Equity-based Compensation | 8. Equity-based Compensation 2021 Equity Incentive Plan On October 7, 2021, the date upon which the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 in connection with the IPO was declared effective, the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”) became effective. On the same date, the Company ceased granting awards under its 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”). The 2021 Plan authorizes the award of both equity-based and cash-based incentive awards, including: (i) stock options (both incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options), (ii) stock appreciation rights, (iii) restricted stock awards, (iv) restricted stock units, or RSUs, and (v) cash or other stock-based awards. Incentive stock options may be granted only to employees. All other types of awards may be issued to employees, directors, consultants, and other service providers. As of March 31, 2023, the aggregate number of shares of common stock of the Company that may be issued under the Plan is 3,224,254. The number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2021 Plan increased automatically on January 1, 2023 pursuant to an evergreen provision therein by 1,449,577 shares, representing 5.0% of total common shares outstanding at December 31, 2022. The aggregate number of shares will increase each anniversary of such date prior to the termination of the 2021 Plan, equal to the lesser of (i) 5% of the Company’s shares of common stock issued and outstanding on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (ii) such smaller number of shares as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors or the compensation committee. No more than 7,543,185 shares of common stock may be issued under the 2021 Plan through incentive stock options. Shares subject to the 2017 Plan or the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan” and collectively with the 2017 Plan, the “Prior Plans”) that expire, terminate or are cancelled or forfeited for any reason after the effectiveness of the 2021 Plan will be added (or added back) to the shares available for issuance under the 2021 Plan. The total number of shares underlying the Prior Plan awards that may be recycled into the 2021 Plan will not exceed 4,334,131 shares. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan On September 15, 2017, the Company’s board of directors approved the 2017 Plan, which provides for the granting of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options and stock awards to employees, certain consultants and directors. The board of directors, or its designated committee, has the sole authority to select the individuals to whom awards are granted and determine the terms of each award, including the number of shares and the schedule upon which the award becomes exercisable. Upon the effectiveness of the 2021 Plan, no further awards will be granted under the 2017 Plan. The aggregate number of shares of common stock of the Company that may be issued under the 2017 Plan is 4,334,131 (taking into account shares of common stock that may become issuable pursuant to Section 3(b) of the 2017 Plan in respect of shares of common stock reserved under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Incentive Plan). The 2021 Plan allows for a provision for shares granted under the Prior Plans which are cancelled, forfeited, exchanged or surrendered without having been exercised to subsequently be available for reissuance under the 2021 Plan. Employee Stock Purchase Plan The Company’s board of directors approved the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) prior to the closing of the IPO. Under the ESPP, the Company may provide employees and employees of the Subsidiary with an opportunity to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a discounted purchase price. As of March 31, 2023, subject to adjustment as provided in the ESPP, a total of 209,532 shares of common stock are authorized and reserved for issuance under the ESPP. Subject to prior approval by the board of directors in each instance, on or about January 1, 2022 and each anniversary of such date thereafter prior to the termination of the ESPP, the number of shares of common stock authorized and reserved for issuance under the ESPP will be increased by a number of shares of common stock equal to the least of (i) 1,000,000 shares of common stock, (ii) 1% of the shares of common stock outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year, and (iii) such smaller number of shares of common stock as determined by the board of directors. Such shares of common stock may be newly issued shares, treasury shares or shares acquired on the open market. In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, our common stock, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, or exchange of common stock or other securities, or other change in the structure affecting common stock occurs, then in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the ESPP, the compensation committee will, in such manner as it deems equitable, adjust the number of shares and class of common stock that may be delivered under the ESPP, the purchase price per share and the number of shares covered by each outstanding option under the ESPP, and the numerical limits described above. Stock Options The fair value of options granted was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 2022 Fair value of common stock $1.65 – $2.12 $3.05 Expected volatility 92.29% – 92.68% 91.29% Risk-free interest rate 3.46% – 4.21% 2.36% Dividend yield 0.00% 0.00% Expected term (years) 6.18 – 6.21 6.08 Expected Term Risk-Free Interest Rate Expected Volatility Dividend Yield Fair Value of Common Stock Activity for options was as follows: Options Outstanding Weighted Weighted- Aggregate Average Average Intrinsic Remaining Number of Exercise Value Contractual Life Options Price (in 000’s) (In Years) Balance, December 31, 2022 3,679,468 $ 5.13 $ 2,085 6.7 Options granted 412,720 $ 2.08 Options exercised — $ — Options forfeited — $ — Options expired (2,182) $ 3.01 Balance, March 31, 2023 4,090,006 $ 5.13 $ 2,085 6.7 Exercisable as of March 31, 2023 2,430,915 $ 4.75 $ 1,506 6.0 The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted was $1.62 and $2.31 during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. There were 412,720 stock options granted at an aggregate fair value of $668 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 212,450 stock options granted at an aggregate fair value of $491 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, there were 0 and 348,552 stock options exercised, respectively, with an aggregate grant date fair value of $0 and $209, respectively. The intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $0, and was $1,084 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Restricted Stock Units The fair values of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) are based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock upon vesting. The RSUs will vest annually over three years on each anniversary of the Grant Date. The following table summarizes the Company’s RSU activity for the three months ended March 31, 2023: Number of Weighted-Average Restricted Grant Date Stock Units Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2022 — $ — Granted 375,870 $ 2.09 Vested — $ — Forfeited — $ — Outstanding at March 31, 2023 375,870 $ 2.09 Equity-based Compensation Expense The Company recorded total equity-based compensation expense in the statement of operations and comprehensive loss related to stock options and restricted stock units as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 2022 Research and development $ 157 $ 234 General and administrative 1,030 767 Total equity-based compensation $ 1,187 $ 1,001 As of March 31, 2023, total future compensation expense related to unvested awards yet to be recognized by the Company was $6,944, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average remaining vesting period of approximately 2.0 years. |