Transcode Therapeutics Inc.

04/15/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/15/2026 14:18

Annual Report for Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2025 (Form 10-K)

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our consolidated financial condition and consolidated results of operations together with the "Consolidated Financial Statements" section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K including the related notes appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this Annual Report, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. As a result of many factors, including those set forth in the "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" sections of this Annual Report, our actual results could differ materially from the consolidated results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis.

Company Overview

TransCode is an immuno-oncology and targeted cancer therapy company with a focus on treating advanced malignancy. Our lead therapeutic candidate, TTX-MC138, is focused on treating metastatic tumors that overexpress microRNA-10b, a unique, well-documented biomarker of metastasis.

Polynoma Acquisition. On October 8, 2025, we entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") with DEFJ, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, ("DEFJ") pursuant to which we acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding membership interests of ABCJ, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, ("ABCJ") (such transaction, the "Acquisition"). Prior to the Acquisition, ABCJ was a wholly owned subsidiary of DEFJ and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of CK Life Sciences Int'l., (Holdings) Inc., a listed entity on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange ("CKLS"). In the Acquisition, we issued 1,242.0717 shares of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, (the "Series A Preferred Stock") to DEFJ. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into 10,000 shares of Common Stock.

ABCJ owns 100% of the issued and outstanding membership interests of Polynoma, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, ("Polynoma") previously headquartered in San Diego, California. Polynoma is an immuno-oncology focused biopharmaceutical company developing Seviprotimut-L, an investigational polyvalent antigen vaccine intended to reduce the risk of recurrence of cancer in patients with stage IIB and IIC melanoma who have limited options. Seviprotimut-L has been safely administered in clinical trials to more than 1,000 patients.

We intend to work on developing both TTX-MC138 and Seviprotimut-L, with the initial focus on advancing TTX-MC138 in a planned Phase 2a clinical trial. We believe there is potential to augment Seviprotimut-L's focus with TTX-MC138 by addressing micrometastases in stage IIB and IIC melanoma patients.

Concurrent with the Acquisition, we entered into an Investment Agreement (the "Investment Agreement") with DEFJ. Pursuant to the Investment Agreement, DEFJ agreed to purchase, and we agreed to issue and sell, in a private placement an aggregate of 223.7337 shares of Series B Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, (the "Series B Preferred Stock" and, together with the Series A Preferred Stock, the "Preferred Stock") for a price per share of $111,740, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $25 million. The aggregate purchase price consisted of a cash subscription of $20 million paid on October 8, 2025, and a promissory note (the "Promissory Note") in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $5 million (together, the "Investment"). The Promissory Note accrued interest at a rate of 4% per annum, calculated as simple interest on a 365-day year. The principal and accrued interest were paid on December 30, 2025. Each share of Series B Preferred Stock is convertible into 10,000 shares of Common Stock.

Contingent Value Rights. Concurrent with the closing of the Acquisition, we entered into a contingent value rights agreement (the "CVR Agreement") with a rights agent (the "Rights Agent"), pursuant to which each holder of our Common Stock as of October 20, 2025, (the "Record Date") including those holders who received shares of Common Stock in connection with the Acquisition, is entitled to one contractual contingent value right (each, a "CVR") issued by us, subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the CVR Agreement, for each share of Common Stock held by such holder as of 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on the Record Date. The CVR Agreement has a term of seven years (the "Term").

Each CVR entitles the holders thereof (each a "Holder"), in the aggregate, to 50% of the Net Proceeds (as defined in the CVR Agreement) from any Upfront Payment (as defined in the CVR Agreement) or Milestone Payment (as defined in the CVR Agreement) we receive in a given calendar quarter during the Term. Distributions in respect of CVRs that become payable will be made on a quarterly basis and will be subject to a number of deductions, subject to certain exceptions or limitations, including but not limited to for certain taxes and certain out-of-pocket expenses we incur.

Under the CVR Agreement, the Rights Agent has, and Holders of at least 30% of the CVRs then-outstanding have, certain rights to audit and enforcement on behalf of all Holders. The CVRs may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, encumbered or in any other manner transferred or disposed of, in whole or in part, other than as permitted pursuant to the CVR Agreement. Holders do not have the rights of stockholders by virtue of their CVR holdings and do not have the ability to vote, rights to dividends, or other interests. The CVRs also establish certain restrictions of mergers and change in control activities, as defined in the CVR Agreement.

Unleash Licensing Agreement. In March 2026, we entered into the Unleash Licensing Agreement with Unleash pursuant to which the we acquired a pre-clinical candidate program involving genetically-engineered adenoviruses to harness the immune system to fight cancer, as well as an exclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, fully-paid up, royalty-free, sublicensable right and license to related technology.

As consideration for the Unleash Licensing Agreement, pursuant to an Equity Issuance and Registration Rights Agreement with Unleash (the "Unleash Registration Rights Agreement"), we agreed to issue 1,136,364 shares of our Series C Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock to Unleash. The Series C Preferred Stock is not convertible until our stockholders approve its conversion into Common Stock in accordance with the listing rules of Nasdaq (the "Unleash Stockholder Approval"). Following the Unleash Stockholder Approval, each share of Series C Preferred Stock is convertible into one share of our Common Stock.

Drug Candidates

In addition to TTX-MC138, we have a portfolio of other first-in-class therapeutic candidates designed to mobilize the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. TTX-siPDL1 is an siRNA-based modulator of programmed death-ligand 1, or PD-L1. TTX-RIGA is an RNA-based agonist of the retinoic acid-inducible gene I, or RIG-I, targeting activation of innate immunity in the tumor microenvironment. TTX-siMYC is a siRNA-based inhibitor of c-MYC, a widely expressed but currently undruggable oncogene. Seviprotimut-L is a novel allogeneic, polyvalent partially purified shed antigens vaccine (alum adjuvanted) for the adjuvant treatment of Stage IIB and IIC melanoma patients 60 years and younger. Seviprotimut-L is derived from three proprietary human melanoma cell lines. Seviprotimut-L works by stimulating both humoral and cellular immune responses. It has completed Phase 2 clinical development and has been administered to approximately 1,000 patients in prior clinical trials.

In 2023, we conducted a Phase 0 clinical trial in one patient with advanced solid tumors. The intent of the Phase 0 trial was to demonstrate quantitative delivery of radiolabeled TTX-MC138 to metastatic lesions. In September 2024, we commenced a Phase I/II clinical trial with TTX-MC138 which was substantially completed by the end of 2025. Analysis of the Phase I/II clinical trial results is ongoing. We expect to commence a Phase 2a clinical trial in the first half of 2026.

Targeted Therapeutic Delivery Background

For decades, ribonucleic acid, or RNA, has been a topic of investigation by the scientific community as a potentially attractive therapeutic modality because it can target any gene, and it lends itself to rational and straightforward drug design. RNA-based therapeutics are highly selective to their targets and potentially applicable to a broad array of previously undruggable targets in the human genome. We believe that one of the major challenges to widespread use of RNA therapeutics in oncology and other indications has been the inability to deliver these molecules inside cells.

To customize the development of RNA therapeutics, we have developed a design engine that is modular at both the levels of the core nanoparticle and the therapeutic loading. The size, charge, and surface chemistry of the core iron oxide nanoparticle are designed so that it can be tuned to optimize the particles for the intended target and therapeutic load. The therapeutic load is designed to consist of synthetic oligonucleotides and other molecular moieties such as proteins, peptides, radionuclides, and small molecules that can be adapted to the specific approach being developed. The approach can range from RNA interference, or RNAi, including small interfering RNAs, antisense oligonucleotides, and non-coding RNA mimics to Pattern Recognition Receptors such as RIG-I. We believe the TTX platform can further be used for developing targeted radiolabeled therapeutics and diagnostics and other custom products targeting known and novel biomarkers and other genetic elements as they are discovered and validated.

Our TTX platform is designed to overcome extracellular and intracellular delivery issues of stability, efficiency, and immunogenicity faced by existing lipid and liposomal nanoparticle platforms while optimizing targeting of and accumulation in tumors and metastases. We believe the ability to deliver targeted therapeutics inside tumors and metastases will potentially allow us to target genes and other important biomarkers for cancer treatment that have until now remained undruggable using other delivery systems.

TTX Delivery System

The therapeutic potential of RNA in oncology has remained an unrealized promise due in large part, we believe, to the difficulty in safely and effectively delivering oligonucleotides, i.e., synthetic RNA molecules, to tumors. We believe we are now closer to solving this challenge by means of our TTX platform.

Our TTX technology has gone through more than 20 years of research and development, or R&D, and optimization, including 12 years at Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts General Hospital, by our scientific co-founders prior to company formation.

Our TTX nanocarrier is designed to be tunable to certain specifications to deliver therapeutic oligonucleotides to RNA targets in tumors and metastases without compromising the integrity of the oligonucleotide. We believe our TTX nanocarriers differentiate us from competitive delivery approaches, many of which rely on lipid particles or chemical structures, such as GalNAc. These competitive delivery approaches effectively target hepatocytes in the liver but not tumors and metastases.

Our TTX delivery platform is also designed to minimize early kidney and liver clearance, which we expect to translate into a long circulation half-life that allows for efficient accumulation in tumors and metastases.

Nanoparticles similar in formulation to ours have an excellent clinical safety record of low toxicity and immunogenicity. Because their iron core is magnetic and visible with magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, they have the additional benefit of enabling quantification of the delivery of the particles to target organs. Our nanoparticles carry functional groups to provide stable links to the therapeutic oligonucleotides of interest through covalent bonds.

The small hydrodynamic size and the charge of the resulting nanoparticles are designed to maximize distribution throughout the tumor microvasculature, extravasation into the interstitium of tumors and metastases, and uptake by tumors. The physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles are expected to further facilitate their rapid uptake by tumors by exploiting the high metabolic activity of cancer cells, a process analogous to the mechanism behind the systemic loading of metastatic cancer cells with fluorodeoxyglucose for diagnostic Positron Emission Tomography, or PET. We believe the combined result of a hydrodynamically-favored distribution and a metabolically-triggered uptake will result in the enhanced ability of our nanoparticles to access genetic targets inside tumors.

Advancing new RNA therapies through a modular approach

In September 2021, research conducted by MGH was published in Cancer Nanotechnology, entitled "Radiolabeling and PET-MRI microdosing of the experimental cancer therapeutic, MN-anti-miR10b, demonstrates delivery to metastatic lesions in a murine model of metastatic breast cancer." This paper reported on an MGH study using a radiolabeled derivative of TTX-MC138 (referred to in the paper as MN-anti-miR10b). In this study, TTX-MC138 was tagged with copper-64, or Cu-64. As a result, highly sensitive and specific quantitative determination of pharmacokinetics and biodistribution, as well as observation of delivery of the radiolabeled TTX-MC138 to metastases, was made in laboratory tests using noninvasive PET-MRI. The key results of the study suggest that when injected intravenously, TTX-MC138 accumulates in metastatic lesions. These results suggest that our TTX platform delivers its therapeutic candidate as intended and support clinical evaluation of TTX-MC138. In addition, the MGH investigation describes a

microdosing PET-MRI approach to measure TTX-MC138 biodistribution in cancer patients and its delivery to clinical metastases. (Microdoses are minute, subpharmacologic doses of a test compound, not greater than 100 micrograms.) The capacity to carry out microdosing PET-MRI studies in patients under an exploratory IND, or eIND, application could be important because they have the potential to support additional clinical trials we may propose for FDA consideration. The research described in this paper, published by Dr. Zdravka Medarova, our Chief Scientific Officer and scientific co-founder, and others, describes what we believe is an effective approach to assessing delivery of TTX-MC138 in metastatic cancer patients. Since the PET-MRI technique is sensitive enough to determine the concentration of radiolabeled drug candidate in the sub-picomolar range, microgram quantities of the radiolabeled drug candidate are believed to be sufficient to perform such a study in humans. We believe this capability has significant advantages in the initial phases of drug development.

Dr. Medarova's paper suggests that the radiolabeling does not impact tumor cell uptake or the ability of TTX-MC138 to engage its target. The paper also shows that the biodistribution of radiolabeled TTX-MC138, when injected at a microdose, reflects its biodistribution at the level of a therapeutic dose.

These key findings informed the design of our Phase 0 microdose clinical trial with radiolabeled TTX-MC138 which we believe offered numerous potential advantages:

(i) allowed more precise quantitation of the amount of TTX-MC138 delivered to the metastatic lesions because of the higher sensitivity and quantitative accuracy of positron emission tomography;
(ii) permitted measurement of the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of TTX-MC138 not only in the metastatic lesions but in other tissues throughout the body, potentially informing Phase I/II clinical trial designs by allowing us to determine drug candidate uptake and clearance from vital organs;
(iii) supported assessment of pharmacokinetic endpoints, potentially informing dosing for clinical trials. Specifically, because of the high sensitivity and quantitative nature of PET-MRI, we obtained information suggesting what drug concentration in the metastatic lesions over time could be which we then could assess relative to the effective dose used in our preclinical studies; and
(iv) further informed clinical trial designs to potentially incorporate patient inclusion criteria in those designs.

Because of the potential benefits from a microdose Phase 0 clinical trial, and reflecting the studies described in Cancer Nanotechnology, our First-in-Human Phase 0 trial was designed to deliver a microdose of our therapeutic candidate. Results from the trial suggest the validity of our TTX pipeline for drug delivery generally, potentially opening-up additional relevant RNA targets that have been previously undruggable.

SBIR Awards

In April 2021, we received a Fast-Track Small Business Innovation Research award, or SBIR Award, from the National Cancer Institute that provided approximately $2.4 million to fund a two-phased research partnership between us and Massachusetts General Hospital. The program commenced in April 2021 and ended in March 2024. In the SBIR Award application, we proposed performing key translational experiments including IND-enabling and supporting imaging studies using MRI to assess delivery and target engagement of TTX-MC138 in metastatic lesions of breast cancer patients. The experiments were designed to achieve the following aims:

SBIR Phase I:

Aim 1. Optimize a method for measuring miR-10b expression in breast cancer clinical samples.

SBIR Phase II:

Aim 2. File an IND application for TTX-MC138.

Aim 3. Use imaging to determine the uptake of TTX-MC138 by radiologically-confirmed metastases in breast cancer patients.

We believe that we achieved all three aims under this SBIR.

In September 2024, we received our second NIH Award (the "2024 Award") from the National Cancer Institute of the NIH. The 2024 Award is a Direct to Phase II SBIR Award to support IND-enabling and clinical trial activities in our clinical trial with TTX-MC138 over two years. The total 2024 Award is for $1,999,972 of which $1,011,207 applies to the first year and $988,765 applies to the second year.

Recent Developments

Phase I/II Clinical Trial

We commenced a Phase I/II clinical trial with TTX-MC138 in September 2024 at MD Anderson and three other clinical trial sites. This trial has been designed as a multicenter, open-label, dose-escalation and dose-expansion study in patients with advanced solid tumors. The Phase 1a stage of this trial involved administration of escalating therapeutic dose levels of our drug candidate in up to six cohorts of three patients or more per cohort. Preliminary data indicate no significant safety or dose limiting toxicities have been reported in the trial. To date, 77 doses of TTX-MC138 have been administered to 16 patients with advanced solid tumors. Three patients remain on trial. The median treatment duration of treatment is four months. Importantly, the duration of treatment for all patients ranged from two to twelve cycles indicative of tolerability and disease control. Sixteen patients showed positive pharmacodynamic effects over a wide dose range, consistent with preclinical results and TransCode's Phase 0 clinical trial. Key assessments in the clinical trial characterize the safety, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and anti-tumor activity of TTX-MC138 from which we have estimated a maximum tolerated dose, or MTD, and which suggest that the mechanism of action of TTX-MC138 is on target. The trial also is exploring the effect of TTX-MC138 on biomarker expression, which may include miR-10b expression, and miR-10b downstream targets (RNA sequencing). Clinical assessments to further evaluate TTX-MC138 include clinical laboratory exams, CT scan assessments, and response assessments per RECIST criteria. The Phase 2a stage of the trial is expected to commence in the first half of 2026.

Yorkville Financing

On April 7, 2026, we entered into a Standby Equity Purchase Agreement (the "SEPA") with YA II PN, LTD, a Cayman Islands exempt limited partnership, ("Yorkville") pursuant to which the Company has the right to sell to Yorkville up to $14 million of shares of Common Stock, subject to certain limitations and conditions set forth in the SEPA, from time to time during the term of the SEPA (the "Commitment Amount"). Sales of Common Stock to Yorkville under the SEPA, and the timing of any such sales, are at the Company's option, and the Company is under no obligation to sell any shares of Common Stock to Yorkville under the SEPA.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions to Yorkville's purchase obligations set forth in the SEPA, the Company can, at its sole discretion, direct Yorkville to purchase specified amounts of Common Stock. The purchase price per share for each Advance is set at 97% of the lowest daily VWAP during the three consecutive trading days beginning on the date upon which the Advance Notice is delivered. Actual sales of Common Stock to Yorkville under the SEPA will depend on a variety of factors including some to be determined by the Company, in its sole discretion, from time to time, which may include, among other things, market conditions, the trading price of the Common Stock and determinations by the Company as to appropriate sources of funding for the Company's business and operations.

In connection with the SEPA, and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Yorkville has also agreed to advance to the Company up to $6.0 million, less certain amounts as described below, to be paid in two tranches (each, a "Pre-Paid Advance" and, together, the "Pre-Paid Advances"), in exchange for the Company's issuance to Yorkville of convertible promissory notes (each, a "Convertible Note" and, together, the "Convertible Notes"). Pursuant to the Convertible Notes and the SEPA, Yorkville may convert all or any portion of the outstanding principal amount, accrued but unpaid interest, and other amounts outstanding under the Convertible Notes into shares of Common Stock, at any time and from time to time during the term of the Convertible Notes.

The first Pre-Paid Advance is expected to be disbursed to us the day after we file this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In exchange for the first Pre-Paid Advance, we shall issue to Yorkville a Convertible Note in the principal amount of $1.0 million (the "First

Convertible Note"), which will be sold with a purchase price discount of 5.0% (or $50,000). The First Convertible Note will be convertible into Common Stock at the lower of (i) a fixed conversion price equal to 115% of the VWAP on the day prior to the issuance of the Note and (ii) 95% of the lowest daily VWAP during the seven consecutive trading days immediately preceding the conversion date, but in no event lower than 20% of last reported trading price of our Common Stock on Nasdaq as quoted by Bloomberg (the "First Convertible Note Conversion Price") as of the trading day immediately prior to the date of the SEPA (the "Floor Price"). After accounting for the purchase price discount, we expect to receive gross proceeds of $950,000 for the First Convertible Note.

The second tranche of the Pre-Paid Advance shall be disbursed to the Company in exchange for the issuance to Yorkville of a Convertible Note in the principal amount of $5.0 million (the "Second Convertible Note"). The Second Convertible Note will be issued with a purchase price discount of 5.0% (or $250,000) and will be convertible into Common Stock at the lower of (i) a price equal to 115% of the VWAP on the day prior to the issuance of the Second Convertible Note and (ii) 95% of the lowest daily VWAP during the seven consecutive trading days immediately preceding the conversion date, but in no event lower than the Floor Price (the "Second Convertible Note Conversion Price," and together with the First Convertible Note Conversion Price, the "Conversion Price"). The Second Convertible Note will be issued on the second trading day after the later of (i) the registration statement filed pursuant to the SEPA, including any prospectus, amendments and supplements thereto, (the "Yorkville Registration Statement") first becoming effective under the Securities Act, (ii) the Company's receipt of stockholder approval to issue shares of Common Stock to Yorkville under the SEPA in excess of the Exchange Cap (defined below) and (iii) the approval by Nasdaq of the initial listing application required under Nasdaq Listing Rules 5110 and 5635(b). After accounting for the purchase price discount, the Company expects to receive gross proceeds of $4,750,000 pursuant to the Second Convertible Note.

Interest on the outstanding balances of the Convertible Notes will accrue at an annual rate of 5.0%, subject to an increase to 18% upon an event of default as described in the Convertible Notes. The maturity date of each Convertible Note will be 18 months from the date upon which the Convertible Note is issued. The applicable maturity date of each Convertible Note may be extended by the Company, at its option, for a period of six months on two occasions by providing written notice to Yorkville. On the applicable maturity date, any portion of the outstanding principal amount and accrued but unpaid interest that remains outstanding on such Convertible Note will automatically be converted at the then applicable Conversion Price, provided that if any Equity Condition (as defined in the Form of Promissory Note ) is not satisfied, the applicable maturity date will be automatically extended until all Equity Conditions have been satisfied.

The sale and issuance of shares under the SEPA, including conversion of the Convertible Notes at Yorkville's option and the sale of shares of Common Stock at the option of the Company, is subject to an exchange cap limiting the total number of shares issuable to Yorkville to 183,301 (19.99% of outstanding shares of Common Stock before the effective date of the SEPA) (the "Exchange Cap"), unless the Company obtains stockholder approval to exceed the Exchange Cap (the "Yorkville Issuance Approval"). Additionally, Yorkville may not own more than 9.99% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock at any time, unless it provides written notice of its intention to increase this limit, effective after 65 days.

MGH License Amendment

Effective August 15, 2025, we and The General Hospital Corporation, d/b/a Massachusetts General Hospital, ("Licensor") further amended our 2018 License (the "Second Amendment") to revise diligence requirements and milestone payments. Pursuant to the 2018 License (the License"), we licensed the exclusive rights to certain intellectual property to support development of our therapeutic candidates. In connection with the Second Amendment, we paid the Licensor a license amendment fee of $75,000. The Second Amendment revised certain one-time milestone payments to be made by us to the Licensor for Products and Processes covered by the License as follows:

(i) a certain dollar amount within sixty (60) days following dosing of the first patient in the first Phase II clinical trial for a Therapeutic Product or Therapeutic Process covered by the License;

(ii) a certain dollar amount within sixty (60) days following dosing of the first patient in the first Phase III clinical trial for a Therapeutic Product or Therapeutic Process covered by the License; and

(iii)

a certain dollar amount within sixty (60) days following the First Commercial Sale (as defined in the License) for a Therapeutic Product or Therapeutic Process covered by the License.

In addition, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Liquidity Event (as defined in the Second Amendment), we shall pay Licensor up to a certain dollar amount.

Nasdaq Listing

On June 2, 2025, we received a letter from the Nasdaq Stock Market ("Nasdaq") notifying us that we were deemed in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2), requiring that a company maintain a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share. As a result, and subject to our remaining in compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements, our stock will continue to be listed on the Nasdaq.

Reverse Stock Split

On May 15, 2025, we effected a Reverse Stock Split pursuant to which every 28 shares of our issued and outstanding Common Stock was converted automatically into one issued and outstanding share of Common Stock. The Reverse Stock Split affected all stockholders uniformly and did not by itself alter any stockholder's percentage interest in our equity except to the extent that the Reverse Stock Split would result in a stockholder owning a fractional share. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split; any stockholder who would have received fractional shares instead had their shares rounded up to the nearest whole number of shares.

March 2025 Equity Financing

On March 23, 2025, we entered into a Placement Agency Agreement, or the March Agreement, with ThinkEquity LLC, or the Placement Agent, pursuant to which we agreed to issue and sell, directly to various investors, in a registered direct offering (the "March Offering") an aggregate of approximately 366,072 shares, or the March Shares, of our Common Stock and approximately 366,072 Common Stock Purchase Warrants, or the March Warrants, to purchase approximately 366,072 shares of Common Stock at an aggregate offering price of $27.44 per share of Common Stock and accompanying March Warrant. As part of its compensation for acting as placement agent for the March Offering, we also agreed to issue to the Placement Agent warrants to purchase approximately 18,304 shares of Common Stock, or the Placement Agent Warrants, and together with the March Shares and the March Warrants, the March Securities. We received gross proceeds of approximately $10 million in connection with the March Offering before deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses payable by us. The March Offering closed on March 25, 2025. The March Warrants are exercisable commencing March 25, 2025, expire on March 25, 2030, and have an exercise price equal to $24.08 per share. The Placement Agent Warrants are exercisable commencing March 25, 2025, expire on March 25, 2030, and have an exercise price equal to $29.96 per share.

Further Restructuring

In an effort to continue to manage our costs, in connection with the January 31, 2025, termination of our sublease of laboratory and office space in Newton, Massachusetts, we (i) determined to conduct our R&D activities primarily in conjunction with Michigan State University under a sponsored research agreement, (ii) terminated an additional research scientist, and (iii) relocated our business activities to short-term office rental space in Woburn, Massachusetts. In connection with our R&D activities, we also terminated one consulting scientist that we had engaged. In connection with integrating Polynoma's operations into our own, we terminated three former Polynoma employees and did not extend the lease on Polynoma's office in San Diego.

Financial Operations Overview

Following our IPO in July 2021, we expanded our R&D activities and company operations. We do not have any products approved for sale and have not generated any revenue from product sales. We may never be able to develop or commercialize a marketable product. We have limited experience with clinical trials, have not obtained any regulatory approvals to sell any products, have not manufactured a commercial-scale drug, or conducted sales and marketing activities. Through December 31, 2025, we received approximately $95.8 million of net proceeds, primarily from our IPO, other equity financings including the Investment Agreement, our SBIR Awards and from borrowings under convertible promissory notes between 2018 and 2020.

We have incurred significant operating losses since inception. Our net losses were approximately $34.7 million and $16.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. At December 31, 2025, we had an accumulated deficit of

approximately $97.9 million. Our ability to generate product revenue sufficient to achieve profitability will depend heavily on the successful development and eventual commercialization of one or more of our current or future product candidates for which there is no assurance of occurrence. We expect that our expenses and capital requirements will increase substantially in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly if and as we:

Ø advance clinical trials with TTX-MC138;
Ø pursue preclinical studies and initiate other clinical trials with TTX-MC138;
Ø advance the development of our product candidate pipeline;
Ø continue to develop and expand our proprietary TTX platform to identify additional product candidates;
Ø support partnerships with industry and academic partners;
Ø obtain new intellectual property and maintain, expand and protect our intellectual property;
Ø seek marketing approvals for our product candidates that successfully complete clinical trials, if any;
Ø hire additional quality assurance, clinical, scientific, commercial and administrative personnel to increase our overall knowledge base, scientific expertise, experience and capabilities;
Ø acquire or license additional product candidates or technologies;
Ø expand our infrastructure and facilities to accommodate increased activities and personnel;
Ø add operational, financial and management information systems and personnel, including personnel to support our research and development programs, any future commercialization efforts and our continued operation as a public company; and incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company, including significant legal, accounting, insurance, investor relations and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company.

As a result, we will need substantial additional funding to support our continuing operations and pursue our business strategy. Until we can generate significant revenue from product sales, if ever, we expect to finance our operations through sales of equity, debt financings or other capital sources, which may include collaborations with other companies or other strategic transactions. We may be unable to raise additional funds or enter into such other agreements or arrangements when needed on favorable terms, or at all. If we fail to raise capital or enter into such agreements as and when needed, we will likely need to consider additional cost reduction strategies, which may include, among others, amending, delaying, limiting, reducing, or terminating our development programs, and we may need to seek an in-court or out-of-court restructuring of our liabilities. In the event of such future restructuring activities, holders of our common stock and other securities would likely suffer a total loss of their investment.

Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with product development, we are unable to predict the timing or amount of increased expenses or when or if we will be able to achieve or maintain profitability. Even if we are able to generate product sales, we may not become profitable. If we fail to become profitable or are unable to sustain profitability on a continuing basis, we may be unable to continue our operations at planned levels and be forced to reduce or terminate our operations.

At December 31, 2025, we had cash of approximately $17.8 million. We believe that these funds will be sufficient to support our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements through approximately year end 2026. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could exhaust our available capital resources sooner than we expect.

To finance our operations beyond that point, we will need to raise additional capital which cannot be assured. If we are unable to raise additional capital in sufficient amounts or on terms we find acceptable, we may have to significantly delay, scale back or discontinue the development or commercialization of our product candidates or other research and development initiatives. See "Liquidity and capital resources."

Impact of global economic and political developments and global pandemics

The development of our product candidates or our operations could be disrupted and materially adversely affected by global economic or political developments. In addition, economic uncertainty in global markets caused by political instability and conflict, such as the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and economic challenges caused by global pandemics or other public health events, may lead to market disruptions, including significant volatility in commodity prices, credit and capital market instability and supply chain interruptions. Our business, consolidated financial condition and consolidated results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by adverse events in the global economy and capital markets resulting from these global economic conditions and circumstances, particularly if such conditions and circumstances are prolonged or worsen.

Although our business has not been materially impacted by these global economic and political developments to date, it is impossible to predict the extent to which we may be impacted in the short and long term, or the ways in which our business, consolidated financial condition and consolidated results of operations could be affected by any of the foregoing or by other events which may occur in the future. Any such disruptions may also magnify the impact of other risks described herein or in our other filings with the SEC.

Components of our results of operations

Revenue

To date, we have not generated any revenue from any sources, including from product sales, and we do not expect to generate any revenue from the sale of products in the foreseeable future. If development efforts for our product candidates are successful and result in regulatory approval of any product candidate, or license agreements with third parties, we may generate revenue in the future from product sales or licensing agreements. However, there can be no assurance as to when, if ever, we will generate any such revenue.

Operating expenses

Research and development expenses

Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs incurred for our research activities, including our drug discovery efforts and the development of product candidates. We expense research and development costs as incurred, which include:

Ø expenses incurred in preclinical and clinical development, including manufacturing activities;
Ø expenses incurred to conduct the manufacturing, preclinical studies and clinical trials related to seeking regulatory approval to market product candidates that have successfully completed clinical trials;
Ø expenses incurred under agreements with contract research organizations, or CROs, conducting drug discovery work, preclinical studies, and clinical trials for us, and with contract manufacturing organizations, or CMOs, engaged to produce preclinical and clinical drug substance and drug product for our research and development activities;
Ø other costs related to acquiring and manufacturing materials in connection with our drug discovery efforts and our preclinical studies, materials for our clinical trials, including manufacturing validation batches, as well as costs related to investigative sites and consultants that conduct our clinical trials, preclinical studies and other scientific development services;
Ø payments made under third-party licensing, acquisition and option agreements;
Ø personnel-related expenses for research and development personnel, including salaries, benefits, travel and other related expenses, and share-based compensation expense;
Ø costs related to compliance with regulatory requirements; and
Ø allocated facilities costs, including rent and utilities, and depreciation and other facilities or equipment expenses.

We recognize external development costs based on an evaluation of the progress toward completion of specific tasks using information provided to us by our employees, consultants and service providers, including CROs and CMOs. This process involves reviewing open contracts and purchase orders, communicating with our personnel to identify services that have been performed on our behalf, the estimated level of service performed, and the associated costs incurred for the service when we have not yet been invoiced or otherwise notified of actual costs. Nonrefundable advance payments that we make for goods or services to be received or performed in the future in research and development activities are recorded as prepaid expenses. Such amounts are subsequently expensed as the related goods are delivered or the related services are performed, or until it is no longer expected that the goods will be delivered or the services rendered.

We seek to track our research and development expenses on a program-by-program basis. Our direct external research and development expenses comprise primarily payments to outside consultants, CROs, CMOs, research laboratories, and suppliers. Our direct external research and development expenses also include fees incurred under license and option agreements. We do not intend generally to allocate costs of management personnel, certain costs associated with our discovery efforts, certain supplies used in the laboratory, and certain facilities costs, including depreciation or other indirect costs, to specific programs when these costs are incurred across multiple programs and where it may not be practical to track them by program. We use internal resources along with outside parties primarily to conduct our research and discovery as well as for managing our preclinical development, process development, manufacturing and clinical development activities.

Research and development activities are central to our business model. Product candidates in later stages of clinical development generally are expected to have higher development costs than those in earlier stages of clinical development, primarily due to the increased size and duration of later-stage clinical trials. As a result, we expect that our research and development expenses will increase substantially over the next several years if we commence additional manufacturing, continue planned clinical trials for TTX-MC138, or conduct other preclinical and clinical development, including submitting regulatory filings. In addition, we expect our discovery research efforts and related personnel costs will increase and, as a result, we expect our research and development expenses, including costs associated with share-based compensation, will increase significantly over prior levels. Also, we may incur additional expenses related to milestone and royalty payments to third-parties with whom we have entered or may enter into license, acquisition and option agreements to assess, use or acquire intellectual property rights or rights to future product candidates.

In September 2021, we signed a statement of work with a European CMO to manufacture TTX-MC138 in accordance with current good manufacturing practices, or cGMP. Separately, we engaged a consulting toxicologist to assist us in designing and conducting IND-enabling studies including toxicology and pharmacokinetic, or PK, studies. These studies are designed to examine multiple parameters with a range of analytical assessments in support of regulatory submissions using radiolabeled or non-radiolabeled test substances. Toxicokinetic assessments can be conducted in parallel or concurrent with ongoing toxicology programs and in compliance with good laboratory practice, or GLP, requirements. We also engaged an analytical testing laboratory to provide testing and other services, as well as documentation and reporting that meet regulatory requirements.

In late 2024, we and The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center ("MD Anderson") agreed to amend our five-year strategic collaboration agreement in favor of MD Anderson focusing solely on participation in our Phase I/II clinical trial. This amendment relieved us from the obligation to make up to $10 million of collaboration payments. We are obligated to pay charges incurred by MD Anderson in connection with clinical trial services. In January 2023, we made an initial payment of $250,000 to MD Anderson recorded as a Prepaid Expense pending such time as payments under the collaboration became due. Initial expenses of the clinical trial have been charged against the initial payment and for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, were $154,306 and $279,768, respectively.

At this time, we cannot reasonably estimate or know the nature, timing and costs of the efforts that will be necessary to complete the manufacturing, preclinical and clinical development of any of our product candidates or when, if ever, material net cash inflows might commence from or related to any of our product candidates. The successful development and commercialization of our product candidates is highly uncertain due to the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with product development and commercialization, including:

Ø the scope, progress, outcome and costs of our preclinical development activities, clinical trials, manufacturing activities, and other research and development;
Ø the requirement to establish an appropriate safety and efficacy profile in IND-enabling studies;
Ø the timing and terms of regulatory submissions and, if received, approvals to conduct clinical trials;
Ø the number of sites and patients needed to complete clinical trials, the length of time required to enroll suitable patients and complete clinical trials, and the duration of patient follow-ups;
Ø assessment by us and regulatory agencies of data generated in clinical trials;
Ø the timing, receipt and terms of marketing approvals, if any, from applicable regulatory authorities including the FDA and regulators outside the U.S.;
Ø the extent of any post-marketing approval commitments that may be required of us by regulatory authorities;
Ø establishing capabilities, or making arrangements with third-parties, to manufacture the quantities and quality of product we need to conduct pre-clinical studies, clinical trials and manufacturing validation activities in advance of any New Drug Applications that we may submit;
Ø development and timely delivery of clinical-grade and commercial-grade drug formulations as required for use in our clinical trials and for manufacturing validation and regulatory agency review in connection with pursuit, if any, we may undertake for commercial launch of therapeutic candidates that receive marketing approval;
Ø obtaining, maintaining, defending and enforcing patent claims and other intellectual property rights;
Ø significant and changing government regulation;
Ø launching commercial sales of our product candidates, if and when approved, whether alone or in collaboration with others;
Ø competitive developments; and
Ø maintaining an acceptable safety profile of our product candidates following approval, if any, of our product candidates.

Any changes in or adverse outcome of any of these variables or others with respect to the development of our product candidates in preclinical and clinical development could mean a significant change in the costs and timing associated with the development of our product candidates.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of staffing costs comprising mainly salaries, benefits, and share-based compensation expense for personnel serving in executive, finance, and other business functions; professional fees for legal, patent, consulting, investor and public relations, accounting, tax and audit services; insurance costs, especially directors and officers liability insurance; corporate and office expenses, including facilities costs; and information technology costs.

We anticipate that our general and administrative expenses will increase in the future as we increase our headcount to support our R&D activities, prepare for potential commercial activities including possible partnerships for the development or marketing of approved product candidates, if any, and the increased requirements of a larger and publicly-traded company. We also anticipate that we will incur significantly increased accounting, audit, tax, legal, regulatory, compliance and director and officer liability insurance costs as well as investor and public relations expenses associated with operating as a public company. Additionally, if and when we believe regulatory approval of a product candidate appears likely, we anticipate an increase in payroll and other personnel-related expenses involved in preparing for commercial operations, especially as it relates to the sales and marketing of that product candidate. There is a risk that we could incur the foregoing expenses but not receive the anticipated regulatory approval.

In September 2021, we engaged an independent compensation advisory firm to support the continued development of our compensation programs and governance model for officers, directors and employees. Our goal is to ensure that our culture, values, and strategic priorities are effectively represented in our compensation philosophy and strategy.

Other income (expense)

Interest expense

Interest expense previously consisted primarily of accrued interest on convertible promissory notes and other charges related to the notes. Since the notes converted into shares of common stock concurrent with our IPO, we no longer incur interest expense on these notes. Under our payment program for directors and officers liability insurance, we incur certain financing charges, and we incurred imputed interest expense in connection with our previous right-of-use asset.

Interest income

Interest income consists primarily of income earned on our cash balances. Our interest income has not been significant.

Grant income

From time to time, we apply for grant funding from government programs and may, in the future, apply for grants from non-government sources as well. There is no assurance that any grants will be awarded to us or, if awarded, that we will receive all the funds expected from such award. Grant payments received in advance of us performing the work for which the grant was awarded are recorded as deferred grant income on our balance sheets. Grant income is recognized in our statements of operations as and when earned for performance of the specific R&D activities for which the grants are awarded. Grant income earned in excess of grant payments received is recorded as grant receivable on our balance sheets.

Results of operations

The following table summarizes the approximate amounts of our consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated:

Year Ended December 31,

​ ​ ​

2025

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

2024

​ ​ ​

Change

(in thousands)

Operating Expenses

Research and development

$

13,422

$

9,706

$

3,716

General and administrative

General and administrative expenses

5,771

5,954

(183)

Acquisition-related transaction costs

8,787

-

8,787

Total general and administrative

14,558

5,954

8,604

Total operating expenses

27,980

15,660

12,320

Operating loss

(27,980)

(15,660)

(12,320)

Other income (expense)

Change in fair value of warrant liability

(9,277)

(939)

(8,338)

Change in fair value of contigent consideration

1,584

-

1,584

Warrant Issuance Costs

-

(597)

597

Grant income

1,278

524

754

Gain on sale of equipment

-

1

(1)

Currency exchange gain (loss)

(112)

(57)

(55)

Interest income

79

1

78

Interest expense

(7)

(27)

20

Total other income (expense)

(6,455)

(1,094)

(5,361)

Loss before income taxes

(34,435)

(16,754)

(17,681)

Deferred income tax provision

(226)

-

(226)

Net Loss

(34,661)

(16,754)

(17,907)

Deemed dividend arising from warrant modification

-

(31)

31

Accrual of paid-in-kind dividends on Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock

(1,610)

-

(1,610)

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

$

(36,271)

$

(16,785)

$

(19,486)

Comparison of the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024

Research and development expenses

Research and development, or R&D, expenses increased $3,716 thousand in 2025 compared to 2024. The increase reflects primarily increases in clinical trial spending, costs of production of drug used in the clinical trial, and intellectual property expenses offset in part by reductions in certain preclinical testing and reduced lab facilities costs.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses increased $8,604 thousand in 2025 compared to 2024. The increase reflects primarily increased fees for professional services, primarily financial advisory, legal and accounting services related to the Acquisition, and increased compensation costs, offset in part by decreased share-based compensation expense, spending for directors and officers liability insurance, investor relations services, and facilities expenses. Our transaction costs in connection with the Acquisition were approximately $8.8 million. These costs include direct expenses as well as integration-related professional fees and other incremental costs directly associated with the Acquisition. Transaction costs were expensed as incurred and are included in General and Administration expenses in our consolidated statement of operations.

Change in fair value of warrant liability

The change in fair value of warrant liability expense was $8,338 thousand greater in 2025 compared to 2024, resulting primarily from a higher share price at December 31, 2025, and exercises of Series D warrants in the first quarter of 2025.

Grant income

Grant income increased $754 thousand in 2025 compared to 2024. Prior to September 2024, grant income was recognized under an NIH grant awarded in April 2021 to fund certain costs to advance our lead therapeutic candidate into clinical trials. The April 2021 award ended in March 2024. We were awarded a second NIH grant in September 2024. Grant income in 2025 is related to the 2024 Award.

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

The change in fair value of contingent consideration was a $1,584 thousand gain. Contingent consideration arose in connection with the Acquisition; there was no contingent consideration in 2024.

Warrant issuance costs

Issuance costs for warrants issued in connection with our December 2, 2024, Private Investment in Public Equity, or PIPE, were $597 thousand in 2024. There was no corresponding expense in 2025.

Currency exchange gain (loss)

Loss on currency exchange was $55 thousand greater in 2025 than in 2024, reflecting changes in exchange rates on billings in Euros from certain vendors.

Interest income

Interest income was $79 thousand in 2025 compared to $1 thousand in 2024 reflecting earnings on higher cash balances from equity financings in 2025.

Interest expense

Interest expense was $7 thousand in 2025 compared to $27 thousand in 2024 primarily reflecting the absence of imputed interest on right-of-use assets.

Cash flows

The following table summarizes the approximate amounts of consolidated our cash flows for the periods indicated:

Years ended December 31,

​ ​ ​

2025

​ ​ ​

2024

(in thousands)

Net cash used in operating activities

$

(19,516)

$

(13,336)

Net cash used in investing activities

(4)

(22)

Net cash provided by financing activities

31,523

16,401

Net change in cash

$

12,003

$

3,043

Comparison of the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024

Operating activities

During 2025, we used cash of $19,516 thousand in operating activities compared to $13,336 thousand in 2024. Cash used in operating activities in 2025 primarily reflected our net loss of $34,661 thousand offset primarily by a $9,277 thousand non-cash change in fair value of warrant liability, $6,837 thousand of non-cash transaction costs incurred in connection with the Acquisition, a $1,584 non-cash change in fair value of contingent consideration, and a $485 thousand non-cash charge for share-based compensation expense, offset in part by $477 thousand in prepaid expenses and $952 thousand in grants receivable.

Changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses were generally due to the amounts and timing of vendor invoicing and payments.

Investing activities

During 2025, we used cash of $4 thousand in investing activities compared to $22 thousand used in 2024, reflecting primarily purchases of laboratory and computer equipment.

Financing activities

During 2025, we obtained cash of $31,523 thousand (net) from sales of equity securities. During 2024, we obtained cash of $16,401 thousand (net) from sales of equity securities.

Liquidity and capital resources

Sources of liquidity

Since inception, we have not generated any revenue from product sales or any other sources, and we have incurred significant consolidated operating losses and negative consolidated cash flows from operations. We have not yet commercialized any of our product candidates and we do not expect to generate revenue from sales of any product candidates for several years, if ever. We have funded our operations to date primarily with proceeds from our IPO and other equity financings, SBIR Awards, and funds from borrowings under convertible promissory notes. Through December 31, 2025, we had received net cash proceeds of approximately $95.8 million from these sources.

At December 31, 2025, we had cash of approximately $17.8 million.

On April 7, 2026, we entered into the SEPA with Yorkville. Pursuant to the SEPA, in exchange for Convertible Notes in the aggregate amount of $6.0 million, Yorkville agreed to advance to us 95% of the face amount of the Convertible Notes for gross proceeds of $5.7 million. The Convertible Notes may be repaid in cash or converted into shares of Common Stock. The Convertible Notes will accrue interest at an annual rate of 5% subject to an increase upon the occurrence and continuance of events of default as described in the Convertible Notes. The outstanding balance of the Convertible Notes, plus any accrued but unpaid interest, is due and payable on the 18-month anniversary of the closing date of such Convertible Note, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

In connection with the SEPA, we have the right to sell to Yorkville up to $14.0 million of shares of our Common Stock, subject to certain limitations and conditions set forth in the SEPA. Sales of shares of Common Stock to Yorkville and the timing of any such sales, if we elect to sell shares of Common Stock to Yorkville at a future date, are at our option, and we are under no obligation to sell any shares of Common Stock to Yorkville. As consideration for Yorkville's commitment under the SEPA, we agreed to pay to Yorkville a commitment fee equal to 2.0% of the Commitment Amount, or $280,000, which may be paid in cash or shares of Common Stock based on the price per share equal to the VWAP of the Common Stock on the trading day immediately prior to the effective date of the SEPA. As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, no shares had been sold under the SEPA.

Future requirements

We expect our expenses to increase substantially in connection with our ongoing and planned activities, particularly as we advance preclinical activities and pursue additional clinical trials of TTX-MC138. We expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company, including significant legal, accounting, tax, investor relations and other expenses.

The timing and amount of our operating expenditures will depend largely on our ability to, among other things:

Ø advance clinical development of TTX-MC138 and preclinical development of other drug candidates;
Ø develop validated processes to effectively manufacture, or have manufactured on our behalf, our preclinical and clinical drug materials and for commercial manufacturing of any product candidates that may receive regulatory approval;
Ø seek regulatory approvals for any product candidates that successfully complete clinical trials;
Ø establish a sales, marketing, medical affairs and distribution infrastructure to commercialize any product candidates for which we obtain marketing approval and intend to commercialize on our own;
Ø establish collaborations to commercialize any product candidates for which we obtain marketing approval but do not intend to commercialize on our own;
Ø expand our operational, financial and management systems and hire additional personnel, including personnel to support our clinical development, quality control, scientific research, manufacturing and commercialization efforts, our general and administrative activities and our operations as a public company; and
Ø obtain or develop new intellectual property and maintain, expand and protect our intellectual property portfolio.

We believe that our cash of approximately $17.8 million at December 31, 2025, will be sufficient to fund our operating expense and capital expenditure requirements through approximately year end 2026. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove wrong, and we could utilize our available capital resources sooner than we expect. Changed circumstances may also result in the depletion of our capital resources more rapidly than we currently anticipate. We anticipate that we will require additional capital for additional research, development, and clinical trial costs as we seek regulatory approval of our product candidates, for operations, and for licenses or acquisitions of other product candidates we may choose to pursue. If we receive regulatory approval for TTX-MC138 or other product candidates we may develop, we expect to incur significant commercialization expenses related to product manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution, all of which will vary depending on where and how we choose to commercialize approved product candidates.

Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with research, development and commercialization of biologic product candidates, we are unable to estimate the exact amount and timing of our working capital requirements. Our future funding requirements will depend on and could increase significantly as a result of many factors, including:

Ø the scope, progress, outcome and costs of conducting preclinical development activities, clinical trials, and other research and development;
Ø the costs, timing and outcome of regulatory review of our product candidates;
Ø the costs, timing and requirements to manufacture our product candidates for our preclinical development efforts and our clinical trials;
Ø the costs of future activities, including product sales, medical affairs, marketing, manufacturing and distribution, for any of our product candidates for which we receive marketing approval;
Ø the costs of manufacturing commercial-grade product meeting quality and regulatory requirements and building inventory of such product to support commercial activities;
Ø the ability to receive non-dilutive funding, including grants from governments, organizations and foundations;
Ø the revenue, if any, received from commercial sales of our products, should any of our product candidates receive marketing approval;
Ø the costs of preparing, filing and prosecuting patent applications, maintaining, expanding and enforcing our intellectual property rights, and defending intellectual property-related claims;
Ø the terms of any industry collaborations we may be able to establish;
Ø the extent to which we acquire or license other product candidates and technologies; and
Ø the efficiency with which we operate our business.

Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial product revenue, we expect to finance our operations through a combination of public or private equity offerings, debt financings, governmental funding, collaborations, strategic partnerships and alliances, and marketing, distribution or licensing arrangements with third parties. There is no assurance that funding from any of the foregoing sources or otherwise will be available on acceptable terms, if at all. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, ownership interests in our common stock may be materially diluted, and the terms of such securities could include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our common stockholders. Debt financing and preferred equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that include restrictive covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. In addition, we could incur fixed payment obligations as a result of any debt or preferred equity financing.

If we raise additional funds through governmental funding, collaborations, strategic partnerships and alliances, or marketing, distribution or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue or earnings streams, research programs or product candidates, or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us.

If we are unable to raise additional funds when needed, we will likely need to consider additional cost reduction strategies, which may include, among others, amending, delaying, limiting, reducing, or terminating our development programs, and we may need to seek an in-court or out-of-court restructuring of our liabilities. In the event of such future restructuring activities, holders of our common stock and other securities will likely suffer a total loss of their investment.

Contractual obligations and commitments

At December 31, 2025, we had no future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating lease commitments. From time to time, we enter into contracts in the normal course of business with CROs, collaborators, CMOs and other third-parties for the manufacture of our product candidates, to support clinical trials and preclinical research studies and testing, and for other purposes. Any payments due upon completion or cancellation of these contracts generally consist only of payments for services provided or expenses incurred, including noncancelable obligations of our service providers, up to the date of cancellation although some agreements provide for termination fees or payments for the balance of the term of the agreement.

Collaboration obligations

On July 29, 2022, we signed a five-year strategic collaboration agreement with The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center ("MD Anderson"). Under the collaboration, we anticipated making certain expenditures with respect to Phase I and Phase II clinical trials in part through MD Anderson as a clinical site. MD Anderson was also expected to provide preclinical work under the collaboration. The details of clinical and preclinical work were to be mutually agreed by the parties prior to commencing work. We had agreed to fund up to $10 million over the term of the collaboration. In January 2023, we made an initial payment of $250,000 to MD Anderson recorded as a Prepaid Expense pending such time as payments under the collaboration became due. As a result of changes at MD Anderson and the Company, we and MD Anderson agreed to amend the collaboration to continue our Phase 1a clinical trial at MD Anderson. Initial expenses of the clinical trial were charged against the initial payment made to MD Anderson. For the years 2025 and 2024, MD Anderson expenses were $154,306 and $279,768, respectively.

Critical accounting policies and significant judgments and estimates

We have based our management's discussion and analysis of consolidated financial condition and consolidated results of operations on our consolidated financial statements. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). The preparation of our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, costs and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements. We base our estimates on historical experience, known trends and events, and various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for our judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources including contingent consideration. We evaluate estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Our actual consolidated results may differ from amounts derived from these estimates or from amounts obtained under different assumptions or conditions.

While our significant accounting policies are described in more detail in Note 2 to our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we believe that the following accounting policies are those most critical to the judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of In-Process Research and Development ("IPR&D"). The fair values of IPR&D project assets acquired in business combinations are capitalized. We generally utilize the Multi-Period Excess Earning Method to determine the estimated fair value of the IPR&D assets acquired in a business combination. The projections used in this valuation approach are based on many factors, such as relevant market size, the estimated probability of regulatory success rates, anticipated patent protection, expected pricing, expected treated population, and estimated payments (e.g., royalties). The estimated future net cash flows are then discounted to the present value using a discount rate that we believe is appropriate. These assets are treated as indefinite-lived intangible assets until completion or abandonment of the projects, at which time the assets are amortized over the remaining useful life or written off, as appropriate.

Intangible assets with indefinite lives, including IPR&D, are tested for impairment if impairment indicators arise and, at a minimum, annually. However, an entity is permitted to first assess qualitative factors to determine if a quantitative impairment test is necessary. Further testing is only required if the entity determines, based on the qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset's fair value is less than its carrying amount. Otherwise, no further impairment testing is required. The indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test consists of a one-step analysis that compares the fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of an intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. We consider many factors in evaluating whether the value of our intangible assets with indefinite lives may not be recoverable, including, but not limited to, expected growth rates, the cost of equity and debt capital, general economic conditions, outlook and market performance of our industry and recent and forecasted financial performance.

Redeemable and convertible preferred stock

The Company applies ASC 480 when determining the classification and measurement of its preferred stock. Preferred shares subject to mandatory redemption are classified as liability instruments and are measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable preferred shares (including preferred shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within our control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, preferred shares are classified as stockholders' (deficit) equity.

Research and development expenses

In preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our accrued research and development expenses.

We rely to a significant extent on third-parties to conduct preclinical studies, manufacture drug substance and drug products, provide materials, conduct analytical testing and to provide clinical trial services, including trial conduct, data management, statistical analysis, medical and safety monitoring, and electronic compilation. At the end of each reporting period, we compare payments made to each service provider and clinical trial site to the estimated progress towards completion of the related project. Factors that we

consider in preparing these estimates include materials delivered or services provided, milestones achieved, the number of patients enrolled in studies, and other criteria related to the efforts of these vendors. These estimates are subject to change as additional information becomes available. Depending on the timing of payments to vendors and estimated services provided, we record net prepaid or accrued expenses related to these costs.

The estimating process involves reviewing open contracts and purchase orders, communicating with our relevant personnel to identify services that have been performed on our behalf or deliveries of materials made to us, and estimating the level of service performed and the associated cost incurred for those services when we have not yet been invoiced or otherwise notified of actual costs. The majority of our service providers invoice us in arrears for services performed, on a pre-determined schedule, or when contractual milestones are met; however, some require advance payments. As of each balance sheet date, we make estimates of our accrued expenses based on facts and circumstances known to us at that time. We periodically confirm the accuracy of the estimates with the service providers and make adjustments if necessary. Examples of estimated accrued research and development expenses include fees paid to:

Ø vendors, including research laboratories, in connection with preclinical development activities;
Ø CROs and investigative sites in connection with preclinical testing and clinical trials;
Ø CMOs in connection with the production of drug substance and drug product formulations for use in preclinical testing and clinical trials; and
Ø clinical trial sites.

The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation, vary from contract to contract and may result in uneven payment flows. There may be instances in which payments made to our vendors exceed the level of services provided at a particular time, resulting in a prepayment of the expense. In accruing service fees, we estimate the time period over which services will be performed and the level of effort to be expended in each period. If the actual timing of the performance of services or the level of effort varies from the estimate, we adjust the accrual or the prepaid expense accordingly. Although we do not expect our estimates to be materially different from amounts actually incurred, our understanding of the status and timing of services performed relative to the actual status and timing of services performed may vary and may result in reporting amounts that are too high or too low in any particular period.

Share-based compensation

We measure the expense of share-based awards granted to employees, directors and others based on the fair value of the underlying award on the date of the grant. We recognize the corresponding compensation expense of those awards over the requisite service period, generally the vesting period of the respective award.

Through the date of these consolidated financial statements, we had issued restricted stock and stock options, each with service-based vesting conditions, and recorded share-based compensation expense resulting from those awards as vesting occurred. All shares of restricted stock have vested and there is no further compensation expense to be recorded in connection with restricted stock. We would apply the graded-vesting method to all share-based awards with performance-based vesting conditions or to awards with both service-based and performance-based vesting conditions.

For share-based awards to consultants and non-employees, we recognize compensation expense over the period during which services are rendered by such consultants and non-employees until completed.

Warrant accounting

We account for warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrants' specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in ASC 480, "Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity" ("ASC 480"), and ASC 815 "Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASC 815"). The assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to our own ordinary shares and whether warrant

holders could potentially require "net cash settlement" in a circumstance outside of our control, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period end-date while the warrants are outstanding.

For issued or modified warrants that meet all the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded as a component of equity at the time of issuance. For issued or modified warrants that do not meet all the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded as liabilities at their initial fair value on the date of issuance, and at their fair value on each balance sheet date thereafter. Changes in the estimated fair value of warrants classified as liabilities are recognized as a non-cash gain or loss on our statements of operations.

Warrants we issued upon our financings in January and July 2024 and in March 2025 met the criteria for equity classification under ASC 815 and were classified as equity. Warrants we issued upon a financing that closed December 2, 2024, did not meet the criteria for equity classification under ASC 815 and were classified as liabilities. Warrants issued upon our financings in 2023 met the criteria for equity classification under ASC 815 and were classified as equity.

Contingent Consideration

In connection with the Acquisition, the Company agreed to make up to $95,000,000 in contingent milestone payments (each, a "Milestone Payment" and collectively, the "Milestone Payments") (the "Acquisition Obligation") to DEFJ upon the achievement within ten (10) years of the date of the MIPA of the following milestone events (each, a "Milestone Event") upon the first achievement by or on behalf of the Company (including any licensee or assignee of rights to commercialize the Seller Lead Candidate as defined in the MIPA) of the corresponding Milestone Event as follows: (i) a milestone payment of five million U.S. dollars ($5,000,000) upon the first dosing of the Seller Lead Candidate in a patient in a United States Phase 3 Clinical Study; (ii) a milestone payment of ten million U.S. dollars ($10,000,000) upon the achievement of the applicable primary endpoint in a United States Phase 3 Clinical Study of the Seller Lead Candidate; (iii) a milestone payment of twenty million U.S. dollars ($20,000,000) upon the first submission of a Biologics License Application ("BLA") to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") for the Seller Lead Candidate; and (iv) a milestone payment of sixty million U.S. dollars ($60,000,000) upon the first approval by the FDA of a BLA for the Seller Lead Candidate.

The estimated fair value of the Acquisition Obligation on the Effective Date and at December 31, 2025, was approximately $7.9 million and $6.4 million, respectively.

Factors that may affect future results

You should refer to "Risk Factors" elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of important factors that may affect our future results.

Off-balance sheet arrangements

During the periods presented, we did not have, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in the rules and regulations of the SEC.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

A description of recently issued accounting pronouncements that may affect our consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations is disclosed in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Internal control over financial reporting

We previously determined that material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting existed prior to our IPO. See "Risk Factors" under the caption, "We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. If we are unable to remediate these material weaknesses, or if we identify additional material weaknesses in the future or otherwise fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately or timely report our consolidated financial

condition or consolidated results of operations, which may adversely affect our business." We subsequently retained an independent consulting firm to assist us in improving our control systems and procedures, and have implemented new software systems designed to enhance our ability to process financial transaction information. There is no assurance that any controls we implement will prevent fraud or enable accurate or timely financial reporting. In assessing our financial controls and procedures as described in "Item 9A. Controls and Procedures," our management determined that our internal control resulted in a material weakness as of December 31, 2025, related to certain transactions arising from the Acquisition. Notwithstanding this material weakness, management believes that all significant and unusual transactions have been appropriately recorded and that our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, are fairly presented in all material respects in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Emerging Growth Company and Smaller Reporting Company Status

We are an "emerging growth company" as defined in the JOBS Act. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest to occur of: (i) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have more than $1.235 billion in annual revenue; (ii) the date we qualify as a "large accelerated filer," with at least $700 million of equity securities held by non-affiliates; (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period; and (iv) the last day of the fiscal year ending after the fifth anniversary of our initial public offering.

In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards by delaying adoption of these standards until they would apply to private companies. We have elected to use the extended transition period to enable us to comply with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date on which we (i) are no longer an emerging growth company and (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act. As a result, our consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of effective dates applicable to public companies.

We are also a "smaller reporting company" meaning that the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates plus the aggregate amount of gross proceeds to us as a result of our initial public offering is less than $700 million and our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year. We will continue to be a smaller reporting company until either (i) the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250 million or (ii) our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700 million. If we are a smaller reporting company at the time we cease to be an emerging growth company, we may continue to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are available to smaller reporting companies.

Information Technology Risks

Our data and computer systems are subject to threats from malicious software codes and viruses, phishing, ransomware, business email compromise attacks, or other cyber-attacks. In July 2021, we were subject to what we believe was a phishing attack. We do not believe this incident had a material impact on our business or consolidated financial condition. However, the number and complexity of these threats continue to increase. See "Risk Factors" under the caption, "We may be unable to adequately protect our information systems from cyberattacks, which could result in the disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, including personal data, damage our reputation, and subject us to significant financial and legal exposure." We have taken and continue to take steps to mitigate the risk of cyberattacks including enhancing email screening, engaging with a computer support firm to provide forensics and training services, among other services, and enhancing security protocols for vendor payments. We intend to take additional steps to continue to enhance cybersecurity defenses. Despite steps we have taken or may take in the future, there is no assurance that we will not suffer material and adverse consequences as a result of cyberattacks or other computer-based activities. In addition, there is no assurance that any steps we may take will be effective or prevent material adverse effects on our consolidated financial condition or consolidated results of operations.

Transcode Therapeutics Inc. published this content on April 15, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via EDGAR on April 15, 2026 at 20:18 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]