Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

FAIR VALUE

v3.24.1
FAIR VALUE
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
FAIR VALUE  
FAIR VALUE

3. FAIR VALUE

In accordance with Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB ASC 820, the Company groups its financial assets and financial liabilities generally measured at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded, and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value.

Level 1: Input prices quoted in an active market for identical financial assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Inputs other than prices quoted in Level 1, such as prices quoted for similar financial assets and liabilities in active markets, prices for identical assets, and liabilities in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3: Input prices quoted that are significant to the fair value of the financial assets or liabilities which are not observable or supported by an active market.

To the extent that the valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in 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. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value as maturities are less than three months. The carrying amounts reported for other current financial assets and liabilities approximate fair value because of their short-term nature.

In September 2023 the Company issued warrants to purchase shares of preferred stock which, on an as-converted basis, represent an aggregate of 21,025,641 shares of common stock (the September 2023 Warrants) (see Note 6). The fair value of the September 2023 Warrants was determined using a probability-weighted expected return method (PWERM) with a scenario-based Monte Carlo simulation and Black-Scholes model. The PWERM is a scenario-based methodology that estimates the fair value of the Company’s different classes of equity based upon an analysis of future values for the Company, assuming various outcomes. Under both models, assumptions and estimates are used to value the preferred stock warrants. The Company assesses these assumptions and estimates on a quarterly basis as additional information that impacts the assumptions is obtained. The quantitative elements associated with the inputs

impacting the fair value measurement of the September 2023 Warrants include the value per share of the underlying common stock, the timing, form and overall value of the expected exits for the stockholders, the risk-free interest rate, the expected dividend yield and the expected volatility of the Company’s shares. The risk-free interest rate is determined by reference to the U.S. Treasury yield curve for time periods approximately equal to the remaining contractual term of the warrants. The Company estimated a 0% dividend yield based on the expected dividend yield and the fact that the Company has never paid or declared cash dividends. Expected volatility was determined based upon the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. These warrants are classified within the Level 3 hierarchy because of the nature of these inputs and the valuation technique utilized. The Warrant Liability of $3,700,000 presented on the accompanying balance sheet as of December 31, 2023, consists entirely of the estimated value of the September 2023 Warrants.

The following table summarizes the modified option-pricing assumptions used on September 8, 2023, which was the date of issuance, and December 31, 2023:

    

September 8

    

December 31

 

Volatility

 

83.0-84.0

%  

82.0-83.0

%

Risk-free interest rate

 

4.39-5.53

%  

3.80-5.40

%

Expected life (years)

 

0.4-5.0

 

0.3-4.7

Dividend

 

0

%  

0

%

The following table summarizes the changes in the fair market value of the warrants which are classified within the Level 3 fair value hierarchy from September 8, 2023, which was the date of issuance, through December 31, 2023:

    

Level 3

Beginning fair value of warrants

$

4,700,000

Gain from change in fair value

 

(1,000,000)

December 31, 2023 fair value of warrants

$

3,700,000