MAIA Biotechnology, Inc.
For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Mar 21, 2025.
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FY2024 · Filed Mar 21, 2025
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Description of Business, Organization, and Principles of Consolidation
MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. and Subsidiaries (collectively, “the Company”) is a biopharmaceutical company that develops oncology drug candidates to improve and extend the lives of people with cancer. MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. (“MAIA”) was incorporated in the state of Delaware on August 3, 2018. These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MAIA and its subsidiaries, as follows:
THIO Therapeutics, Inc. (“THIO”), incorporated in the state of Delaware on November 26, 2018. On August 13, 2021, MAIA and THIO completed a plan of reorganization in which THIO merged with and into MAIA. Prior to the merger, MAIA owned 93.3% of the outstanding shares of THIO Common Stock, which were canceled in connection with the merger. The remaining 6.7%minority stockholder of THIO receivedone share of MAIA Common Stock for each share of THIO Common Stock owned prior to the merger.
In July 2021, the Company established a wholly owned Australian subsidiary, MAIA Biotechnology Australia Pty Ltd, to conduct various pre-clinical and clinical activities for the development of the Company's product candidates.
In April 2022, the Company established a wholly owned Romanian subsidiary, MAIA Biotechnology Romania S.R.L., to conduct various pre-clinical and clinical activities for the development of the Company's product candidates.
Liquidity
At December 31, 2024, the Company had working capital of $6,322,441, an accumulated deficit of $87,234,833, cash of $9,601,298 and current liabilities of $3,830,038. Since its inception the Company has experienced net losses and negative cash flows from operations each fiscal year. The Company hasno revenues and expects to continue to incur operating losses for the foreseeable future, and may never become profitable. The Company is dependent on its ability to continue to raise equity and/or debt financing to continue operations, and the attainment of profitable operations.
Going Concern Considerations
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
To date the Company has incurred recurring losses, negative cash flow from operations and has accumulated a deficit of $87,234,833 from the Company’s inception through December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $9,601,298 in cash.
To meet the Company’s future working capital needs, the Company will need to raise additional equity or enter into debt financing. While the Company has historically been able to raise additional capital through issuance of equity and/or debt financing, and while the Company has implemented a plan to control its expenses in order to satisfy its obligations due within one year from the date of issuance of these financial statements, the Company cannot guarantee that it will be able to raise additional equity, raise debt, or contain expenses. Accordingly, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after these financial statements are issued.
Impact of the War in Ukraine and War in Israel on Our Operations
The short and long-term implications of war in Ukraine and war in Israel are difficult to predict at this time. The imposition of sanctions and counter sanctions may have an adverse effect on the economic markets generally and could impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Because of the highly uncertain and dynamic nature of these events, the Company terminated any planned research activities in the impacted areas.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP” or “GAAP”). You should read the discussion and analysis together with such consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company's wholly owned subsidiaries. All transactions and accounts between and among its subsidiaries have been eliminated. All adjustments and disclosures necessary for a fair presentation of these audited consolidated financial statements have been included.
Segment Information
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision-maker ("CODM") in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company and the Company’s chief operating decision-maker, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, view the Company’s operations and manage its business as a single operating segment, which is the business of discovering and developing products for the treatment of immunotherapies for cancer. Management has determined that the Company operates inone segment, given the common nature of its operations. For additional information, see Note 9 - Segment Information.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. The most significant estimates in the Company’s financial statements relate to the valuation of stock options and warrants, and prepaids or accruals for outsourced research and development activities. These estimates and assumptions are based on current facts, historical experience 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. To the extent there are material differences between the estimates and actual results, the Company’s future results of operations will be affected.
Certain Risks and Uncertainties
The Company’s activities are subject to significant risks and uncertainties including the risk of failure to secure additional funding to properly execute the Company’s business plan. The Company is subject to risks that are common to companies in the pharmaceutical industry, including, but not limited to, development by the Company or its competitors of new technological innovations, dependence on key personnel, reliance on third party manufacturers, protection of proprietary technology, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Foreign Currency Translation
The financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries, where the local currency is the functional currency, are translated using exchange rates in effect as of the applicable balance sheet dates for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates during the period for results of operations. The resulting foreign currency translation adjustment is included in stockholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive loss.
Off-Balance Sheet Risk and Concentrations of Credit Risk
The Company has no significant off-balance sheet risks, such as foreign exchange contracts, option contracts, or other foreign hedging arrangements. Cash accounts are maintained at financial institutions that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, substantially all of the Company’s cash was deposited in accounts at two financial institutions. The Company maintains its cash deposits, which at times may exceed the federally insured limits of $250,000 per financial institution, with a reputable financial institutions. The Company believes such funds are subject to minimal credit risk.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company hasno cash equivalents as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Fair Value Measurements
The Company is required to disclose information on all assets and liabilities reported at fair value that enables an assessment of the inputs used in determining the reported fair values. “Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 820”, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”) establishes a hierarchy of inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the observable inputs be used when available.
Under this accounting guidance, fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. To increase the comparability of fair value measures, the following hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation methodologies used to measure fair value:
Level 1 - Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 - Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar 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 - Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment.
Fair value measurements discussed herein are based upon certain market assumptions and pertinent information available to management as of and during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. The carrying amount of accounts payable approximated fair value as they are short term in nature. The fair value of warrants issued for services is estimated based on the Black-Scholes model during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. The estimated fair value of the warrants issued with the convertible notes, warrants issued to underwriters and embedded features, represented Level 3 measurements.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses primarily consist of costs for corporate functions, including payroll and related expenses, depreciation and amortization, rent, outside legal expenses, insurance costs, and other general and administrative costs.
Research and Development
The Company’s research and development expenses consist primarily of costs associated with the Company’s clinical trials, salaries, payroll taxes, employee benefits, and stock-based compensation charges for those individuals involved in ongoing research and development efforts. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Advance payments for goods and services that will be used in future research and development activities are recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets and are expensed when the activity has been performed or when the goods have been received.
As part of the process of preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Company is required to estimate its prepaid or accrued expenses. This process involves reviewing quotations and contracts, identifying services that have been performed on the Company’s behalf and estimating the level of service performed and the associated cost incurred for the service when the Company has not yet been invoiced or otherwise notified of the actual cost. The majority of the Company’s service providers invoice the Company monthly in arrears for services performed or when contractual milestones are met. The Company makes estimates of its prepaid or accrued expenses as of each balance sheet date in our consolidated financial statements based on facts and circumstances known to the Company at that time. The Company periodically confirms the accuracy of its estimates with the service providers and makes adjustments if necessary. The significant estimates in the Company’s prepaid or accrued research and development expenses are related to expenses incurred with respect to CROs and other vendors in connection with research and development and manufacturing activities.
The Company bases its expense related to CROs and Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) on its estimates of the services received and efforts expended pursuant to quotations and contracts with such vendors that conduct research and development and manufacturing activities on the Company’s behalf. 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 the Company’s vendors will exceed the level of services provided and result in a prepayment of the applicable research and development or manufacturing expense. In accruing service fees, the Company estimates 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 its estimate, the Company adjusts the accrual or prepaid expense accordingly. Although the Company does not expect its estimates to be materially different from amounts actually incurred, the Company’s understanding of the status and timing of services performed relative to the actual status and timing of services performed may vary and could result in us reporting amounts that are too high or too low in any particular period. There have been no material changes in estimates for the periods presented.
Research and Development Incentive
The Company recognizes other income from Australian research and development incentives when there is reasonable assurance that the income will be received, the relevant expenditure has been incurred, and the consideration can be reliably measured. The research and development incentive is one of the key elements of the Australian Government’s support for Australia’s innovation system and is supported by legislative law primarily in the form of the Australian Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, as long as eligibility criteria are met. Under the program, a percentage of eligible research and development expenses incurred by the Company through its subsidiary in Australia are reimbursed.
Management has assessed the Company’s research and development activities and expenditures to determine which activities and expenditures are likely to be eligible under the research and development incentive regime described above. At each period end, management estimates the refundable tax offset available to the Company based on available information at the time and it is included in Australian research and development incentives in the consolidated statements of operations.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market, or foreign currency risks. The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments, to determine if such instruments contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives.
Embedded derivatives must be separately measured from the host contract if all the requirements for bifurcation are met. The assessment of the conditions surrounding the bifurcation of embedded derivatives depends on the nature of the host contract. Bifurcated embedded derivatives are recognized at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in the statement of operations. The Company has warrant liabilities deemed derivative instruments. Total warrant liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was$2,690,605 and $2,152,188, respectively.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company records share-based compensation for awards granted to employees, non-employees, and to members of the board of directors based on the grant date fair value of awards issued, and the expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Forfeitures are recognized when they occur.
The Company uses the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options. The use of the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model requires management to make assumptions with respect to the expected term of the option, the expected volatility of the Common Stock consistent with the expected life of the option, risk-free interest rates and expected dividend yields of the Common Stock. The Company has concluded that its historical share option exercise experience does not provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term. Therefore, the expected term was determined according to the simplified method, which is the average of the vesting tranche dates and the contractual term. Due to the lack of company specific historical and implied volatility data, the estimate of expected volatility is primarily based on the historical volatility of a group of similar companies that are publicly traded. For these analyses, companies with comparable characteristics are selected, including enterprise value and position within the industry, and with historical share price information sufficient to meet the expected life of the share-based awards. The Company computes the historical volatility data using the daily closing prices for the selected companies’ shares during the equivalent period of the calculated expected term of its share-based awards. The risk-free interest rate is determined by reference to U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with remaining maturities similar to the expected term of the options. The Company has not paid, and does not anticipate paying, cash dividends on shares of its Common Stock.
All stock-based compensation costs are recorded in general and administrative or research and development costs in the consolidated statements of operations based upon the underlying individual’s role at the Company.
Common Stock Warrants
The Company accounts for Common Stock warrants as either equity instruments or liabilities in accordance with ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”), depending on the specific terms of the warrant agreement.
When warrants are issued for services to non-employees, under ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”), the warrants shall be classified as a liability if 1) the underlying shares are classified as liabilities or 2) the entity can be required under any circumstances to settle the warrant by transferring cash or other assets. The measurement of equity-classified non-employee share-based payments is generally fixed on the grant date and are considered compensatory, as defined by ASC 718. The Company uses the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to determine the fair value of the warrants.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are recorded in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), which provides for deferred taxes using an asset and liability approach. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are provided, if based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740. When uncertain tax positions exist, the Company recognizes the tax benefit of tax positions to the extent that the benefit would more likely than not be realized assuming examination by the taxing authority. The determinationas to whether the tax benefit will more likely than not be realized is based upon the technical merits of the tax position as well as consideration of the available facts and circumstances. The Company recognizes any interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense.
Deferred Offering Costs
Deferred offering costs consists of legal, accounting, underwriting fees and other costs that are directly related to a planned follow on offering and will be charged to additional paid-in capital upon the completion of the follow on offering. The Company hadno offering costs as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Net Loss Per Share
Basic loss per share of Common Stock is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding for the period. Diluted net loss per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the dilutive effect of Common Stock equivalents outstanding for the period, determined using the treasury-stock method. Diluted loss per share excludes, when applicable, the potential impact of stock options, unvested shares of restricted stock awards, and Common Stock warrants because their effect would be anti-dilutive due to our net loss. Gains on warrant liabilities are only considered dilutive when the average market price of the Common Stock during the period exceeds the exercise price of the warrants. Since the Company had a net loss in each of the periods presented, basic and diluted net loss per common share are the same.
The following table summarizes the Company’s potentially dilutive securities, in common share equivalents, which have been excluded from the calculation of dilutive loss per share as their effect would be anti-dilutive:
| Years Ended December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Shares issuable upon exercise of stock options | 9,769,992 | 7,750,152 |
| Shares issuable upon exercise of warrants | 6,718,176 | 3,650,278 |
Leases
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-02, as amended, Leases (“Topic 842”), which applies to all leases. Under Topic 842, a right-of-use asset and lease obligation will be recorded for all leases, whether operating or financing leases, while the statement of operations will reflect lease expense for operating leases and amortization and interest expense for financing leases. At the inception of an arrangement the Company determines whether the arrangement is or contains a lease based on the circumstances present. All leases with a term greater than one year are recognized on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as right-of-use assets, lease liabilities and, if applicable, long-term lease liabilities. The Company has elected not to recognize on the consolidated balance sheet leases with terms of one-year or less. Lease liabilities and their corresponding right-of-use assets are recorded based on the present value of lease payments over the expected lease term. The interest rate implicit in lease contracts is typically not readily determinable. As such, the Company utilizes the appropriate incremental borrowing rate, which is the rate incurred to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. Certain adjustments to the right-of-use asset may be required for items such as initial direct costs paid or incentives received. At the inception of an arrangement the Company determines whether the arrangement is or contains a lease based on the circumstances present. Currently none of the Company’s operating lease commitments are subject to the standard as its leases are short-term in nature (i.e., less than twelve months).
Recent Accounting Standards
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures to improve the disclosures about reportable segments and include more detailed information about a reportable segment’s expenses. ASU 2023-07 also requires that a public entity with a single reportable segment provide all of the disclosures required as part of the amendments and all existing disclosures required by Topic 280. The ASU should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Theadoption did not have an impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. See Note 9 - Segment Information.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires disclosure of disaggregated income taxes paid, prescribes standard categories for the components of the effective tax rate reconciliation, and modifies other income tax-related disclosures. ASU No. 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and allows for adoption on a prospective basis, with a retrospective option. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the amendments in this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In March 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, which requires detailed disclosure of significant expense components and additional clarity when expenses are classified by function. ASU No. 2024-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026 and allows for adoption on a prospective basis, with a retrospective option. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the amendments in this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB or other standard setting bodies and are adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the Company believes that the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations upon adoption.
- RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Consulting Services
The consulting firm FGMK, LLC and its affiliate FGMK Business Holdings, LLC beneficially owned more than 5% of the stock of the Company and is therefore a related party. On November 13, 2024, the Company expensed $67,990 related to the grant of 28,448 restricted shares of Common Stock for payment of their accounting, tax and valuation services. In addition, FGMK Business Holdings, LLC participated in the December 2024 private placement and purchased 243,470 shares of the Company's Common Stock and warrants to purchase 243,470 shares of the Company's Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $550,000.
10b5-1 Plan
Certain of our directors and executive officers previously adopted written plans, known as Rule 10b5-1 plans, in which they contracted with a broker to buy shares of our Common Stock on a periodic basis. Each of these plans have expired as of the date of the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Our directors and executive officers may, in the future, adopt Rule 10b5-1 plans in which they contract with a broker to buy or sell shares of our Common Stock on a periodic basis. Under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, a broker executes trades pursuant to parameters established by the director or officer at the time was entered into, without further direction from the director or officer. The director or officer may amend or terminate the plan in limited circumstances. Our directors and executive officers may also buy or sell additional shares of our Common Stock outside of a Rule 10b5-1 plan when they are not in possession of material nonpublic information.
Private Placement
The following Company directors participated in the March 2024 private placement as follows: (i) Stan Smith purchased 170,940 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 170,940 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $200,000; (ii) Louie Ngar Yee purchased 170,940 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 170,940 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $200,000; (iii) Cristian Luput purchased 69,282 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 69,282 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $81,060; (iv) Steven Chaouki purchased 34,641 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 34,641 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $40,530; and (v) Ramiro Guerrero purchased 6,928 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 6,928 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $8,106.
The following Company directors participated in the April 2024 private placement as follows: (i) Stan Smith purchased 147,492 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 147,492 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $300,000; and (ii) Louie Ngar Yee purchased 19,665 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 19,665 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $40,000.
The following Company directors participated in the November 2024 private placement as follows: (i) Stan Smith purchased 100,000 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 100,000 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $225,900; (ii) Ramiro Guerrero purchased 88,534 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 88,534 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $200,000; (iii) Cristian Luput purchased 22,133 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 22,133 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $50,000; and (iv) Steven Chaouki purchased 22,133 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 22,133 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $50,000. In addition, the son of Company director Stan Smith purchased 40,000 shares and 40,000 warrants for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $90,360 and 5% stockholder FGMK Business Holdings, LLC purchased 243,470 shares and 243,470 warrants for a purchase price of approximately $550,000.
The following Company directors participated in the December 2024 private placement as follows: (i) Stan Smith purchased 25,000 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 25,000 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $46,800; and (ii) Ramiro Guerrero purchased 54,518 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 53,418 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $100,000. In addition, Sylvia Guerrero, the sister of one of the Company directors, purchased 5,341 shares and 5,341 warrants for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $10,000.
- ACCRUED EXPENSES
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, accrued expenses consisted of the following:
| December 31, | December 31, | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Bonus | $941,098 | $786,999 |
| Professional fees | 123,317 | 77,942 |
| Research and development costs | 1,035,355 | 998,838 |
| Accrued severance | — | 824,435 |
| Other | 217,832 | 610,393 |
| Total accrued expenses | $2,317,602 | $3,298,607 |
Accrued Bonus
During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company accrued $941,098 and $786,999, respectively, in bonus expense relating to employees and officers of the Company. In April 2024, the Compensation Committee determined that bonuses relating to 2023 would not be paid to all executive and non-executive employees. This change in estimated bonuses was recorded against the same general ledger accounts that the original estimate was recorded to and is reflected within the general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses on the statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Accrued Severance
On November 10, 2023, Joseph McGuire and Dr. Mihail Obrocea were terminated from their positions as Chief Financial Officer (and principal financial and accounting officer) and Chief Medical Officer, respectively, of the Company, effective immediately, as part of the Company’s effort to streamline operations. Mr. McGuire’s and Dr. Obrocea’s terminations were not based on any disagreement with the Company’s operations, policies or practices. The accrued severance included in accrued expense was $824,435 as of December 31 ,2023. The accrued severance was paid in 2024. There wasno accrued severance as of December 31, 2024.
- FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
Derivative Liability
Financial liabilities consisting of warrant liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below. The fair value of the warrant liabilities recorded are as follows:
| Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liabilities: | ||||
| Warrant liability | 2,690,605 | — | — | 2,690,605 |
| Total liabilities | $2,690,605 | $— | $— | $2,690,605 |
| Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liabilities: | ||||
| Warrant liability | 2,152,188 | — | — | 2,152,188 |
| Total liabilities | $2,152,188 | $— | $— | $2,152,188 |
During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had warrant liabilities of $2,690,605 and $2,152,188, respectively. The table below provides a summary of the changes in fair value of the warrant liabilities measured on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
| Years Ended December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| Warrant liabilities: | 2024 | 2023 |
| Balance, beginning of period | $2,152,188 | $245,341 |
| Issuance of warrants | 3,917,630 | 2,111,977 |
| Exercise of warrants | (3,191,675) | — |
| Amendment of warrants | (6,870,296) | — |
| Loss (gain) on fair value of warrant liability | 6,682,758 | (205,130) |
| Balance, end of period | $2,690,605 | $2,152,188 |
- STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Follow-on Offering
On April 27, 2023 the Company sold 2,555,500 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a public offering price of $2.25 per share in an underwritten public offering, including the full exercise of the overallotment option. ThinkEquity LLC served as the underwriter in the offering. The total net proceeds of $4,156,859 after deducting underwriting discounts and other offering expenses payable by the Company.
At-the-Market Equity Offering (ThinkEquity)
On September 1, 2023, the Company entered into an “at-the-market" Sales Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with ThinkEquity LLC (the “Sales Agent”), pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time, through the Sales Agent, shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), having an aggregate offering price of up to $7,000,000, subject to the terms and conditions of the Sales Agreement. The Shares will be offered and sold pursuant to the Company’s prospectus supplement (the “Prospectus Supplement”), filed September 1, 2023 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), to the prospectus forming a part of the Company’s shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-273984) filed by the Company with the SEC on August 15, 2023 and declared effective by the SEC on August 23, 2023. In October and November 2023, the Company sold 758,388 shares of Common Stock through the Sales Agreement for net proceeds of $1,238,688 after deducting underwriting discounts and other offering expenses payable by the Company. The Sales Agreement was terminated on November 15, 2023. Of the $1,238,688, $84,251 was allocated and classified as a warrant liability.
Registered Direct Offering
On November 17, 2023, the Company entered into a registered direct offering pursuant to the Company’s prospectus supplement (the “Prospectus Supplement”), filed September 1, 2023 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), to the prospectus forming part of the Company’s shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-273984) filed by the Company with the SEC on August 15, 2023 and declared effective by the SEC on August 23, 2023, and a prospectus supplement dated as of November 15, 2023, (the “Offering”) by the Company for an aggregate of 2,424,243 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“the Common Stock”) pursuant to an Engagement Agreement dated as of November 4, 2023, by and between the Company and H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (“Wainwright”) for net proceeds of $3.4 million after deducting underwriting discounts and other offering expenses payable by the Company. Of the $3.4 million, $2.0 million was allocated and classified as warrant liability.
At-the-Market Offering (H.C. Wainwright)
On February 14, 2024, the Comany entered into an At The Market Offering Agreement (the “ATM Agreement”) with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (“Wainwright”), to sell shares of its Common Stock having an aggregate sales price of up to $1,445,000, from time to time, through an “at-the-market offering” program under which Wainwright will act as sales agent. Effective March 25, 2024, the Company filed a prospectus supplement to amend, supplement and supersede certain information contained in the earlier prospectus and prospectus supplement, which increased the number of shares of Common Stock the Company may offer and sell under the ATM Agreement to an aggregate offering price of up to $4,950,000 from time to time. Effective May 15, 2024, the Company filed a prospectus supplement to amend, supplement and supersede certain information contained in the earlier prospectus and prospectus supplement, which increased the number of Shares the Company may offer and sell under the ATM Agreement to an aggregate offering price of up to $11,280,000 from time to time. Effective December 23, 2024, the Company filed a prospectus supplement to amend, supplement and supersede certain information contained in the earlier prospectus and prospectus supplement, which increased the number of Shares the Company may offer and sell under the ATM Agreement to an aggregate offering price of up to$30,000,000 from time to time. As of the date of this Annual Report, the Company has sold 3,940,683 shares of its Common Stock under the ATM Agreement at an average price of $2.95 per share, resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $11,633,086, for which we paid Wainwright $348,993 in commissions resulting in net proceeds to us of approximately $11,284,093.
Private Placements
On March 14, 2024, the Company issued and sold 2,496,318 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase 2,496,318 shares of its Common Stock in a private placement to certain accredited investors and to our participating directors pursuant to securities purchase agreements dated March 11, 2024 at a price $1.17 per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $2.92 million. The warrants are exercisable at a price per Share of $1.30, which price represents the greater of the book or market value of the stock on the date the purchase agreement was executed, are exercisable commencing six-months following issuance and have a term of five and a half years from the initial issuance date. The securities sold to the Company's directors participating in the March 14, 2024 private placement were issued pursuant to the MAIA 2021 Plan.
On March 28, 2024, the Company issued and sold 578,643 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase 578,643 shares of its Common Stock in a private placement to certain accredited investors pursuant to securities purchase agreements dated March 25, 2024 at a price of $2.295 per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $1.33 million. The warrants are exercisable at a price per Share of $2.55, which price represents the greater of the book or market value of the stock on the date the purchase agreement was executed, are exercisable commencing six-months following issuance and have a term of five and a half years from the initial issuance date.
On April 25, 2024, the Company issued and sold 494,096 shares of its Common Stock and warrants to purchase 494,096 shares of our Common Stock in a private placement to certain accredited investors and to our participating directors pursuant to securities purchase agreements dated April 22, 2024 at a price of $2.034 per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $1.0 million. The warrants are exercisable at a price per Share of $2.26, which price represents the greater of the book or market value of the stock on the date the purchase agreement was executed, are exercisable commencing six-months following issuance and have a term of five and a half years from the initial issuance date. The securities sold to the Company's directors participating in the April 25, 2024 private placement were issued pursuant to the MAIA 2021 Plan.
On November 1, 2024, the Company issued and sold 1,079,784 shares of its Common Stock and warrants to purchase 1,079,784 shares of our Common Stock in a private placement to certain accredited investors and to our participating directors pursuant to securities purchase agreements dated October 28, 2024 at a price of $2.259 per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $2.44 million. The warrants are exercisable at a price per Share of $2.51, which price represents the greater of the book or market value of the stock on the date the purchase agreement was executed, are exercisable commencing six-months following issuance and have a term of five and a half years from the initial issuance date. The securities sold to the Company's directors participating in the November 1, 2024 private placement were issued pursuant to the MAIA 2021 Plan.
On December 13, 2024, the Company issued and sold 507,364 shares of its Common Stock and warrants to purchase 507,364 shares of our Common Stock in a private placement to certain accredited investors and to our participating directors pursuant to securities purchase agreements dated December 9, 2024 at a price of $1.872 per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $950,000. The warrants are exercisable at a price per Share of $2.08, which price represents the greater of the book or market value of the stock on the date the purchase agreement was executed, are exercisable commencing six-months following issuance and have a term of five and a half years from the initial issuance date. The securities sold to the Company's directors participating in the December 13, 2024 private placement were issued pursuant to the MAIA 2021 Plan.
MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. Restricted Stock Awards
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company expensed $731,661 for investor and media relation services related to the grant of 291,469 restricted shares of Common Stock. There areno unvested restricted shares as of December 31, 2023.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company expensed $179,490 for investor services and accounting, tax and valuation services related to the grant of 75,550 restricted shares of Common Stock. There areno unvested restricted shares as of December 31, 2024.
MAIA Stock Warrants
In January 2022, the Company and certain warrant holders executed waivers related to the acceptance and approval of an amendment to the holders’ warrant agreements originally issued between May 6, 2020 and February 26, 2021 in connection with the Company’s issuance of convertible notes. The amendment removed the IPO expiration provision from the warrant agreements, and the warrants are now only to be exercisable, in whole or in part, during the exercise period ending on the earliest to occur of: (a) various dates in 2028 as stated within the warrant agreements; or (b) immediately prior to the closing of a change of control. The value of the warrant modificationto the 144,497 warrants was calculated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. The incremental fair value attributable to the modified awards compared to the original awards immediately prior to the modification was calculated at $450,578 and was treated as a deemed dividend and is reflected as “Deemed dividend on warrant modification” in the accompanying statement of operations.
During January 2022, warrants were exercised, resulting in the issuance of 61,111 shares of MAIA Common Stock for proceeds of $110,000. During May 2022, warrants were exercised, resulting in the issuance of 153,000 shares of Common Stock for proceeds of approximately $275,400. Another 394,501 warrants were exercised with a cashless exercise assuming the fair market value of $9.00 per share resulting in the issuance of 315,601 shares of Common Stock.
At the closing of the initial public offering,20,520 warrants with an exercise price of $5.00 per share expired.
Concurrently with the closing of the Company’s initial public offering, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to 100,000 shares of its Common Stock to the Representative or its designees, at an exercise price of $6.25 per share (the “Representative’s Warrants”). The Representative’s Warrants are exercisable beginning on January 23, 2023, and expire on July 27, 2027, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Representative’s Warrants. On August 3, concurrently with the full exercise of the Underwriter’s over-allotment option, the Company issued additional warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to 15,000 shares of its Common Stock to the Representative or its designees on the same terms. The warrants are not indexed to the Company’s own stock and therefore meet the definition of a derivative liability. The warrants are liability classified instruments and were initially recorded as $343,735, which was the value determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method using a term offive years, risk free interest rate of 2.82% and volatility of 77.5%. As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 the Company remeasured the warrant liability resulting in a value of $71,672 and $40,211, respectively. The loss on remeasurement of the warrant liability in the amount of $31,461 and $205,130 was included in other (expense) income for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Concurrently with the closing of the Company’s follow-on offering, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to 127,775 shares of its Common Stock to the Representative or its designees, at an exercise price of $2.81 per share (the “Follow-On Representative’s Warrants”). The Follow-On Representative’s Warrants are exercisable beginning on October 24, 2023, and expire on April 24, 2028, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Follow-On Representative’s Warrants. The Follow-On Representative’s Warrants are equity classified instruments and the value of the Follow-On Representative’s Warrants determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $241,109 using the term offive years, risk free interest rate of 4.09% and volatility of 86.3%. During 2024,116,532 warrants were exercised on various dates in cashless exercises and the investors were issued 22,869 shares of Common Stock. As of December 31, 2024, there are 11,243 warrants exercisable through April 24, 2028.
On November 9, 2023, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to 239,234 shares of its Common Stock to Alumni Capital LP, at an exercise price of $2.09 per share. The warrants are exercisable beginning on November 10, 2023, and expire on November 10, 2027, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the warrants. The warrants are not indexed to the Company’s own stock and therefore meet the definition of a derivative liability. On November 13, 2023,131,578 warrant shares vested in accordance with the terms. The warrants are liability classified instruments and were initially recorded as $84,251, which was the value determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method using a term of 3.87 years, risk free interest rate of 3.93% and volatility of 90.0%. Laidlaw & Company Ltd. acted as the financial advisor to the Company in connection with the warrant and were paid a cash fee of $13,750. The warrants were exercised on May 22, 2024 in a cashless exercise and Alumni was issued 54,976 shares of Common Stock. The Company remeasured the warrant liability at the time of the exercise resulting in a value of $375,705. The loss on remeasurement of the warrant liability in the amount of $291,454 and $0 was included in other (expense) income for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
On November 17, 2023, the Company issued warrants concurrently with the Company’s registered direct offering to purchase an aggregate of up to 2,424,243 shares of its Common Stock to the investors in a registered direct offering at an exercise price of $1.86 per share (subject to customary adjustments set forth in the warrants). The warrants are exercisable six months following issuance and have a term of five years from the initial exercise date. The warrants contain customary anti-dilution adjustments to the exercise price, including share splits, share dividends, rights offerings and pro rata distributions. The warrants are not indexed to the Company’s own stock and therefore meet the definition of a derivative liability. The warrants are liability classified instruments and were initially recorded as $1,903,915, which was the value determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method using a term of 5.38 years, risk free interest rate of 3.85% and volatility of 90.0%. In 2024,909,091 warrants were exercised on various dates in cashless exercises and the investor was issued 458,726 shares of Common Stock. The Company remeasured the warrant liability of the exercised warrants at the time of exercise resulting in a value of $2,815,970. The loss on remeasurement of the warrant liability $3,101,533 and $0 was included in other (expense) income for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
On November 17, 2023, concurrently with the closing of the Company’s registered direct offering, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 169,697 shares of its Common Stock to the Representative or its designees, at an exercise price of $2.06 per share. These representative’s warrants were exercisable beginning November 15, 2023, and expire on November 15, 2028, pursuant to their terms and conditions. The representative’s warrants are not indexed to the Company’s own stock and therefore meet the definition of a derivative liability. The representative’s warrants are liability classified instruments and were initially recorded as
$123,811, which was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method using a term of 4.88 years, risk free interest rate of 3.84% and volatility of 90.0%. As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company remeasured the warrant liability resulting in a value of $230,038 and $123,811, respectively. The loss on remeasurement of the warrant liability in the amount of $106,227 and $0 is included in other (expense) income for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Concurrently with the closing of the Company’s private placement on March 14, 2024, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to 2,496,318 shares of its Common Stock to the investors in the private placement, at an exercise price of $1.30 per share are exercisable beginning on September 14, 2024, and expire on September 14, 2029. The warrants issued were divided into two groups: warrants issued to directors and warrants issued to non-affiliated investors. The warrants to purchase 452,731 shares of the Company’s Common Stock issued to directors were deemed options issued under the MAIA 2021 Plan and are equity classified instruments, and the value of these warrants determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $230,685 using a term of 5.5 years, risk free interest rate of 4.20% and volatility of 95%. The warrants to purchase 2,043,587 share of the Company’s Common Stock issued to non-affiliated investors were not indexed to the Company’s own stock and therefore met the definition of a derivative liability. The warrants issued to non-affiliated investors were liability classified instruments when issued and were initially recorded at a value of $2,049,600, which was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method using a term of 5.5 years, risk free interest rate of 4.20% and volatility of 95.0%. In May 2024, the Company amended the warrant agreements to adjust them to be indexed to the Company’s own stock, and they were therefore reclassed to equity classified instruments in a non-cash transaction. When the warrant agreements were amended, the Company remeasured the warrant liability resulting in a final warrant value of $5,089,063. The warrant liability for these warrants was removed and equity was increased by $5,089,063 to account for the equity classification. The loss on the remeasurement of the warrant liability in the amount of $3,039,463 and $0 is included in other (expense) income for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Concurrently with the closing of the Company’s private placement offering on March 28, 2024, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to 578,643 shares of its Common Stock to the investors in the private placement at an exercise price of $2.55 per share. The warrants are exercisable beginning on September 28, 2024, and expire on September 28, 2029. The warrants were not indexed to the Company’s own stock and therefore meet the definition of a derivative liability. The warrants were liability classified instruments when issued and were initially recorded at a value of $1,190,111, which was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method using a term of 5.5 years, risk free interest rate of 4.20% and volatility of 95.0%. In May 2024, the Company amended the warrant agreements related to 437,031 warrants to adjust them to be indexed to the Company’s own stock, and they were therefore reclassed to equity classified instruments in a non-cash transaction. When the warrants agreements were amended, the Company remeasured the warrant liability resulting in a final warrant value of $1,011,562. The warrant liability for these 437,031 warrants was removed and equity was increased by $1,011,562 to account for the equity classification. The loss on the remeasurement of the warrant liability in the amount of $112,708 and $0 is included in other (expense) income for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The remaining 141,612 warrants remain liability classified instruments. As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company remeasured the warrant liability, resulting in a value of $199,417 and $0, respectively. The gain on remeasurement of the warrant liability in the amount of $91,840 and $0 is included in other (expense) income for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Concurrently with the closing of the Company’s private placement offering on April 25, 2024, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to 494,096 shares of its Common Stock to the investors in the private placement at an exercise price of $2.26 per share. The warrants are exercisable beginning on October 25, 2024, and expire on October 25, 2029. The warrants issued were divided into two groups: warrants issued to directors and warrants issued to non-affiliated investors. The warrants to purchase 167,157 shares of the Company’s Common Stock issued to directors were deemed options issued under the MAIA 2021 Plan (as defined below) and are equity classified instruments and the value of these warrants determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $346,606 using a term of 5.5 years, risk free interest rate of 4.70% and volatility of 95%. The warrants to purchase 326,939 shares of the Company’s Common Stock issued to non-affiliated investors were not indexed to the Company’s own stock and therefore met the definition of a derivative liability. The warrants were liability classified instruments when issued and were initially recorded at a value of $677,919, which was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method using a term of 5.5 years, risk free interest rate of 4.70% and volatility of 95.0%. In May 2024, the Company amended these warrant agreements to adjust them to be indexed to the Company’s own stock, and they were therefore reclassed to equity classified instruments in a non-cash transaction. When the warrant agreements were amended, the Company remeasured the warrant liability resulting in a final warrant value of $769,671. The warrant liability for these warrants were removed and equity was increased by $769,671 to account for the equity classification. The loss on the remeasurement of the warrant liability in the amount of $91,572 and $0 is included in other (expense) income for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Concurrently with the closing of the Company’s private placement offering on November 1, 2024, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to 1,079,784 shares of its Common Stock to the investors in the private placement at an exercise price of $2.51 per share. The warrants are exercisable beginning on May 1, 2025, and expire on May 1, 2030. The warrants issued were divided into two groups: warrants issued to directors and warrants issued to non-affiliated investors. The warrants to purchase 232,800 shares of the Company’s Common Stock issued to directors were deemed options issued under the MAIA 2021 Plan (as defined below) and are equity classified instruments and the value of these warrants determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $494,851 using a term of 5.5 years, risk free interest rate of 4.22% and volatility of 95%. The warrants to purchase 846,984 sharesof the Company’s Common Stock issued to non-affiliated investors are indexed to the Company’s own stock, and they were therefore equity classified instruments and the value of these warrants determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $1,800,389 using a term of 5.5 years, risk free interest rate of 4.22% and volatility of 95%.
Concurrently with the closing of the Company’s private placement offering on December 13, 2024, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to 507,364 shares of its Common Stock to the investors in the private placement at an exercise price of $2.08 per share. The warrants are exercisable beginning on June 13, 2025, and expire on June 13, 2030. The warrants issued were divided into two groups: warrants issued to directors and warrants issued to non-affiliated investors. The warrants to purchase 78,418 shares of the Company’s Common Stock issued to directors were deemed options issued under the MAIA 2021 Plan (as defined below) and are equity classified instruments and the value of these warrants determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $116,151 using a term of 5.5 years, risk free interest rate of 4.25% and volatility of 95%. The warrants to purchase 428,946 shares of the Company’s Common Stock issued to non-affiliated investors are indexed to the Company’s own stock and they were therefore equity classified instruments and the value of these warrants determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton method was $635,345 using a term of 5.5 years, risk free interest rate of 4.25% and volatility of 95%.
| WarrantsOutstanding | WeightedAverageExercisePrice | WeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm inYears | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at January 1, 2024 | 3,650,278 | $2.82 | 5.00 |
| Issued | 4,225,099 | 1.87 | — |
| Exercised | (1,157,201) | 1.98 | — |
| Expired | — | — | — |
| Balance at December 31, 2024 | 6,718,176 | $2.37 | 4.56 |
| WarrantsOutstanding | WeightedAverageExercisePrice | WeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm inYears | |
| Balance at January 1, 2023 | 796,985 | $6.04 | 5.16 |
| Issued | 2,853,293 | 1.93 | — |
| Exercised | — | — | — |
| Expired | — | — | — |
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | 3,650,278 | $2.82 | 5.00 |
The Company's warrant liability, which relates to warrants to purchase shares of common stock, is measured at fair value at each reporting period and changes in fair value are recorded in other income (expense) within the statement of operations until the warrants are exercised, expire, or are reclassified to stockholders' equity. The weighted-average fair values of warrants issued during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $1.87 and $1.93, respectively. The warrants vested as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 were 5,442,246 and 3,650,278, respectively.
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Risk-free interest rate | 4.2% - 4.7% | 3.8% - 4.6% |
| Expected term (in years) | 5.5 | 3.6 - 5.4 |
| Expected volatility | 95% | 85% - 92% |
| Expected dividend yield | —% | —% |
MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. Stock Award Plans
In 2018, the Company adopted the MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. 2018 Stock Option Plan (the “MAIA 2018 Plan”). MAIA’s board of directors administers the MAIA Plan for the purposes of attracting, retaining, and motivating key employees, directors, and consultants of MAIA. The terms of the MAIA 2018 Plan continue to govern the 1,773,912 options outstanding in the plan of December 31, 2024.
In 2020, the Company adopted the MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. Amended and Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “MAIA 2020 Plan’’), also administered by the board of directors. The MAIA 2020 Plan permitted awards to take the form of stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units. The terms of the MAIA 2020 Plan continue to govern the 3,503,589 options outstanding in the plan as of December 31, 2024. There areno shares reserved for future issuance in the MAIA 2018 Plan or the MAIA 2020 Plan.
On August 1, 2022 the Company approved the MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “MAIA 2021 Plan’’) with 1,909,518 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance. On May 25, 2023, the MAIA 2021 Plan was amended to include an automatic increase to the plan in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the total number of shares of stock outstanding on a fully diluted basis on December 31 of the preceding calendar year (the “Increase Date”); provided that, the board of directors may act prior to any Increase Date to provide that there will be no increase for such year or that the increase for such year will be a lesser number of shares of stock. Pursuant to the automatic increase provision, on May 25, 2023, the amount reserved for issuance under the MAIA 2021 Plan increased by 1,956,993 based on the fully diluted shares outstanding as of December 31, 2022. Pursuant to the automatic increase provision, on April 23, 2024, the amount reserved for issuance under the MAIA 2021 Plan increased by 2,838,668 based on the fully diluted shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2024, there were 1,790,744 shares of Common Stock available for future issuance under the MAIA 2021 Plan and 4,492,491 options outstanding in the MAIA 2021 Plan. On December 31, 2024, the Company’s board of directors increased the amount of shares available under the 2021 Plan by 2,250,000 shares effective January 1, 2025 pursuant to the annual increase provision, based on the fully diluted shares outstanding as of December 31, 2024 (and the discretion of the board to authorize less than 10% of such amount).
Stock options are to be granted with an exercise price which is at least equal to the stock’s estimated fair value at the date of grant, and with a contractual term of no more thanten years from the date of grant. In the case of an option granted to a 10% stockholder, the exercise price shall be generally no less than 110% of the fair market value per share on the date of grant, and the contractual term shall beseven years. Outstanding options awarded under the MAIA 2021 Plan may, but need not, vest and therefore become exercisable in periodic installments that may, but need not, be equal. The option may be subject to other terms and conditions as to the time or times when it may be exercised (which may be based on performance or other criteria) as the board of directors may deem appropriate. Unexercised options are canceled ninety days after termination of an employee, director, founder, or consultant. Unexercised options are canceled immediately if an employee, director, founder, or consultant is terminated for cause; under certain other circumstances, the period to cancellation may differ as described in the respective plan documents. Certain clauses in the Plans also govern the Company’s exercise repurchase rights and various other features of awards granted under the plans.
As of December 31, 2024, stock options and restricted stock have been awarded pursuant to the MAIA stock award plans.
The following table summarizes the activity and information regarding MAIA's outstanding and exercisable options classified as equity awards as of December 31, 2024:
| Options Outstanding | WeightedAverageExercisePrice | WeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm inYears | AggregateIntrinsicValue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at January 1, 2024 | 7,750,152 | $2.53 | 7.30 | — |
| Granted | 3,043,874 | 2.41 | ||
| Exercised | (120,110) | 1.81 | ||
| Cancelled/forfeited | (903,924) | 3.30 | ||
| Balance at December 31, 2024 | 9,769,992 | $2.43 | 6.68 | $1,592,474 |
| Options exercisable at December 31, 2024 | 7,628,139 | $2.43 | 6.14 | $1,345,900 |
The value of option grants are calculated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model with the following assumptions for options granted during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Risk-free interest rate | 3.51% - 4.77% | 3.64% - 4.89% |
| Expected term (in years) | 5 - 6.25 | 5 - 6.25 |
| Expected volatility | 95.0% - 152.5% | 99.6% - 117.4% |
| Expected dividend yield | — | — |
The weighted-average fair values of stock options issued during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $2.41 and $2.55, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, the total unrecognized compensation related to unvested employee and non-employee stock option awards granted was $2,667,623 which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted average period of approximately 2.20 years.
Stock based compensation related to the Company’s stock plans are as follows:
| Years Ended | ||
|---|---|---|
| December 31, | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| General and administrative | $1,274,206 | $1,496,383 |
| Research and development | 638,538 | 1,592,920 |
| Total stock-based compensation | $1,912,744 | $3,089,303 |
- EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN
Our eligible employees have been permitted to participate in our 401(k) beginning October 1, 2022. Participation in the 401(k) plan is offered for the benefit of our employees, including our named executive officers, who remain employed with us, and who satisfy certain eligibility requirements. We match employee contributions using a benchmark to industry standards. The Company will make a safe harbor matching contribution equal to 100% of employee salary deferrals that do not exceed 1% of their compensation plus 50% of their salary deferrals between 1% and 6% of their compensation. The 2024 Company match is immaterial. Under the 401(k) plan, eligible employees may elect to defer a portion of their compensation, within the limits prescribed by the Code, on a pre-tax or after-tax (Roth) basis, through contributions to the 401(k) plan. The 401(k) plan is intended to qualify under Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Code. As a tax-qualified retirement plan, pre-tax contributions to the 401(k) plan and earnings on those pre-tax contributions are not taxable to the employees until distributed from the 401(k) plan, and earnings on Roth contributions are not taxable when distributed from the 401(k) plan.
- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal
From time to time, the Company is involved in legal actions and claims arising in the normal course of business. Management believes there are no matters which will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, operations or cash flows.
Patent Licensing, Sponsored Research, and Patent & Technology Agreements
THIO - In November 2018 and as amended in December 2020, the Company entered into a Global Patent Licensing Agreement (“PLA”) titled “Patent and Technology License Agreement AGT. NO. L2264 - MAIA Biotechnology” with the University of Texas Southwestern (“UTSW”) to license patent families for a specific compound (“THIO”) from UTSW to MAIA. The agreement, as amended, has a term of 20 years. The agreement requires MAIA to reimburse UTSW for agreed-upon expenses related to THIO. The agreement requires certain payments upon assignment of the license to a third party as well as upon reaching specific milestones, ranging between $1,000,000 and $50,000,000, not to exceed a combined milestone payment total of $112,000,000. As of December 31, 2024, no assignment has occurred and none of the defined milestones have been completed and thereforeno payments are due to UTSW related to the milestones. The agreement requires royalties of 2-4% (depending on THIO reaching specified sales levels in the respective jurisdictions) royalty payments on net sales up to $1,000,000,000, and 2.5-5% on net sales above $1,000,000,000.
Also in December 2020, the Company entered into a second license agreement with UTSW titled “Patent and Technology License Agreement AGT. NO. L3648 — MAIA Biotechnology” pursuant to which UTSW is licensing an additional compound to MAIA. The agreement has a term of 20 years and requires the Company to reimburse UTSW for certain agreed-upon expenses. The agreement requires certain payments upon assignment of the license to a third party as well as upon reaching specific milestones, ranging between $1,000,000 and $50,000,000, not to exceed a combined milestone payment total of $112,000,000. As of December 31, 2024, no assignment has occurred and none of the defined milestones have been completed and thereforeno payments are due to UTSW related to the milestones.
The agreement requires royalties of 2-4% (depending on THIO reaching specified sales levels in the respective jurisdictions) royalty payments on net sales up to $1,000,000, and 2.5-5% on net sales above $1,000,000,000.
The Company will also pay UTSW running royalties on a yearly basis as a percentage of Net Sales of the Company or its sublicensee. Thereare single digit royalty rates for licensed products and licensed services covered by a Valid Claim (as defined in the agreement)
anddependent on whether Net Sales are greater than or less than/equal to $1,000,000,000, with Net Sales above that amount commanding a slightly higher percentage. In each case, the royalty percentage is lower before patent issuance in each jurisdiction. In the event that the licensed product or licensed service is not covered by a Valid Claim, the running royalty rates are reduced by fifty percent (50%). The royalty obligations continue on a country-by-country basis until the later of expiration of the last Valid Claim in each country or ten (10) years after the First Commercial Sale (as defined in UTSW2 Agreement) in each country.
Regeneron - In February 2021, the Company reached an agreement with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Regeneron") to perform one clinical trial for the treatment of patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) involving a Regeneron drug candidate that utilizes one of the Company's compounds/agents. The Company is responsible for all costs of the study with Regeneron supplying their drug cemiplimab representing a cost savings for the Company. The overall term of the agreement is forfive years unless earlier terminated for certain reasons as defined in the agreement. Either party may terminate a study plan in the event that patient screening for the clinical study does not commence within twelve (12) months after (a) the Effective Date, with respect to the initial study, or (b) the execution of the applicable study plan, with respect to each other study. If either party terminates a study plan, the Company shall reimburse Regeneron for the Regeneron product it received in connection with such study plan based on the actual out-of-pocket cost to Regeneron of such Regeneron product. The THIO-101 study protocol was amended in December 2024 to increase the number of patients enrolled in an expansion arm to further evaluate efficacy of the treatment in third-line NSCLC patients resistant to checkpoint inhibitor and chemotherapy. As of December 31, 2024 neither party has terminated the agreement.
BeiGene - In December 2024, the Company reached an agreement with BeiGene Swizerland GmbH, ("BeiGene") to perform certain clinical trials for the treatment of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), liver cancer (HCC), and colorectal cancer (CRC) involving a BeiGene drug candidate that utilizes one of the Company's compounds/agents. The Company is responsible for all costs of the study with BeiGene supplying their drug tislelizumab representing a cost savings for the Company. The overall term of the agreement is forseven years unless earlier terminated for certain reasons as defined in the agreement. As of December 31, 2024 neither party has terminated the agreement.
- INCOME TAXES
The Company's net deferred tax assets consist of the following components:
| December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Deferred tax assets: | ||
| Net operating loss carryforwards | $8,238,806 | $5,226,712 |
| Stock-based compensation | 1,753,825 | 1,378,351 |
| Research and development | 4,622,097 | 3,183,980 |
| Accrued compensation | 524,012 | 584,001 |
| Other | 49,420 | — |
| Total net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance | 15,188,160 | 10,373,044 |
| Valuation allowance | (15,188,160) | (10,373,044) |
| Net deferred tax asset | $— | $— |
At December 31, 2024, the Company has unused U.S. federal and state net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of $35.5 million that may be applied against future taxable income. The state NOL carryforwards begin to expire in 2030. The U.S. federal NOL carryforwards may be carried forward indefinitely, however are limited to 80 percent of taxable income. The Company has unused Australian NOL carryforwards of $0.2 million that may be carried forward indefinitely. The Company has unused U.S. federal research and development (“R & D”) tax credits of $0.5 million that begin to expire in 2041.
The use of the Company’s NOL and R & D credit carryforwards may, however, be subject to limitations as a result of an ownership change. A corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” in general, if a greater than 50% change (by value) in its equity ownership by one or more five‑percent stockholders (or certain groups of non-five-percent stockholders) over a three-year period occurs. After such an ownership change, the corporation’s use of its pre-change NOL carryforwards and other pre‑change tax attributes to offset its post-change income is subject to an annual limitation determined by the equity value of the corporation on the date the ownership change occurs multiplied by a rate determined monthly by the Internal Revenue Service.
If an ownership change occurs and if the Company earns net taxable income, the Company’s ability to use its pre-change NOLs to offset U.S. federal and taxable income would be subject to these limitations, which could potentially result in increased future tax liability compared to the tax liability the Company would incur if its use of NOL carryforwards were not so limited. In addition, for state income, franchise and similar tax purposes, there may be periods during which the use of NOL carryforwards is suspended or otherwise limited, which could accelerate or permanently increase the Company’s state income, franchise, or similar taxes.
In accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” the Company recorded a valuation allowance to fully offset its deferred tax assets, because it is not more likely than not that the Company will realize future benefits associated with these deferred tax assets at December 31, 2024 and 2023.The valuation allowance increased by approximately $4.8 million and $4.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, mainly due to increases in the NOL carryforward and other deferred tax assets. The Company will continue to assess the realizability of the deferred tax assets at each interim and annual balance sheet date based upon actual and forecasted operating results.
The Company incurred a pretax book loss of approximately $23.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, and approximately $19.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
No provision or benefit for U.S. federal, state, or foreign income taxes has been recorded for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, mainly due to net losses incurred by the Company. A provision of approximately $2 thousand for Romanian income tax was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2024. No provision for Romanian income tax was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2023, due to a tax exemption.
The income tax benefit differs from the benefit that would result from applying federal statutory rates to loss before income taxes as follows:
| December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Statutory federal income tax rate | 21.0% | 21.0% |
| State taxes, net of federal tax benefit | 6.3% | 1.1% |
| Stock-based compensation | (0.9)% | (2.2)% |
| Warrant amendments | (6.0)% | —% |
| Other nondeductible expenses/(nontaxable income) | 0.3% | 1.0% |
| Change in valuation allowance | (20.7)% | (20.9)% |
| Income tax benefit | —% | —% |
The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740. When uncertain tax positions exist, the Company recognizes the tax benefit of tax positions to the extent that the benefit would more likely than not be realized assuming examination by the taxing authority. The determination as to whether the tax benefit will more likely than not be realized is based upon the technical merits of the tax position as well as consideration of the available facts and circumstances. The Company recognizes any interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. The Company did not have any significant unrecognized tax benefits during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, several U.S. States, Australia, and Romania. The Company’s tax returns since inception remain open to examination by the taxing authorities.
- SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company operates inone reportable segment. This determination is based on the Company's structure, the manner in which the chief operating decision maker ("CODM") reviews the operating results to assess performance and allocate resources, and the nature of the Company's operations. The CODM, who is the Chief Executive Officer, regularly reviews consolidated financial information, such as consolidated net loss. The CODM's review is for the purpose of assessing performance and making decisions about resource allocation. See our consolidated financial statement in Part II, "Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data", and Note 1, "Description of Business, Organization, and Principles of Consolidation" for additional information about these line items and the related accounting policies.
- SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Issuance of Options
From January 1 to March 21, 2025, the Company issued 456,545 options at a weighted exercise price of $1.41 to employees and consultants.
At-The-Market Offering with H.C. Wainwright
Since January 1, 2025, the Company has sold 666,323 shares of Common Stock at an average price of$2.28 per share, resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of approximately$1,521,092, for which it paid Wainwright approximately $45,633 in commissions, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $1,475,458. The Company anticipates that the at-the-market offering will continue throughout the next reporting period.
Private Placement
On February 24, 2025, we issued and sold 1,810,000 shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase 1,810,000 shares of our Common Stock in a private placement to certain accredited investors and to our participating directors pursuant to securities purchase agreements dated February 18, 2025 at a price of $1.50 per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $2.72 million. The warrants are exercisable at a price per Share of $1.87, which price represents the greater of the book or market value of the stock on the date the purchase agreement was executed, are exercisable commencing one-year following issuance and have a term of six years from the initial issuance date. The securities sold to our directors participating in the February 24, 2025 private placement were issued pursuant to the MAIA 2021 Plan.
On March 3, 2025, we issued and sold 952,633, shares of our Common Stock and warrants to purchase 952,633 shares of our Common Stock in a private placement to certain accredited investors and to our participating directors pursuant to securities purchase agreements dated February 24, 2025 at a price of $1.50 per share, for which we received gross proceeds of approximately $1.43 million. The warrants are exercisable at a price per Share of $1.85, which price represents the greater of the book or market value of the stock on the date the purchase agreement was executed, are exercisable commencing one-year following issuance and have a term of six years from the initial issuance date.
Related Party Participation in Private Placement
The following Company directors participated in the aforementioned February 24, 2025 private placement as follows: (i) Stan Smith purchased 50,000 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 50,000 shares of Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $75,000; and (ii) Ramiro Guerrero purchased 73,333 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 73,333 shares of Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $110,000. In addition, FGMK Business Holdings, LLC, a 5% stockholder purchased 1,350,000 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 1,350,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $2.025 million.
The following Company directors participated in the aforementioned March 3, 2025 private placement as follows: (i) Stan Smith purchased 25,000 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 25,000 shares of Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $37,500; (ii) Ramiro Guerrero purchased 33,333 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase up to 33,333 shares of Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $50,000.
These subsequent events may have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows in future periods, and they are disclosed here for informational purposes. Investors should consider the potential impact of these events on their assessments of the Company’s financial condition and performance.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.