Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Nature of Business

v3.24.1
Nature of Business
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Nature of Business

1. Nature of Business

We are a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing protein kinase inhibitor therapeutics to modify the course of Parkinson’s disease (“PD”), Parkinson’s-related disorders and other diseases of the Abelson Tyrosine Kinases. The Company’s multi-therapeutic pipeline has a primary focus on neurodegeneration and its lead program utilizing Risvodetinib (also known as IkT-148009), a selective inhibitor of the non-receptor Abelson Tyrosine Kinases, targets the treatment of Parkinson’s disease inside and outside the brain as well as other diseases that arise from Abelson Tyrosine Kinases. In 2021, we commenced clinical development of Risvodetinib (IkT-148009), which we believe can modify the course of Parkinson’s disease including its manifestation in the gastrointestinal tract, or GI. In January 2023, the Company initiated its Phase 2 program, termed ‘the 201 trial’ (www.the201trial.com), for Risvodetinib (IkT-148009) as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease.

We are also developing platform technologies to improve delivery of protein kinase inhibitors in patients. One example of our potential ability to improve drug delivery is IkT-001Pro, a prodrug of the anticancer agent imatinib mesylate, which is intended to treat Stable Phase Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, or SP-CML. IkT-001Pro has completed a three-part dose finding/dose equivalence study in 66 healthy volunteers (known as ‘the 501 trial’).

For both IkT-148009 and IkT-001Pro, we have completed clinical batch manufacturing of a film-coated tablet formulation. The bioequivalence studies with IkT-001Pro have already implemented these tablets into the study. A pharmacokinetic bridging study with two different tablet formulations of IkT-148009 was completed in 2023.

Going Concern

The Company has recognized recurring losses. At December 31, 2023, the Company had working capital of $10,772,447, an accumulated deficit of $66,900,725, cash and cash equivalents of $9,165,179, marketable securities of $4,086,873 and accounts payable and accrued expenses of $2,906,722.

The future success of the Company is dependent on its ability to successfully obtain additional working capital, obtain regulatory approval for and successfully launch and commercialize its product candidates and to ultimately attain profitable operations. Historically, the Company has funded its operations primarily through cash received in connection with revenue from its various grant programs. In addition, in December 2020, June 2021 and January 2023 the Company raised approximately $14.6 million, $41.1 million and $8.5 million in net proceeds for working capital from its initial public offering (“IPO”), June 2021 Offering and January 2023 Offering, respectively.

The Company is subject to a variety of risks similar to other early-stage life science companies including, but not limited to, the successful development, regulatory approval, and market acceptance of the Company’s product candidates, development by its competitors of new technological innovations, protection of proprietary technology, and raising additional working capital. The Company has incurred significant research and development expenses, general and administrative expenses related to its product candidate programs and negative cash flows from operations. The Company anticipates costs and expenses to increase in the future as the Company continues to develop its product candidates.

The Company may seek to fund its operations through additional public equity, private equity, or debt financings, as well as other sources. However, the Company may be unable to raise additional working capital, or if it is able to raise additional capital, it may be unable to do so on commercially favorable terms. The Company’s failure to raise capital or enter into such other arrangements if and when needed would have a negative impact on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition and the Company’s ability to continue to develop its product candidates.

The Company estimates that its working capital at December 31, 2023 and funds raised from the February 2024 At the Market Offering is sufficient to fund its normal operations into the first quarter of 2025.

These conditions raise substantial doubt regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of one year after the date the financial statements are issued. Management’s plan to alleviate the conditions that raise substantial doubt may include additional equity raises, suspending or delaying certain research projects and capital expenditures and eliminating certain future operating expenses in order to fund operations at reduced levels for the Company to continue as a going concern.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from the outcome of the uncertainties described above.