Summary of significant accounting policies and recent accounting pronouncements | 2. Summary of significant accounting policies and recent accounting pronouncements Basis of presentation and consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and include the accounts of Stoke Therapeutics, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary. 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 Update (“ASU”) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). All intercompany transactions between and among the Company and its consolidated subsidiary have been eliminated. Use of estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, equity, expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Estimates are periodically reviewed in light of changes in circumstances, facts and experience. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and cash equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. The Company deposits its cash in checking, sweep and money market accounts. Restricted cash At December 31, 2023, restricted cash consisted of money market accounts collateralizing letters of credit issued as security deposits in connection with the Company’s leases of its corporate facilities. The following table reconciles cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash per the consolidated balance sheets to the statements of cash flows: As of December 31, 2023 2022 Cash and cash equivalents $ 191,442 $ 113,556 Restricted cash 569 569 $ 192,011 $ 114,125 Marketable Securities Marketable securities consist of government securities and obligations, corporate bonds and commercial paper with original maturities of more than 90 days at the purchase date. Investments are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported as a separate component of other comprehensive income/(loss). Management determines the appropriate classification of its investments at the time of purchase and reevaluates such determination at each balance sheet date. Concentration of credit risk Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk primarily consist of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. The Company maintains its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities at accredited financial institutions in amounts that exceed federally insured limits. The Company does not believe that it is subject to unusual credit risk beyond the normal credit risk associated with commercial banking relationships. Fair value of financial instruments ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement (ASC 820), establishes a fair value hierarchy for instruments measured at fair value that distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and the Company’s own assumptions (unobservable inputs). Observable inputs are those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. ASC 820 identifies fair value as the exchange price, or exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, ASC 820 establishes a three-tier value hierarchy that distinguishes between the following: Level 1—Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2—Inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable, such as quoted market prices, interest rates and yield curves. Level 3—Unobservable inputs developed using estimates of assumptions developed by the Company, which reflect those that a market participant would use. To the extent the valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair values requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized as Level 3. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Revenue recognition The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). This standard applies to all contracts with customers, except for contracts that are within the scope of other standards. Under ASC 606, an entity recognizes revenue when its customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In January 2022, the Company entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Acadia”) which is within the scope of ASC 606 (see Note 8). In determining the appropriate amount of revenue to be recognized as it fulfills its obligations under this agreement, the Company performs the following steps: (i) identification of the promised goods or services in the contract; (ii) determination of whether the promised goods or services are performance obligations including whether they are distinct in the context of the contract; (iii) measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations; and (v) recognition of revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies each performance obligation. As part of the accounting for this agreement, the Company must use its judgment to determine: (a) the number of performance obligations based on the determination under step (ii) above; (b) the transaction price under step (iii) above; (c) the stand-alone selling price for each performance obligation identified in the contract for the allocation of transaction price in step (iv) above; and (d) the contract term and pattern of satisfaction of the performance obligations under step (v) above. The Company uses judgment to determine whether milestones or other variable consideration, except for royalties, should be included in the transaction price. The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation on a relative stand-alone selling price basis, for which the Company recognizes revenue as or when the performance obligations under the contract are satisfied. Amounts due to the Company for satisfying the revenue recognition criteria or that are contractually due based upon the terms of the collaboration agreement are recorded as accounts receivable in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Amounts received prior to satisfying the revenue recognition criteria are recorded as deferred revenue in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Amounts expected to be recognized as revenue within the 12 months following the balance sheet date are classified as current deferred revenue. Amounts not expected to be recognized as revenue within the 12 months following the balance sheet date are classified as deferred revenue, net of current portion. Upfront license fees The licenses of the Company’s intellectual property granted to Acadia was not determined to be distinct from the other promises or performance obligations identified in the agreement. Accordingly, such licenses are therefore combined with other promises in the agreement. The Company exercises judgment to assess the nature of the combined performance obligation to determine whether the combined performance obligation is satisfied over time or at a point in time and, if over time, the appropriate method of measuring progress for purposes of recognizing revenue. The Company evaluates the measure of progress each reporting period and, if necessary, adjusts the measure of performance and related revenue recognition. Customer options If an arrangement is determined to contain customer options that allow the customer to acquire additional goods or services, the goods and services underlying the customer options are not considered to be performance obligations at the outset of the arrangement, as they are contingent upon option exercise. The Company evaluates the customer options for material rights or options to acquire additional goods or services for free or at a discount. If the customer options are determined to represent a material right, the material right is recognized as a separate performance obligation at the outset of the arrangement. No such material rights were identified in the arrangement with Acadia. If such material rights were identified, then the Company would allocate the transaction price to material rights based on the relative standalone selling price, which is determined based on the identified discount and the probability that the customer will exercise the option. Amounts allocated to a material right are not recognized or begin to be recognized as revenue until, at the earliest, the option is exercised. Research and development services The promises under the Company’s collaboration agreement with Acadia includes research and development services to be performed by the Company for or on behalf of the customer. Payments or reimbursements resulting from the Company’s research and development efforts are recognized as the services are performed and presented on a gross basis because the Company is the principal for such efforts. Milestone payments At the inception of the Acadia arrangement that includes development milestone payments, the Company evaluates whether the milestones are considered probable of being achieved and estimates the amount to be included in the transaction price using the most likely amount method. If it is probable that a significant revenue reversal would not occur, the associated milestone value is included in the transaction price. Milestone payments that are not within the control of the Company or the licensee, such as regulatory approvals, are not considered probable of being achieved until those approvals are received. The Company evaluates factors such as the scientific, clinical, regulatory, commercial and other risks that must be overcome to achieve the particular milestone in making this assessment. There is judgment involved in determining whether it is probable that a significant revenue reversal would not occur. At the end of each reporting period, the Company reevaluates the probability of achievement of all milestones subject to constraint and, if necessary, adjusts its estimate of the overall transaction price. Any such adjustments are recorded on a cumulative catch-up basis, which would affect revenues and earnings in the period of adjustment. The development milestones in the Acadia arrangement were not considered probable of achievement at the outset of the arrangement and as of December 31, 2023 . 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. After consummation of the equity financing, these costs are recorded in the consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity as a reduction of additional paid-in capital. Property and equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Cost includes the acquisition costs and all costs necessary to bring the asset to the location and working condition necessary for its intended use. Depreciation expense is recognized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of each asset. Upon retirement or sale, the cost of assets disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Expenditures for normal, recurring or periodic repairs and maintenance related to property and equipment are charged to expense as incurred. The cost for planned major maintenance activities, including the related acquisition or construction of assets, is capitalized if it will result in future economic benefits. Estimated useful lives for property and equipment are as follows: Property and equipment Estimated useful life Computer and office equipment 3 - 5 years Laboratory equipment and Furniture and fixtures 5 - 7 years Leasehold improvements Lesser of estimated useful life or remaining lease term Impairment of long-lived assets The Company reviews the recoverability of its long-lived assets when events or changes in circumstances occur that indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. The assessment of possible impairment is based on the ability to recover the carrying value of the assets from the expected future cash flows (undiscounted) of the related operations. If these cash flows are less than the carrying value of such assets, an impairment loss for the difference between the estimated fair value and carrying value is recorded. There were no impairment losses recognized during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 . Research and development costs Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses are comprised of costs incurred in performing research and development activities, including salaries and benefits, facilities costs, depreciation, third-party license fees, and costs related to third parties engaged to conduct preclinical research development activities. The Company has entered into various research and development contracts with research institutions and other companies to conduct research on its behalf. These agreements are generally cancellable. The Company records accruals for estimated ongoing research costs. When evaluating the adequacy of the accrued liabilities, the Company analyzes progress of the studies, including the phase or completion of events, invoices received and contracted costs. Significant judgments and estimates may be required in determining the accrued balances at the end of any reporting period. Actual results could differ from the Company’s estimates. The Company’s historical accrual estimates have not been materially different from the actual costs. Stock-based compensation The Company measures its stock-based awards granted based on the estimated fair values of the awards and recognizes the compensation expense for employees and nonemployees over the requisite service period. Stock options The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of its stock options. The Company has elected the practical expedient to use the midpoint between vesting date and the contractual term as the expected term for certain awards with service or performance conditions. Stock-based compensation is recognized using the straight-line method. Forfeitures of unvested stock-based awards are accounted for when they occur. Restricted stock units ("RSUs") For RSUs issued to employees, the Company recognizes the grant date fair value of the RSUs on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the respective awards. RSUs granted typically vest annually over a four-year period but may be granted with different vesting terms. Patent costs All patent-related costs incurred in connection with filing and prosecuting patent applications are expensed as incurred due to the uncertainty about the recovery of the expenditure. Amounts incurred are classified as general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Income taxes The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax base. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined on the basis of the differences between the consolidated financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the temporary differences are expected to be settled or recovered. Changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded in the provision for income taxes. The Company assesses the likelihood that its deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and, to the extent it believes, based upon the weight of available evidence that it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is established through a charge to income tax expense. Potential for recovery of deferred tax assets is evaluated by estimating the future taxable profits expected and considering prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance. Reserves are provided for tax benefits for which realization is uncertain. Such benefits are only recognized when the underlying tax position is considered more-likely-than-not to be sustained on examination by a taxing authority, assuming they possess full knowledge of the position and facts. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recognized in the provision of income taxes; however, the Company currently has no interest or penalties related to uncertain income tax benefits. Segment and geographic information Operating segments are defined as components of an entity about which separate discrete information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company operates in one segment in the United States. The Company’s chief executive officer, as the chief operating decision-maker, manages and allocates resources to the operations of the Company on a total company basis using consolidated financial information. Emerging growth company and smaller reporting company status The Company is an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the JOBS Act). Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act, until such time as those standards apply to private companies. The Company has elected to use this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date that it is (i) no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act. As a result, the Company’s consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with the new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates. The Company will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of our IPO, (b) in which the Company has total annual gross revenue of at least $1.235 billion or (c) in which the Company is deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of the Company’s common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of the prior June 30th, and (ii) the date on which the Company has issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three- year period. The Company anticipates ceasing to be an emerging growth company as of December 31, 2024, which is the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of our IPO. The Company is also a “smaller reporting company,” meaning that in the event of an initial public offering the market value of its stock held by non-affiliates plus the proposed aggregate amount of gross proceeds to the Company as a result of such offering is less than $700.0 million and its annual revenue is less than $100.0 million during the most recently completed fiscal year. The Company may continue to be a smaller reporting company as long as either (i) the market value of its stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250.0 million or (ii) its annual revenue is less than $100.0 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of its stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700.0 million. If the Company is a smaller reporting company at the time it ceases to be an emerging growth company, the Company may continue to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are available to smaller reporting companies. Specifically, as a smaller reporting company, the Company may choose to present only the two most recent fiscal years of audited financial statements in its Annual Report on Form 10-K and, similar to emerging growth companies, smaller reporting companies have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation. Recently issued accounting pronouncements In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “ Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures ” (“ASU 2023-07”), which expands disclosures about a public entity’s reportable segments and requires more enhanced information about a reportable segment’s expenses, interim segment profit or loss, and how a public entity’s chief operating decision maker uses reported segment profit or loss information in assessing segment performance and allocating resources. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that the adoption will have on its consolidated financial statements. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “ Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures ” (“ASU 2023-09”). ASU 2023-09 requires that an entity disclose specific categories in the effective tax rate reconciliation as well as provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold and certain disclosures of state versus federal income tax expenses and taxes paid. ASC 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2023-09 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and will adopt the standard effective January 1, 2025. |