Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)

v3.24.1
Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of presentation and principles of consolidation
  A. Basis of presentation and principles of consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, BiomX Israel and RondinX Ltd. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements
  B. Use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements

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 disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the amounts of expenses during the reported years. The most significant estimates in the Company’s financial statements relate to accruals for research and development expenses and valuation of stock-based compensation awards. These estimates and assumptions are based on current facts, future expectations, and various other factors believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the recording of expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially and adversely from these estimates.

The full extent to which the Israel-Hamas war may directly or indirectly impact the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition will depend on future developments that are uncertain, as well as the economic impact on local, regional, national and international markets.

Functional currency and foreign currency translation
  C. Functional currency and foreign currency translation

The functional currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar (“USD”) since the dollar is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Company has operated and expects to continue to operate in the foreseeable future. Transactions and balances originally denominated USD are presented at their original amounts. Balances in non-USD currencies are translated into USDs using historical and current exchange rates for non-monetary and monetary balances, respectively. For non-USD transactions and other items in the statements of income (indicated below), the following exchange rates are used: (i) for transactions – exchange rates at transaction dates or average exchange rates; and (ii) for other items (derived from non-monetary balance sheet items such as depreciation and amortization) – historical exchange rates. Currency transaction gains and losses are presented in finance income, net as appropriate.

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
  D. Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

The Company considers cash equivalents to be all short-term, highly liquid investments, which include money market funds, that are not restricted as to withdrawal or use, and short-term bank deposits with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase that are not restricted as to withdrawal or use and are readily convertible to known amounts of cash. Restricted cash consists of funds that are contractually restricted to a credit line for outstanding short-term foreign exchange contracts and bank guarantee due to rental agreements. The Company has presented restricted cash separately from cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company includes its restricted bank deposits in cash and cash equivalents when reconciling beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the combined statement of cash flows.

 

Concentrations of credit risk
  E. Concentrations of credit risk

Financial instruments which potentially subject us to credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, and short-term deposits. These amounts at times may exceed federally insured limits. We have not experienced any credit losses in such accounts and do not believe we are exposed to any significant credit risk on these funds. Most of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and bank deposits are invested in major banks in the U.S. and Israel. Management believes that the credit risk with respect to the financial institutions that hold the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and bank deposits is low. Refer to note 2J.

Property and equipment
  F. Property and equipment

Property and equipment are presented at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated based on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets or terms of the related leases, as follows:

    Estimated Useful Lives
     
Laboratory equipment   7 years
Computers and software   3 years
Equipment and furniture   15 years
Leasehold improvements   Shorter of lease term or useful life
Long-lived assets
  G. Long-lived assets

In accordance with ASC 360-10, “Impairment and Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, management reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable based on estimated future undiscounted cash flows. If so indicated, an impairment loss would be recognized for the difference between the carrying amount of the asset and its fair value. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, no impairment expenses were recorded.

Income taxes
  H. Income taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability approach. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities and the tax rates in effect when these differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all the deferred tax assets will not be realized. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had a full valuation allowance against deferred tax assets.

The Company is subject to the provisions of ASC 740-10-25, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”). ASC 740 prescribes a more likely-than-not threshold for the financial statement recognition of uncertain tax positions. ASC 740 clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing a minimum 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. On a yearly basis, the Company undergoes a process to evaluate whether income tax accruals are in accordance with ASC 740 guidance on uncertain tax positions. The Company has not recorded any liability for uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company presents unrecognized tax benefits as a reduction to deferred tax asset where a net operating loss, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward that are available, under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction, to offset any additional income taxes that would result from the settlement of a tax position.

Derivative activity
  I. Derivative activity

The Company uses foreign exchange contracts (option and forward contracts) to hedge cash flows from currency exposure. These foreign exchange contracts are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes. In connection with these foreign exchange contracts, the Company recognizes gains or losses that offset the revaluation of the cash flows also recorded under financial expenses (income), net in the consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had outstanding short-term foreign exchange contracts for the exchange of USD to NIS in the amount of approximately $4,136 with a fair value asset of $256. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had outstanding short-term foreign exchange contracts for the exchange of USD to NIS in the amount of approximately $4,547 with a fair value liability of $55.

 

Fair value of financial instruments
  J. Fair value of financial instruments

The Company accounts for financial instruments in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”). ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC 820 are described below:

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Quoted prices in non-active markets or in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, observable inputs other than quoted prices, and inputs that are not directly observable but are corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 – Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

There were no changes in the fair value hierarchy levelling during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

The following table summarizes the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis, by level within the fair value hierarchy:

    December 31, 2023  
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Fair Value  
Assets:                        
Cash equivalents:                        
Money market funds     11,377      
-
     
-
      11,377  
Foreign exchange contracts receivable    
-
      256      
-
      256  
      11,377       256      
-
      11,633  
Liabilities:                                
Contingent consideration    
-
     
-
      155       155  
     
-
     
-
      155       155  
    December 31, 2022  
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Fair Value  
Assets:                        
Cash equivalents:                        
Money market funds     27,824      
-
     
-
      27,824  
                                 
      27,824      
-
     
-
      27,824  
Liabilities:                                
    Contingent consideration    
-
     
-
      148       148  
Foreign exchange contracts payable    
-
      55      
-
      55  
     
-
      55       148       203  

 

Financial instruments with carrying values approximating fair value include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term deposits, other current assets, trade accounts payable and other current liabilities, due to their short-term nature.

The Company determined the fair value of the liabilities for the contingent consideration based on a probability discounted cash flow analysis. This fair value measurement is based on significant unobservable inputs in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the contingent consideration is based on several factors, such as: the attainment of future clinical, developmental, regulatory, commercial and strategic milestones relating to product candidates for treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis. The discount rate applied ranged from 2.4% to 4.6%. The contingent consideration is evaluated quarterly, or more frequently, if circumstances dictate. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration are recorded in consolidated statements of operations. Significant changes in unobservable inputs, mainly the probability of success and cash flows projected, could result in material changes to the contingent consideration liability. Changes in contingent consideration for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 resulted from the passage of time and discount rate revaluation.

Defined contribution plans
  K. Defined contribution plans

Under Israeli employment laws, employees of BiomX Israel are included under Section 14 of the Severance Compensation Act, 1963 (“Section 14”) for a portion of their salaries. Pursuant to Section 14, these employees are entitled to monthly deposits made by the Company on their behalf with insurance companies.

Payments in accordance with Section 14 release the Company from any future severance payments (under the Israeli Severance Compensation Act, 1963) with respect of those employees. The aforementioned deposits are not recorded as an asset on the Company’s balance sheet, and there is no liability recorded as the Company does not have a future obligation to make any additional payments. The Company’s contributions to the defined contribution plans are charged to the consolidated statements of operations as and when the services are received from the Company’s employees. Total expenses with respect to these contributions were $426 and $562 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company expects to contribute approximately $400 in the year ending December 31, 2024 to insurance companies in connection with its expected severance liabilities for the year.

For U.S. employees the Company has a defined contribution savings plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. This plan covers substantially all employees of BiomX Inc in the U.S. who meet minimum age and service requirements and allows participants to defer a portion of their annual compensation on a pre-tax basis.

The Company has not elected to match any of the employee’s deferral. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 the Company did not record any expenses for 401(k) match contributions.

Financial instruments
  L. Financial instruments

When the Company issues freestanding instruments, it first analyzes the provisions of ASC 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities From Equity” (“ASC 480”) in order to determine whether the instrument should be classified as a liability, with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in the consolidated statements of operations in each period. If the instrument is not within the scope of ASC 480, the Company further analyzes the provisions of ASC 815-10 in order to determine whether the instrument is considered indexed to the entity’s own stock and qualifies for classification within equity. All warrants issued by the Company are classified within stockholders’ equity as “Additional paid-in capital”. Equity classification is permitted when warrants are indexed to the Company’s own shares and meet the classification requirements for stockholders’ equity classification of ASC 815-40,”Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity” (“ASC 815-40”).

 

Research and development costs
  M. Research and development costs

Research and development costs are charged to statements of operations as incurred. Royalty-bearing grants from the IIA are recognized at the time the Company is entitled to such grants, on the basis of the costs incurred and applied as a deduction from research and development expenses.

Basic and diluted loss per share
  N. Basic and diluted loss per share

Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the year, fully vested warrants with no exercise price for the Company’s Common Stock and fully vested Pre-Funded Warrants for the Company’s Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.001 per share, as the Company considers these shares to be exercised for little to no additional consideration. The calculation excludes o shares of Common Stock purchased by the Company and held as treasury shares. Diluted loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the year, plus the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been outstanding if all potentially dilutive shares of Common Stock had been issued, using the treasury stock method, in accordance with ASC 260-10 “Earnings per Share.” Potentially dilutive shares of Common Stock were excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share for all periods presented due to their anti-dilutive effect due to losses in each period.

Stock compensation plans
  O. Stock compensation plans

The Company applies ASC 718-10, “Stock-Based Payment,” (“ASC 718-10”) which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expenses for all stock-based payment awards made to employees and directors including employee stock options under the Company’s stock plans based on estimated fair values.

ASC 718-10 requires companies to estimate the fair value of stock-based payment awards granted to employees and non-employees on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The fair value of the award is recognized as an expense over the requisite service periods in the Company’s statements of operations using the graded vesting method. The Company accounts for share-based payment awards classified as equity awards. The Company recognizes stock-based award forfeitures as they occur rather than estimate by applying a forfeiture rate.

All issuances of stock options or other equity instruments to non-employees as consideration for goods or services received by the Company are accounted for based on the fair value of the equity instruments issued.

 

The Company estimates the fair value of stock options granted as equity awards using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The option-pricing model requires a number of assumptions, of which the most significant are share price, expected volatility and the expected option term (the time from the grant date until the options are exercised or expire). The Company uses an average historical stock price volatility based on a combined weighted average of the Company’s historical average volatility and that of a selected peer group of comparable public companies within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry that were deemed to be representative of future stock price trends as the Company does not have a sufficient historical trading history of its own Common Stock. The Company will continue to apply this process until a sufficient amount of historical information regarding the volatility of its own stock price becomes available. The Company has historically not paid dividends and has no foreseeable plans to issue dividends. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield from governmental zero-coupon bonds with an equivalent term. The expected option term is calculated for all stock option grants using the “simplified” method. Changes in the determination of each of the inputs can affect the fair value of the options granted and the results of operations of the Company.

Leases
  P. Leases

Under Accounting Standards Update, “Leases” (“ASC 842”), the Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Upon initial recognition, the Company recognizes a liability at the present value of the lease payments to be made over the lease term, and concurrently recognizes a right-of-use asset at the same amount of the liability, adjusted for any prepaid or accrued lease payments, plus initial direct costs incurred in respect of the lease. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date to determine the present value of the lease payments. The subsequent measurement depends on whether the lease is classified as a finance lease or an operating lease. During the reporting periods, the Company has only operating leases. Lease terms include options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expenses for operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The Company has made a policy election not to capitalize leases with a term of 12 months or less. 

In accordance with ASC 360-10, management reviews operating lease assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable based on estimated future undiscounted cash flows. If so indicated, an impairment loss would be recognized for the difference between the carrying amount of the asset and its fair value.

Treasury stock
  Q. Treasury stock

Treasury shares are presented as a reduction of equity, at their cost to the Company.

 

New accounting pronouncements
  R. New accounting pronouncements

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses—Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” This guidance replaces the current incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The guidance is effective for smaller reporting companies (as defined by the rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) for the fiscal year beginning on January 1, 2023, including interim periods within that year. The Company adopted the guidance on January 1, 2023, and has concluded the adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, “Business Combinations (Topic 805), Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers”, which requires contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination to be recognized and measured by the acquirer on the acquisition date in accordance with ASC 606. The guidance will result in the acquirer recognizing contract assets and contract liabilities at the same amounts recorded by the acquiree. The guidance should be applied prospectively to acquisitions occurring on or after the effective date. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Effective January 1, 2023, the Company has concluded the adoption has not a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848. This ASU extends the temporary optional practical expedients for reference rate reform related activities that impact debt, leases, derivatives and other contracts through December 31, 2024. The Company adopted the guidance immediately and has concluded the adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements, not yet adopted

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07 “Segment Reporting: Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-07”). This guidance expands public entities’ segment disclosures primarily by requiring disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss, an amount and description of its composition for other segment items, and interim disclosures of a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets that are currently required annually. Public entities with a single reportable segment are required to provide the new disclosures and all the disclosures required under ASC 280, Segment Reporting. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The amendments are required to be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in an entity’s financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2023-07 may 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”). This guidance is intended to enhance the transparency and decision-usefulness of income tax disclosures. The amendments in ASU 2023-09 address investor requests for enhanced income tax information primarily through changes to disclosure regarding rate reconciliation and income taxes paid both in the U.S. and in foreign jurisdictions. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 on a prospective basis, with the option to apply the standard retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine the impact it may have on its consolidated financial statements disclosures.