Commitments and Contingencies
Collaboration Agreement with Tyligand Bioscience
In March 2020, the Company entered into a process development agreement (the “Tyligand Process Development Agreement”) with Tyligand Bioscience (Shanghai) Limited (“Tyligand”) for the development, manufacturing, registration and future commercialization of onapristone extended release (“ONA-XR”). Upon completion of specific performance-based milestones under the Tyligand Process Development Agreement, in August 2021, the Company and Tyligand entered into a license agreement (the “Tyligand License Agreement”) whereby Tyligand was granted the exclusive right to ONA-XR and was solely responsible for the development and commercialization of ONA-XR in China, Hong Kong and Macau. The Company retained rights in the rest of the world to commercialize ONA-XR. In August 2024, the Company and Tyligand mutually agreed to terminate the Tyligand License Agreement, and any ongoing payment obligations the Company may have had to Tyligand under the Tyligand Process Development Agreement.
Collaboration and Licensing Agreement with Integral Molecular
In April 2021, the Company entered into a collaboration and licensing agreement with Integral Molecular, Inc. (“Integral”) (the “Integral License Agreement”) for the development of a CLDN6 bsAb for cancer therapy. Under the terms of the Integral License Agreement, Integral and the Company developed a CLDN6 bsAb that is intended to trigger the activation of T cells and eliminate cancer cells displaying CLDN6. The Company will conduct preclinical and all clinical development, as well as regulatory and commercial activities through exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize the novel CLDN6 candidates. The payment for the initial upfront license fee as well as subsequent payments for milestones achieved were expensed to acquired in-process research and development. As a part of the Integral License Agreement, Integral was eligible to receive remaining development and regulatory milestone payments totaling approximately $55.0 million, sales milestone payments totaling up to $130.0 million, and tiered royalties of up to 12% of net sales of certain products developed under the Integral License Agreement.
On March 20, 2023, the Company amended the Integral License Agreement (the “First Amendment”) to remove the previously agreed to second milestone payment and to change the amount of the third milestone payment to increase such payment by the amount of the prior second milestone payment and to add payment for third-party research funding obtained and used by Integral in connection with the development of CTIM-76.
On February 29, 2024, the Company further amended the Integral License Agreement (the "Second Amendment") to reflect updated financial terms. Integral’s right to receive certain future payments was reduced as follows: aggregate development and regulatory milestone payments were reduced from $55 million to $15 million, aggregate sales milestone payments were reduced from $130 million to $12.5 million, and a tiered royalty of 8-12% that commenced at first commercial sale was reduced to a flat royalty rate of 6% on net sales beginning no sooner than February 1, 2034. The Second Amendment also narrowed the license grant from Integral to the Company to only cover CTIM-76, removed any further obligation to reimburse Integral for any independently obtained research funding Integral applied against CTIM-76 research, and included mutual releases by the parties.
Asset Purchase Agreement
On July 9, 2024, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company acquired CT-95 (formerly known as LNK-101), an MSLN x CD3 T cell engaging bispecific antibody, from Link (assignment for the benefit of creditors), LLC (“Link”), which succeeded to the assets of Link Immunotherapeutics Inc.
Pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, the Company purchased all of the assets from Link associated with CT-95, including patent rights, know-how, regulatory filings, and inventory of drug substance and drug product (the “Transferred Assets”), on an “as is” and “where is” basis. CT-95 patents are currently being prosecuted and/or maintained in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia, Taiwan and Japan. The Company also assumed certain liabilities relating to the Transferred Assets. In consideration of the purchase of the Transferred Assets, the Company made a one-time payment to Link of $3.75 million and is not obligated to make any other payments. This transaction qualified as an asset purchase as prescribed by ASC 805-50 and the assets purchased were determined to have no alternative future use under the accounting definition, and therefore the Company expensed the one time payment as a component of research and development expense in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Collaboration and Licensing Agreement with BioAtla
On September 23, 2024, the Company entered into a license agreement (the “BioAtla License Agreement”) with BioAtla, Inc. ("BioAtla"), pursuant to which the Company obtained an exclusive, worldwide license to develop, manufacture and commercialize two licensed antibodies (the “BioAtla Assets”), including BA3362 (renamed by the Company as CT-202), BioAtla’s Nectin-4 x CD3 T cell engaging bispecific antibody.
As partial consideration for the exclusive license under the BioAtla License Agreement, the Company made an upfront payment of $11.0 million for the IPR&D asset, which was determined to have no alternative future use under the accounting definition. Therefore, the upfront payment was expensed as a component of research and development expense in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company may be obligated to pay up to $122.5 million in additional milestone payments based upon the achievement of specified pre-clinical, clinical, development and commercial milestones, as well as tiered mid-single digit to low double-digit royalties on future net sales for products containing the BioAtla Assets, subject to standard reductions. The BioAtla License Agreement will continue on a country-by-country, product-by-product basis until the expiration of the royalty term as defined in the BioAtla License Agreement, unless earlier terminated.
Research and Development Arrangements
In the course of normal business operations, the Company enters into agreements with investigative sites and contract research organizations to assist in the performance of research and development activities and contract manufacturers to assist with chemistry, manufacturing, and controls-related expenses. Expenditures to contract research organizations represent a significant cost in clinical development for the Company. The Company could also enter into additional collaborative research, contract research, manufacturing, and supplier agreements in the future, which may require upfront payments and long-term commitments of cash.
Operating Leases
In February 2022, the Company commenced a noncancellable operating sublease for corporate office space in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In March 2023, the Company entered into a direct lease for this same office space that
commenced on August 1, 2023. In March 2024, the Company amended the lease to extend the expiration date to November 30, 2024. In July 2024, the Company further amended the lease, which is now set to expire on November 30, 2026, thus making the arrangement no longer qualify for the short-term lease exception under ASC 842. The Company also retains the right to renew the lease for up to two consecutive 12-month terms upon at least nine months advance notice to the landlord before any such successive renewal. These renewal options were not contemplated in the Company's calculation of its right of use asset and lease liability.
As of December 31, 2024, the operating lease right-of-use asset and the operating lease liabilities were each approximately $0.2 million, which were estimated using a discount rate of 11%. As of December 31, 2024, the remaining term of the Company’s noncancellable operating lease was 1.92 years. Future minimum lease payments under the lease are $0.2 million at December 31, 2024.
The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease period and accrues for rent expense incurred but not yet paid. Rent expense related to the Company’s operating lease was approximately $125,000 and $94,000 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Employee Benefit Plans
The Company established a defined contribution 401(k) plan in which employees may contribute up to 100% of their salary and bonus, subject to statutory maximum contribution amounts. The Company contributes a safe harbor minimum contribution equivalent to 3% of employees’ compensation. The Company generally assumes all administrative costs of the plan. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company provided contributions of approximately $60,000 and $66,000, respectively.
Litigation
Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, penalties, and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The Company believes no matters existed at either December 31, 2024 or 2023 that will have a material impact to the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Indemnification
In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into agreements that may include indemnification provisions. Pursuant to such agreements, the Company may indemnify, hold harmless and defend an indemnified party for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party. Some of the provisions will limit losses to those arising from third-party actions. In some cases, the indemnification will continue after the termination of the agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these provisions is not determinable. The Company has never incurred material costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification provisions. The Company has also entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and officers that may require the Company to indemnify its directors and officers against liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. The Company currently has directors and officers insurance. The Company is not aware of any claims under indemnification arrangements, and it has not accrued any liabilities related to such obligations in its consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.