03/10/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/10/2026 05:15
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion and other parts of this Annual Report on Form 10-K contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements regarding our plans, objectives, expectations, intentions and projections. Our actual results could differ materially from those described in or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references to "Legacy Q32" refers to the business and operations of Q32 Bio Operations Inc. (previously Q32 Bio Inc.) and its consolidated subsidiaries prior to the Merger, and references to "the Company," "we," "us," "our" and other similar terms refer to the business and operations of Q32 Bio Inc. (previously Homology Medicines, Inc., or Homology) and its consolidated subsidiary following the Merger.
Overview
We are a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel biologics to effectively and safely restore healthy immune balance in patients with alopecia areata ("AA") and other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases driven by pathological immune dysfunction.
Bempikibart (ADX-914)
Bempikibart (ADX-914), our most advanced product candidate, is a fully human anti-interleukin-7 receptor alpha ("IL-7Rα"), antagonist monoclonal antibody designed to re-regulate adaptive immune function by potently blocking signaling mediated by interleukin-7 ("IL-7"), and thymic stromal lymphopoietin ("TSLP"). We have completed two Phase 2a clinical trials evaluating bempikibart, SIGNAL-AA Part A, for the treatment of AA, and SIGNAL-AD, for the treatment of atopic dermatitis ("AD").
In December 2024, we announced topline results from both of these trials, as well as our intention to advance bempikibart for the treatment of AA. In April 2025, we announced dosing of the first patients in both the Part A open-label extension and Part B of the SIGNAL-AA Phase 2a clinical trial and in October 2025, we announced completion of enrollment in SIGNAL-AA Part B. Bempikibart is being evaluated for the treatment of AA in the ongoing Part B of the SIGNAL-AA Phase 2a clinical trial. Enrollment has been completed in the Part B portion of the clinical trial, with 33 patients enrolled and dosing remains ongoing. We expect to report 36-week topline data from the SIGNAL-AA Part B trial in mid-2026.
Patients in the SIGNAL Phase 2a clinical trials were dosed with 200mg subcutaneous ("SC") bempikibart every two weeks. In SIGNAL-AA Part A, 44 patients with severe and very severe AA were enrolled. Patients were dosed for 24 weeks and followed for an additional 12 weeks following the end of treatment. At the 24-week endpoint, we observed more hair regrowth compared to placebo and evidence of durable responses in patients. The average hair regrowth across patients in the trial continued to improve from week 24 to week 36 despite patients being off therapy during the 12-week follow-up period. In AD, bempikibart was evaluated in two parts, Part A (15 patients) and Part B (106 patients). While encouraging results were seen in Part A, the primary endpoint was not met in Part B.
Across the trials, at the 200mg Phase 2a dose, we achieved our desired receptor occupancy ("RO") and observed favorable pharmacokinetics ("PK") / pharmacodynamic ("PD") properties, consistent with those from the Phase 1 clinical trial. Minimal anti-drug antibodies ("ADAs") were observed in the trials.
In addition, across the two trials, we observed changes in biomarkers consistent with the IL-7Rα mechanism and activity mediated by both the TSLP and IL-7 receptors. In the SIGNAL-AD trial, we observed meaningful decreases in key Th2 biomarkers of TARC, IgE, and eosinophils, each of which were statistically significant at multiple timepoints suggestive of potent TSLP inhibition. In the SIGNAL-AA trial, we observed a CD3+ T cell decrease, which was also statistically significant at multiple timepoints, suggestive of potent IL-7 inhibition. These findings were consistent with expected target engagement and IL-7Rα blockade. Across all clinical trials, bempikibart has been dosed in over 150 participants to-date and has demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile, with no Grade 3 or higher related adverse events.
The Part B portion of SIGNAL-AA is an open-label clinical trial dosing severe or very severe AA patients with a maximum duration of current episode of four years. Patients will be treated with bempikibart for 36 weeks, with follow-up out to 52 weeks. Dosing includes an initial loading regimen of 200mg of bempikibart dosed weekly for four doses, followed by a maintenance dose of 200mg every-other-week over a 32-week period for a total dosing period of 36 weeks. Efficacy will be
evaluated on the basis of mean percentage change from baseline in Severity of Alopecia Tool ("SALT") scores as well as the proportion of subjects achieving various relative and absolute SALT score improvements at week 36, with follow-up through week 52. The trial is intended to support advancement into pivotal trials upon completion, pending review of the results. We expect to report 36-week topline data from the SIGNAL-AA Part B trial in mid-2026.
In April 2025, we announced that the FDA has granted Fast Track designation ("FTD") to bempikibart for the treatment of AA. FTD is a process designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of new drugs to treat serious diseases and fill an unmet medical need with the purpose of getting important new drugs to patients earlier. A drug that receives FTD may be eligible for more frequent meetings and communications with the FDA to discuss development plans and ensure the collection of appropriate data needed to support approval and for a rolling review of an application for marketing approval.
ADX-097
In addition to bempikibart, our strategy has been focused on the advancement of our proprietary tissue-targeted complement inhibitor platform. ADX-097, a Phase 2 asset from this platform, is a humanized anti-C3d monoclonal antibody ("mAb") fusion protein that completed Phase 1 clinical trials. However, in February 2025, we announced a corporate restructuring to focus on the advancement of bempikibart for the treatment of patients with AA. On November 28, 2025, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. ("Akebia") pursuant to which we sold to Akebia substantially all of our assets related to the research, development, manufacture and commercialization of ADX-097 (the "ADX-097 Asset Sale"). Following the ADX-097 Asset Sale, Akebia is now responsible for any future development and commercialization of ADX-097. As consideration for the ADX-097 Asset Sale, we received an upfront payment of $7.0 million and will receive a payment of $3.0 million on the six-month anniversary of the transaction. We will also receive a near-term milestone payment of $2.0 million upon the earlier of achievement of the first milestone under the Asset Purchase Agreement or December 31, 2026. In addition to these payments, we are eligible to receive up to $580 million upon the achievement of specified milestones, including up to $92.5 million related to development and regulatory milestones and up to $487.5 million related to commercial milestones. We are also eligible to receive tiered royalties on potential future sales of ADX-097 ranging from low single-digit to mid-teen percentages of annual net sales. The royalties will expire on a country-by-country basis on the later to occur of (a) the date of expiration of the last-to-expire valid claim of any transferred patent right that covers such product in such country, and (b) the tenth anniversary of the first commercial sale of such product.
ADX-096/Complement Inhibitor Platform
In addition to ADX-097, we developed a proprietary tissue-targeted complement platform, which is designed to inhibit complement activation in the tissue while minimizing systemic complement blockade, a key differentiator versus current complement therapeutics. Other assets developed from our proprietary platform include ADX-096, a C3d mAb - CR11-10fusion protein with preclinical data supportive of its use in ophthalmologic indications as well as potential utility in a broad range of other indications, and C3d mAb fusions and nanobodies designed for tissue-targeted complement inhibition. We retain the rights to our wholly owned tissue-targeted complement inhibitor platform, including ADX-096 and other remaining early-stage assets, and are continuing to evaluate strategic options for these programs.
Rights to Bempikibart
From August 2022 until November 2023, Legacy Q32 was a party to the Collaboration and Option Agreement (the "Horizon Collaboration Agreement") and the Asset Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement", and together with the Horizon Collaboration Agreement, the "Horizon Agreements"), each between Legacy Q32 and Horizon Therapeutics Ireland DAC ("Horizon"), pursuant to which Legacy Q32 received $55.0 million in initial consideration and staged development funding to complete two ongoing Phase 2 trials for bempikibart, and granted Horizon an option to acquire the bempikibart program at a prespecified price, subject to certain adjustments.
In October 2023, Amgen Inc. ("Amgen") completed the acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics public limited company ("Horizon plc"). Following the acquisition, Legacy Q32 agreed with Amgen to mutually terminate the Horizon Agreements. In November 2023, Legacy Q32 entered into a termination agreement with Horizon (the "Horizon Termination Agreement"), pursuant to which Horizon's option to acquire the bempikibart program was terminated. As a result, Legacy Q32 retained the initial consideration and development funding received under the Horizon Collaboration Agreement and regained full development and commercial rights to bempikibart. In consideration for the Horizon Termination Agreement, Legacy Q32 agreed to pay Horizon regulatory and sales milestone payments of up to an aggregate amount of $75.1 million upon the first achievement of certain regulatory and sales milestones with respect to bempikibart.
These potential payments to Horizon are not in exchange for a distinct good or service and therefore, we accounted for consideration payable to Horizon as a reduction of the transaction price under the Financial Accounting Standards Board
("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers("ASC 606"). We concluded that the $55.0 million of arrangement consideration previously recognized should be fully constrained as a result of the contingent consideration payable to Horizon, and accordingly, the amounts previously recognized were reversed in the fourth quarter of 2023 and a refund liability was established for the $55.0 million cash received during the term of the Horizon Collaboration Agreement.
On November 7, 2025, we entered into an amendment to the Horizon Termination Agreement (the "Amgen Amendment") with Amgen pursuant to which we issued Horizon a one-time equity grant of 553,695 shares of our common stock as full consideration of the milestone payments under the Horizon Termination Agreement. Following the transactions contemplated by the Amgen Amendment, we have no remaining obligations to Amgen, including with respect to the $75.1 million in regulatory and sales-based milestone payments set forth in the Horizon Collaboration Agreement. Therefore, we derecognized the refund liability previously recorded for the $55.0 million of cash received under the Horizon Collaboration Agreement and recognized collaboration arrangement revenue for the difference between the equity issuance, and the refund liability as the consideration was no longer constrained.
Merger with Homology and Pre-Closing Financing
On November 16, 2023, Legacy Q32 entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization (the "Merger Agreement") with Homology and Kenobi Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Homology ("Merger Sub"). The Merger was completed on March 25, 2024. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Legacy Q32, with Legacy Q32 continuing as the surviving company and as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Homology (the "Merger"). Homology changed its name to Q32 Bio Inc. ("Q32"), and Legacy Q32, which remains as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Q32, changed its name to Q32 Bio Operations Inc. On March 26, 2024, the combined company's common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol "QTTB." The business of Legacy Q32 continues as the business of the combined company. The Merger is intended to qualify for federal income tax purposes as a tax-free reorganization under the provisions of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In connection with the Merger Agreement, certain parties entered into a subscription agreement with us to purchase shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $42.0 million (the "Pre-Closing Financing").
On March 25, 2024 (the "Closing Date"), following approval by our stockholders and by Homology's stockholders, the Pre-Closing Financing closed immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger. Shares of Legacy Q32's common stock issued pursuant to the Pre-Closing Financing were converted into the right to receive 1,682,045 shares of Homology common stock after taking into account the Reverse Stock Split. On March 25, 2024, in connection with, and prior to the completion of the Merger, Homology effected a one-for-eighteen reverse stock split (the "Reverse Stock Split") of its then outstanding common stock. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger, which was March 25, 2024, all issued and outstanding shares of the Legacy Q32's common stock (including common stock issued upon the conversion of all Legacy Q32's Series A, Series A-1 and Series B preferred stock, conversion of Legacy Q32 convertible notes, but excluding the common stock issued in Pre-Closing Financing) converted into the right to receive 7,017,842 shares of Homology's common stock based on the final exchange ratio of 0.0480 (the "Exchange Ratio"). Lastly, each option to purchase Legacy Q32's shares that was outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger was converted into an option to purchase shares of Homology common stock based on the final Exchange Ratio. Immediately following the Merger, Legacy Q32 stockholders owned approximately 74.4% of the outstanding common stock of the combined company.
The Merger was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). For accounting purposes, Legacy Q32 is considered the accounting acquirer and Homology is the acquired company based on the terms of the Merger Agreement and other factors, such as relative voting rights and the composition of the combined company's board of directors and senior management. Accordingly, the Merger was treated as the equivalent of Legacy Q32's issuing stock to acquire the net assets of Homology. As a result of the Merger, the net assets of Homology were recorded at their acquisition-date fair value in the financial statements of the combined company and the reported operating results prior to the Merger are those of Legacy Q32. Legacy Q32's historical financial statements became the historical consolidated financial statements of the combined company. All issued and outstanding Legacy Q32 common stock, convertible preferred stock and options prior to the effective date of the Merger have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the Exchange Ratio, which reflects the impact of the reverse stock split, for all periods presented.
At the effective time of the Merger, each person who as of immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger was a stockholder of record of Homology or had the right to receive Homology's common stock received a contractual contingent value right ("CVR"), issued by Homology subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of a Contingent Value Rights Agreement between Homology and the rights agent (the "CVR Agreement"), representing the contractual right to receive
cash payments from the combined company upon the receipt of certain proceeds from a disposition of Homology's pre-merger assets, calculated in accordance with the CVR Agreement.
Financial Overview
As of December 31, 2025, we had cash and cash equivalents of $48.3 million. We expect that our cash and cash equivalents, combined with gross proceeds from our registered direct offering completed in February 2026 and guaranteed near-term milestone payments from the ADX-097 Asset Sale, will be sufficient to enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the fourth quarter of 2027. This estimate is based on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could use our capital resources sooner than currently anticipated.
We do not expect our existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient for us to advance any of our programs through regulatory approval, and we will need to raise additional capital to complete the development and potential commercialization of any of our programs. We may also use a portion of our cash and cash equivalents to acquire, in-license or invest in products, technologies or businesses that are complementary to our business. The amounts and timing of actual expenditures will depend on numerous factors, including the progress of development efforts, operating costs and other factors described under "Risk Factors" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The expected use of proceeds represents current intentions based upon present plans and business conditions. As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we cannot predict with complete certainty all of the particular uses for our current cash and cash equivalents or the actual amounts that we will spend on the uses set forth above.
Components of Results of Operations
Revenue
Since its inception, Legacy Q32 has not generated any revenue from product sales, and our management does not expect the combined company to generate any revenue from the sale of products in the foreseeable future.
Legacy Q32 entered into the Horizon Agreements on August 12, 2022. Per the terms of the Horizon Collaboration Agreement, Legacy Q32 received a total of $55.0 million upon initiation of certain development activities associated with the planned clinical trials and related activities. Prior to its termination, the Purchase Agreement also provided Horizon the option to purchase bempikibart, which would have triggered a prespecified payment to Legacy Q32, if exercised. Legacy Q32 was also entitled to receive from Horizon additional payments based on the achievement of future development and regulatory milestones as well as royalty payments on annual net sales.
Prior to the Horizon Termination Agreement, Legacy Q32 concluded that the arrangement was within the scope of ASC 606. Specifically, Legacy Q32 concluded that the research services required to be performed as part of the Horizon Collaboration Agreement represented an output of Legacy Q32's ordinary activities, and this represented a contract with a customer. At the commencement of the collaboration arrangement with Horizon, Legacy Q32 identified two performance obligations related to the development activities of bempikibart, one of each of the specified clinical trials in AD and AA, with each composing the services related to the clinical trial and other related development activity. Legacy Q32 also identified a material right related to the option for Horizon to purchase bempikibart. The material right was considered a separate performance obligation pursuant to the provisions of ASC 606. Legacy Q32 determined the transaction price to be $55.0 million which it allocated to the three performance obligations based on the estimated stand-alone selling price of each performance obligation. Legacy Q32 concluded that the consideration allocated to the research service performance obligations should be recognized over time as Horizon received the benefit of the research activities as the activities were performed. Legacy Q32 determined that this method was most appropriate as progress towards completion of research is largely driven by time and effort spent and costs incurred to perform this research. As of December 31, 2023, Legacy Q32 had received the full $55.0 million, which the combined company retains. The Horizon Termination Agreement was accounted for as a modification because it did not result in the addition of distinct goods or services. Since the two performance obligations and the material right are terminated with no further performance obligations aside from the contingent payments to Horizon of up to $75.1 million, Legacy Q32 recognized the remaining deferred revenue in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Upon the execution of the Horizon Termination Agreement, Legacy Q32 became obligated to pay Horizon up to $75.1 million contingent on regulatory and sales-based milestones, consisting of a $5.0 million payment upon the first regulatory approval in the U.S. or in any of five specified major western European markets, and up to $70.1 million ranging from mid-single digit to low-double digit millions of dollars upon the achievement of specified annual sales thresholds, which range from
exceeding $250 million to exceeding $1.5 billion. If bempikibart does not achieve the milestones set forth in the Horizon Termination Agreement, the Company will not be obligated to make any payments nor repay any amounts to Horizon.
These potential payments to the customer were not in exchange for a distinct good or service; therefore, we accounted for the consideration payable to a customer as a reduction of the transaction price under ASC 606. Legacy Q32 concluded that the $55.0 million of arrangement consideration previously recognized should be fully constrained as a result of the contingent consideration payable to the customer, and accordingly, all amounts previously recognized as revenue were reversed in the fourth quarter of 2023 and a refund liability was established for the $55.0 million cash received during the term of the collaboration agreement.
On November 7, 2025, we entered into the Amgen Amendment pursuant to which we issued Horizon a one-time equity grant of 553,695 shares of our common stock as full consideration of the milestone payments outlined in the Horizon Termination Agreement. Following the transactions contemplated by the Amgen Amendment, we have no remaining obligations to Amgen, including with respect to the $75.1 million in regulatory and sales-based milestone payments set forth in the Horizon Collaboration Agreement. Therefore, we derecognized the refund liability previously recorded for the $55.0 million of cash received under the Horizon Collaboration Agreement and recognized collaboration arrangement revenue for the difference between the equity issuance, and the refund liability as the consideration was no longer constrained.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses since inception have consisted solely of research and development costs and general and administrative costs.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses account for a significant portion of our operating expenses and consist primarily of external and internal expenses incurred in connection with the discovery and development of our product candidates. External expenses include:
We expense research and development costs as incurred. Costs are recognized based on an evaluation of the progress to completion of specific tasks using information provided to us by our service providers or our estimate of the level of service that has been performed at each reporting date. Payments for these activities are based on the terms of the individual agreements, which may differ from the pattern of costs incurred, and may be reflected in our consolidated financial statements as prepaid or accrued expenses. Nonrefundable advance payments for goods or services to be received in the future for use in research and development activities are recorded as prepaid expenses and expensed as the related goods are delivered or the services are performed or when it is no longer expected that the goods will be delivered or the services rendered.
We do not allocate direct external research and development costs to specific programs or product candidates until there is an internally designated development candidate. We typically use our employee and infrastructure resources across our product candidates and development programs. We do not allocate personnel costs or other internal costs to research and development programs and product candidates.
We expect that future changes to our research and development expenses will depend significantly on the success of our clinical data. We expect that research and development expenses will increase substantially as we continue to advance our
programs into and through clinical development. Product candidates in later stages of clinical development generally have higher development costs than those in earlier stages of clinical development, primarily due to the increased size and duration of later-stage clinical trials. At this time, we cannot accurately estimate or know the nature, timing and costs of the efforts that will be necessary to complete the preclinical and clinical development of any product candidates. A change in the outcome of any number of variables with respect to product candidates we may develop could significantly change the costs and timing associated with the development of that product candidate. We may never succeed in obtaining regulatory approval for any product candidates we may develop. The successful development of any product candidate is highly uncertain. This is due to the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with product development, including the following:
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses primarily consist of salaries, bonuses, related benefits, and stock-based compensation expense for personnel in executive, finance, and administrative functions; professional fees for corporate legal and patent matters, consulting, accounting, and audit services; and travel expenses, insurance, technology costs and other allocated expenses. General and administrative expenses also include corporate facility costs, including rent, utilities, depreciation, and maintenance, not otherwise included in research and development expense. We recognize general and administrative expenses in the periods in which they are incurred. General and administrative expenses are expected to increase as we continue to operate as a public company.
Change in Fair Value of Convertible Notes
Legacy Q32 recognized a liability as a result of the issuance of convertible promissory notes (the "Convertible Notes"). We account for all convertible notes issued under the fair value option election of FASB ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments("ASC 825"). The financial instrument is initially measured at its issue-date estimated fair value and then subsequently remeasured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis at each reporting period date. The estimated fair value adjustment is recognized within other income (expense), net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and the portion of the fair value adjustment attributed to a change in the instrument-specific credit risk is recognized as a component of other comprehensive loss, if any.
Upon closing of the Merger, Legacy Q32 converted the outstanding Convertible Notes plus accrued interest into shares of common stock at 90% of the purchase price of the mandatory conversion event. As the Convertible Notes are recorded at fair value, a noncash gain of $15.9 million on the change in fair value prior to the conversion of convertible notes is reflected in the consolidated statement of operation for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Gain on Sale of Asset
On November 28, 2025, we completed the ADX-097 Asset Sale. As consideration for the ADX-097 Asset Sale, we received an upfront payment of $7.0 million and will receive a payment of $3.0 million on the six-month anniversary of the transaction. We will also receive a near-term milestone payment of $2.0 million upon the earlier of achievement of the first milestone under the Asset Purchase Agreement or December 31, 2026. In addition to these payments, we are eligible to receive up to $580 million upon the achievement of specified milestones and tiered royalties on potential future sales of ADX-097. We accounted for the transaction as an asset sale and recognized $11.7 million, comprised of $12.0 million in guaranteed upfront and near-term milestones less certain contractual offsets, as a gain on sale of asset included in other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations in the fourth quarter of 2025. Any future milestones and royalties will be recognized when achieved.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Other income (expense), net consists of interest income primarily earned on money market fund accounts and interest expense related to our debt obligations. We use the cost method to account for an investment in an entity in which we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. Investments recorded using the cost method are assessed for any decrease in value that has occurred that is other than temporary and the other than temporary decrease in value is recognized in other income (expense), net. We recognize the change in fair value of the CVR liability in other income (expense), net.
Income Taxes
Since inception, we have not recorded any U.S. federal or state income tax benefits for the net losses we have incurred in each year or for earned research and development tax credits, due to the uncertainty of realizing a benefit from those items. As of December 31, 2025, we had federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of $217.4 million and $205.9 million, respectively. The federal NOLs are not subject to expiration and the state NOLs expire at various dates beginning in 2040. As of December 31, 2025, we also had federal and state research and development tax credit carryforwards of $6.3 million and $2.4 million, respectively, that expire at various dates beginning in 2038.
Loss from Equity Method Investment
We use the equity method of accounting to account for an investment in an entity that we do not control, but in which we have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. Our proportionate share of the net income or loss of the entity is recorded as loss from equity method investment. Prior to May 22, 2024, we accounted for our investment in Oxford Biomedica (US) LLC ("OXB (US) LLC") using the equity method of accounting and recorded our share of gains or losses from OXB (US) LLC on a quarterly basis.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2025 and 2024
The following table summarizes our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:
|
Year Ended |
||||||||||||
|
2025 |
2024 |
Change |
||||||||||
|
(in thousands) |
||||||||||||
|
Collaboration arrangement revenue |
$ |
53,737 |
$ |
- |
$ |
53,737 |
||||||
|
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||
|
Research and development |
19,156 |
48,143 |
(28,987 |
) |
||||||||
|
General and administrative |
17,679 |
17,959 |
(280 |
) |
||||||||
|
Total operating expenses |
36,835 |
66,102 |
(29,267 |
) |
||||||||
|
Income (loss) from operations |
16,902 |
(66,102 |
) |
83,004 |
||||||||
|
Change in fair value of convertible notes |
- |
15,890 |
(15,890 |
) |
||||||||
|
Gain on sale of asset |
11,737 |
- |
11,737 |
|||||||||
|
Other income (expense), net |
1,182 |
4,125 |
(2,943 |
) |
||||||||
|
Total other income (expense), net |
12,919 |
20,015 |
(7,096 |
) |
||||||||
|
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes and loss from equity method investment |
29,821 |
(46,087 |
) |
75,908 |
||||||||
|
Provision for income taxes |
- |
(21 |
) |
21 |
||||||||
|
Loss from equity method investment |
- |
(1,625 |
) |
1,625 |
||||||||
|
Net income (loss) |
$ |
29,821 |
$ |
(47,733 |
) |
$ |
77,554 |
|||||
Collaboration Arrangement Revenue
Collaboration arrangement revenue for the year ended December 31, 2025, is comprised of the recognition of $53.7 million of non-cash revenue related to the Amgen Amendment, which effectively terminated all obligations to and from Amgen, and is therefore not expected to continue in future years. See further discussion under "Revenue" above. There was no revenue recognized for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Research and Development Expenses
The following table summarizes our research and development expenses for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:
|
Year Ended |
||||||||||||
|
2025 |
2024 |
Change |
||||||||||
|
(in thousands) |
||||||||||||
|
Direct research and development expense by program: |
||||||||||||
|
Bempikibart |
$ |
6,713 |
$ |
28,726 |
$ |
(22,013 |
) |
|||||
|
ADX-097 |
1,920 |
5,253 |
(3,333 |
) |
||||||||
|
Discovery and other |
155 |
856 |
(701 |
) |
||||||||
|
Unallocated expenses: |
||||||||||||
|
Personnel-related and consulting |
7,778 |
10,435 |
(2,657 |
) |
||||||||
|
Indirect research and development expense |
2,590 |
2,873 |
(283 |
) |
||||||||
|
Total research and development expenses |
$ |
19,156 |
$ |
48,143 |
$ |
(28,987 |
) |
|||||
Research and development expenses were $19.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $48.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease of $29.0 million was primarily due to decreased bempikibart program expenses of $22.0 million due to lower clinical costs and lower costs related to manufacturing clinical trial materials, as well as higher costs in the prior year since we were advancing clinical trials for both AA and AD. ADX-097 program expenses decreased by $3.3 million primarily due to the discontinuation of the Phase 2 renal basket clinical trial of ADX-097 in the first quarter of 2025 and the ADX-097 Asset Sale in November 2025.
The decrease in personnel-related and consultant costs was primarily related to lower headcount as compared to the same period in the prior year. Personnel-related and consultant costs for the year ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 included stock-based compensation expense of $0.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses were $17.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $18.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease of $0.3 million was primarily due to decreased personnel-related costs as a result of reduced headcount in the year ended December 31, 2025 associated with the restructuring in February 2025, as well as decreased consulting costs as compared to the prior year, partially offset by higher legal and insurance expense. General and administrative expenses include stock-based compensation expense of $4.3 million and $3.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Change in Fair Value of Convertible Notes
Upon closing of the Merger in March 2024, Legacy Q32 converted its outstanding Convertible Notes plus accrued interest into shares of common stock at 90% of the purchase price of the mandatory conversion event. As the Convertible Notes are recorded at fair value, a gain of $15.9 million on the change in fair value prior to the conversion of the Convertible Notes is reflected in the consolidated statement of operation for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Gain on Sale of Asset
We recognized an $11.7 million gain related to the ADX-097 Asset Sale to Akebia for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to none for the year ended December 31, 2024. See further discussion under "Gain on Sale of Asset" above.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Other income (expense), net was $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. Other income (expense), net for the year ended December 31, 2025 includes interest income of $2.2 million as well as a gain recorded for the change in fair value of the CVR liability of $0.4 million. These amounts are partially offset by interest expense of $1.1 million on our venture debt. Other income (expense), net for the year ended December 31, 2024 includes interest income of $3.9 million, as well as a gain recorded for the change in fair value of the CVR liability of $2.2 million. These amounts are partially offset by interest expense of $1.1 million on our venture debt and an other-than-temporary impairment charge of approximately $0.7 million we recorded because it was determined that the fair value of our equity investment in OXB (US) LLC was less than its carrying value. The decrease in other income (expense), net is primarily due to a smaller gain recorded in the current year for the change in fair value of the CVR liability as compared to the prior year, as well as lower interest income as a result of a lower average cash balance at December 31, 2025.
Provision for Income Taxes
Provision for income taxes was less than $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. There was no provision for income taxes recorded for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Since inception, we have not recorded any U.S. federal or state income tax benefits for net losses incurred in each year or for earned research and development tax credits, due to our uncertainty of realizing a benefit from those items. As of December 31, 2025, we have had no gross unrecognized tax benefits.
Loss from Equity Method Investment
Prior to May 22, 2024, we accounted for our investment in OXB (US) LLC using the equity method of accounting and recorded our share of gains or losses from OXB (US) LLC on a quarterly basis. For the year ended December 31, 2024, we recorded a loss from equity method investment of $1.6 million, representing our share of OXB (US) LLC's net loss. See Notes 2 and 7 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information regarding the equity method of accounting.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources of Liquidity
Since inception, we have incurred significant operating losses and negative cash flows from operations. We have not yet commercialized any of our product candidates, which are in various phases of preclinical and clinical development, and we do not expect to generate revenue from sales of any products for several years, if at all. To date, we have funded our operations primarily through proceeds from the sales of our convertible preferred stock and convertible notes, as well as proceeds from our venture debt, the ADX-097 Asset Sale, the Horizon Collaboration Agreement, the Merger with Homology and accompanying Pre-Closing Financing. From inception through December 31, 2025, we have raised $136.0 million in aggregate cash proceeds, net of issuance costs, from the sale of our convertible preferred stock and convertible notes. In addition, we received $55.0 million in payments under the Horizon Collaboration Agreement, $12.5 million in proceeds from our venture debt, $61.3 million, net of issuance costs, in connection with the Merger with Homology, $42.0 million pursuant to the Pre-Closing Financing and $7.0 million pursuant to the ADX-097 Asset Sale. As of December 31, 2025, we had cash and cash equivalents of $48.3 million.
Going Concern
We have incurred significant operating losses since inception and, as of December 31, 2025, had an accumulated deficit of $205.0 million. We expect negative cash flows from operations and net losses for the foreseeable future as we continue to invest significantly in research and development of our product candidates and platform. We have not yet commercialized any product and do not expect to generate revenue from sales of any products for several years, if at all.
As of December 31, 2025, we had cash and cash equivalents of $48.3 million. We expect that our cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2025, combined with gross proceeds from our registered direct offering completed in February 2026 and guaranteed near-term milestone payments from the ADX-097 Asset Sale, will be sufficient to fund our operations into the fourth quarter of 2027. Management based its projections of operating capital requirements on our current operating plan, which includes several assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, and we may use all of our available capital resources sooner than management expects. We expect to seek to raise additional capital through private or public equity or debt financings, loans or other capital sources, which could include collaborations, partnerships or other marketing, distribution, licensing or other strategic arrangements with third parties, or from grants, and may be required to seek additional capital sooner than planned. However, there can be no assurances that we will be able to raise additional capital from these sources on favorable terms, or at all.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods indicated:
|
Years Ended December 31, |
||||||||
|
2025 |
2024 |
|||||||
|
(in thousands) |
||||||||
|
Net cash used in operating activities |
$ |
(33,543 |
) |
$ |
(67,715 |
) |
||
|
Net cash provided by investing activities |
7,000 |
19,925 |
||||||
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
(3,125 |
) |
95,138 |
|||||
|
Increase/(decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
$ |
(29,668 |
) |
$ |
47,348 |
|||
Operating Activities
Our cash flows from operating activities are greatly influenced by our use of cash for operating expenses and working capital requirements to support our business. We have historically experienced negative cash flows from operating activities as we invested in developing clinical programs, drug discovery efforts and related infrastructure.
For the year ended December 31, 2025, net cash used in operating activities was $33.5 million, which was primarily utilized for the funding of our operating expenses of $36.8 million as we incurred expenses associated with research and development activities including clinical trial activities associated with our bempikibart program. Non-cash gains include non-cash revenue from the settlement of our customer refund liability of $53.7 million as a result of the execution of the Amgen Amendment (see further discussion under "Collaboration and Arrangement Revenue" above), as well as a gain of $11.7 million recognized on the sale of ADX-097 to Akebia. These gains are partially offset by stock-based compensation expense of $5.3 million, non-cash lease expenses of $0.6 million and depreciation expense of $0.4 million. The change in net operating assets
and liabilities was primarily attributable to a decrease in accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $3.3 million, a decrease in accounts payable of $2.1 million, and a decrease in our operating lease liability of $0.6 million, partially offset by a decrease in other noncurrent assets of $1.9 million and a decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $0.1 million.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, net cash used in operating activities was $67.7 million, which was primarily utilized for the funding of our operating expenses of $66.1 million as we incurred expenses associated with research and development activities including clinical trial activities associated with our bempikibart and ADX-097 programs, adjusted for non-cash expenses of $10.3 million. Non-cash expenses include a gain of $15.9 million recognized on the change in fair value prior to the conversion of the Convertible Notes pursuant to the Merger with Homology on March 25, 2024, a gain of $2.2 million recognized on the change in fair value of the CVR liability and amortization of premium on short-term investments of $0.2 million, partially offset by stock-based compensation expense of $4.4 million, losses related to our investment in OXB (US) LLC of $2.3 million, non-cash lease expenses of $0.6 million, depreciation expense of $0.5 million and amortization of debt discount and issuance costs of $0.2 million. The change in net operating assets and liabilities was primarily attributable to a decrease in accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $7.7 million, a decrease in accounts payable of $1.0 million, and a decrease in our operating lease liability of $1.5 million, partially offset by a decrease in other noncurrent assets of $0.4 million and a decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $0.3 million.
Investing Activities
For the year ended December 31, 2025, net cash provided by investing activities consisted of proceeds from the sale of ADX-097 to Akebia.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, net cash provided by investing activities consisted of maturities of short-term investments during the period since the Merger, partially offset by purchases of property and equipment.
Financing Activities
For the year ended December 31, 2025, net cash used in financing activities consisted of principal payments made pursuant to our venture debt.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, net cash provided by financing activities consisted of $53.2 million of cash acquired as part of the Merger, $42.0 million of proceeds from the issuance of common stock in the pre-closing financing, $7.0 million of proceeds from the borrowings under a new loan and security agreement and $1.7 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options, slightly offset by payments of $8.7 million of transaction costs related to the Merger.
Pre-Closing Financing
In connection with the Merger Agreement, certain third parties entered into the Pre-Closing Financing as described above under "Merger with Homology and the Pre-Closing Financing." On the Closing Date, following approval by the stockholders of Legacy Q32 and Homology, the Pre-Closing Financing closed immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger. Shares of Legacy Q32's common stock issued pursuant to the Pre-Closing Financing were converted into the right to receive 1,682,045 shares of Homology common stock, after taking into account the Reverse Stock Split.
Funding Requirements
We expect our expenses to increase substantially in connection with our ongoing research and development activities, particularly as we advance the preclinical activities and clinical trials of our product candidates. In addition, we expect to continue to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company.
Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with research, development and commercialization of product candidates, we are unable to estimate the exact amount and timing of our capital requirements. Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including:
A change in the outcome of any of these or other factors with respect to the development of any of our product candidates could significantly change the costs and timing associated with the development of that product candidate. Furthermore, our operating plans may change in the future, and we may need additional capital to meet the capital requirements associated with such operating plans.
We believe that, based on our current operating plan, our cash and cash equivalents will enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the fourth quarter of 2027. Management based its projections of operating capital requirements on our current operating plan, which includes several assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, and we may use all of our available capital resources sooner than we expect.
To complete the development of our product candidates and to build the sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure that management believes will be necessary to commercialize our product candidates, if approved, we will require substantial additional capital. Accordingly, until such time that we can generate sufficient revenue from product sales or other sources, if ever, management expects to seek to raise any necessary additional capital through private or public equity or debt financings, loans or other capital sources, which could include income from collaborations, partnerships or other marketing, distribution, licensing or other strategic arrangements with third parties, or from grants. To the extent that we raise additional capital through equity financings or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest of our stockholders will be or could be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our common stockholders. Debt financing and equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, including restricting our operations and limiting our ability to incur liens, issue additional debt, pay dividends, repurchase our own common stock, make certain investments or engage in merger, consolidation, licensing, or asset sale transactions. If we raise capital through collaborations, partnerships, and other similar arrangements with third parties, we may be required to grant rights to develop and market product candidates that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves. We may be unable to raise additional capital from these sources on favorable terms, or at all. Our ability to raise additional capital may be adversely impacted by potential worsening global economic conditions and the recent disruptions to, and volatility in, the credit and financial markets in the United States and worldwide resulting from recent bank failures. The failure to obtain sufficient capital on acceptable terms when needed could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition, including requiring us to delay, reduce or curtail our research, product development or future commercialization efforts. We may also be required to license rights to product candidates at an earlier stage of development or on less favorable terms than we would otherwise choose. Management cannot provide assurance that we will ever generate positive cash flow from operating activities.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
Lease Obligations
We lease space under an operating lease for administrative offices and lab space in Waltham, Massachusetts, which expires in December 2031.
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2025 (in thousands):
|
Payments Due by Period |
||||||||||||||||
|
Total |
1 to 3 years |
3 to 5 years |
More than 5 |
|||||||||||||
|
Operating lease obligation |
$ |
7,061 |
$ |
3,374 |
$ |
2,421 |
$ |
1,266 |
||||||||
We have agreements with certain vendors for various services, including services related to preclinical and clinical operations and support, for which we are not contractually able to terminate for convenience and avoid any and all future obligations to the vendors. Our most significant contracts relate to agreements with CROs for clinical trials and preclinical studies and CDMOs, which we enter into in the normal course of business. Certain agreements provide for termination rights subject to termination fees or wind down costs. Under such agreements, we are contractually obligated to make certain payments to vendors to reimburse them for their unrecoverable outlays incurred prior to cancellation. The exact amounts of such obligations are dependent on the timing of termination and the exact terms of the relevant agreement and cannot be reasonably estimated. We do not include these payments in the table above as they are not fixed and estimable.
In addition, we enter into standard indemnification agreements and/or indemnification sections in other agreements in the ordinary course of business. Pursuant to these agreements, we agree to indemnify, hold harmless and reimburse the indemnified party for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party, generally our business partners. The term of these indemnification agreements is generally perpetual upon execution of the agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these indemnification agreements cannot be reasonably estimated and therefore is not included in the table above.
Collaboration and License Agreements
Bempikibart-License Agreement - Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
In September 2019, Legacy Q32 entered into a license agreement, as amended in August 2021 and July 2022 (the "BMS License Agreement") with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company ("BMS"), pursuant to which we obtained sublicensable licenses from BMS to research, develop and commercialize licensed products, including bempikibart, for any and all uses worldwide. The licenses granted to us are exclusive with respect to BMS's patent rights and know-how relating to certain antibody fragments (including certain fragments of bempikibart) and non-exclusive with respect to BMS's patent rights and know-how relating to the composition of matter and use of a specific region of bempikibart. BMS retained the right for it and its affiliates to use the exclusively licensed patents and know-how for internal, preclinical research purposes. Under the BMS License Agreement, we are prohibited from engaging in certain clinical development or commercialization of any antibody other than a licensed compound with the same mechanism of action until the earlier of the expiration of our obligation to pay BMS royalties or September 2029.
In consideration for the license, we made an upfront payment to BMS of $8 million, issued 318,278 Series A preferred shares to BMS and agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize at least one licensed product in key geographic markets. In addition, we agreed to pay BMS (i) development and regulatory milestone payments in aggregate amounts ranging from $32 million to $49 million per indication for the first three indications and commercial milestone payments in an aggregate amount of up to $215 million on net sales of licensed products, (ii) tiered royalties ranging from rates in the mid-single digit percentages to up to 10% of net sales, with increasing rates depending on the cumulative net sales, (iii) up to 60% of sublicense income, which percentage decreases based on the development stage of bempikibart at the time of the sublicensing event, and (iv) ongoing fees associated with the prosecution, maintenance, or filing of the licensed patents.
Our obligation to pay BMS royalties under subsection (ii) above commences, on a licensed product-by-licensed product and country-by-country basis, on the first commercial sale of a licensed product in a country and expires on the later of (x) 12 years from the first commercial sale of such licensed product in such country, (y) the last to expire licensed patent right covering bempikibart or such licensed product in such country, and (z) the expiration or regulatory or marketing exclusivity for such licensed product in such country (the "Royalty Term"). If we undergo a change of control prior to certain specified phase of development, the development and milestone payments are subject to increase by a low double digit percentage and the royalty rates are subject to increase by a low sub-single digit percentage.
Unless terminated earlier by either party pursuant to its terms, the BMS License Agreement will expire on a country-by-country and licensed product-by-licensed product basis upon the expiration of the last to expire Royalty Term with respect to such licensed product in such country. Either party may terminate the BMS License Agreement for the other party's material breach, subject to a specified notice and cure period. BMS may terminate the BMS License Agreement if we fail to meet our
diligence obligations under the BMS License Agreement, for our insolvency, or if we or our affiliates challenges the validity, scope, enforceability, or patentability of any of the licensed patents. We may terminate the BMS License Agreement for any reason upon prior written notice to BMS, with a longer notice period if a licensed product has received regulatory approval. If the BMS Agreement is terminated for our material breach, BMS will regain rights to bempikibart and we must grant BMS an exclusive license under our patent rights covering bempikibart, subject to a low single digit percentage royalty on net sales of bempikibart payable to us by BMS. We have the right to terminate the agreement for any reason upon written notice, and therefore, this agreement has not been included in the discussion above. In July 2024, we made a $4.0 million development milestone payment to BMS.
Bempikibart - Collaboration and Option Agreement, Asset Purchase Agreement and Termination Agreement - Horizon Therapeutics Ireland DAC
From August 2022 until November 2023, Legacy Q32 was a party to the Horizon Agreements, pursuant to which Legacy Q32 received $55.0 million in initial consideration and staged development funding to complete two ongoing Phase 2 trials for bempikibart, and granted Horizon an option to acquire the bempikibart program at a prespecified price, subject to certain adjustments.
In October 2023, Amgen completed the acquisition of Horizon plc. Following its acquisition of Horizon plc, Legacy Q32 agreed with Amgen to mutually terminate the Horizon Agreements and in November 2023, Legacy Q32 and Horizon entered into the Horizon Termination Agreement, pursuant to which Horizon's option to acquire the bempikibart program was terminated. As a result, Legacy Q32 retained all initial consideration and development funding received under the Horizon Collaboration Agreement and regained full development and commercial rights to bempikibart. In consideration for the Horizon Termination Agreement, Legacy Q32 agreed to pay Horizon regulatory and sales milestones payments of up to an aggregate amount of $75.1 million upon the first achievement of certain regulatory and sales milestones with respect to bempikibart.
On November 7, 2025, we entered into the Amgen Amendment pursuant to which we issued Horizon a one-time equity grant of 553,695 shares of our common stock as full consideration of the milestone payments outlined in the Horizon Termination Agreement. Following the transactions contemplated by the Amgen Amendment, we have no remaining obligations to Amgen, including with respect to the $75.1 million in regulatory and sales-based milestone payments set forth in the Horizon Collaboration Agreement. Therefore, we derecognized the refund liability previously recorded for the $55.0 million of cash received under the Horizon Collaboration Agreement and recognized collaboration arrangement revenue for the difference between the equity issuance, and the refund liability as the consideration was no longer constrained.
ADX-097-License Agreement - The Regents of the University of Colorado
In August 2017, Legacy Q32 entered into an exclusive license agreement, as amended in February 2018, September 2018, and April 2019 (the "Colorado License Agreement") with The Regents of the University of Colorado ("Colorado"), pursuant to which we obtained worldwide, royalty-bearing, sublicensable licenses under certain patents and know-how owned by Colorado and Medical University of South Carolina ("MUSC"), relating to the research, development and commercialization of ADX-097. The licenses granted to us are exclusive with respect to certain patent families and know-how and non-exclusive with certain other patent families and know-how. The licenses granted to us are also subject to certain customary retained rights of Colorado and MUSC and rights of the United States government owing to federal funding giving rise to inventions covered by the licensed patents. We agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop, manufacture and commercialize ADX-097, including by using commercially reasonable efforts to achieve specified development and regulatory milestones by specified dates.
In addition, we agreed to pay Colorado (i) development and sales milestone payments in an aggregate amount of up to $2.2 million per licensed product for the first three products, (ii) tiered royalty rates on cumulative net sales of licensed products in the low single digit percentages, (iii) 15% of sublicense income and (iv) ongoing fees associated with the prosecution, maintenance, or filing of the licensed patents. Our obligation to pay royalties to Colorado commences, on a licensed product-by-licensed product and country-by-country basis, from the first commercial sale of a licensed product in any country and expires on the later of (i) the last to expire valid claim within the licensed patents covering such licensed product in such country, and (ii) 20 years following the effective date of the Colorado License Agreement, or April 2037, or the Royalty Term.
On November 28, 2025, in connection with the ADX-097 Asset Sale, the Colorado License Agreement was amended and restated and all of our rights and obligations thereunder were transferred to Akebia.
Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates
Our management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported expenses incurred during the reporting periods. We consider many factors in selecting appropriate financial accounting policies and controls, and in developing the estimates and assumptions that are used in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements. We must apply significant judgment in this process. In addition, other factors may affect estimates, including expected business and operational changes, sensitivity and volatility associated with the assumptions used in developing estimates, and whether historical trends are expected to be representative of future trends. The estimation process often may yield a range of potentially reasonable estimates of the ultimate future outcomes and we must select an amount that falls within that range of reasonable estimates. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.
While our critical accounting policies are described in more detail in the notes to our consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, management believes that the following accounting policy is the most critical to the judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Research and Development Expenses and Related Accrued and Prepaid Expenses
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses are comprised of costs incurred in performing research and development activities, including salaries, stock-based compensation and benefits, costs for clinical research organizations, manufacturing expenses and costs of other outside vendors and other outsourced activities; laboratory supplies; technology licenses, software and other information technology support; facilities and depreciation.
Upfront payments and milestone payments made for the licensing of technology are expensed as research and development expenses in the period in which they are incurred. Nonrefundable advance payments for goods or services to be received in the future for use in research and development activities are recorded as prepaid expenses. The prepaid amounts are expensed as the related goods are delivered or the services are performed.
As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, management is required to estimate our accrued research and development expenses. This process involves reviewing open contracts and purchase orders, communicating with our personnel to identify services that have been performed on our behalf and estimating the level of service performed and the associated costs incurred for the services when we have not yet been invoiced or otherwise notified of the actual costs. The majority of our service providers invoice us in arrears for services performed, on a pre-determined schedule or when contractual milestones are met; however, some require advanced payments. Management makes estimates of its prepaid and accrued expenses as of each balance sheet date in its financial statements based on facts and circumstances known to us at that time. Management periodically confirms the accuracy of the estimates with the service providers and make adjustments if necessary. Examples of estimated prepaid and accrued research and development expenses include fees paid to:
Management bases the expense recorded related to contract research and manufacturing on its estimates of the services received and efforts expended pursuant to quotes and contracts with multiple CDMOs and CROs that supply materials and conduct services. The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation, vary from contract to contract and may result in uneven payment flows. There may be instances in which payments made to our vendors will exceed the level of services provided and result in a prepayment of the expense. In accruing service fees, management estimates the time period over which services will be performed and the level of effort to be expended in each period. If the actual timing of the performance of services or the level of effort varies from the estimate, management adjusts the accrual or prepaid expense accordingly. Although we do not expect our estimates to be materially different from amounts actually incurred, our understanding of the status and timing of services performed relative to the actual status and timing of services performed may vary and may result in reporting amounts that are too high or too low in any particular period.
Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
A description of recently issued and certain recently adopted accounting pronouncements that have or may potentially impact our financial position and results of operations is included in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We have determined that the effects of any such pronouncements will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.