may be either incentive stock options (“ISOs”), nonqualified stock options (“NSOs”), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), or restricted stock units (“RSUs”). ISOs may be granted only to Company employees (including officers and directors who are also employees). NSOs may be granted to Company employees and consultants.

The exercise price of ISOs and NSOs shall not be less than 100% of the estimated fair value of the shares on the date of grant. The exercise price of ISOs granted to an employee who, at the time of grant, owns stock representing more than 10% (“10% stockholder”) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company shall be no less than 110% of the estimated fair value of the shares on the date of grant. The options usually have a term of 10 years (or no more than five years if granted to a 10% stockholder). Vesting conditions determined by the plan administrator may apply to stock options and may include continued service, performance and/or other conditions. Generally, options and restricted stock awards vest over a four-year period.

 

F-22


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Activity under the 2016 Plan is set forth below:

 

           Outstanding Options         
     Shares
Available
for Grant
    Number of
Shares
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
 

Balance, January 1, 2017

     408,510         

Additional shares authorized

     127,659         

Options granted

     (429,781     429,781     $ 0.89        9.32  
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Balance, December 31, 2017

     106,388       429,781       0.89     

Additional shares authorized

     408,511         

Options granted

     (402,121     402,121     $ 1.04        9.32  

Options cancelled

     2,127       (2,127   $ 0.90     
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Balance, December 31, 2018

     114,905       829,775     $ 0.97        8.82  
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Exercisable as of December 31, 2018

     382,318         
  

 

 

        

Vested and expected to vest, December 31, 2018

     829,775         
  

 

 

        

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018 was $0.56 and $0.66 per share, respectively. There were no stock options exercised under the 2016 Plan as of December 31, 2018.

As of December 31, 2018, the total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense for stock options was $0.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years.

The total fair value of options vested for the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018 was less than $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2018 (in thousands, except share and per share data).

 

     Options Outstanding      Options Vested and Exercisable  

Exercise Price

   Number
Outstanding
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(Years)
     Number
Exercisable
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 

$ 0.90

     427,654        8.32        247,880      $ 709      $ 0.90  

$ 1.04

     402,121        9.36        134,438      $ 366      $ 1.04  
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

    
     829,775           382,318      $ 1,075      $ 0.97  
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

    

The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying stock options and the fair value of the Company’s common stock for stock options that were in-the-money as of December 31, 2018.

Stock-Based Compensation Associated with Awards to Employees and Non-employees

During the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018, the Company granted stock options to employees to purchase 427,654 and 402,121 shares of common stock, respectively. During the year ended

 

F-23


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

December 31, 2017, the Company granted stock options to non-employees to purchase 2,127 shares of common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company did not grant any stock options to non-employees.

The fair value of employee stock options was valued using the following assumptions:

 

     December 31,
     2017    2018

Expected term (years)

   5.5 - 6.3    5.5 - 6.1

Expected volatility

   65.2% - 67.8%    77.2% - 78.6%

Risk-free interest rate

   1.8% - 2.3%    2.9%

Dividend yield

   0%    0%

Expected Term. The expected term is calculated using the simplified method, which is available where there is insufficient historical data about exercise patterns and post-vesting employment termination behavior. The simplified method is based on the vesting period and the contractual term for each grant, or for each vesting-tranche for awards with graded vesting. The mid-point between the vesting date and the maximum contractual expiration date is used as the expected term under this method. For awards with multiple vesting-tranches, the periods from grant until the mid-point for each of the tranches are averaged to provide an overall expected term.

Expected Volatility. The Company used an average historical stock price volatility of a peer group of publicly traded companies to be representative of its expected future stock price volatility, as the Company did not have any trading history for its common stock. For purposes of identifying these peer companies, the Company considered the industry, stage of development, size and financial leverage of potential comparable companies. For each grant, the Company measured historical volatility over a period equivalent to the expected term.

Risk-Free Interest Rate. The risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term equivalent to the expected term of a stock award.

Expected Dividend Rate. The Company has not paid any dividends and does not anticipate paying any dividends in the near future. Accordingly, the Company has estimated the dividend yield to be zero.

Fair Value of Common Stock

The fair value of the Company’s common stock underlying the stock options is determined by the Board of Directors with assistance from management and, in part, on input from an independent third-party valuation firm. The Board of Directors determines the fair value of common stock by considering a number of objective and subjective factors, including valuations of comparable companies, sales of convertible preferred stock, operating and financial performance, the lack of liquidity of the Company’s common stock and the general and industry-specific economic outlook.

 

F-24


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Restricted Stock

Activity with respect to restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) was as follows:

 

     Number of
Shares
Underlying
Outstanding
RSAs
    Weighted
Average
Grant
Date
Fair
Value
 

Unvested, January 1, 2017

     95,744     $ —    

Vested

     (31,915   $ —    
  

 

 

   

Unvested, December 31, 2017

     63,829     $ —    

Vested

     (31,915   $ —    
  

 

 

   

Unvested, December 31, 2018

     31,914     $ —    
  

 

 

   

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

Total stock-based compensation expense recorded related to options granted to employees and non-employees was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2017      2018  

Research and development

   $ 13      $ 69  

General and administrative

     53        101  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 66      $ 170  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

11.    Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders (in thousands, except share and per share data):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2017     2018  

Numerator:

    

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (5,172)     $ (7,346)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Denominator:

    

Weighted-average shares outstanding

     638,297       1,074,690  

Less: weighted-average unvested restricted shares and shares subject to repurchase

     (79,700     (47,785
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

     558,597       1,026,905  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

   $ (9.26)     $ (7.15
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-25


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

The following outstanding shares of potentially dilutive securities were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders for the period presented because including them would have been antidilutive:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2017      2018  

Convertible preferred stock

     1,506,308        3,046,355  

Convertible Note

     33,603        —    

Convertible preferred stock tranche liability

     1,506,308        —    

Options to purchase common stock

     429,781        829,775  

Unvested restricted common stock awards

     63,829        31,914  

Obligation to issue additional common stock

     374,695        —    

Warrants to purchase common stock

     —          10,232  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     3,914,524        3,918,276  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unaudited Pro Forma Net Loss per Share

Unaudited pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share were computed to give effect to the automatic one-for-one conversion of all outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock into shares of common stock in connection with a Qualified IPO, using the as-converted method as though the conversion had occurred as of the beginning of the period presented or the date of issuance, if later.

Unaudited pro forma basic and diluted loss per share is computed as follows (in thousands, except share and per share data):

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2018
 
     (unaudited)  

Numerator:

  

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders

   $ (7,346)  
  

 

 

 

Denominator:

  

Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

     1,026,905  

Adjust: Conversion of convertible preferred stock

     2,915,555  
  

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares used in computing pro forma net loss per share, basic and diluted

     3,942,460  
  

 

 

 

Pro forma net loss per share, basic and diluted

   $ (1.86
  

 

 

 

12.    Income Taxes

No provision for income taxes was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018. The Company has incurred net operating losses only in the United States since its inception. The Company has not reflected any benefit of such net operating loss carryforwards in the financial statements.

 

F-26


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

The differences between the statutory tax expense (benefit) rate and the effective tax expense (benefit) rate, were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2017             2018      

Tax at federal statutory income tax rate

   $ (1,758   $ (1,542

Change in valuation allowance

     1,099       1,527  

Permanent differences

     105       84  

Prior year true ups

     (70     —    

Research and development credits

     —         (69

State income taxes

     —         1  

Federal tax rate change

     625       —    

Other

     —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tax at effective income tax rate

   $ 1     $ 1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Significant components of the Company’s net deferred tax assets are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
         2017             2018      

Deferred tax assets:

    

Net operating loss carryforwards

   $ 995     $ 2,456  

Research and development credit carryforwards

     54       188  

Stock-based compensation

     —         4  

Accruals and other

     61       134  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross deferred tax assets

     1,110       2,782  

Less: Valuation allowance

     (1,103     (2,696
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance

     7       86  

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Property and equipment

     (7     (86
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

   $ —       $   —  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2018, the Company had federal and state net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) of $11.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The federal NOLs consist of: (1) $4.7 million generated before January 1, 2018, which will begin to expire in 2036 but are able to offset 100% of taxable income; and (2) $7.0 million generated after December 31, 2017 that will carryforward indefinitely, but are subject to an 80% taxable income limitation. The state NOLs will begin to expire in 2036 if unused.

The Company also has California state research and development credit carryforwards of $0.2 million, which do not expire and federal tax credit carryforwards of $0.2 million which will begin to expire in 2038.

The utilization of NOLs and tax credit carryforwards to offset future taxable income may be subject to an annual limitation as a result of ownership changes that have occurred previously or may occur in the future. Under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) a corporation that undergoes an ownership change may be subject to limitations on its ability to utilize its pre-change NOLs and other tax attributes otherwise available to offset future taxable income and/or tax liability. An ownership change is defined as a cumulative change of 50% or more in the ownership positions of certain stockholders during a rolling three-year period. The Company has not completed a formal study to determine if any ownership changes within the

 

F-27


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

meaning of IRC Section 382 and 383 have occurred. If an ownership change has occurred, the Company’s ability to use its NOLs or tax credit carryforwards may be restricted, which could require the Company to pay federal or state income taxes earlier than would be required if such limitations were not in effect.

The Company conducts intensive research and development activities, generating research tax credits for federal and state purposes under IRC Section 41. The Company has not performed a formal study validating these credits claimed in the tax returns. Once a study is prepared, the amount of research and development tax credits available could vary from what was originally claimed on the tax returns.

Uncertain Income Tax Positions

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2018 is $0.2 million. If recognized, none of the unrecognized tax benefits would affect the effective tax rate.

The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits:

 

Balance as of January 1, 2017

   $ —    

Increase related to current year tax positions

     23  
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2017

   $  23  
  

 

 

 

Increase related to current year tax positions

     134  
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2018

   $ 157  
  

 

 

 

The Company’s policy is to account for interest and penalties as income tax expense. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had no interest related to unrecognized tax benefits. No amounts of penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits were recognized in the provision for income taxes.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. The Company is subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations for calendar tax years ending 2016 through 2018 due to net operating losses that are being carried forward for tax purposes.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), which became effective January 1, 2018. The Tax Act significantly changes the fundamentals of U.S. corporate income taxation by, among many other things, reducing the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate to 21%, converting to a territorial tax system, and creating various income inclusion and expense limitation provisions.

Also, on December 22, 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 118 to provide guidance for companies that are not able to complete their accounting for the income tax effects of the Tax Act in the period of enactment. SAB 118 provides for a measurement period of up to one year from the date of enactment. During the measurement period, companies need to reflect adjustments to any provisional amounts if it obtains, prepares or analyzes additional information about facts and circumstances that existed as of the enactment date that, if known, would have affected the income tax effects initially reported as provisional amounts.

At December 31, 2018, the Company completed its analysis of the Tax Act. The Tax Act included a re-measurement of the Company’s net U.S. deferred tax assets reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate to 21%, which was fully offset by a valuation allowance. During 2018, this amount was finalized, and no additional adjustment was required to be made due to the change in corporate tax rate.

 

F-28


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

13.    Related Party Transactions

In June 2016, the Company and SNBL, entered into a licensing and assignment agreement (the “SNBL License”), which was amended and restated in December 2016 and further amended in January 2017, April 2017, and October 2017. Under the SNBL License, SNBL assigned to the Company certain patent rights and know-how that are directed to SNBL’s proprietary nasal drug delivery technology, including its proprietary nasal delivery device (the “Device”), and formulation technologies, for use with DHE (the “DHE Product”). SNBL granted to the Company an exclusive, worldwide, royalty-bearing, sublicensable license, under certain patent rights and know-how, other than the assigned patent rights and know-how, to develop, make, use, and commercialize DHE Products in the field of treatment, prevention or prophylaxis of all indications and human medical conditions, as well as the products consisting of the Device used to deliver a combination of DHE and one or more active pharmaceutical ingredients other than DHE (“DHE Combination Products”), in the field of treatment, prevention or prophylaxis of migraine and non-migraine headaches. The Company granted to SNBL a non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable license, under the Company’s rights in improvements to the Device, to develop, make, use, and commercialize products and devices other than DHE Products and DHE Combination Products. During the term of the SNBL License, the Company, SNBL, and the Company’s and SNBL’s affiliates are not permitted to develop or commercialize, or to enable third parties to develop or commercialize, a product containing DHE as an active ingredient for delivery through nasal tissues or the respiratory system, other than pursuant to the SNBL License. The Company will be responsible, at our cost, for the development, manufacture and commercialization of DHE Products and DHE Combination Products under the SNBL License. The Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize at least one such product, initially in the United States.

Under the SNBL License, the Company reimbursed SNBL for costs relating to its incorporation and prosecution and maintenance of the product-specific patents. The Company also agreed to make royalty payments based on a low single-digit percentage of worldwide net sales of DHE Products and DHE Combination Products, payable on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis until the latest of the expiration of the last-to-expire patent covering such product and the ten year anniversary of the first commercial sale of such product in such country. The royalty payments are subject to reductions based on royalties paid to any third party under a license to such third party’s patent rights.

The Company has the sole right to control the prosecution and maintenance of, and to enforce, the patent rights that SNBL assigned to the Company. SNBL has the first right to control the prosecution and maintenance of the patent rights that SNBL licensed to the Company. The Company has step in rights if SNBL does not continue such prosecution and maintenance. The Company also have the first right to enforce such licensed patent rights with respect to certain infringing products. If the Company does not bring an action to enforce such patents against infringing activities that involve such infringing products, SNBL has the right to bring such an action.

The SNBL License will continue on a country-by-country and product-by-product basis until the expiration of the obligation to pay royalties with respect such product and country. The Company may terminate the SNBL License in its entirety without cause on ninety days’ prior written notice. SNBL may terminate the SNBL License for our material breach that remains uncured for ninety days. SNBL may also terminate the SNBL License if the Company challenges the licensed patents, or if the Company assists any third party in challenging such patents. In addition, SNBL has the right to terminate the SNBL License upon the Company’s insolvency.

There were no sales of products under the SNBL License during the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018. In connection with the SNBL License, in July 2016, SNBL entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement with the Company to purchase of 510,638 shares of the Company’s common stock at its par

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

price of $0.0001. The Company recorded the estimated fair value of the SNBL License of $0.7 million as of the SNBL License date as additional paid-in capital as contribution by SNBL for 510,638 shares of common stock purchased by SNBL.

In August 2016, the Company signed the Convertible Note with SNBL for $0.1 million, which was later amended in December 2016 (Note 5). In February 2018, the Convertible Note and related accrued interest of less than $0.1 million converted into 33,739 shares of Company’s Series A convertible preferred stock.

In December 2016, as part of the Series A convertible preferred stock financing, the Company granted to SNBL a right to obtain shares of Common Stock for no additional paid-in capital upon the occurrence of subsequent closings of the Company’s Series A convertible preferred stock financing such that SNBL’s percentage ownership of the fully-diluted capitalization of the Company following the SNBL Grant would be equal to 20% following the final closing of the Series A convertible preferred stock financing. In return, SNBL assigned product-specific know-how and patents relating to STS101 to the Company. The Company recorded an additional fair value of the SNBL License of $1.4 million in December 2016.

The obligation to issue additional common stock to SNBL was accounted and classified for as a liability as it was not indexed to the Company’s own stock, specifically because the settlement amount of the SNBL Grant could be affected by future issuance of equity shares or potential equity shares. Therefore, the obligation to issue additional common stock to SNBL was initially measured at fair value and subsequently remeasured at fair value at each reporting date until it expires or is exercised. Upon the initial issuance, the Company recorded the obligation to issue additional common stock to SNBL at its estimated fair value of $0.1 million based on the estimated fair value of the Company’s common stock of $0.90 per share and estimated 0.3 million shares of the Company’s common stock to be issued to settle such obligation adjusted for the probability or the occurrence of the subsequent closing of the Series A convertible preferred stock financing. The difference between the additional fair value of the SNBL License and the estimated fair value of the obligation to issue additional common stock to SNBL, of $1.3 million was accounted as additional paid-in capital. On December 31, 2017, the obligation to issue additional common stock to SNBL was remeasured to its estimated fair value of $0.4 million and $0.2 million was recorded as a loss in other income (expense), net for the year ended December 31, 2017. In February 2018, the Company issued 476,897 shares of common stock for no consideration. Upon extinguishment of the obligation to issue additional common stock to SNBL, the obligation to issue additional common stock to SNBL was remeasured to its estimated fair value of $0.5 million and $0.1 million was recorded as a loss in other income (expense), net for the year ended December 31, 2018, and the estimated fair value of $0.5 million of the obligation to issue additional common stock to SNBL was reclassified to additional paid-in capital on the balance sheet.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company purchased an actuator for less than $0.1 million from SNBL, which was accounted for in property and equipment on the Company’s balance sheet. The Company incurred expenses in connection with preclinical study services of $0.2 million and less than $0.1 million, which are included in research and development expenses on the statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively. Amounts due to SNBL in connection with these expenses of less than $0.1 million are included in accrued liabilities on the balance sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2018.

14.    Subsequent Events

The Company reviews all activity subsequent to year-end but prior to the issuance of the financial statements for events that could require disclosure, or which could impact the carrying value of assets or liabilities as of the balance sheet date.

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

The Company evaluated subsequent events through June 21, 2019, the date the accompanying financial statements were available to be issued. The Company has determined that there were no subsequent events which required recognition, adjustment to or disclosure in the accompanying financial statements except as follows:

In April 2019, the Company raised $61.7 million in gross proceeds from the sale of 6,889,986 shares of a newly authorized series of preferred stock, Series B convertible preferred stock, at $8.95444 per share. In connection with the issuance of the Series B convertible preferred stock, the Company amended and restated its certificate of incorporation to authorize the issuance of 6,890,000 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock, amended the definition of Qualified IPO to be the consummation of an underwritten public offering of common stock pursuant to the Securities Act, in which the aggregate gross proceeds to the Company are not less than $50.0 million (before deductions of underwriters discounts and commissions), the per share price is no less than the original issue price of the Series B convertible preferred stock, and in connection with such offering the common stock is listed for trading on The Nasdaq Stock Market or the New York Stock Exchange. Each share of convertible preferred stock will automatically convert at any time upon a written request for such conversion from the holders of at least 60% of the outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock, voting together as a single class on an as converted basis.

During the period from January 1, 2019 and to the date of issuance of the financial statements, the Company granted options to purchase 110,637 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.04 per share and options to purchase 794,249 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $4.56 per share. These options vest over a service period of two to four years.

Stock Split

On September     , 2019, the Company effected a 1-for-4.7 reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock and convertible preferred stock. The par value of the authorized stock was not adjusted as a result of the stock split. In addition, the Company also increased the number of shares of authorized common stock to 13,148,936 and the number of authorized shares of preferred stock to 9,936,355. All issued and outstanding common stock, convertible preferred stock, stock options and per share amounts contained in the accompanying financial statements and notes to the financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to give effect to the stock split for all periods presented.

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Condensed Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

     December 31,
2018
    June 30,
2019
    Pro Forma
June 30,

2019
 
           (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Assets

      

Current assets

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 5,205     $ 47,621    

Short-term marketable securities

     —         7,420    

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     199       3,849    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     5,404       58,890    

Property and equipment, net

     445       404    

Deferred offering costs

     —         1,223    

Other non-current assets

     532       57    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 6,381     $ 60,574    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

      

Current liabilities

      

Accounts payable

   $ 327     $ 1,138    

Accrued and other current liabilites

     1,497       2,187    

Current portion of long-term debt

     141       1,141    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     1,965       4,466    

Long-term debt

     4,824       3,887    

Other non-current liabilities

     76       70    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     6,865       8,423    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)

      

Series A convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 3,191,489 shares authorized as of December 31, 2018 and 3,046,355 shares authorized as of June 30, 2019; 3,046,355 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019; liquidation value of $12,134 as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019; no shares issued or outstanding, pro forma (unaudited)

     11,648       11,648     $ —    

Series B convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, No shares and 6,890,000 shares authorized as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, respectively; No shares and 6,889,986 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, respectively; liquidation value of $61,696 as of June 30, 2019; no shares issued or outstanding, pro forma (unaudited)

     —         61,490     $ —    

Stockholders’ deficit

      

Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 5,319,148 shares authorized as of December 31, 2018 and 13,148,936 shares authorized as of June 30, 2019; 1,083,280 shares and 1,152,957 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019; 11,089,298 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma (unaudited)

     1       1       5  

Additional paid-in capital

     2,693       2,944       76,078  

Accumulated deficit

     (14,826     (23,932     (23,932
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (12,132     (20,987   $ 52,151  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities, convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit

   $ 6,381     $ 60,574    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim condensed financial statements.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC

Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2018     2019  

Operating expenses

    

Research and development

   $ 3,099     $ 7,605  

General and administrative

     532       1,531  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

   $ 3,631     $ 9,136  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (3,631     (9,136

Interest income

     33       271  

Interest expense

     (2     (244

Other income, net

     185       3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss and comprehensive loss

   $ (3,415   $ (9,106
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

   $ (3.49   $ (8.05
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

     977,694       1,131,147  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pro forma net loss per share, basic and diluted (unaudited)

     $ (1.34
    

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares used in computing pro forma net loss per share, basic and diluted (unaudited)

       6,802,221  
    

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim condensed financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Condensed Statements of Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

(in thousands, except share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

    Convertible
Preferred Stock
               

 

Common Stock

    Additional
Paid-In

Capital
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Total
Stockholders’

Deficit
 
    Shares     Amount                 Shares     Amount  

Balances at January 1, 2018

    1,506,308     $ 5,528           574,468     $ —       $ 2,048     $ (7,480   $ (5,432

Vesting of restricted stock

    —         —             15,956       —         —         —         —    

Stock-based compensation

    —         —             —         —         107       —         107  

Net loss

    —         —             —         —         —         (3,415     (3,415

Issuance of common stock on settlement of obligation to issue additional common stock

    —         —             476,897       1       471       —         472  

Issuance of Series A convertible preferred stock for cash, net of issuance costs of $14

    1,506,308       5,986           —         —         —         —         —    

Conversion of convertible note into Series A convertible preferred stock, including interest of $8 adjusted for derivative liability of $27

    33,739       134           —         —         —         —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances at June 30, 2018

    3,046,355     $ 11,648           1,067,321     $ 1     $ 2,626     $ (10,895   $ (8,268
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    Convertible
Preferred Stock
               

 

Common Stock

    Additional
Paid-In

Capital
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Total
Stockholders’

Deficit
 
    Shares     Amount                 Shares     Amount  

Balances at January 1, 2019

    3,046,355     $ 11,648           1,083,280     $ 1     $ 2,693     $ (14,826   $ (12,132

Vesting of restricted stock

    —         —             15,956       —         —         —         —    

Stock-based compensation

    —         —             —         —         198       —         198  

Net loss

    —         —             —         —         —         (9,106     (9,106

Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options

    —         —             53,721       —         53       —         53  

Issuance of Series B convertible preferred stock for cash, net of issuance costs of $206

    6,889,986       61,490           —         —         —         —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances at June 30, 2019

    9,936,341     $ 73,138           1,152,957     $ 1     $ 2,944     $ (23,932   $ (20,987
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim condensed financial statements.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2018     2019  

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net loss

   $ (3,415   $ (9,106

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities

    

Depreciation

     16       64  

Non-cash interest expense, and amortization of debt discount and issuance costs

     2       64  

Net amortization of premiums and discounts on marketable securities

     —         (92

Stock-based compensation

     107       198  

Change in fair value of derivative liability

     1       —    

Change in fair value of obligation to issue additional common stock

     101       —    

Change in fair value of convertible preferred stock tranche liability

     (291     —    

Loss on extinguishment of convertible note

     4       —    

Changes in assets and liabilities

    

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     (135     (2,644

Accounts payable

     (210     682  

Accrued and other liabilities

     (105     (299
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (3,925     (11,133
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Purchases of marketable securities

     —         (7,403

Purchases of property and equipment

     (98     (482
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (98     (7,885
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Proceeds from issuance of convertible preferred stock, net of issuance costs

     5,986       61,490  

Deferred offering costs

     —         (109

Proceeds from exercise of common stock options

     —         53  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     5,986       61,434  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     1,963       42,416  

Cash and cash equivalents

    

Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period

     1,658       5,205  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period

   $ 3,621     $ 47,621  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Cash paid for income taxes

   $ 1     $ 3  

Cash paid for interest

   $ —       $ 176  

Supplemental non-cash investing and financing activities:

    

Unpaid deferred offering costs included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ —       $ 1,114  

Issuance of common stock warrants in connection with long-term debt

   $ 4     $ —    

Conversion of convertible note and accrued interest into preferred stock

   $ 134     $ —    

Issuance of common stock to settle liability for obligation to issue additional common stock

   $ 471     $ —    

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim condensed financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Interim Condensed Financial Statements

1.    Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of the Business

Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel therapeutic for the acute treatment of migraine. The Company’s product candidate, STS101, is a drug-device combination of a proprietary dry-powder formulation of dihydroergotamine mesylate, or DHE, which can be quickly and easily self-administered by a proprietary pre-filled, single-use, nasal delivery device. The Company, headquartered in South San Francisco, was incorporated in 2016 in the state of Delaware.

Liquidity

The Company is subject to risks and uncertainties common to early-stage companies in the biopharmaceutical industry, including, but not limited to, risks of clinical delays or failure, development by competitors of new technological innovations, protection of proprietary technology, dependence on key personnel, reliance on contract manufacturing organizations (“CMOs”), contract research organizations (“CROs”), compliance with government regulations and the need to obtain additional financing to fund operations. STS101 is currently under development and will require significant additional development efforts as the Company continues the development of, and seek regulatory approvals for, STS101 and begin to commercialize it, if approved. These efforts require significant amounts of additional capital, adequate personnel and infrastructure and extensive compliance and reporting.

There can be no assurance that the Company’s development of STS101 will be successfully completed, that adequate protection for the Company’s intellectual property will be obtained or maintained, that STS101 will obtain necessary government regulatory approval or that STS101 will be commercially viable, if approved. Even if STS101 development efforts are successful, it is uncertain when, if ever, the Company will generate revenue from product sales. The Company operates in an environment of rapid change in technology and substantial competition from other pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies. In addition, the Company is dependent upon the services of its employees, consultants and other third parties.

The Company has incurred significant losses and negative cash flows from operations in all periods since its inception and had an accumulated deficit of $23.9 million as of June 30, 2019. The Company has historically financed its operations primarily through private placements of convertible preferred stock, a convertible promissory note, and long-term debt. The Company has no products approved for sale, and the Company has not generated any revenue since its inception. The Company expects to incur significant additional operating losses over at least the next several years. There can be no assurance that in the event the Company requires additional financing, such financing will be available on terms which are favorable or at all. Failure to generate sufficient cash flows from operations, raise additional capital or reduce certain discretionary spending would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to achieve its intended business objectives.

As of June 30, 2019, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities of $47.6 million and $7.4 million, respectively. The Company’s management believes that the Company’s current cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund its planned operations for at least 12 months from the date of the issuance of these unaudited interim condensed financial statements.

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited interim condensed financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

 

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Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Interim Condensed Financial Statements (continued)

 

 

Unaudited Interim Financial Information

The accompanying balance sheet as of June 30, 2019, the statements of operations and comprehensive loss, the statements of convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit and statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019 are unaudited. The unaudited interim condensed financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited annual financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair statement of the Company’s financial position as of June 30, 2019 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019. The financial data and other information disclosed in these notes related to the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019 are also unaudited. The results for the six months ended June 30, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2019, any other interim periods, or any future year or period. The balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 included herein was derived from the audited financial statements as of that date. Certain disclosures have been condensed or omitted from the interim condensed financial statements. These unaudited interim condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Unaudited Pro Forma Information

The unaudited pro forma information as of June 30, 2019 has been prepared to give effect to the automatic conversion of all of the outstanding convertible preferred stock of the Company on a one-to-one basis into 9,936,341 shares of common stock, which will occur immediately upon the consummation of a firm commitment underwritten initial public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), provided that the aggregate gross proceeds to the Company are not less than $50.0 million and the per share price is no less than the original issuance price of the Series B convertible preferred stock (a “Qualified IPO”). The unaudited pro forma information does not assume any proceeds from the initial public offering.

The unaudited pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share has been computed to give effect to (1) an adjustment to the denominator in the pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share calculation for the automatic conversion of the convertible preferred stock into shares of common stock as of the beginning of the respective period or the date of issuance, if later, and (2) the filing and effectiveness of the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of unaudited interim condensed 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 unaudited interim condensed financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Such estimates include the accrual of research and development expenses, valuation of the convertible preferred stock tranche liability, obligation to issue additional common stock, deferred tax assets, useful lives of property and equipment and the fair value of stock-based awards. The Company evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors and adjust those estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.

 

F-37


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Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Interim Condensed Financial Statements (continued)

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash equivalents, short-term marketable securities accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate fair value due to their relatively short maturities and market interest rates, if applicable. The carrying amounts of the convertible preferred stock tranche liability and the obligation to issue additional common stock represent their fair value.

Deferred Offering Costs

The Company capitalizes costs that are directly associated with in-process equity financings until such financings are consummated at which time such costs are recorded against the gross proceeds of the offering. Should the in-process equity financing be abandoned, the deferred offering costs will be expensed immediately as a charge to operating expenses in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Net Loss per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders

Basic net loss per common share is calculated by dividing the net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common stock outstanding during the period, without consideration of potentially dilutive securities. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common stock and potentially dilutive securities outstanding for the period. For purposes of the diluted net loss per share calculation, convertible preferred stock, convertible preferred stock tranche liability, obligation to issue additional common stock, convertible notes, stock options and common stock subject to repurchase related to unvested restricted stock awards are considered to be potentially dilutive securities. Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is presented in conformity with the two-class method required for participating securities as the convertible preferred stock is considered a participating security because it participates in dividends with common stock. The holders of convertible preferred stock do not have a contractual obligation to share in the Company’s losses. As such, the net loss was attributed entirely to common stockholders. Because the Company has reported a net loss for all periods presented, diluted net loss per common share is the same as basic net loss per common share for those periods.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) under its accounting standard codifications (“ASC”) or other standard setting bodies and adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date, unless otherwise discussed below.

New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASC 842”), which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e., lessees and lessors). The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee. This classification will determine whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, respectively. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. ASC 842 provides a lessee with an option to not account for leases with a term of 12 month or less as leases in the scope of the new standard. ASC 842 supersedes the previous leases standard, ASC 840 Leases. For public business entities, this ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018,

 

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Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Interim Condensed Financial Statements (continued)

 

and interim periods within those fiscal years, and should be applied through a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted. For all other entities, this ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. As a result of the Company having elected the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards pursuant to Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act, ASU No 2016-02 is effective for the Company for the year ended December 31, 2020, and all interim periods within. The Company will adopt this ASU on January 1, 2020. In July 2018, the FASB issued supplemental adoption guidance and clarification to ASC 842 within ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases and ASU No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements. ASU No. 2018-11 provides another transition method in addition to the existing modified retrospective transition method by allowing entities to initially apply the new leasing standard at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of these ASUs will have on its unaudited interim condensed financial statements and related disclosures. The Company expects to recognize a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability for its real estate operating leases upon adoption. See Note 9 for more information related to the Company’s lease obligations, which are presented on an undiscounted basis therein.

2.    Fair Value Measurements

The Company applies fair value accounting for all financial assets and liabilities and non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the unaudited interim condensed financial statements on a recurring basis. Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, a three-tier fair value hierarchy has been established, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

Level 1—Observable inputs, such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.

Level 2—Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3—Unobservable inputs which reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Consideration is given to the risk inherent in the valuation technique and the risk inherent in the inputs to the model.

In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible as well as considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value.

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Interim Condensed Financial Statements (continued)

 

As of December 31, 2018, financial assets measured and recognized at fair value were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2018  
     Quoted Price
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

Assets

           

Money market funds(1)

   $ 5,184      $ —        $ —        $ 5,184  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fair value of assets

   $ 5,184      $ —        $ —        $ 5,184  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Included in cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet

As of June 30, 2019, financial assets measured and recognized at fair value were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2019  
     Quoted Price
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

Assets

           

Overnight Repurchase Agreements

   $ —        $ 6,000      $ —        $ 6,000  

Corporate Bonds

     —          5,920        —          5,920  

Asset Backed Securities

     —          1,499        —          1,499  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Marketable Securities

     —          13,419        —          13,419  

Money market funds(1)

     41,597        —          —          41,597  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fair value of assets

   $ 41,597      $ 13,419      $ —        $ 55,016  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     June 30, 2019  
     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Estimate
Fair
Value
 

Assets

           

Overnight Repurchase Agreements

   $ 6,000      $ —        $ —        $ 6,000  

Corporate Bonds

     5,920        —          —          5,920  

Asset Backed Securities

     1,499        —          —          1,499  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Marketable securities

     13,419        —          —          13,419  

Money market funds(1)

     41,597        —          —          41,597  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fair value of assets

   $ 55,016      $ —        $ —        $ 55,016  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Included in cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Interim Condensed Financial Statements (continued)

 

There were no financial liabilities measured and recognized at fair value as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019.

3.    Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,
2018
     June 30,
2019
 

Deferred offering costs

   $ —        $ 983  

Accrued salaries and benefits

     553        365  

Accrued research and development expenses

     772        616  

Accrued interest

     29        29  

Other

     143        194  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,497      $ 2,187  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

4.    Convertible Preferred Stock

In April 2019, the Company issued 6,889,986 shares of its Series B convertible preferred stock at $8.95444 per share to certain investors for gross proceeds of $61.7 million.

 

December 31, 2018    Redeemable Convertible
Preferred Stock
     Liquidation
Value
     Carrying
Amount
     Original
Issue

Price
 
     Authorized      Outstanding  

Series A convertible preferred stock

     3,191,489        3,046,355      $ 12,134      $ 11,648      $ 3.9833  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    
     3,191,489        3,046,355      $ 12,134      $ 11,648     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

June 30, 2019    Redeemable Convertible
Preferred Stock
     Liquidation
Value
     Carrying
Amount
     Original
Issue

Price
 
     Authorized      Outstanding  

Series A convertible preferred stock

     3,046,355        3,046,355      $ 12,134      $ 11,648      $ 3.9833  

Series B convertible preferred stock

     6,890,000        6,889,986        61,696        61,490      $ 8.95444  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    
     9,936,355        9,936,341      $ 73,830      $ 73,138     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Liquidation Preference

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, or a deemed liquidation event, the holders of the Series B convertible preferred stock shall be entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of any of the assets of the Company to the holders of the Series A convertible preferred stock and the common stock by reason of their ownership of such stock, an amount per share for each share of convertible preferred stock held by them equal to the greater of (i) $8.95444 per share (subject to adjustment from time to time for recapitalization), plus all declared but unpaid dividends (if any) on such share of convertible preferred stock, or (ii) such amount per share as would have been payable had all shares of convertible preferred stock been converted into shares of common stock immediately prior to such liquidation. After the payment to the Series B convertible preferred stock, the holders of the Series A convertible preferred stock shall be entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of any of the assets of the Company to the holders of the common stock by reason of their ownership of such stock, an amount per share for each share of convertible preferred stock held by them equal to the greater of (i) $3.9833 per share (subject to

 

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Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Interim Condensed Financial Statements (continued)

 

adjustment from time to time for recapitalization), plus all declared but unpaid dividends (if any) on such share of convertible preferred stock, or (ii) such amount per share as would have been payable had all shares of convertible preferred stock been converted into shares of common stock immediately prior to such liquidation. If available assets are insufficient to pay the full liquidation preference of the series of convertible preferred stock, the assets available for distribution to holders of such preferred stock will be distributed among such holders on a pro rata basis. Any remaining funds and assets of the Company legally available for distribution shall be distributed pro rata to the common shareholders in proportion to the number of shares of common stock held by them. Shares of convertible preferred stock shall not be entitled to be converted into shares of common stock in order to participate in any distribution, as shares of common stock, without first foregoing participation in the distribution as shares of convertible preferred stock.

Conversion

Each share of convertible preferred stock is convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time and from time to time, and without the payment of additional consideration by the holder. The conversion price is determined by dividing the original issuance price applicable to each series of convertible preferred stock, adjusted for any anti-dilution adjustments, by the applicable conversion price for such series. As of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, the Company’s convertible preferred stock is convertible into the Company’s shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis.

The shares shall automatically convert into fully-paid non-assessable shares of common stock at the conversion rate (a) immediately prior to the consummation of a Qualified IPO, or (b) at the time upon the receipt of a written request for conversion from the holders of at least sixty percent of the convertible preferred stock outstanding voting together as a single class on an as converted basis.

Dividends

In any calendar year, the holders of outstanding shares of Series A convertible preferred stock and Series B convertible preferred stock shall be entitled to receive dividends, when, as and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”), at a rate of $0.32 per share and at a rate of $0.7163 per share, respectively, in preference and priority to any declaration, set aside or payment of any distribution on common stock of the Company. The right to receive dividends on shares of convertible preferred stock shall not be cumulative, and no right to dividends shall accrue to holders of preferred stock unless dividends are declared. The Company’s long-term debt facility with Silicon Valley Bank contains covenants that place restrictions on the Company’s ability to pay dividends.

Voting

The holders of convertible preferred stock have one vote for each full share of common stock into which their respective shares of convertible preferred stock could then be converted.

Redemption and Balance Sheet Classification

The convertible preferred stock is recorded in mezzanine equity because while it is not mandatorily redeemable, it will become redeemable at the option of the stockholders upon the occurrence of certain deemed liquidation events that are considered not solely within the Company’s control.

5.    Long-Term Debt

On October 26, 2018, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”)

with Silicon Valley Bank. The Loan Agreement provides for loan advances of up to $10.0 million. The first

 

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Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Interim Condensed Financial Statements (continued)

 

advance (the “Term A Loan”) of $5.0 million was available for draw down by the Company as of the effective date of the Loan Agreement. The remaining $5.0 million (the “Term B Loan” and together with the Term A Loan, the “Term Loans”) is available for draw down by the Company in $1.0 million increments. Interest on the loan advances is payable monthly at a floating per annum rate equal to the greater of 1.5% above the prime rate or 6.5%. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, interest will increase to 5.0% above the rate that is otherwise applicable. The maturity date of the loan advances is May 1, 2022.

As of June 30, 2019, the future contractual maturities of debt by fiscal year are as follows (in thousands):

 

2019 remaining six months

   $ 167  

2020

     2,000  

2021

     2,000  

2022

     833  
  

 

 

 

Total future maturities of debt

   $ 5,000  
  

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2019, the term loan advances, net of debt discount and debt issuance costs, were $5.0 million and are included in current portion of long-term debt and long-term debt on the Company’s balance sheet.

6.    Stock-Based Compensation

In 2016, the Company established its 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”) which provides for the granting of stock options to employees and consultants of the Company. Awards granted under the 2016 Plan may be either incentive stock options (“ISOs”), nonqualified stock options (“NSOs”), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), or restricted stock units (“RSUs”). ISOs may be granted only to Company employees (including officers and directors who are also employees). NSOs may be granted to Company employees and consultants.

The exercise price of ISOs and NSOs shall not be less than 100% of the estimated fair value of the shares on the date of grant. The exercise price of ISOs granted to an employee who, at the time of grant, owns stock representing more than 10% (“10% stockholder”) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company shall be no less than 110% of the estimated fair value of the shares on the date of grant. The options usually have a term of 10 years (or no more than five years if granted to a 10% stockholder). Vesting conditions determined by the plan administrator may apply to stock options and may include continued service, performance and/or other conditions. Generally, options and restricted stock awards vest over a four-year period.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Interim Condensed Financial Statements (continued)

 

Activity under the 2016 Plan is set forth below:

 

     Shares
Available
for

Grant
    Outstanding Options      Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
 
     Number of
Shares
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 

Balance, January 1, 2019

     114,904       829,775     $ 0.97        8.82  

Additional shares authorized

     1,025,599         

Options granted

     (904,886     904,886     $ 4.13     

Options exercised

       (53,721   $ 1.00     

Options cancelled

     15,426       (15,426   $ 1.04     
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Balance, June 30, 2019

     251,043       1,665,514     $ 2.68        9.14  
  

 

 

        

Exercisable as of June 30, 2019

     452,008         
  

 

 

        

Vested and expected to vest, June 30, 2019

     1,665,514         
  

 

 

        

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019 was $0.66 and $2.97 per share, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2019, there were 53,721 stock options exercised under the 2016 Plan.

As of June 30, 2019, the total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense for stock options was $2.7 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.3 years.

The total fair value of options vested for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019 was $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of June 30, 2019 (in thousands, except share and per share data).

 

     Options Outstanding      Option Vested and Exercisable  

Exercise Price

   Number
Outstanding
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual

Term (Years)
     Number
Exercisable
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
     Weighted
Average Exercise
Price
 
$ 0.90      410,899        7.81        265,289      $ 971      $ 0.90  

$ 1.04

     460,366        9.04        167,949      $ 591      $ 1.04  

$ 4.56

     794,249        9.88        18,770      $ —        $ 4.56  
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

    
     1,665,514           452,008      $ 1,562      $ 2.68  
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

    

The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying stock options and the fair value of the Company’s common stock for stock options that were in-the-money as of June 30, 2019.

Stock-Based Compensation Associated with Awards to Employees and Non-employees

During the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, the Company granted stock options to employees to purchase 402,121 and 904,886 shares of common stock, respectively.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Interim Condensed Financial Statements (continued)

 

The Company estimated the fair value of employee stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The fair value of employee stock options is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the awards. The fair value of employee stock options was estimated using the following assumptions:

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,
     2018    2019

Expected term (years)

   5.5 - 6.1    5.5 - 6.1

Expected volatility

   77.2% - 78.6%    70.9% - 74.9%

Risk-free interest rate

   2.9%    2.1% -2.5%

Dividend yield

   0%    0%

Expected Term. The expected term is calculated using the simplified method, which is available where there is insufficient historical data about exercise patterns and post-vesting employment termination behavior. The simplified method is based on the vesting period and the contractual term for each grant, or for each vesting-tranche for awards with graded vesting. The mid-point between the vesting date and the maximum contractual expiration date is used as the expected term under this method. For awards with multiple vesting-tranches, the period from grant until the mid-point for each of the tranches are averaged to provide an overall expected term.

Expected Volatility. The Company used an average historical stock price volatility of a peer group of publicly traded companies to be representative of its expected future stock price volatility, as the Company did not have any trading history for its common stock. For purposes of identifying these peer companies, the Company considered the industry, stage of development, size and financial leverage of potential comparable companies. For each grant, the Company measured historical volatility over a period equivalent to the expected term.

Risk-Free Interest Rate. The risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term equivalent to the expected term of a stock award.

Expected Dividend Rate. The Company has not paid any dividends and does not anticipate paying any dividends in the near future. Accordingly, the Company has estimated the dividend yield to be zero.

The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.

Fair Value of Common Stock

The fair value of the Company’s common stock underlying the stock options is determined by the Board of Directors with assistance from management and, in part, on input from an independent third-party valuation firm. The Board of Directors determines the fair value of common stock by considering a number of objective and subjective factors, including valuations of comparable companies, sales of convertible preferred stock, operating and financial performance, the lack of liquidity of the Company’s common stock and the general and industry-specific economic outlook.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Interim Condensed Financial Statements (continued)

 

Restricted Stock

Activity with respect to restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) was as follows:

 

     Number of
Shares
Underlying
Outstanding
RSAs
    Weighted
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
 

Unvested, January 1, 2019

     31,914       —    

Vested

     (15,956     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unvested, June 30, 2019

     15,958       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

Total stock-based compensation expense recorded related to options granted to employees and non-employees was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2018      2019  

Research and development

   $ 69      $ 87  

General and administrative

     38        111  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 107      $ 198  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

7.    Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders (in thousands, except share and per share data):

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2018     2019  

Numerator:

    

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (3,415   $ (9,106
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Denominator:

    

Weighted-average shares outstanding

     1,033,515       1,155,054  

Less: weighted-average unvested restricted shares and shares subject to repurchase

     (55,821     (23,907
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

     977,694       1,131,147  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

   $ (3.49)     $ (8.05)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Interim Condensed Financial Statements (continued)

 

The following outstanding shares of potentially dilutive securities were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders for the period presented because including them would have been antidilutive:

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2018      2019  

Convertible preferred stock

     3,046,355        9,936,341  

Options to purchase common stock

     829,775        1,665,514  

Unvested restricted common stock awards

     47,872        15,958  

Warrants to purchase common stock

     —          10,232  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     3,924,002        11,628,045  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unaudited Pro Forma Net Loss per Share

Unaudited pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share were computed to give effect to the automatic one-for-one conversion of all outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock into shares of common stock in connection with a Qualified IPO, using the as-converted method as though the conversion had occurred as of the beginning of the period presented or the date of issuance, if later.

Unaudited pro forma basic and diluted loss per share is computed as follows (in thousands, except share and per share data):

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
2019
 
     (unaudited)  

Numerator:

  

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders

   $ (9,106
  

 

 

 

Denominator:

  

Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

     1,131,147  

Adjust: Conversion of convertible preferred stock

     5,671,074  
  

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares used in computing pro forma net loss per share, basic and diluted

     6,802,221  
  

 

 

 

Pro forma net loss per share, basic and diluted

   $ (1.34
  

 

 

 

8.    Related Party Transactions

In August 2016, the Company signed the Convertible Note with SNBL for $0.1 million, which was later amended in December 2016. In February 2018, the Convertible Note and related accrued interest of less than $0.1 million converted into 33,739 shares of Company’s Series A convertible preferred stock.

In December 2016, as part of the Series A convertible preferred stock financing, the Company granted to SNBL a right to obtain shares of common stock for no additional paid-in capital (the “SNBL Grant”) upon the occurrence of subsequent closings of the Company’s Series A convertible preferred stock financing such that SNBL’s percentage ownership of the fully-diluted capitalization of the Company following the SNBL Grant would be equal to 20% following the final closing of the Series A convertible preferred stock financing.

 

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Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SATSUMA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Interim Condensed Financial Statements (continued)

 

In February 2018, the Company issued 476,897 shares of common stock for no consideration. Upon extinguishment of the obligation to issue additional common stock to SNBL, the obligation to issue additional common stock to SNBL was remeasured to its estimated fair value of $0.5 million and $0.1 million was recorded as a loss in other income, net for the six months ended June 30, 2018, and the estimated fair value of $0.5 million of the obligation to issue additional common stock to SNBL was reclassified to additional paid-in capital on the balance sheet.

In April 2019, as part of the Company’s Series B Financing, SNBL purchased 307,110 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock with an aggregate purchase price of $2.7 million.

The Company incurred expenses in connection with clinical study services of less than $0.1 million, which are included in research and development expenses on the statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Amounts due to SNBL in connection with these expenses of less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million are included in accrued liabilities on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019, respectively.

9.    Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Leases

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases as of June 30, 2019 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Operating
Leases
 

2019 remaining six months

   $ 79  

2020

     163  

2021

     55  
  

 

 

 

Total minimum lease payments

   $ 297  
  

 

 

 

10.    Income Taxes

For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2019, the Company did not record an income tax provision. The U.S. federal and California deferred tax assets generated from the Company’s net operating losses have been fully reserved, as the Company believes it is more likely than not the benefit will not be realized.

11.    Subsequent Events

In July 2019, the Company entered a lease for office space under a non-cancelable operating lease in Durham, North Carolina, commencing on August 1, 2019, for a period of three years from the commencement date. Total future minimum lease payments are $0.4 million.

For the purposes of the interim financial statements as of June 30, 2019 and for the six months ended, the Company has evaluated the subsequent events through August 2, 2019, the date the unaudited interim condensed financial statements were issued. The Company further evaluated subsequent events for disclosure purposes in these unaudited interim condensed financial statements as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2019, through August 16, 2019.

 

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Stock Split

On September     , 2019, the Company effected a 1-for-4.7 reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock and convertible preferred stock. The par value of the authorized stock was not adjusted as a result of the stock split. In addition, the Company also increased the number of shares of authorized common stock to 13,148,936 and the number of authorized shares of preferred stock to 9,936,355. All issued and outstanding common stock, convertible preferred stock, stock options and per share amounts contained in the accompanying financial statements and notes to the financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to give effect to the stock split for all periods presented.

 

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LOGO

 

 

 


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

PART II

Information Not Required in Prospectus

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by the registrant in connection with the sale of common stock being registered. All amounts are estimates except for the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, registration fee, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA, filing fee and The Nasdaq Global Market listing fee.

 

Item

   Amount to
be paid
 

SEC registration fee

   $ 11,150  

FINRA filing fee

     14,300

The Nasdaq Global Market listing fee

     125,000  

Printing and engraving expenses

     450,000

Legal fees and expenses

     1,450,000

Accounting fees and expenses

     700,000

Blue Sky, qualification fees and expenses

     10,000

Transfer Agent fees and expenses

     5,000

Miscellaneous expenses

     334,550
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3,100,000
  

 

 

 

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

As permitted by Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, we have adopted provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, to be in effect immediately prior to the consummation of this offering, that will limit or eliminate the personal liability of our directors for a breach of their fiduciary duty of care as a director. The duty of care generally requires that, when acting on behalf of the corporation, directors exercise an informed business judgment based on all material information reasonably available to them. Consequently, a director will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability for:

 

   

any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;

 

   

any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

   

any act related to unlawful stock repurchases, redemptions or other distributions or payment of dividends; or

 

   

any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

These limitations of liability do not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will also authorize us to indemnify our officers, directors and other agents to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law.

As permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated bylaws will provide that:

 

   

we may indemnify our directors, officers, and employees to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, subject to limited exceptions;

 

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Index to Financial Statements
   

we may advance expenses to our directors, officers and employees in connection with a legal proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, subject to limited exceptions; and

 

   

the rights provided in our amended and restated bylaws are not exclusive.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, to be filed as Exhibit 3.2 hereto, and our amended and restated bylaws, to be filed as Exhibit 3.4 hereto, will provide for the indemnification provisions described above and elsewhere herein. We have entered into separate indemnification agreements with our directors and officers which may be broader than the specific indemnification provisions contained in the Delaware General Corporation Law. These indemnification agreements generally require us, among other things, to indemnify our officers and directors against liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers, other than liabilities arising from willful misconduct. These indemnification agreements also generally require us to advance any expenses incurred by the directors or officers as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. In addition, we have purchased a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures our directors and officers against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances. These indemnification provisions and the indemnification agreements may be sufficiently broad to permit indemnification of our officers and directors for liabilities, including reimbursement of expenses incurred, arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act.

The form of Underwriting Agreement to be filed as Exhibit 1.1 hereto provides for indemnification by the underwriters of us and our officers who sign this Registration Statement and directors for specified liabilities, including matters arising under the Securities Act.

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

The following list sets forth information as to all securities we have sold since January 1, 2016, which were not registered under the Securities Act.

 

  1.

In June 2016, we issued 127,659 shares of common stock to John Kollins at a $0.00047 per share for gross proceeds of $60.00

 

  2.

In July 2016, we issued 510,638 shares of our common stock to Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd. at a $0.00047 per share for gross proceeds to us of $240.00.

 

  3.

In August 2016, we issued a convertible promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $100,000 to one accredited investor.

 

  4.

Between December 2016 and February 2018, we issued an aggregate of 3,046,355 shares of our Series A convertible preferred stock, including (i) 3,012,614 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock to three accredited investors at $3.98325 per share, and (ii) 33,741 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock issued upon conversion of a convertible promissory note issued by us, in exchange for approximately $108,000 in cancellation of indebtedness, for a total amount raised (including the cancellation of indebtedness) of approximately $12.1 million.

 

  5.

In February 2018, we issued 476,897 shares of common stock to Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories Ltd. in satisfaction of certain contractual rights held by Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories Ltd.

 

  6.

In October 2018, we issued warrants to purchase 10,232 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.04 per share to each of Silicon Valley Bank and Life Science Loans II, LLC.

 

  7.

In April 2019, we issued an aggregate of 6,889,986 shares of our Series B convertible preferred stock to sixteen accredited investors at $8.95444 per share for aggregate proceeds to us of approximately $61.7 million.

 

  8.

Since January 1, 2016, we granted stock options and stock awards to employees, directors and consultants under our 2016 Equity Incentive plan, covering an aggregate of 1,785,936 shares of common stock, at a weighted average exercise price of $2.70 per share.

 

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Index to Financial Statements
  9.

Since January 1, 2016, we issued an aggregate of 267,210 shares of common stock at a weighted-average purchase price of $1.12 per share to employees, directors and consultants for aggregate proceeds to us of $299,469 upon the exercise of stock options.

We claimed exemption from registration under the Securities Act for the sale and issuance of securities in the transactions described in paragraphs (1) through (7) by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder as transactions not involving any public offering. All of the purchasers of unregistered securities for which we relied on Section 4(a)(2) and/or Regulation D represented that they were accredited investors as defined under the Securities Act. We claimed such exemption on the basis that (a) the purchasers in each case represented that they intended to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to the distribution thereof and that they either received adequate information about the registrant or had access, through employment or other relationships, to such information and (b) appropriate legends were affixed to the stock certificates issued in such transactions.

We claimed exemption from registration under the Securities Act for the sales and issuances of securities in the transactions described in paragraphs (8) and (9) above under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act in that such sales and issuances did not involve a public offering or under Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act, in that they were offered and sold either pursuant to written compensatory plans or pursuant to a written contract relating to compensation, as provided by Rule 701.

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

(a) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Exhibit Description

  

Incorporated by Reference

  

Filed
Herewith

  

Form

  

Date

  

Number

  1.1   

Form of Underwriting Agreement.

            X
  3.1   

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, currently in effect.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   3.1   
  3.2   

Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, effecting a stock split, to be in effect prior to the effectiveness of this registration statement.

            X
  3.3   

Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, to be in effect immediately prior to the consummation of this offering.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   3.3   
  3.4   

Bylaws, currently in effect.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   3.4   
  3.5   

Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws, to be in effect immediately prior to the consummation of this offering.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   3.5   
  4.1   

Reference is made to exhibits  3.1 through 3.5.

           
  4.2   

Form of Common Stock Certificate.

            X
  4.3   

Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement, dated as of April 23, 2019, by and among Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and the investors party thereto.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   4.3   
  4.4   

Warrant by and between Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Silicon Valley Bank.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   4.4   
  4.5   

Warrant by and between Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Life Science Loans II, LLC.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   4.5   
  5.1   

Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP.

            X

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Exhibit
Number

 

Exhibit Description

  

Incorporated by Reference

 

Filed
Herewith

  

Form

  

Date

  

Number

10.1  

Lease Agreement, dated January 9, 2018, by and between Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Kashiwa Fudosan America, Inc.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   10.1  
10.2(a)†  

Amended and Restated Licensing and Assignment Agreement, dated December 16, 2016, by and between Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   10.2(a)  
10.2(b)†  

First Amendment to Amended and Restated Licensing and Assignment Agreement, dated January 13, 2017, by and between Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   10.2(b)  
10.2(c)†  

Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Licensing and Assignment Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2017, by and between Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   10.2(c)  
10.2(d)†  

Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated Licensing and Assignment Agreement, dated October 6, 2017, by and between Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   10.2(d)  
10.3  

Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of October 26, 2018, by and between Silicon Valley Bank and the Company.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   10.3  
10.4(a)#  

2016 Equity Incentive Plan.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   10.4(a)  
10.4(b)#  

Form of Stock Option Agreement under 2016 Equity Incentive Plan.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   10.4(b)  
10.5(a)#  

2019 Incentive Award Plan.

           X
10.5(b)#  

Form of Stock Option Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement under the 2019 Incentive Award Plan.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   10.5(b)  
10.5(c)#  

Form of Restricted Stock Award Grant Notice and Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the 2019 Incentive Award Plan.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   10.5(c)  
10.5(d)#  

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2019 Incentive Award Plan.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   10.5(d)  
10.6#  

2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

           X
10.7(a)#  

Offer Letter, dated June 17, 2016, by and between Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and John Kollins.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   10.7(a)  
10.7(b)#  

First Amendment to Offer Letter, dated June 17, 2016, by and between Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and John Kollins.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   10.7(b)  
10.8#  

Offer Letter, dated June 12, 2017, by and between Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Detlef Albrecht.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   10.8  
10.9#  

Offer Letter, dated December 21, 2018, by and between Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Tom O’Neil.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   10.9  

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Exhibit
Number

    

Exhibit Description

  

Incorporated by Reference

  

Filed
Herewith

  

Form

  

Date

  

Number

  10.10#     

Non-Employee Director Compensation Program.

            X
  10.11     

Form of Indemnification Agreement for directors and officers.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   10.11   
  10.12#     

Form Change in Control and Severance Agreement

            X
  23.1     

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

            X
  23.2     

Consent of Latham & Watkins  LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).

            X
  24.1     

Power of Attorney. Reference is made to the signature page to the Registration Statement.

   S-1   

8/16/2019

   24.1   

 

#

Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.

Certain confidential portions (indicated by brackets and asterisks) have been omitted from this exhibit.

(b) Financial Statement Schedules. Schedules not listed above have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

Item 17. Undertakings.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act, and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

1.

For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

2.

For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Brisbane, California on September 3, 2019.

 

Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

By:

 

/s/ John Kollins

 

John Kollins

President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ John Kollins

John Kollins

  

President and Chief Executive Officer and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

  September 3, 2019

/s/ Tom O’Neil

Tom O’Neil

  

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  September 3, 2019

*

Heath Lukatch

   Chairperson of the Board of Directors   September 3, 2019

*

Thomas B. King

   Director   September 3, 2019

*

Michael Riebe

   Director   September 3, 2019

*

Elisabeth Sandoval

   Director   September 3, 2019

*

Rajeev Shah

   Director   September 3, 2019

*

Ken Takanashi

   Director   September 3, 2019

 

*By:

 

/s/ John Kollins

 

John Kollins

 

Attorney-in-Fact

 

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