Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Reverse Stock Split On April 19, 2018, the Company’s board of directors approved an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect a 1-for-2.95 reverse split (“Reverse Split”) of shares of the Company’s common and convertible preferred stock, which was effected on April 20, 2018. The par value and authorized shares of common stock and convertible preferred stock were not adjusted as a result of the Reverse Split. All of the share and per share information included in the accompanying financial statements has been adjusted to reflect the Reverse Split. Initial Public Offering On May 7, 2018, the Company closed its initial public offering (“IPO”), of 5,000,000 shares of common stock, at an offering price to the public of $17.00 per share. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $75.9 million, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering related transaction costs of approximately $9.1 million. In connection with the IPO, all of the Company’s outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock were automatically converted into 32,073,149 shares of common stock. In addition, all of the Company’s convertible preferred stock warrants were converted into warrants to purchase shares of common stock. In connection with the completion of its IPO, on May 7, 2018, the Company’s certificate of incorporation was amended and restated to provide for 300,000,000 authorized shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share and 10,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and market-specific or other relevant assumptions that it believes are reasonable under the circumstances. The amounts of assets and liabilities reported in the Company’s balance sheets and the amount of expenses and income reported for each of the periods presented are affected by estimates and assumptions, which are used for, but are not limited to, determining the fair value of assets and liabilities, contingent consideration liability, common stock valuation, and stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ from such estimates or assumptions. Segments The Company has one operating segment. The Company’s chief operating decision maker, its Chief Executive Officer, manages the Company’s operations on a consolidated basis for the purposes of allocating resources. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents primarily include money market funds that invest in U.S. Treasury obligations which are stated at fair value. The Company has issued a letter of credit under a lease agreement which has been collateralized. This cash is classified as noncurrent restricted cash on the balance sheet based on the term of the underlying lease. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the balance sheets that sum to the total of the same amounts shown in the statements of cash flows. December 31, 2018 2017 2016 (in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 15,399 $ 7,298 $ 89,286 Restricted cash 550 550 450 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ 15,949 $ 7,848 $ 89,736 Marketable Securities The Company generally invests its excess cash in investment grade, short to intermediate-term, fixed income securities. Such investments are considered available-for-sale, and reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included as a component of stockholders’ deficit. Marketable securities with original maturities of greater than 90 days from the date of purchase but less than one year from the balance sheet date are classified as short-term, while marketable securities with maturities in one year or beyond one year from the balance sheet date are classified as long-term. The amortized cost of debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity, which is included in interest income on the statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary, if any, on marketable securities are included in interest income (expense), net. The cost of securities sold is determined using the specific identification method. The Company periodically evaluates whether declines in fair values of its marketable securities below their book value are other-than-temporary. This evaluation consists of several qualitative and quantitative factors regarding the severity and duration of the unrealized loss as well as the Company’s ability and intent to hold the marketable security until a forecasted recovery occurs. Additionally, the Company assesses whether it has plans to sell the security or it is more likely than not it will be required to sell any marketable securities before recovery of its amortized cost basis. Factors considered include quoted market prices, recent financial results and operating trends, implied values from any recent transactions or offers of investee securities, credit quality of debt instrument issuers, other publicly available information that may affect the value of the marketable security, duration and severity of the decline in value, and management’s strategy and intentions for holding the marketable security. To date, the Company has not recorded any impairment charges on its marketable securities related to other-than-temporary declines in market value. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The Company’s financial instruments during the periods presented consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, contribution receivable, marketable securities, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued compensation, accrued and other current liabilities. Fair value estimates of these instruments are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information. These estimates may be subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment. Concentrations of Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, marketable securities and contribution receivable. Substantially all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash is deposited in accounts with financial institutions that management believes are of high credit quality. Such deposits have and will continue to exceed federally insured limits. The Company maintains its cash with accredited financial institutions and accordingly, such funds are subject to minimal credit risk. The Company has not experienced any losses on its cash deposits. The contribution receivable is unsecured and is concentrated with one third-party organization, and accordingly the Company may be exposed to credit risk. To date, the Company has not experienced any loss related to its contributions receivable. The Company’s investment policy limits investments to certain types of securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies and institutions with investment-grade credit ratings and places restrictions on maturities and concentration by type and issuer. The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of a default by the financial institutions holding its cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities and issuers of marketable securities to the extent recorded on the balance sheets. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had no off-balance sheet concentrations of credit risk. The Company depends on third-party suppliers for key raw materials used in its manufacturing processes and is subject to certain risks related to the loss of these third-party suppliers or their inability to supply the Company with adequate raw materials. Contribution Revenue and Receivables The Company recognizes contribution revenue related to the receipt of cash from third-party resource providers not considered to be customers and where the transfer of assets is not an exchange transaction or financing of research and development. Contribution revenue and related receivables are recognized for conditional contributions as the conditions related to the contribution are relieved. In July 2017, the Company entered an arrangement with a third-party organization under which the Company would be provided with up to $1.5 million of funding for the performance of certain research and development activities during the 90-day period following the arrangement in pursuit of the third-party organization’s philanthropic mission. All conditions related to this contribution were met during 2017 and the Company recognized $1.4 million under this arrangement, which was recorded as contribution revenue in the statement of operations and a contribution receivable on the balance sheet. Research and Development Expenses Costs related to research, design and development of drug candidates are charged to research and development expense as incurred. Research and development costs include, but are not limited to, payroll and personnel expenses for personnel contributing to research and development activities, laboratory supplies, outside services, licenses acquired to be used in research and development and allocated overhead, including rent, equipment, depreciation and utilities. Payments made prior to the receipt of goods or services to be used in research and development are deferred and recognized as expense in the period in which the related goods are received or services are rendered. Such payments are evaluated for current or long-term classification based on when they will be realized. Contingent Consideration Liability The Company has entered into and may continue to enter into, license agreements to access and utilize certain technology. In each case, the Company evaluates if the license agreement results in the acquisition of an asset or a business. To date none of the Company’s license agreements have been considered an acquisition of a business. For asset acquisitions, the upfront payments to acquire such licenses, as well as any future milestone payments made before product approval, are immediately recognized as research and development expense when due, provided there is no alternative future use of the rights in other research and development projects. These license agreements also include contingent consideration in the form of additional issuances of the Company’s common stock based on the achievement of certain milestones. For asset acquisitions, the Company assesses on a continuous basis whether such contingent consideration meets the definition of a derivative and can or cannot be classified within stockholders’ equity, until such time that equity classification criteria are met or the milestones expire. The derivative related to this contingent consideration is measured at fair value as of each balance sheet date with the related change in fair value being reflected in operating expenses. Upon a reassessment event that results in the contingent consideration no longer meeting the definition of a derivative and/or meeting equity classification critera, the final change in fair value of the instrument is recorded within operating expenses and the liability is reclassified into stockholders’ equity. Variable Interest Entities The Company reviews agreements it enters into with third-party entities, pursuant to which the Company may have a variable interest in the entity, in order to determine if the entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”). If the entity is a VIE, the Company assesses whether or not it is the primary beneficiary of that entity. In determining whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of an entity, the Company applies a qualitative approach that determines whether it has both (i) the power to direct the economically significant activities of the entity and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the entity that could potentially be significant to that entity. If the Company determines it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, it consolidates that VIE into the Company’s financial statements. The Company’s determination about whether it should consolidate such VIEs is made continuously as changes to existing relationships or future transactions may result in a consolidation or deconsolidation event. Property and Equipment, Net Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, generally three years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the term of the lease. Depreciation and amortization begins at the time the asset is placed in service. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred and costs of improvement are capitalized. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be fully recoverable. If indicators of impairment exist and the undiscounted future cash flows that the assets are expected to generate are less than the carrying value of the assets, the Company reduces the carrying amount of the assets through an impairment charge, to their estimated fair values based on a discounted cash flow approach or, when available and appropriate, to comparable market values. No impairment losses have been recorded for the periods presented. Leases The Company leases office space and laboratory facilities under non-cancelable operating lease agreements and recognizes related rent expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Incentives granted under the Company’s facilities lease, including allowances to fund leasehold improvements and rent holidays, and are recognized as reductions to rental expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Lessor funded leasehold improvement incentives not yet received are recorded in prepaid expense and other current assets on the balance sheet. The Company does not assume renewals in its determination of the lease term unless they are deemed to be reasonably assured at the inception of the lease and begins recognizing rent expense on the date that it obtains the legal right to use and control the leased space. Deferred rent consists of the difference between cash payments and the rent expense recognized. The Company entered into capital lease agreements for certain equipment with a lease term of three years. The current portion of capital lease obligations is included in accrued and other liabilities and the noncurrent capital lease obligations is included in other noncurrent liabilities in the balance sheet. Convertible Preferred Stock The Company records all shares of convertible preferred stock at their respective issuance price less issuance costs on the dates of issuance. Upon the occurrence of certain change in control events that are outside the Company’s control, including liquidation, sale or transfer of the Company, holders of the convertible preferred stock can cause redemption for cash. Therefore, convertible preferred stock is classified outside of stockholders’ deficit on the balance sheet as events triggering the liquidation preferences are not solely within the Company’s control. The carrying values of the convertible preferred stock are adjusted to their liquidation preferences when and if it becomes probable that such an event will occur. Stock-Based Compensation The Company measures employee and director stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based awards based on their grant date fair value. For stock-based awards with service conditions only, stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period using the straight-line method. For awards with performance conditions, the Company evaluates the probability of achieving performance condition at each reporting date. The Company begins to recognize stock-based compensation expense using an accelerated attribution method when it is deemed probable that the performance condition will be met. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock option awards that do not contain market conditions. The Black-Scholes option-pricing model requires assumptions to be made related to the expected term of an award, expected dividends, expected volatility and risk-free rate. The Company uses the Monte Carlo simulation models to estimate the fair value of stock option awards that contain market conditions. The Monte Carlo simulation models require the use of subjective and complex assumptions which determine the fair value of such awards including price volatility of the underlying stock and derived service periods. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense for stock options granted to non-employees based on the estimated fair value of the award as it is more readily measurable than the fair value of the services received. The fair value of stock options granted to non-employees is estimated at grant date and re-measured at each reporting period using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model until the awards vest and the resulting change in value, if any, is recognized in the statements of operations. Income Taxes The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes, in which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be reversed. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized as income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established if it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company’s tax positions are subject to income tax audits. The Company recognizes the tax benefit of an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the position is sustainable upon examination by the taxing authority, based on the technical merits. The tax benefit recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit which is more likely than not to be realized upon settlement with the taxing authority. The Company recognizes interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in its tax provision. The Company evaluates uncertain tax positions on a regular basis. The evaluations are based on a number of factors, including changes in facts and circumstances, changes in tax law, correspondence with tax authorities during the course of the audit, and effective settlement of audit issues. The provision for income taxes includes the effects of any accruals that the Company believes are appropriate, as well as the related net interest and penalties. Net Loss per Common Share Basic net loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock and potential dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding during the period if the effect is dilutive. The calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share also requires that, to the extent the presumed issuance of additional shares as contingent consideration is dilutive to earnings (loss) per share for the period, adjustments to net income or net loss used in the calculation are required to remove the change in fair value of the contingent consideration liability for the period. Likewise, adjustments to the denominator are required to reflect the related dilutive shares. In all periods presented, the Company’s outstanding stock options, convertible preferred stock, early exercised common stock subject to future vesting, restricted stock accounted for as options common and preferred stock warrants and presumed issuance of additional shares as contingent consideration were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share because their effects were antidilutive. Comprehensive Loss Comprehensive loss includes net loss and certain changes in stockholders’ deficit that are excluded from net loss, primarily unrealized losses on the Company’s marketable securities. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles (Topic 350): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. This new standard also requires customers to expense the capitalized implementation costs of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract over the term of the hosting arrangement. This standard is effective for the Company for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021. This new standard can be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption on its financial statements. In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement In August 2018, the SEC adopted amendments to certain disclosure requirements in Securities Act Release No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification. The Company adopted these SEC amendments on November 5, 2018 and will present the analysis of changes in stockholders’ equity in its interim financial statements in its March 31, 2019 Form 10-Q. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of these SEC amendments will have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows or shareholders’ equity. In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments) In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) Leases In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718)- Scope of Modification Accounting |