Summary of significant accounting policies | Summary of significant accounting policies Basis of presentation The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted (“GAAP”) in the United States. Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to GAAP as found in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). Principles of consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, IsoPlexis UK Limited and IsoPlexis (Shanghai) Trading Co., Ltd. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. 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 and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant estimates are those used in the determination of the fair value of warrant liabilities, useful lives of long-lived assets, inventory valuation, and estimated fair value of common stock for purposes of recording equity-based incentive compensation prior to the Company’s IPO. Cash and cash equivalents Cash equivalents consist of investments in short-term, highly liquid securities having original maturities of three months or less. The carrying values of these assets approximate their fair values. The Company maintains its cash with high-credit quality financial institutions. At times, such amounts may exceed federally insured limits. Accounts receivable, net Accounts receivable are recorded at net realizable value. This value includes an appropriate allowance for credit losses. The Company calculates the allowance based on historical collection experience, the aging of receivables, specific current and expected future macroeconomic and market conditions, and assessments of the current creditworthiness and economic status of customers. The Company considers a receivable delinquent if it is unpaid after the term of the related invoice has expired. Write‑offs are recorded at the time all collection efforts have been exhausted. The Company reviews its allowance for credit losses on a quarterly basis. Inventories, net Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Inventories are accounted for using the first-in, first-out method of determining inventory costs. Inventory quantities on-hand are regularly reviewed, and where necessary, provisions for excess and obsolete inventory, shrinkage, and scrap are recorded based primarily on the Company’s estimated forecast of product demand and production requirements. As of year-ended 2022 and 2021, the Net Inventory balance were $27.5 million and $24.3 million, respectively. Product and services revenue and cost of sales The Company primarily generates product revenue from the sale of single-cell diagnostic equipment and consumables and also generates service revenues by measuring immune responses using the Company's technology. The Company recognizes revenue when and as control of products and services is transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled from customers in exchange for those products and services. This process involves identifying the contract with a customer, determining the performance obligations in the contract, determining the transaction price, allocating the transaction prices to each performance obligation in the contract, and recognizing revenue when or as the performance obligations have been satisfied. Revenue recognition for contracts with multiple performance obligations is based on the separate satisfaction of each distinct performance obligation within the contract. A performance obligation is considered distinct from other obligations in a contract when it provides a benefit to the customer either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer and is separately identified in the contract. The Company considers a performance obligation satisfied once the Company has transferred control of a good or service to the customer, meaning the customer has the ability to use and obtain the benefit of the good or service. The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation in proportion to its standalone selling price. If the product or service has no history of standalone sales or if the sales volume is not sufficient, the Company estimates standalone selling price maximizing the use of observable inputs such as expected cost plus a reasonable margin and competitor pricing. The Company contracts with its customers based on purchase orders, which are short-term single orders. The Company records revenue from sales of single-cell diagnostic equipment and consumables when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with customers are satisfied, which is when control of the goods is transferred to the customer at the time of shipment. Invoicing typically occurs upon shipment and payment is typically due within 30 days from invoice. Product returns are minimal and must be requested by the customer within 72 hours of receipt. The Company recognizes service revenue when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with customers are satisfied, which is generally at the time the analysis data from measuring immune responses using the Company’s technology is made available to the customer. The Company also generates revenues through the sale of extended service type warranties, which are recognized ratably over the contract term as the Company is standing ready to provide services when and if needed. Revenue is recorded net of discounts and sales taxes collected on behalf of governmental authorities. Employee sales commissions are recorded as sales and marketing expenses when incurred as the amortization period for such costs, if capitalized, would have been one year or less. Cost of products and services revenue consists of labor, components and overhead costs related to the products sold and services delivered, as well as royalty expense and amortization under the license technology agreements described in Note 13. The amortization of capitalized intangible assets is recognized in cost of product and service revenue. The amortization of purchased intangible assets is recognized in general and administrative operating expenses. Once products begin selling that utilize the purchased intangibles technology, amortization is recorded to cost of product and service revenue. The Company makes judgements as to its ability to collect outstanding receivables and provides allowances when collections becomes doubtful. Property and equipment Property and equipment, including leasehold improvements, are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, ranging from one The estimated useful lives of the major classes of property and equipment as generally as follows: Estimated Useful Lives Furniture and equipment 1 to 7 years Computers and technology 3 to 5 years Leasehold improvements Lesser of lease term or useful life (approximately 3 to 5 years) Patents Costs related to filing and pursuing patent applications for products that have reached technological feasibility are capitalized and amortized over the estimated period to be benefited, not to exceed the patent lives, which may be as long as 17 years. Patent costs are amortized as part of cost of product and service revenue. The Company periodically evaluates capitalized patent costs to determine if any amounts should be written down. Patent costs for products that have not reached technological feasibility are expensed as incurred in general and administrative expenses since recoverability of such expenditures is uncertain. License agreements The Company has entered into and may continue to enter into license agreements to access and utilize certain technology. The Company evaluates if the license agreement results in acquisition of an asset or a business and then determines if the acquired asset has the ability to generate revenues or is subject to regulatory approval. When regulatory approval is not required and there is a probable future benefit from the license, the Company records the license as an asset and amortizes it over the estimated economic life. The Company records the amortization as a cost of product and service revenue. Leases The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02 as of January 1, 2022, using a modified retrospective transition approach and elected the optional transition method to apply the provision of ASC 842 as of the effective date, rather than the earliest period presented. The Company elected the “package of practical expedients”, which permits it to not reassess under the new standard the Company’s prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. The Company made an accounting policy election to exempt short-term leases of 12 months or less from balance sheet recognition requirements associated with the new standard. Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less, or on a month-to-month basis, are not recorded on the balance sheet and are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company also elected the practical expedient for use-of-hindsight to conclude on lease term. If applicable, the Company combines lease and non-lease components, which primarily relate to ancillary expenses associated with real estate leases such as common area maintenance charges and management fees. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception and determines the classification of the lease, as either operating or finance, at commencement. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, accrued expenses and other current liabilities and long-term operating lease obligations on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company presently does not have any finance leases. ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date of the lease based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The Company’s leases do not provide a readily determinable implicit discount rate. The Company’s borrowing rate is estimated to approximate the interest rate on a collateralized basis with similar terms and payments, and in similar economic environments. Operating lease ROU assets also factor in any lease payments made, initial direct costs and lease incentives received. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that it will exercise that option. Some of the Company’s leases include options to extend the lease term. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The adoption of this accounting standard resulted in recording operating lease ROU assets for five real estate and three equipment operating lease arrangements and corresponding operating lease liabilities of $5.7 million and $5.9 million, respectively, as of January 1, 2022. The operating lease ROU assets at adoption were lower than the operating lease liabilities because of the balance of the Company’s deferred rent liabilities of $0.2 million at December 31, 2021, which was reclassified into operating lease assets. The adoption of the standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations or consolidated statements of cash flows. Shipping and handling Shipping and handling expenses are included in cost of product revenue. Research and development state tax credits Research and development (“R&D”) tax credits exchanged for cash pursuant to the Connecticut R&D Tax Credit Exchange Program, which permits a qualified small business engaged in R&D activities within Connecticut to exchange its unused R&D tax credits for a cash amount equal to 65% of the value of exchanged credits, are recorded as a receivable and other income in the year the R&D tax credits relate to, as it is reasonably assured that the R&D tax credits will be received, based upon the Company’s history of filing for and receiving the tax credits. R&D tax credits receivable where cash is expected to be received by the Company more than one year after the balance sheet date are classified as noncurrent in the consolidated balance sheets . The Company has recorded $0.7 million of R&D tax credits receivable as of December 31, 2022 and 2021. Loan commitment The Company’s Credit Agreement (see Note 7) contained a commitment from the lender for an additional tranche of debt under certain conditions. The Company determined the commitment represented a freestanding financial instrument under the definition provided within the ASC Glossary, and therefore initially recorded it at fair value, with reductions in fair value that have occurred each period recorded in earnings. In 2022, the Company split the remaining tranche of debt into two borrowings and the Company drew the entire balance of the loan on June 29, 2022. The balance of the loan commitment asset is $0 at December 31, 2022. At December 31, 2021, the balance of $1.2 million was included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. Detachable warrants The Company accounts for detachable warrants on its preferred stock as freestanding financial instruments in accordance with ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, (“ASC 840”) which requires the Company to separately account for the detachable warrants at fair value. Under liability classification prior to the IPO, the fair value used for the warrants was calculated using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Upon IPO, the warrants were converted into common stock warrants and as a result of meeting the criteria for equity classified instruments in ASC 480, were reclassified into equity at the fair value at conversion. See Notes 3 and 7. Fair value measurements The fair value of assets and liabilities are based on 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 maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The Company uses a fair value hierarchy with three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, to measure fair value: Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 — Inputs, other than Level 1, that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable in the market, the determination of fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis include money market funds, loan commitment assets, and warrant liabilities (Note 3). The fair value of the loan commitment and warrant liabilities was determined based on Level 3 inputs as described in Note 3. An entity may elect to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value at specified election dates. The Company did not elect to measure any additional financial instruments or other items at fair value. There have been no changes to the valuation methods utilized by the Company during the years ended December 31, 2022 or 2021. The Company evaluates transfers between levels at the end of each reporting period. There were no transfers of financial instruments between levels during the years ended December 31, 2022 or 2021. Income taxes The Company has adopted the accounting guidance within ASC 740 on uncertainties in income taxes. ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, (“ASC 740”) prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributed to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. Deferred income taxes result primarily from temporary differences between the recognition of stock-based compensation and certain other expenses for both financial statement and income tax reporting purposes as well as net operating loss and tax carryforwards. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred income tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. The Company has no unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2022 and 2021 and its income tax returns after 2018 are subject to audit by the applicable taxing authorities. The Company will recognize any interest and penalties associated with tax matters as part of income tax expense. Stock-based compensation The Company measures stock option awards made to employees and directors based on the estimated fair values of the awards and recognizes the compensation expense over the requisite service period. ASC 718, Stock Compensation , requires the recognition of stock-based compensation expense, using a fair value-based method, for costs related to all stock options granted. Stock-based compensation awards consist of stock options and restricted stock awards, which function similar to restricted stock units. The Company’s determination of the fair value of stock options with time-based vesting on the date of grant utilizes the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, and is impacted by the estimated fair value of its common stock as well as other variables including, but not limited to, the expected term that stock options will remain outstanding, the expected common stock price volatility over the term of the stock option, risk-free interest rates and expected dividends. The fair value of stock options is recognized over the period during which an optionee is required to provide services in exchange for the stock option award, known as the requisite service period, on a straight-line basis. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized based on the fair value determined on the date of grant and is reduced for forfeitures as they occur. The grant date is determined based on the date when a mutual understanding of the key terms of the stock option awards are established. Due to the lack of Company-specific historical implied volatility data, the Company bases its computations of expected volatility on the historical volatility of a representative group of public companies with similar characteristics of the Company, including stage of product development and life science industry focus. The historical volatility is calculated based on a period of time commensurate with the expected term assumption. The Company uses the simplified method as prescribed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, Share-Based Payment , to calculate the expected term for options granted to employees and non-employees, whereby, the expected term equals the arithmetic average of the vesting term and the original contractual term of the options due to its lack of sufficient historical data. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury securities with a maturity date commensurate with the expected term of the associated award. The expected dividend yield is assumed to be zero as the Company has never paid dividends and has no current plans to pay any dividends on its common stock. Prior to the IPO, due to the absence of an active market for the Company’s common stock, the Company utilized methodologies in accordance with the framework of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Technical Practice Aid, Valuation of Privately-Held Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation, to estimate the fair value of its common stock. The estimated fair value of the Company’s common stock was determined at each grant based upon a variety of factors, including the illiquid nature of the common stock, arm’s-length sales of the Company’s capital stock (including redeemable convertible preferred stock), the effect of the rights and preferences of the preferred shareholders, and the prospects of a liquidity event. Among other factors are the Company’s financial position and historical financial performance, the status of technological developments within the Company’s research, the composition and ability of the current research and management team, an evaluation or benchmark of the Company’s competition, and the current business climate in the marketplace. Estimates of the fair value of common stock are no longer necessary to determine the fair value of new awards in periods ended after the closing of the IPO since the underlying shares have begun trading publicly. Impairment of long-lived and intangible assets The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets, which include property and equipment and intangible assets, whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of an asset or asset group is measured by comparison of its carrying amount to the expected future undiscounted cash flows that the asset or asset group is expected to generate. If that review indicates that the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable, an impairment loss is recorded in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds its fair value. There were no impairment indicators in 2022 or 2021. Preferred stock The Company recorded all shares of redeemable preferred stock at their respective fair values less issuance costs on the dates of issuance. Prior to December 31, 2021, preferred stock was recorded outside of stockholders’ deficit because, in the event of certain deemed liquidation events, which are events that are not considered solely within the Company’s control, such as a merger, acquisition or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, the preferred stock would become redeemable. All series of preferred stock outstanding as of October 12, 2021 were converted into common stock as a result of the Company’s IPO. The Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated October 12, 2021, authorizes preferred shares that are not subject to redemption or conversion. No preferred shares are issued or outstanding as of December 31, 2022 or 2021. Derivatives Upon issuing financial instruments, the Company assesses whether the nature of the host contract and any of the features embedded within the financial instrument could be considered derivatives that require bifurcation. In determining whether the embedded features represent derivatives that could require bifurcation, the Company assesses whether the economic characteristics of embedded features are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the remaining component of the financial instruments (i.e., the host contracts), whether the instrument is measured at fair value with changes in fair value reported in earnings as they occur and whether a separate, non-embedded instrument with the same terms as the embedded instruments would meet the definition of a derivative instrument. When it is determined that all of the criteria above are met, the embedded derivative is separated from the host contract and carried at fair value with any changes in fair value recorded in current period earnings. Research and development costs Research and development expenses consist of costs incurred to develop an automated method and instrument and consumable assay (platform) that proves feasibility and expands the capability of the Company's technology. Research and development expenses include personnel costs for the Company’s research and product development employees, as well as non-personnel costs such as facilities and overhead costs attributable to research and development, and professional fees payable to third parties for research services. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Product warranties The Company generally provides a one-year warranty on instruments. At the time revenue is recognized, an accrual is established for estimated warranty expenses based on historical experience as well as anticipated product performance. The Company periodically reviews the warranty reserve for adequacy and adjusts the warranty accrual, if necessary, based on actual experience and estimated costs to be incurred. Warranty expense is recorded as a component of cost of product revenue. Product warranties are meant to ensure all the Company’s instruments are operating effectively and based on the terms of the purchase or service agreement. Foreign currency translation and transactions The Company uses the U.S. dollar as its Reporting currency for financial reporting purposes. The functional currency for the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is their local currency. The translation of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates and revenue and expense accounts using the average exchange rate during each period. The gains and losses resulting from the translation are included in accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity and are excluded from net income. The portions of intercompany accounts receivable and accounts payable that are intended for settlement are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Transaction gains and losses generated by the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on recorded assets and liabilities denominated in a currency different than the functional currency of the applicable entity are recorded in other income (expense), net. See Note 15 for further information concerning transaction gains and losses. Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders The Company calculates basic net loss per share and diluted net loss per share using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is calculated using the two-class method, which is an earnings allocation formula that determines net loss per share for the holders of shares of the Company’s common stock and participating securities. The Company’s redeemable preferred stock contained a cumulative annual dividend right whether or not declared, which after consideration increases the net loss available to common stockholders. The Company’s redeemable preferred stock also contained participation rights in any dividend paid by the Company as well as residuals in liquidation and were deemed to be participating securities. The participating securities do not include a contractual obligation to share in losses of the Company and are not included in the calculation of net loss per share in the periods in which net loss is recorded. Except where the result would be antidilutive to net income (loss), diluted net income (loss) per share is computed assuming the exercise of common stock options and the conversion of outstanding shares of preferred stock. Segment information Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing operating performance. The Company manages its operations as a single segment for the purposes of allocating resources, assessing performance, and making operating decisions. For revenue by geographic area see Note 4. Recently adopted 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. This standard requires that credit losses be reported using an expected losses model rather than the incurred losses model that is currently used, and establishes additional disclosures related to credit risks. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2022 and has completed its assessment of the standard based on the composition of the Company’s portfolio of financial assets. The Company’s significant financial assets that are within the scope of the new standard consist of trade receivables and deferred revenue. There was an immaterial impact to the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss or balance sheet upon adoption. See Note 3 for discussion of the Company’s accounts receivable. |