Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management 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 amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and assumptions reflected in these financial statements include, but are not limited to, the accrual of research and development expenses and the valuation of common stock and stock-based awards. Estimates are periodically reviewed in light of changes in circumstances, facts and experience. Actual results could differ from the Company’s estimates. Unaudited Interim Financial Information The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements as of March 31, 2021 and for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial statements. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 that was filed with the SEC on March 24, 2021. 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 for the fair statement of the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2021, the results of its operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 and its cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. The financial data and other information disclosed in these notes related to the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are unaudited. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2021, any other interim periods, or any future year or period. The accompanying balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 has been derived from the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K that was filed with the SEC on March 24, 2021. Cash Equivalents The Company considers all short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less at acquisition date to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents, which consist of money market accounts, corporate notes and commercial paper, are stated at fair value. Restricted Cash As of March 31, 2021 restricted cash consisted of $25 deposited in a separate restricted bank account as a security deposit for the Company’s corporate credit cards. As of December 31, 2020, restricted cash consisted of $568 deposited in a separate restricted bank account as a security deposit for Investments The Company classifies its available-for-sale debt security investments as current assets on the balance sheet if they mature within one year from the balance sheet date. The Company’s investments are measured and reported at fair value using quoted prices in active markets for similar securities or using other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are reported as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which is a separate component of stockholders’ equity (deficit). The cost of securities sold is determined on a specific identification basis, and realized gains and losses are included in other income (expense) within the statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The Company evaluates its investments with unrealized losses for other-than-temporary impairment. When assessing investments for other-than-temporary declines in value, the Company considers such factors as, how significant the decline in value is as a percentage of the original cost, how long the market value of the investment has been less than its original cost, the Company’s ability and intent to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value and market conditions in general, among other factors. If any adjustment to fair value reflects a decline in the value of the investment that the Company considers to be “other than temporary,” the Company reduces the investment to fair value through a charge to the statements of operations and comprehensive loss. No such adjustments were necessary during the periods presented. Concentration of Credit Risk and of Significant Suppliers Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents and investments. From time to time, the Company has maintained all of its cash, cash equivalents and investment balances at three accredited financial institutions, in amounts that exceed federally insured limits. The Company generally invests its excess cash in money market funds, commercial paper and corporate notes that are subject to minimal credit and market risks. Management has established guidelines relative to credit ratings and maturities intended to safeguard principal balances and maintain liquidity. The investment portfolio is maintained in accordance with the Company’s investment policy, which defines allowable investments, specifies credit quality standards and limits the credit exposure of any single issuer. The Company is dependent on third-party manufacturers to supply products for research and development activities of its programs, including preclinical and clinical testing. In particular, the Company relies and expects to continue to rely on a small number of manufacturers to supply it with its requirements for the active pharmaceutical ingredients and formulated drugs related to these programs. These programs could be adversely affected by a significant interruption in the supply of active pharmaceutical ingredients and formulated drugs. Fair Value Measurements Certain assets and liabilities are carried at fair value under GAAP. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are to be classified and disclosed in one of the following three levels of the fair value hierarchy, of which the first two are considered observable and the last is considered unobservable. • Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. • Level 2—Observable inputs (other than Level 1 quoted prices), such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets or liabilities, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. • Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to determining the fair value of the assets or liabilities, including pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques. The Company’s cash equivalents and investments are carried at fair value, determined according to the fair value hierarchy described above (see Note 3). The carrying values of the Company’s accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair value due to the short-term nature of these liabilities. Deferred Offering Costs The Company capitalizes certain legal, professional accounting and other third-party fees that are directly associated with in-process equity financings as deferred offering costs until such financings are consummated. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company received aggregate gross proceeds from the sale of common stock of approximately $59,042 and $16,881, respectively before deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses of approximately $3,482 and $1,494, respectively. Net Loss per Share Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted net income (loss) is computed by adjusting income (loss) per share to reallocate undistributed earnings based on the potential impact of dilutive securities. Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing the diluted net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period, including potential dilutive common shares. For purpose of this calculation, outstanding options, restricted stock units and warrants to purchase common stock are considered potential dilutive common shares. In periods in which the Company reports a net loss, diluted net loss per share is the same as basic net loss per share, since dilutive common shares are not assumed to have been issued if their effect is anti-dilutive. Risks and Uncertainties In December 2019, an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a strain of novel coronavirus, COVID-19, began in China. That outbreak has led to millions of confirmed cases worldwide, including in the United States and other countries where the Company is conducting clinical trials or activities in support thereof. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. Recently, new variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been identified and are spreading around the world, which may worsen or prolong the pandemic. In addition to those who have been directly affected, millions more have been affected by governmental efforts around the world to slow the spread of the virus. The outbreak and government measures taken in response have also had a significant impact, both direct and indirect, on businesses and commerce. The future progression of the pandemic and its effects on our business and operations are uncertain. Potential impacts to the Company’s business include disruptions in supply of the Company’s product candidate and/or procurement of items that are essential for the Company’s research and development activities, including, for example, raw materials used in the manufacturing of ALRN-6924, medical and laboratory supplies used in the Company’s clinical trials or preclinical studies or animals that are used for preclinical testing, in each case, for which there may be shortages because of ongoing efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic Additionally, the Company has enrolled, and is seeking to enroll, cancer patients in the Company’s clinical trials at sites located both in the United States and Europe, which are areas that continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Enrollment at clinical trial sites may be disrupted as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic persist. In the event that clinical trial sites close to enrollment in the Company’s trials or shift resources to address COVID-19, this could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s clinical trial plans and timelines. The Company may face difficulties recruiting or retaining patients in its ongoing and planned clinical trials if patients are affected by the virus or are fearful of visiting or traveling to our clinical trial sites because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Any negative impact that the COVID-19 outbreak has on the ability of the Company’s suppliers to provide materials necessary for the Company’s product candidate or on recruiting or retaining patients in the Company’s clinical trials could cause costly delays to clinical trial activities, which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to obtain regulatory approval for and to commercialize the Company’s product candidate, increase the Company’s operating expenses, affect the Company’s ability to raise additional capital, and impact the Company’s operating and financial results. The capital markets have also experienced significant volatility as a result of the pandemic. Future disruptions in the capital markets could negatively impact the Company’s ability to raise capital in the future. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"). This standard requires that expected credit losses relating to financial assets measured on an amortized cost basis and available-for-sale debt securities be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. It also limits the amount of credit losses to be recognized for available-for-sale debt securities to the amount by which carrying value exceeds fair value and also requires the reversal of previously recognized credit losses if fair value increases. The standard also establishes additional disclosure requirements related to credit risks. This guidance was originally effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods, and early adoption was permitted. In November 2019, the FASB subsequently issued ASU 2019-10, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates, whereby the effective date of this standard for smaller reporting companies was deferred to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods, and early adoption is still permitted. Accordingly, the Company will now adopt this standard effective January 1, 2023, and it is currently evaluating the potential impact that ASU 2016-13 may have on its condensed financial statements. |