Cue Biopharma, Inc.
For the period ended Dec 31, 2025. Filed Mar 16, 2026.
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FY2025 · Filed Mar 16, 2026
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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years Ended December 31, 2025 and 2024
- Organization and Basis of Presentation
Cue Biopharma, Inc. (the "Company") is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel class of injectable therapeutics engineered to selectively engage and modulate disease-specific T cells for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Unlike conventional approaches that broadly activate the immune system, the Company's Immuno-STAT® platform is designed to selectively modulate disease-relevant T cells, enhancing efficacy while minimizing off-target effects.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. The Company is in the clinical development and preclinical research and development stages and has incurred recurring losses and negative cash flows from operations since inception. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of$27.1 million. Effective November 6, 2025, the Company entered into a Collaboration and License Agreement with ImmunoScape Pte. Ltd. pursuant to which the Company is entitled to receive upfront payments totaling $15.0 million. Of these upfront payments, the Company received an aggregate of $9.5 million, net of withholding taxes, in the fourth quarter of 2025, and is entitled to receive an additional $5.0 million before the first anniversary of the effective date of the agreement. For further information regarding this transaction, please refer to Note 10, Collaboration Revenue.
The future viability of the Company is dependent on its ability to raise additional capital to finance its operations and fund research and development costs in order to seek approval for commercialization of its drug product candidates.
The Company continues to explore raising additional capital through a combination of equity offerings, collaborations, and other strategic alliances, and, depending on the availability and level of additional financings, potential cash expenditure reduction, there is no guarantee that the Company will be successful in these mitigation efforts. The Company’s failure to access additional capital as and when needed would have a negative impact on its financial condition and its ability to pursue its business strategies as this capital is necessary for the Company to perform the research and development activities required to develop and commercialize the Company’s drug product candidates in order to generate future revenue streams. The Company’s accumulated deficit, history of losses, negative cash flows from operations, future expected losses and uncertain future capital resources, raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the issuance date of these financial statements.
- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for financial information, which prescribes elimination of all significant intercompany accounts and transactions in the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Cue Biopharma Securities Corp., which was incorporated in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in December 2018. In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments which are necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position and results of its operations, as of and for the periods presented.
Public Offerings and Private Placement
In October 2021, the Company entered into an open market sale agreement (the “ATM Sales Agreement”) with Jefferies LLC ("Jefferies"), as agent, to sell shares of the Company’s common stock for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $80 million, from time to time, through an at-the-market equity offering program. The ATM Sales Agreement will terminate upon the earliest of (a) the sale of $80 million of shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the ATM Sales Agreement or (b) the termination of the ATM Sales Agreement by the Company or Jefferies. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company sold 3,414,197 shares of common stock under the ATM Sales Agreement for proceeds of $2.5 million, net of commissions paid, but excluding transaction expenses. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had sold an aggregate of 12,486,428 shares of common stock under the ATM Sales Agreement for proceeds of$42.9 million, net of commissions paid, but excluding transaction expenses, since its inception.
On November 14, 2022, the Company entered into securities purchase agreements with accredited investors pursuant to which, on November 16, 2022, the Company issued and sold to such investors in a private placement an aggregate of 7,656,966 shares of common stock and, in lieu of shares of common stock to certain investors, pre-funded warrants (the "2022 Pre-Funded Warrants") to purchase an aggregate of 1,531,440 shares of common stock, and, in each case, accompanying warrants (the "2022 Common Stock Warrants," and together with the 2022 Pre-Funded Warrants, the “2022 Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate of up to 9,188,406 additional shares of common stock (or 2022 Pre-Funded Warrants in lieu thereof) at a price of $3.265 per share and accompanying 2022 Common Stock Warrant (or $3.2649 per 2022 Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying 2022 Common Stock Warrant), (such financing, the "PIPE Financing"). The exercise price of the 2022 Common Stock Warrants is $3.93 per share, or if exercised for a 2022 Pre-Funded Warrant in lieu thereof, $3.9299 per 2022 Pre-Funded Warrant. The exercise price of the 2022 Pre-Funded Warrants was $0.0001 per share. The 2022 Common Stock Warrants are exercisable at any time after they were issued and ending on the fifth anniversary of the closing. The 2022 Pre-Funded Warrants were exercisable at any time after they were issued, and all have been exercised as of December 31, 2025. The Company received aggregate gross proceeds from the PIPE Financing of $30 million, before deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses of $2.6 million. Piper Sandler & Co. acted as lead placement agent and Public Ventures LLC acted as co-placement agent for the PIPE Financing. At December 31, 2025, the weighted average exercise price of the 2022 Warrants was $3.93 and the weighted average contractual life was 1.87 years.
On September 26, 2024, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement (the “2024 Underwriting Agreement”) with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., as representative of the several underwriters named therein (collectively, the “2024 Underwriters”), relating to an underwritten public offering of (i)11,564,401 shares (the “2024 Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and accompanying common stock warrants (the “2024 Common Stock Warrants”) to purchase 2,891,100 shares of the Company’s common stock, and (ii) to certain investors in lieu of common stock, pre-funded warrants (the “2024 Pre-Funded Warrants,” and together with the 2024 Common Stock Warrants, the “2024 Warrants”) to purchase 12,435,599 shares of the Company’s common stock and accompanying 2024 Common Stock Warrants to purchase 3,108,900 shares of the Company’s common stock. All of the 2024 Shares and the 2024 Warrants were sold by the Company. Each 2024 Share was offered and sold together with an accompanying 2024 Common Stock Warrant to purchase one-quarter of one share of the Company’s common stock at a combined offering price of $0.50, and each 2024 Pre-Funded Warrant was offered and sold together with an accompanying 2024 Common Stock Warrant to purchase one-quarter of one share of the Company’s common stock at a combined offering price of $0.499, which is equal to the combined offering price per share of common stock and accompanying 2024 Common Stock Warrant less the $0.001 exercise price of each 2024 Pre-Funded Warrant. The Company received net proceeds from the offering of $10.8 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses of $1.2 million, and excluding any proceeds that may be received from exercise of the 2024 Warrants. At December 31, 2025, the weighted average exercise price of the 2024 Warrants was $0.50 and the weighted average contractual life was 3.75 years.
On April 14, 2025, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement (the “April 2025 Underwriting Agreement”) with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., as representative of the several underwriters named therein (collectively, the “April 2025 Underwriters”), relating to an underwritten public offering of (i)13,530,780 shares (the “April 2025 Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and accompanying common stock warrants (“April 2025 Common Stock Warrants”) to purchase 3,382,695 shares of the Company’s common stock, and (ii) to certain investors in lieu of common stock, pre-funded warrants (the “April 2025 Pre-Funded Warrants,” and together with the April 2025 Common Stock Warrants, the “April 2025 Warrants”) to purchase 11,469,216 shares of the Company’s common stock and accompanying April 2025 Common Stock Warrants to purchase 2,867,304 shares of common stock. All of the April 2025 Shares and April 2025 Warrants were sold by the Company. Each April 2025 Share was offered and sold together with an accompanying April 2025 Common Stock Warrant to purchase one-quarter of one share of the Company’s common stock at a combined offering price of $0.79, and each April 2025 Pre-Funded Warrant was offered and sold together with an accompanying April 2025 Common Stock Warrant to purchase one-quarter of one share of the Company’s common stock at a combined offering price of $0.789, which is equal to the combined offering price per share of common stock and accompanying April 2025 Common Stock Warrant less the $0.001 exercise price of each April 2025 Pre-Funded Warrant. The April 2025 Underwriters purchased (i) each April 2025 Share and accompanying April 2025 Common Stock Warrant from the Company pursuant to the April 2025 Underwriting Agreement at a combined price of $0.7426 and (ii) each April 2025 Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying April 2025 Common Stock Warrant from the Company pursuant to the April 2025 Underwriting Agreement at a combined price of $0.74166. The Company received net proceeds from the offering of $18.0 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses of $0.5 million, excluding any proceeds that may be received from exercise of the April 2025 Warrants. At December 31, 2025, the weighted average exercise price of the April 2025 Warrants was $0.79 and the weighted average contractual life was 4.29 years.
On December 19,2025, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement (the “December 2025 Underwriting
Agreement”) with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, as representative of the several underwriters named therein (collectively, the “December 2025 Underwriters”), relating to an underwritten public offering of (i)12,500,000 shares (the “December 2025 Shares”) of the Company's common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and accompanying common stock warrants (the “December 2025 Common Stock Warrants”) to purchase 6,250,000 shares of the Company's common stock, and (ii) to certain investors in lieu of common stock, pre-funded warrants (the “December 2025 Pre-Funded Warrants” and together with the December 2025 Common Stock Warrants, the “December 2025 Warrants”) to purchase 23,214,286 shares of the Company's common stock and accompanying December 2025 Common Stock Warrants to purchase 11,607,143 shares of common stock. All of the December 2025 Shares and December 2025 Warrants were sold by the Company. Each December 2025 Share was offered and sold together with an accompanying December 2025 Common Stock Warrant to purchase one-half of one share of the Company’s common stock at a combined offering price of $0.28, and each December 2025 Pre-Funded Warrant was offered and sold together with an accompanying December 2025 Common Stock Warrant to purchase one-half of one share of the Company’s common stock at a combined offering price of $0.279, which is equal to the combined offering price per share of common stock and accompanying December 2025 Common Stock Warrant less the $0.001 exercise price of each December 2025 Pre-Funded Warrant. The December 2025 Underwriters purchased (i) each December 2025 Share and accompanying December 2025 Common Stock Warrant from the Company pursuant to the December 2025 Underwriting Agreement at a combined price of $0.2632 and (ii) each December 2025 Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying December 2025 Common Stock Warrant from the Company pursuant to the December 2025 Underwriting Agreement at a combined price of $0.2622. Under the terms of the December 2025 Underwriting Agreement, the Company also granted the December 2025 Underwriters an option, exercisable for a period of 30 days, to purchase up to an additional 5,357,140 shares of common stock and/or common stock warrants to purchase up to an additional 2,678,570 shares of common stock at the applicable public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions, which they exercised in full in December 2025. The Company received net proceeds from the offering of $10.2 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses of $0.5 million, excluding any proceeds that may be received from exercise of the December 2025 Common Stock Warrants. At December 31, 2025, the weighted average exercise price of the December 2025 Warrants was $0.30 and the weighted average contractual life was 4.97 years.
The 2022 Warrants, 2024 Warrants, April 2025 Warrants, and December 2025 Warrants are freestanding financial instruments that are legally detachable and separately exercisable from the shares of common stock with which they were issued, are immediately exercisable, do not embody an obligation for the Company to repurchase its shares, and permit the holders to receive a fixed number of shares of common stock upon exercise. In addition, the 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants, April 2025 Pre-Funded Warrants and December 2025 Pre-Funded Warrants do not provide any guarantee of value or return, and do not have an expiration date. The 2022 Warrants, 2024 Warrants, April 2025 Warrants, and December 2025 Warrants met the permanent equity criteria classification, and have been classified as a component of permanent equity in the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Cue Biopharma Securities Corp. The Company has eliminated all intercompany transactions.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates include estimates related to collaboration revenue, the accounting for potential liabilities and accrued expenses, the assumptions utilized in valuing stock-based compensation issued for services, and the realization of deferred tax assets, and the useful life with respect to long-lived assets and intangibles. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash Concentrations
The Company maintains its cash balances with financial institutions in federally insured accounts and may periodically have cash balances in excess of insurance limits. The Company maintains its accounts with financial institutions with a high credit rating. The Company has not experienced any losses to date from the Company's deposits with these financial institutions and believes that it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. The Company invests available cash in money market funds.
Marketable Securities
Marketable securities consist of investments with original maturities greater than ninety days and less than one year from the date of the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The Company classifies all of its investments as available-for-sale securities. Accordingly, these investments are recorded at fair value, which is based on quoted market prices. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized and determined on a specific identification basis and are included in comprehensive gain or loss. Realized gains and losses are determined on a specific identification basis and are included in other income on the consolidated statements of operations. Amortization and accretion of discounts and premiums is recorded in interest income. The Company did not have any marketable securities as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Restricted Cash
The Company had $0.2 million in restricted cash deposited with a separate commercial bank to collateralize Company credit cards as of December 31,2025 and 2024.
Equity Method Accounting
The Company applies the equity method of accounting for investments when it has significant influence, but no controlling interest in the investee. Judgment regarding the level of influence over each equity method investment includes key factors such as ownership interest, representation on the board of directors, participation in joint steering committees and material intercompany transactions. Upon investment, the Company evaluates any basis difference between the carrying value and fair value of the Company's proportionate share of the investee's net assets. Basis differences relating to in-process research and development (IPR&D) are expensed when the investee is not considered a business as defined in ASC 805, Business Combinations, due to substantially all of the estimated fair value of the gross assets being concentrated in a group of similar IPR&D assets with no alternative future use. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recognized $3.9 million in research and development expenses, for these basis adjustments related to IPR&D and reduced the equity method investment’s carrying value to zero, as the Company's proportionate share of the basis difference exceeded the carrying value. See Note 5 for further discussion.
Property and Equipment
Propertyand equipment is recorded at cost. Major improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Gains and losses from dispositions of property and equipment are included in income and expense when realized. Amortization of leasehold improvements is provided using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the useful life of the underlying assets. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
| Laboratory equipment | 5 years |
|---|---|
| Computer equipment | 3 years |
| Furniture and fixtures | 3-8 years |
The Company recognizes depreciation and amortization expense in general and administrative expenses and in research and development expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations, depending on how each category of property and equipment is utilized in the Company’s business activities.
Trademark
Trademark consists of the Company’s right, title and interest to the CUE BIOLOGICS Mark, and any derivative mark incorporating CUE, throughout the world, together with all associated goodwill and common law rights appurtenant thereto, including, but not limited to, any right, title and interest in any corporate name, company name, business, name, trade name, dba, domain name, or other source identifier incorporating CUE.
The Company has classified the trademark as a component of other long-term assets, having a useful life of 15 years. The Company evaluates the status of this intangible asset for amortization and impairment at each quarter end and year end reporting date. For both of the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company recorded$11,667 of amortization expense related to the trademark.
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt issuance costsare deferred and presented as a reduction to long-term debt. Debt issuance costs are amortized using the effective interest rate method over the term of the loan. Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs are included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes collaboration revenue under certain of the Company’s license and collaboration agreements that are within the scope of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). The Company’s contracts with customers typically include promises related to licenses to intellectual property and research and development services. If the license to the Company’s intellectual property is determined to be distinct from the other performance obligations identified in the arrangement, the Company recognizes revenue from non-refundable, up-front fees allocated to the license when the license is transferred to the licensee and the licensee is able to use and benefit from the license. For licenses that are bundled with other promises, the Company utilizes judgment to assess the nature of the combined performance obligation to determine whether the combined performance obligation is satisfied over time or at a point in time and, if over time, the appropriate method of measuring progress for purposes of recognizing revenue from non-refundable, up-front fees. Accordingly, the transaction price is generally comprised of a fixed fee due at contract inception and variable consideration in the form of milestone payments due upon the achievement of specified events and tiered royalties earned when customers recognize net sales of licensed products. The Company measures the transaction price based on the amount of consideration to which it expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring the promised goods and/or services to the customer. The Company utilizes the “expected value method” method to estimate the amount of variable consideration, to predict the amount of consideration to which it will be entitled for its one open contract. Amounts of variable consideration are included in the transaction price to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. At the inception of each arrangement that includes development and regulatory milestone payments, the Company evaluates whether the associated event is considered probable of achievement and estimates the amount to be included in the transaction price using the expected value method.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses consist primarily of compensation costs, fees paid to consultants, outside service providers and organizations (including research institutes at universities), facility costs, development and clinical trial costs with respect to the Company’s drug product candidates, and acquired in-process research and development.
Research and development expenses incurred under contracts are expensed ratably over the life of the underlying contracts, unless the achievement of milestones, the completion of contracted work, or other information indicates that a different pattern of performance is more appropriate. Other research and development expenses are charged to operations as incurred.
Nonrefundable advance payments are recognized as an expense as the related services are performed. The Company evaluates whether it expects the services to be rendered at each quarter end and year end reporting date. If the Company does not expect the services to be rendered, the advance payment is charged to expense. Nonrefundable advance payments for research and development services are included in prepaid and other current assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. To the extent that a nonrefundable advance payment is for contracted services to be performed within 12 months from the reporting date, such advance is included in current assets; otherwise, such advance is included in non-current assets.
The Company evaluates the status of its research and development agreements and contracts, and the carrying amount of the related assets and liabilities, at each quarter end and year end reporting date, and adjusts the carrying amounts and their classification on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as appropriate.
Patent Expenses
The Company is the exclusive worldwide licensee of, and has patent applications pending for, numerous domestic and foreign patents. Due to the significant uncertainty associated with the successful development of one or more commercially viable drug product candidates based on the Company’s research efforts and any related patent applications, all patent costs, including patent-related legal fees, filing fees and other costs are charged to general and administrative expense as incurred. For the years ended December 31,2025 and 2024, patent expenses were$1.7 million and $2.2 million, respectively.
Licensing Fees and Costs
Licensing fees and costs consist primarily of costs relating to the acquisition of the Company’s license agreement with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, including related royalties, maintenance fees, milestone payments and product development costs. Licensing fees and costs are charged to research and development expense as incurred.
Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets, consisting of property and equipment, for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets may exceed their current fair values. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are separately presented in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell and are no longer depreciated. The Company has not historically recorded any impairment to its long-lived assets. In the future, if events or market conditions affect the estimated fair value to the extent that a long-lived asset is impaired, the Company will adjust the carrying value of these long-lived assets in the period in which the impairment occurs.
Leases
The Company accounts for leases under ASC 842, Leases, which requires a lessee to record a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability for most lease arrangements on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Under the standard, disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements to assist users of the financial statements with assessing the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases are required.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company periodically issues stock-based awards to officers, directors, employees, scientific and clinical advisory board members and consultants for services rendered. Such awards vest and expire according to terms established at the issuance date.
Stock-based compensation to officers, directors, employees, scientific and clinical advisory board members and consultants, including grants of employee stock options, is recognized in the financial statements based on their grant date fair values. Stock option grants, which are generally time-vested, are measured at the grant date fair value and charged to operations on a straight-line basis over the service period, which generally approximates the vesting term. The Company also grants performance-based awards periodically to officers of the Company. The Company recognizes compensation costs related to performance awards over the requisite service period if and when the Company concludes that it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved.
The fair value of stock options and restricted stock units is determined utilizing the Black-Scholes valuation model. This valuation model takes into account the exercise price of the award, as well as a variety of significant assumptions. The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options include the expected term, the expected volatility of the Company's stock over the expected term, the risk-free interest rate over the expected term, and the Company's expected annual dividend yield. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The expected dividend yield is based on the current yield at the grant date; the Company has never declared or paid dividends and has no plans to do so for the foreseeable future. As permitted by Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, due to the Company’s limited trading history and option activity, management utilizes the simplified method to estimate the expected term of options at the date of grant. The exercise price is determined based on the fair value of the Company's common stock at the date of grant. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.
The Company recognizes the fair value of stock-based compensation in general and administrative expenses and in research and development expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations, depending on the type of services provided by the recipient of the equity award.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Accordingly, the Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected impact of differences between the financial statements and the tax basis of assets and liabilities.
The Company accounts for uncertainties in income tax law under a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns as prescribed by U.S. GAAP. The tax effects of a position are recognized only if it is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the taxing authority as of the reporting date. If the tax position is not considered “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained, then no benefits of the position are recognized.
The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In the event the Company was to determine that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would be credited to operations in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should the Company determine that it would not be able to realize all or part of its deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would be charged to operations in the period such determination was made.
The Company is subject to U.S. federal and Massachusetts state income taxes. As the Company’s net operating losses have yet to be utilized, all previous tax years remain open to examination by federal and state taxing authorities in which the Company currently operates.
For the year ended December 31, 2025, there is a provision for income taxes of $0.5 million related to foreign withholding taxes. For the year ended December 31, 2024, there is no provision for income taxes in the U.S. because the Company has historically incurred net operating losses and maintains a full valuation allowance against its net deferred assets. The reported amount of income tax expense for the years differs from the amount that would result from applying domestic federal statutory tax rates to pretax losses primarily because of changes in valuation allowance.
The Company recognizes interest accrued relative to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expense. During the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company did not recognize any income tax related interest and penalties. The Company did not have any accruals for income tax related interest and penalties at December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Variable Interest Entities
The Company reviews each legal entity in which it has a financial interest to determine whether or not the entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”). A VIE is an entity in which equity investors lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support. VIEs are consolidated by the primary beneficiary, which is the party (a) who has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (b) who has an obligation to absorb losses of the entity or a right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity. If the entity is a VIE, the Company assesses whether or not it is the primary beneficiary of that VIE based on a number of factors, including (i) which party has the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the VIE’s economic performance, (ii) the parties’ contractual rights and responsibilities pursuant to any contractual agreements and (iii) which party has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE. If the Company determines that it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, it consolidates the financial statements of the VIE into its consolidated financial statements at the time that determination is made.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Components of comprehensive income or loss, including net income or loss, are reported in the financial statements in the period in which they are recognized. Other comprehensive income or loss is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss) are reported net of any related tax effect to arrive at comprehensive income (loss). Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income (loss) as well as changes in stockholders’ equity that result from transactions and economic events other than those with stockholders. There were no elements of other comprehensive income (loss) in the periods presented.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
The Company’s computation of earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) for the respective periods includes basic and diluted EPS. Basic EPS is measured as the income (loss) attributable to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is similar to basic EPS but presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of potential common shares that would result from the exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants as if they had been exercised at the beginning of the periods presented, or issuance date, if later. Potential common shares that have an anti-dilutive effect (i.e., those that increase income per share or decrease loss per share) are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS. Basic and diluted loss per common share is the same for all periods presented because all outstanding stock options and warrants are anti-dilutive.
The Company computes EPS in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 260, Earnings per Share ("ASC 260"). Per ASC 260-10-45-13, shares issuable for little to no consideration should be included in the number of outstanding shares used for basic EPS. The FASB proposed that warrants or options exercisable for little to no cost (sometimes referred to as “penny warrants”) be included in the denominator of basic EPS (and therefore diluted EPS) once there were no further vesting conditions or contingencies associated with them. The Company included 47,119,101 and 12,435,599 pre-funded warrants in the denominator of basic EPS at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
At December 31,2025 and 2024, the Company excluded the securities summarized below, which entitled the holders thereof to acquire shares of common stock, from its calculation of EPS, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive.
| December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Common stock warrants | 41,937,618 | 15,151,906 |
| Common stock options | 12,752,467 | 10,836,838 |
| Total | 54,690,085 | 25,988,744 |
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The authoritative guidance with respect to fair value established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels and requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of three categories, as presented below.
Level 1. Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for an identical asset or liability that the Company has the ability to access as of the measurement date. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 1 inputs include active exchange-traded securities and exchange-based derivatives.
Level 2. Inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, which are directly observable for the asset or liability or indirectly observable through corroboration with observable market data. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 2 inputs include fixed income securities, non-exchange-based derivatives, mutual funds, and fair-value hedges.
Level 3. Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data for the asset or liability which requires the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 3 inputs include infrequently traded non-exchange-based derivatives and commingled investment funds and are measured using present value pricing models.
The Company determines the level in the fair value hierarchy within which each fair value measurement falls in its entirety, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. In determining the appropriate levels, the Company performs an analysis of the assets and liabilities at each reporting period end.
The Company had$26.6 million in cash equivalents that were measured and recorded at fair value on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2025. The Company had $21.8 million in cash equivalents that were measured and recorded at fair value on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2024.
The carrying value of financial instruments (consisting of cash, a certificate of deposit, debt, accounts payable, accrued compensation and accrued expenses) is considered to be representative of their respective fair values due to the short-term nature of those instruments.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted
ASU 2023-07 - Segment Reporting
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (“ASU 2023-07”). ASU 2023-07 requires disclosure of incremental segment information on an annual and interim basis. The amendments also require companies with a single reportable segment to provide all disclosures required by these amendments and all existing segment disclosures in ASC 280, Segment Reporting. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company adopted ASU 2023-07 effective December 31, 2024.
Operating segments are defined as components of an entity for which separate financial information is available and that is regularly reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (the “CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment and in assessing performance. The Company's CODM is the chief executive officer.
The Company is in the development stage, has not yet earned revenue from product sales, and has incurred recurring losses and negative cash flows from operations since inception. The Company operates as a single reporting segment, focused on developing a novel class of therapeutic biologics to selectively modulate disease-specific T cells directly within the patient’s body. The CODM manages and allocates resources to the operations of the Company on a total company basis and therefore does not measure separate segment profit or loss. Managing and allocating resources on a total company basis enables the CODM to assess the overall level of resources available and how to best deploy these resources across functions and research and development programs that are in line with the Company’s long-term strategic corporate goals. Consistent with this decision-making process, the CODM uses consolidated financial information for purposes of evaluating performance, forecasting future period financial results, allocating resources and setting incentive targets. Operating expenses are used to monitor budget versus actual results. All the Company’s long-lived assets are held in the United States and all the Company’s revenues since inception have been earned from collaboration agreements as none of the Company's drug product candidates have yet been approved for commercial sale. The resources utilized for any specific purpose may vary significantly and will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the Company’s research and development activities and programs, clinical testing, regulatory approval, market conditions, and changes in or revisions to the Company’s business strategy and technology development plans.
ASU 2023-09 - Income Taxes
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which focuses on the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. ASU No. 2023-09 requires a public business entity (PBE) to disclose, on an annual basis, a tabular rate reconciliation using both percentages and currency amounts, broken out into specified categories with certain reconciling items further broken out by nature and jurisdiction to the extent those items exceed a specified threshold. In addition, all entities are required to disclose income taxes paid, net of refunds received disaggregated by federal, state/local, and foreign and by jurisdiction if the amount is at least 5% of total income tax payments, net of refunds received. For PBEs, the new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. For entities other than PBEs, the requirements will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2025. An entity may apply the amendments in this ASU prospectively by providing the revised disclosures for the period ending December 31, 2025 and continuing to provide the pre-ASU disclosures for the prior periods, or may apply the amendments retrospectively by providing the revised disclosures for all period presented. As of December 31, 2025, the Company adopted this new ASU and it only impacts the Company's income tax disclosures with no impact to its operations, cash flows, or financial condition.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
ASU 2024-03 - Disaggregation of Income Statement Expense
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Disaggregation of Income Statement Expense("ASU 2024-03"). The guidance in ASU 2024-03 requires additional disclosures about specific types of expenses included in the expense captions presented on the face of income statements as well as disclosures about selling expenses. The standard applies prospectively with the option to apply the standard retrospectively and is effective for calendar year-end public business entities in the 2027 annual period and in 2028 for interim periods with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2024-03 may have on its consolidated financial statements.
Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, authoritative guidance, if currently adopted, would have a material impact on the Company’s financial statement presentation or disclosures.
- Fair Value
The Company accounts for its financial assets and liabilities using fair value measurements. The authoritative accounting guidance defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under U.S. GAAP and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.
The following table presents information about the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31,2025 and 2024 and indicates the level of the fair value hierarchy utilized to determine such fair value:
| (In thousands) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | FairValue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash equivalents | $26,614 | $— | $— | $26,614 |
| Total | $26,614 | $— | $— | $26,614 |
| (In thousands) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | FairValue |
| Cash equivalents | $21,813 | $— | $— | $21,813 |
| Total | $21,813 | $— | $— | $21,813 |
As of December 31, 2025, the Company had $26.6 million in cash equivalents, and did not hold any marketable securities. The Company measures the cash equivalents that are invested in money market funds using Level 1 inputs for identical securities. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $21.8 million in cash equivalents, and did not hold any marketable securities. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 there wereno transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3.
- Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment, net as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 consisted of the following:
| December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| (in thousands) | ||
| Laboratory equipment | $3,511 | $3,785 |
| Furniture and fixtures | 68 | 68 |
| Computer equipment | 207 | 180 |
| Leasehold improvements | 118 | 118 |
| Total property and equipment | 3,904 | 4,151 |
| Less accumulated depreciation | (3,663) | (3,680) |
| Property and equipment, net | $241 | $471 |
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31,2025 and 2024 was included in the consolidated statements of operations as follows:
| Years Ended December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| (in thousands) | ||
| General and administrative | $20 | $17 |
| Research and development | 316 | 368 |
| Depreciation total | $336 | $385 |
The depreciation reported above excludes $11,667 of trade mark amortization recorded in each of the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company sold lab equipment and collected cash of $0.04 million. The Company recorded a loss on the sale of fixed assets of $0.03 million, which is presented in operating expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company disposed of lab equipment and furniture and fixtures of $0.3 million and recorded a gain of $0.1 million for cash collected for the sale of lab equipment, which is included in the consolidated statements of operations.
- Equity Method Investment
On November 6, 2025, ImmunoScape Pte. Ltd. (“IMSCP”) exercised its option (the “Option”) to obtain licenses to research, develop and commercialize molecules from the Company's CUE-100 series, including CUE-101 and CUE-102, subject to certain exclusions (the licensed series of molecules, the “Licensed Program”), for all oncology indications pursuant to a Collaboration and License Agreement, effective November 6, 2025, between the Company and IMSCP (the “IMSCP Collaboration and License Agreement”). Pursuant to the IMSCP Collaboration and License Agreement, the Company received equity of IMSCP equal to 40% of the issued and outstanding equity of IMSCP and is entitled to receive additional equity, in the form of warrants, upon certain dilution events in the future. As of the transaction date, the Company held 30% of IMSCP’s common shares and warrants to purchase 10% of IMSCP’s common shares at an exercise price of $0.01 per share. The warrants expire on November 5, 2035 or upon change in control of IMSCP.
As of the transaction date, the carrying value of the investment in IMSCP was $3.9 million, comprised of $2.9 million from common shares and $1.0 million from the warrants. The value of the warrants was included in the investment under equity method accounting as they are considered in-substance common stock. The contingent issuable warrants are accounted for as a derivative instrument and were prescribed no value at the inception of the IMSCP Collaboration and License Agreement and at December 31, 2025 as the probability of issuance was remote. There was no change in value from inception to December 31, 2025, and the inputs used to determine the fair value of the contingent issuable warrants are a Level 3 fair value measurement.
The Company has determined that its investment in IMSCP is an equity security, whereby such investment does not give the Company a controlling financial interest over the investee. Further, the Company assessed the accounting for its investment in IMSCP in accordance with ASC 810-10, Consolidation—Overall. After determining that no scope exception applies under the guidance of ASC 810-10-15-12 and ASC 810-10-15-17, the Company concluded that it has a variable interest in IMSCP through its investment in IMSCP common stock. The Company concluded that IMSCP is a VIE in accordance with ASC 810-10-15-14(a) and is subject to potential consolidation under the VIE model. However, all activities that most significantly impact IMSCP and its subsidiary’s economic performance are directed by the IMSCP board and the board approves decisions by a simple majority. Based on the board composition, the Company determined that no one party has control over the IMSCP board and power is not shared because the activities that most significantly affect IMSCP and its subsidiary’s economic performance do not require the consent of all of the parties. Rather, all decisions are made by a simple majority vote of the IMSCP board. Therefore, while the Company has the ability to appoint one director of IMSCP, because that director represents a minority position of the IMSCP board, the Company cannot unilaterally direct any of the activities that most significantly impact IMSCP and its subsidiary’s economic performance. Accordingly, the Company does not hold a controlling financial interest in IMSCP. Because both criteria (a) and (b) above have to be met for the application of the guidance in ASC 810-10-25-38A and criteria (a) has not been met, the Company concluded that it should not consolidate IMSCP under the VIE model.
The Company accounts for its investment in IMSCP as an equity method investment as it does not control but has significant influence over operating and financing policies of IMSCP. The initial fair value of the investment in IMSCP was determined by using the option pricing model to allocate the estimated equity value to each respective equity class. The equity value was determined by using the net asset value approach for the net assets of IMSCP and the cost replacement approach for the intellectual property related to the CUE-100 series licensed to IMSCP. The major assumptions used in the option pricing model include volatility of 120.0%, risk free rate of 3.7%, dividend yield of 0.0% and time to liquidity event of 5.0 years. The inputs used to determine the fair value of the investment in IMSCP are a Level 3 fair value measurement.
At the transaction date, a basis difference was identified between the carrying value of the Company’s investment in IMSCP and the fair value of the Company’s proportionate share of IMSCP’s underlying net assets. The Company concluded that substantially all of the consideration transferred was attributable to in-process research and development activities. IMSCP was not deemed a business as defined in ASC 805 – Business Combinations, therefore the Company immediately expensed the basis difference attributable to the in-process research and development which has no alternative future use. The Company’s proportionate share of the basis difference exceeded its carrying value of the equity method investment in IMSCP and the equity investment balance was reduced to zero on the transaction date. Since the Company has no obligation to provide financing support to IMSCP, the Company is not required to record further losses exceeding the carrying value of the investment. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recognized $3.9 million in research and development expenses related to the basis difference in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The carrying value of the Company's investment in IMSCP waszero as of December 31, 2025.
- Loan with Silicon Valley Bank, a Division of First Citizens Bank
On February 15, 2022 (the “Closing Date”), the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”), with Silicon Valley Bank, as lender (“SVB”). The Loan Agreement was amended in April 2023 and October 2024. The Company drew $10,000,000 in term loans under the Loan Agreement (the "Term Loans") on the Closing Date. All outstanding principal and accrued and unpaid interest under the Term Loans and all other outstanding obligations with respect to the Term Loans were due and payable in full on December 1, 2025. As of December 31, 2025, the Term Loans were fully paid off and there was no remaining balance related to the loans.
The Term Loans bore interest at a floating rate per annum equal to the greater of (A) the prime rate (as published in the money rates section of The Wall Street Journal) plus 2.25% and (B)5.50%. The Term Loans were interest only from the Closing Date through June 30, 2023, after which the Company was required to pay 30 equal monthly installments of principal. At December 31, 2024, the interest rate was 10.00% which is based on the prime rate plus 2.25%.
The Company was permitted to prepay the Term Loans in full with payment of a 1.00% prepayment premium. Upon repayment in full of the Term Loans, the Company was required to pay a one-time final payment fee equal to 5.00% of the original principal amount of any funded Term Loans being repaid. This one-time final payment fee is recorded to interest expense using the effective interest method over the period of the Term Loans in the consolidated statements of operations.
The Term Loans and related obligations under the Loan Agreement were secured by substantially all of the Company’s properties, rights and assets, except for its intellectual property which was subject to a negative pledge under the Loan Agreement.
The Loan Agreement, as amended, contained customary representations, warranties, events of default and covenants. In addition to the foregoing, the Company was required to have at all times on deposit in accounts of the Company maintained with SVB, unrestricted and unencumbered cash in an amount equal to the lesser of (i)100% of the dollar value of the Company’s consolidated cash, in the aggregate, at all financial institutions and (ii) $20,000,000.
During the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company recognized interest expense related to the Term Loans of$0.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively. For both the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company recognized interest expense related to accretion of the final repayment of$0.1 million.
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt issuance costs are deferred and presented as a reduction to long-term debt. Debt issuance costs are amortized using the effective interest rate method over the term of the loan. Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs are included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
The Company incurred $142,000 in debt issuance costs related to the Loan Agreement at its onset. For both the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company recorded $37,000 in amortization of debt issuance costs to interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
- Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 are summarized as follows:
| December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | 2025 | 2024 |
| Employee and board compensation | $783 | $1,812 |
| Contract research services | 286 | 773 |
| Professional services | 290 | 314 |
| Contract manufacturing services | 252 | 9 |
| Total | $1,611 | $2,908 |
- Einstein License Agreement
On January 14, 2015, the Company entered into a license agreement, as amended and restated on July 31, 2017 and as further amended on October 30, 2018, January 13, 2024, and April 10, 2025 (the “Einstein License”), with Albert Einstein College of Medicine (“Einstein”) for certain patent rights relating to the Company’s core technology platform for the engineering of biologics to control T cell activity, precision, immune-modulatory drug product candidates, and two supporting technologies that enable the discovery of costimulatory signaling molecules (ligands) and T cell targeting peptides.
Pursuant to the April 2025 amendment, Einstein consented to the Company’s entry into the Collaboration and License Agreement (the “BI Collaboration and License Agreement”) with Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH (“BI”) and granted the Company the right to sublicense to BI. In addition, Einstein and the Company agreed to amend specified upstream payment obligations that may be owed to Einstein by the Company, solely in connection with the sublicense to BI.
Under the Einstein License, the Company holds an exclusive worldwide license, with the right to sublicense, import, make, have made, use, provide, offer to sell, and sell all products, processes and services that use the patents covered by the Einstein License, including certain technology received from Einstein relating thereto (the “Einstein Licensed Products”). Under the Einstein License, the Company is required to:
Pay royalties and amounts based on a certain percentage of proceeds, as defined in the Einstein License, from sales of Einstein Licensed Products and sublicense agreements.
Pay escalating annual maintenance fees, which are nonrefundable, but are creditable against the amount due to Einstein for royalties.
Make significant payments based upon the achievement of certain milestones, as defined in the Einstein License. Payments made upon achievement of milestones are nonrefundable and are not creditable against any other payment due to Einstein. At December 31, 2025, the Company had made aggregate payments totaling $2.14 million since inception with respect to achievement of these milestones.
Incur minimum product development costs until the first commercial sale of the first Einstein Licensed Product.
The Einstein License requires the Company to pay a percentage of sublicenses related to the Company’s patent rights for components of its core technology that is licensed from Einstein. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company incurred a total of $1.5 million in fees payable to Einstein related to the IMSCP Collaboration and License Agreement, and paid$0.9 million in fees to Einstein in relation to the BI Collaboration and License Agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company incurred$0.1 million in annual maintenance fees pursuant to the Einstein License.
The Einstein License expires upon the expiration of the Company’s last obligation to make royalty payments to Einstein which may be due with respect to certain Einstein Licensed Products, unless terminated earlier under the provisions thereof. The Einstein License includes certain termination provisions if the Company fails to meet its obligations thereunder. The Company was in compliance with its obligations under the Einstein License at December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Pursuant to the Einstein License, the Company issued to Einstein 671,572 shares of the Company’s common stock in connection with the consummation of the initial public offering of its common stock on December 27, 2017.
The Company accounts for license fees incurred in connection with the Einstein License in accordance with ASC 730, Research and Development. Please refer to Note 10 Collaboration Revenue.
- Stock-based Compensation
Effective March 23, 2016, the Company adopted the 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Omnibus Plan”) and the 2016 Non-Employee Equity Incentive Plan (the “Non-Employee Plan”), which are intended to allow the Company to compensate and retain the services of key employees, non-employees, Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board members, and outside advisors and consultants. The plans are under the administration of the Company’s Board of Directors. Under the plans, the Company, at its discretion, may grant stock option awards to certain employees and non-employees through March 23, 2026. The Omnibus Plan and the Non-Employee Plan initially provided for the grant of a total of 2,000,000 shares of common stock and 500,000 shares of common stock, respectively.
On August 13, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an amendment and restatement of the Company’s Omnibus Plan to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under such plan by 800,000 shares, from 2,000,000 shares to 2,800,000 shares, subject to stockholder approval of such amendment within 12 months following board approval thereof. The Company’s stockholders approved the plan in December 2017. Additionally, on May 17, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved Amendment No. 1 to the Omnibus Plan to increase the number of shares that may be issued as incentive stock options under the plan, which the Company’s stockholders approved on August 6, 2019. The Omnibus Plan, as amended and restated, provides that on the first day of each fiscal year of the Company during the period beginning in fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and ending on the second day of fiscal year ending December 31, 2027, the number of shares of common stock authorized to be issued under such plan shall be increased by an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the number of shares necessary such that the aggregate number of shares available to be issued under the plan equals 20% of the number of fully diluted outstanding shares on such date (assuming the conversion of all outstanding shares of preferred stock and other outstanding convertible securities and exercise of all outstanding options and warrants to purchase shares) and (ii) an amount to be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors.
On June 4, 2025, the Company’s stockholders approved the Cue Biopharma, Inc. 2025 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2025 Plan”) to replace both the Omnibus Plan and the Non-Employee Plan, both of which will expire on March 23, 2026. The purpose of the 2025 Plan is to allow the Company to compensate and retain the services of key employees, non-employees, scientific and clinical advisory board members, and outside advisors and consultants. The plan is under the administration of the Company’s Board of Directors. Under the 2025 Plan, the Company, at its discretion, may grant stock option awards to certain employees and non-employees through June 4, 2035. The 2025 Plan provided for the grant of a total of 6,200,000 shares of common stock.
Pursuant to the plans, during the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company granted stock options to purchase 4,993,600 shares of the Company’s common stock, no options to purchase shares of common stock were exercised, and 2,712,857 shares of common stock were cancelled.
In the aggregate, at December 31, 2025, stock options for 20,796,021 shares of common stock and 320,000 restricted stock units had been granted and 5,621,928 shares of common stock were reserved for future grants. Such grants are accounted for as stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, and ASC 505-50, Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees.
Stock Option Valuation
For stock options requiring an assessment of value during the years ended December 31,2025 and 2024, the fair value of each stock option award was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model utilizing the following assumptions:
| December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Risk-free interest rate | 3.90 to 4.46% | 3.95 to 4.43% |
| Expected dividend yield | 0% | 0% |
| Expected volatility | 86.46-89.38% | 75.73-86.52% |
| Expected life | 5.5 to 6.72 years | 5.5 to 6.25 years |
The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for periods corresponding with the expected term of the stock option award; as permitted by Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, due to the Company’s limited trading history and option activity, management utilizes the simplified method to estimate the expected term of options at the date of grant, which represents the period of time that stock options granted are expected to be outstanding; the expected volatility is based upon historical volatility of the Company's stock; and the expected dividend yield based upon the Company’s current dividend rate and future expectations.
A summary of stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 is as follows:
| Number ofShares | WeightedAverageExercisePrice | WeightedAverageRemainingContractualLife(in Years) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2023 | 7,492,917 | $8.41 | 6.12 |
| Granted | 4,383,300 | 1.41 | |
| Exercised | — | — | |
| Cancelled | (1,404,493) | 7.39 | |
| Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2024 | 10,471,724 | 5.61 | 7.27 |
| Granted | 4,993,600 | 0.82 | |
| Exercised | — | — | |
| Cancelled | (2,712,857) | 4.89 | |
| Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2025 | 12,752,467 | 3.89 | 6.79 |
| Stock options exercisable at December 31, 2025 | 7,341,824 | $5.91 | 5.13 |
The aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable but unexercised in-the-money stock options at December 31, 2025 waszero based on a weighted average exercise price of$5.91 per share. The aggregate intrinsic value of options is calculated as the difference of the market close price of$0.31 on December 31, 2025, and the weighted average exercise price of$5.91, with a weighted average remaining contractual term of 5.13 years.
The aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable but unexercised in-the-money stock options at December 31, 2024 waszero based on a weighted average exercise price of $9.12 per share. The aggregate intrinsic value of options is calculated as the difference of the market close price of $1.09 on December 31, 2024, and the weighted average exercise price of $9.12, with a weighted average remaining contractual term of 5.46 years.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation for the years ended December 31,2025 and 2024 was included in the consolidated statements of operations as follows:
| December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | 2025 | 2024 |
| General and administrative | $2,827 | $3,464 |
| Research and development | 1,917 | 3,382 |
| Total | $4,744 | $6,846 |
At December 31, 2025, total unrecognized stock-based compensation was$3.1 million, which is expected to be recognized as an operating expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations through July 2028. The weighted average remaining recognition period of unrecognized stock-based compensation was 2.59 years at December 31, 2025.
During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company granted stock options to purchase 5.0 million shares of common stock with a weighted average grant date fair value of $0.62 per share. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company granted stock options to purchase 4.4 million shares of common stock with a weighted average grant date fair value of $0.98 per share.
- Collaboration Revenue
The Company recognizes collaboration revenue under certain of the Company’s license or collaboration agreements that are within the scope of ASC 606. The Company’s contracts with customers typically include promises related to licenses to intellectual property and research and development services. If the license to the Company’s intellectual property is determined to be distinct from the other performance obligations identified in the arrangement, the Company recognizes revenue from non-refundable, up-front fees allocated to the license when the license is transferred to the licensee and the licensee is able to use and benefit from the license. For licenses that are bundled with other promises, the Company utilizes judgment to assess the nature of the combined performance obligation to determine whether the combined performance obligation is satisfied over time or at a point in time and if, over time, the appropriate method of measuring progress for purposes of recognizing revenue from non-refundable, up-front fees. The Company’s contracts may include options to acquire additional goods and/or services.
The terms of the Company’s arrangements with customers typically include the payment of one or more of the following: (i) non-refundable, up-front payment, and pass through costs related to research activities, (ii) development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, (iii) future options and (iv) royalties on net sales of licensed products. Accordingly, the transaction price is generally comprised of a fixed fee due at contract inception and variable consideration in the form of pass through costs and milestone payments due upon the achievement of specified events and tiered royalties earned when customers recognize net sales of licensed products. The Company measures the transaction price based on the amount of consideration to which it expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring the promised goods and/or services to the customer. The Company utilizes the “expected value method” method to estimate the amount of variable consideration, to predict the amount of consideration to which it will be entitled for its one open contract. Amounts of variable consideration are included in the transaction price to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. Milestone payments that are not within the control of the Company or the licensee, such as those dependent upon receipt of regulatory approval, are not considered to be probable of achievement until the triggering event occurs. At the end of each reporting period, the Company reevaluates the probability of achievement of each milestone and any related constraint, and, if necessary, adjusts its estimate of the overall transaction price. Any such adjustments are recorded on a cumulative catch-up basis, which would affect revenue and net loss in the period of adjustment.
For arrangements that include sales-based royalties, including milestone payments based upon the achievement of a certain level of product sales, the Company recognizes revenue upon the later of: (i) when the related sales occur or (ii) when the performance obligation to which some or all of the payment has been allocated has been satisfied (or partially satisfied). To date, the Company has not recognized any development, regulatory or commercial milestones or royalty revenue resulting from any of its collaboration arrangements. Consideration that would be received for optional goods and/or services is excluded from the transaction price at contract inception.
The Company allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation identified in the contract on a relative standalone selling price basis, when applicable. However, certain components of variable consideration are allocated specifically to one or more particular performance obligations in a contract to the extent both of the following criteria are met: (i) the terms of the payment relate specifically to the efforts to satisfy the performance obligation or transfer the distinct good or service and (ii) allocating the variable amount of consideration entirely to the performance obligation or the distinct good or service is consistent with the allocation objective of the standard whereby the amount allocated depicts the amount of consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring the promised goods or services. The Company develops assumptions that require judgment to determine the standalone selling price for each performance obligation identified in each contract. The key assumptions utilized in determining the standalone selling price for each performance obligation may include forecasted revenues, development timelines, estimated research and development costs, discount rates, likelihood of exercise and probabilities of technical and regulatory success.
Revenue is recognized based on the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to each respective performance obligation when or as the performance obligation is satisfied by transferring a promised good and/or service to the customer. For performance obligations that are satisfied over time, the Company recognizes revenue by measuring the progress toward complete satisfaction of the performance obligation using a single method of measuring progress which depicts the performance in transferring control of the associated goods and/or services to the customer. The Company uses input methods to measure progress toward the complete satisfaction of performance obligations satisfied over time. The Company evaluates the measure of progress each reporting period and, if necessary, adjusts the measure of performance and related revenue recognition. Any such adjustments are recorded on a cumulative catch-up basis, which would affect revenue and net loss in the period of adjustment. The Company measures progress toward satisfaction of the performance obligation over time as effort is expended.
Collaboration revenue for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 was as follows:
| December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | 2025 | 2024 |
| Revenue recognized over time | $8,552 | $9,287 |
| Revenue recognized at a point in time | 18,914 | — |
| Total collaboration revenue | $27,466 | $9,287 |
On November 6, 2018, the Company entered into a Collaboration, License and Option Agreement (as amended from time to time, the “LG Chem Collaboration Agreement”) with LG Chem Ltd. (“LG Chem”) related to the development of the Company’s CUE-101 and CUE-102 Immuno-STATs focused in the field of oncology. Pursuant to the LG Chem Collaboration Agreement, the Company granted LG Chem an exclusive license to develop, manufacture and commercialize CUE-101, as well as Immuno-STATs that target T cells against two additional cancer antigens, in Australia and certain Asian countries (collectively, the “LG Chem Territory”).
Aside from the $6.8 million in milestone payments earned to date, the Company does not believe that any variable consideration should be included in the transaction price as of December 31, 2025. Such assessment considered the application of the constraint to ensure that estimates of variable consideration would be included in the transaction price only to the extent the Company had a high degree of confidence that revenue would not be reversed in a subsequent reporting period. The Company will re-evaluate the transaction price, including the estimated variable consideration included in the transaction price and all constrained amounts, in each reporting period and as other changes in circumstances occur. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company recognized revenue ofzero and $0.1 million, respectively, related to the LG Chem Collaboration Agreement. The Company did not record short or long-term research and development liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets dated December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, as the performance obligation was met and completed. Research and development cost sharing provisions under the agreement expired on March 31, 2022, and thereafter, the Company recognized revenue on intellectual patent filing passthrough costs in the LG Chem Territory.
On March 11, 2025 the Company and LG Chem entered into the Ninth Amendment to the LG Chem Collaboration Agreement. As of the date of the amendment, the Company regained its rights to the CUE-101 program which had been licensed to LG Chem, and LG Chem terminated all of its rights to the same program. Pursuant to the Ninth Amendment, the Company agreed to make future payments to LG Chem, if and when, one or more potential scenarios related to the CUE-101 program occur up to a predetermined aggregate amount. LG Chem continues to maintain its interest and rights in the CUE-102 program, targeting WT1 expressing cancers, pursuant to the LG Chem Collaboration Agreement.
On February 22, 2023, the Company entered into a strategic collaboration agreement (the "Ono Collaboration and Option Agreement") with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. ("Ono") to further develop CUE-401. In March 2025, the Company and Ono agreed to terminate the Ono Collaboration and Option Agreement effective as of March 6, 2025. At such time, the Ono Collaboration and Option Agreement had no further force or effect with the exception of certain customary provisions which are intended to survive termination and expiration of the Ono Collaboration and Option Agreement. The Company retained all rights to CUE-401.
Under the terms of the Ono Collaboration and Option Agreement, Ono paid the Company an upfront payment and agreed to fully fund all research and development activities related to CUE-401 through a specified option period of 24 months (the “Ono Research Term”). Per the agreement, as consideration for the research and development activities performed by the Company, Ono (i) made a one-time, non-refundable, non-creditable upfront payment of $3.0 million to the Company in March 2023 and (ii) agreed to reimburse the Company for all costs incurred in conducting research, including (a) pass through costs from third party contractors and (b) full-time employee salaries capped at $2.1 million in the first 18 months of the Ono Research Term. Subsequently, the Company and Ono agreed to increase this cap for full-time employee salaries to $3.1 million.
As of December 31, 2025, both Ono and the Company have satisfied all of their performance obligations and made all outstanding payments required under the agreement. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company recognized revenue of $0.4 million and $9.2 million, respectively, related to the Ono Collaboration and Option Agreement. The Company did not record short or long-term research and development liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet dated December 31, 2025, as the performance obligation has been met and completed. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded short-term research and development liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets of $0.1 million.
BI Collaboration and License Agreement
On April 10, 2025, the Company entered into the BI Collaboration and License Agreement to research, develop and commercialize differentiated B cell depletion molecules, including CUE-501.
Under the terms of the BI Collaboration and License Agreement, the Company and BI will conduct collaborative research focused on CUE-501 during the BI Research Term. In addition to, or instead of, CUE-501, BI may elect, at its sole discretion, to include additional or alternative compounds targeted at B cell depletion. BI will have an exclusive, royalty-bearing, worldwide, sublicensable license, under the Company's applicable patents and know-how, to develop, manufacture and commercialize the BI Licensed Products, for all uses, and BI shall be responsible for all further research, preclinical and clinical development, manufacturing, regulatory approvals, and commercialization of BI Licensed Products at its expense. During the BI Research Term, the Company is prohibited from developing or commercializing any molecule for applications in B cell depletion.
Pursuant to the terms of the BI Collaboration and License Agreement, the Company received an upfront payment of $10.1 million in cash in the second quarter of 2025, which is net of $1.9 million of German withholding taxes that the Company expects to be refunded in 2026. The withholding has been recorded as a foreign withholding tax receivable at December 31, 2025 on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. The Company will also be eligible to receive up to an aggregate of approximately $345.0 million in success-based research, development and commercial milestone payments, beginning with two preclinical development milestones, as well as royalty payments on net sales. The royalty payments will be subject to reduction due to patent expiration, payments made under certain licenses for third-party intellectual property and generic competition. BI has agreed to reimburse the Company for agreed upon costs incurred in conducting research during the BI Research Term, including certain pass through costs from third party contractors and full-time employee salaries.
The BI Collaboration and License Agreement will continue, on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis, until the expiration of the applicable royalty term, unless earlier terminated. BI has the right to terminate the BI Collaboration and License Agreement for any reason after a specified notice period. Each party has the right to terminate the BI Collaboration and License Agreement on account of the other party’s bankruptcy or material, uncured breach. In connection with the Company's entry into the BI Collaboration and License Agreement, the Company entered into an amendment to the Company's Einstein License whereby Einstein consented to the Company's entry into the BI Collaboration and License Agreement and granted the Company the right to sublicense to BI. In addition, the Company and Einstein agreed to amend specified upstream payment obligations that may be owed to Einstein by the Company, solely in connection with the sublicense to BI.
The Company determined that the research activities and the exclusive license granted under the BI Collaboration and License Agreement is considered as a single performance obligation, and therefore, the transaction price was allocated entirely to the single performance obligation. The Company recognizes revenue related to the single performance obligation over time as the underlying services are performed and/or external costs are incurred during the research term. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recognized revenue of $8.1 million related to the BI Collaboration and License Agreement. The Company recorded short-term research and development liabilities of $5.3 million and accounts receivable of $0.5 million on its consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2025.
The Company considered the capitalization of contract costs under the guidance in ASC 340-40, Other Assets and Deferred Costs: Contracts with Customers, as it relates to the BI Collaboration and License Agreement. The Company capitalized license expenses of approximately $1.1 million as of December 31, 2025, paid to Einstein pursuant to the Einstein License which requires the Company to pay a percentage of sublicenses related to the Company’s patent rights for components of its core technology that is licensed from Einstein. This amount is comprised of approximately $1.1 million of capitalized license expenses related to the up-front payment received from BI in May 2025, net of accumulated amortization of approximately $0.6 million. As of December 31, 2025, $0.5 million was included in prepaid expenses and other short-term assets related to the BI Collaboration and License Agreement. The Company also accrued $0.2 million to be paid when the German withholding tax refund is received in other current payable on its consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2025.
ImmunoScape Collaboration and License Agreement
On November 6, 2025, IMSCP exercised its option to obtain licenses to research, develop and commercialize molecules from the Company's CUE-100 series, including CUE-101 and CUE-102, subject to certain exclusions, for all oncology indications pursuant to the IMSCP Collaboration and License Agreement, effective November 6, 2025, between the Company and IMSCP. The licenses provided pursuant to the IMSCP Collaboration and License Agreement include a co-exclusive development license for five years or, if longer, for so long as IMSCP has a specified number of CUE-100 series molecules under active development and, pursuant to which, the Company retains non-exclusive research rights to support its other programs. The Company also retained its rights to the CUE-100 series, including CUE-101 and CUE-102, for use in any manner other than as a component of a cell therapy product for 18 months past the effective date of the IMSCP Collaboration and License Agreement. The licenses include an exclusive commercial license to IMSCP for any CUE-100 series molecule that IMSCP advances to IND-enabling studies while the co-exclusive development license is in effect. The licensed series of molecules will be further developed and potentially commercialized by IMSCP. The Option was exercised pursuant to an Option Agreement between the Company and IMSCP, dated October 22, 2025. In connection with entry into the Option Agreement and IMSCP’s exercise of the Option, the Company received an aggregate of $9.5 million, net of withholding taxes, in the fourth quarter of 2025 and is entitled to receive an additional $5.0 million before the first anniversary of the effective date of the IMSCP Collaboration and License Agreement.
Pursuant to the IMSCP Collaboration and License Agreement, the Company (a) received equity of IMSCP equal to 40% of the issued and outstanding equity of IMSCP and is entitled to receive additional equity, in the form of warrants, upon certain dilution events in the future, (b) received time-based payments of $10.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, (c) is entitled to receive an additional time-based payment of $5.0 million before the first anniversary of the effective date of the IMSCP Collaboration and License Agreement, and (d) is entitled to receive high single-digit royalties on global net sales and low- to mid-double digit royalties from sublicensing royalties and income. The IMSCP Collaboration and License Agreement includes customary termination provisions, including IMSCP’s ability to terminate the agreement in its entirety on 60 days’ advanced written notice to the Company.
The Company accounted for the Option Agreement and IMSCP Collaboration and License Agreement as a combined contract. The transaction price includes the upfront payments of $15.0 million and the $3.9 million fair value of equity interest in IMSCP received. The Company concluded there is one combined performance obligation for the licensesas the Company does not have material performance obligations beyond the issuance of the licenses. The Company recognized revenue for the licenses at a point in time when the licenses were granted and there was a right to payment, the exclusive rights were transferred, and significant risks and rewards of ownership of the rights to use the licensed IP were transferred. The sales-based royalties resulting from sales made under the IMSCP Collaboration and License Agreement will only be included in the transaction price upon occurrence of the underlying sales in the future.
For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recognized revenue of $18.9 million related to the IMSCP Collaboration and License Agreement. The Company recorded accounts receivable from IMSCP of $5.0 million on its consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2025.
The Einstein License requires the Company to pay a percentage of sublicenses related to the Company’s patent rights for components of its core technology that is licensed from Einstein. The Company incurred $1.5 million of license expense during the year ended December 31, 2025 upon entering the IMSCP Collaboration and License Agreement.
- Stockholders’ Equity
Preferred Stock
The Company has authorized a total of 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, none of which were outstanding at December 31,2025 and 2024. The Company’s Board of Directors has the authority to issue preferred stock and to determine the rights, preferences, privileges, and restrictions, including voting rights.
Common Stock
The Company has authorized a total of 300,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share as of December 31, 2025, of which 96,621,218 shares were issued and outstanding. At December 31, 2024, the Company had authorized 200,000,000 shares of common stock, of which 61,819,101 were issued and outstanding.
Warrants
Information with respect to the warrants are as follows:
| Warrants Issued November 2022 | Warrants IssuedSeptember 2024 | Warrants IssuedApril 2025 | Warrants IssuedDecember 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding common stock warrants at December 31, 2025 | 9,188,406 | 6,000,000 | 6,249,999 | 20,535,711 |
| Outstanding pre-funded warrants at December 31, 2025 | — | 12,435,599 | 11,469,216 | 23,214,286 |
| Weighted average exercise price of common stock warrants at December 31, 2025 | $3.93 | $0.500 | $0.790 | $0.300 |
| Weighted average exercise price of pre-funded warrants at December 31, 2025 | $— | $0.001 | $0.001 | $0.001 |
| Weighted average contract remaining life (in years) at December 31, 2025 | 1.87 | 3.75 | 4.29 | 4.97 |
- Related Party Transactions
The Company did not enter into any related party transactions during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. Additionally, no related party balances existed as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.
- Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the provision of ASC 740, Income Taxes. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company reported a tax provision of $0.5 million relating to foreign withholding taxes. The Company didnot report a tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2024 due to historically incurred net operating losses.
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 are as follows:
| December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | 2025 | 2024 |
| Deferred tax assets: | ||
| Net operating loss carryforwards | $60,647 | $58,121 |
| Research and other credits | 9,260 | 8,272 |
| R&D capitalization | 19,759 | 20,764 |
| Stock-based compensation | 5,058 | 6,096 |
| Reserves and accruals | 1,110 | 1,681 |
| Other | 988 | 244 |
| Total gross deferred tax assets | 96,822 | 95,178 |
| Less valuation allowance | (95,889) | (93,965) |
| Total deferred tax assets | 933 | 1,213 |
| Deferred tax liability: | ||
| Depreciation | (933) | (1,213) |
| Net deferred tax assets | $— | $— |
In assessing the potential realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the Company attaining future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. As of December 31, 2025, and 2024, management was unable to determine if it is more likely than not that the Company’s deferred tax assets will be realized and has therefore recorded a 100% valuation allowance against deferred tax assets at such dates.
No Federal tax provision has been provided for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 due to the losses incurred during such periods. A reconciliation of the difference between the income tax rate computed by applying the U.S. Federal statutory rate and the effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 is as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, · Year Ended December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 · 2024 | |||||
| (Dollars in thousands) · Amount · Percent · Amount · Percent | |||||
| Pretax loss | $(26,102) | $(40,674) | |||
| US federal statutory tax rate | (5,481) | 21.0% | (8,541) | 21.0% | |
| Foreign tax effects: | |||||
| Singapore foreign withholding tax | 500 | (1.9)% | — | 0.0% | |
| Tax credits: | |||||
| Federal R&D credit | (845) | 3.2% | (731) | 1.8% | |
| Change in valuation allowance | 5,262 | (20.1)% | 7,724 | (19.0)% | |
| Nontaxable or nondeductible items: | |||||
| Stock-based compensation | 1,129 | (4.3)% | 1,527 | (3.8)% | |
| Other | (65) | 0.2% | 21 | 0.0% | |
| Total | $500 | (1.9)% | $(0) | (0.0)% | |
The Company has applied the provisions of ASC 740, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions and requires the recognition of the impact of a tax position in the financial statements if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on a tax return, based on the technical merits of the position, upon examination by the relevant taxing authority. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits related to Federal and state research tax credits of $3.4 million and $3.1 million, respectively. The Company is subject to Federal and state income tax examinations by taxing authorities for all years since its incorporation in 2014 to the extent tax attributes from those years are utilized. The Company is currently not under examination by any tax authority.
At December 31, 2025, the Company has available net operating loss carryforwards for Federal and state income tax purposes of $224.1 million and $215.8 million, respectively, which, if not utilized earlier, will begin to expire in 2035. $195.5 million of the federal net operating losses have an indefinite carryforward. The Company has Federal research credits of $10.3 million, which, if not utilized earlier, will begin to expire in 2035, and state research credits of $2.7 million, which, if not utilized earlier, will begin to expire in 2032. State research credits of $0.2 million have an indefinite carryforward.
Ownership changes, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, including those resulting from the issuance of common stock in connection with the Company's public offerings, may limit the amount of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards that can be utilized to offset future taxable income or tax liability. The amount of the limitation is determined in accordance with Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.
The following is a reconciliation of the Company's gross uncertain tax position at December 31, 2025 and 2024:
| December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | 2025 | 2024 |
| Balance at the beginning of year | $3,138 | $2,927 |
| Additions for current year tax provisions | 281 | 278 |
| Additions for prior year tax provisions | — | — |
| Reductions of prior year tax provisions | (19) | (67) |
| Balance as of end of year | $3,400 | $3,138 |
The following summarizes the Company's income taxes paid (net of refunds received) for the years presented below:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | 2025 | 2024 |
| Federal | $— | $— |
| State | — | — |
| Foreign | 500 | — |
| Total | $500 | $— |
The following summarizes the jurisdictions that exceeded 5% of the Company's total income taxes paid (net of refunds) for the years presented below:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | 2025 | 2024 |
| Foreign | ||
| Singapore | $500 | $— |
- Commitments and Contingencies
In 2015, the Company entered into the Einstein License with Einstein for certain patent rights relating to the Company’s core technology platform for the engineering of biologics to control T cell activity, precision, immune-modulatory drug product candidates, andtwo supporting technologies that enable the discovery of costimulatory signaling molecules (ligands) and T cell targeting peptides. The Company entered into an amended and restated license agreement on July 31, 2017, as amended on October 2018, which modified certain obligations of the parties under the Einstein License. The Einstein License was further amended on January 13, 2024 and April 10, 2025.
The Company pays $0.1 million in annual maintenance license fees to Einstein, which are amortized equally throughout the year. The Company incurred $0.1 million in annual maintenance fees for each of the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
In the second quarter of 2025, the Company paid Einstein $0.9 million in fees under the amendment to the Einstein License in relation to the BI Collaboration and License Agreement. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company incurred license maintenance fees of $1.5 million related to the IMSCP Collaboration and License Agreement.
The Company’s remaining commitments with respect to the Einstein License are based on the attainment of future milestones. The aggregate amount of milestone payments made under the Einstein License may equal up to $1.85 million for each Einstein Licensed Product, and up to $1.85 million for each new indication of an Einstein Licensed Product. Additionally, the aggregate amount of one-time milestone payments based on cumulative sales of all Einstein Licensed Products may equal up to $5.75 million. The Company is also party to a service agreement with Einstein to support the Company’s ongoing research and development activities.
See discussion of the LG Chem Collaboration Agreement in Note 10.
See discussion of the Ono Collaboration and Option Agreement in Note 10.
Collaboration and License Agreement with BI
See discussion of the BI Collaboration and License Agreement in Note 10.
Collaboration and License Agreement with IMSCP
See discussion of the IMSCP Collaboration and License Agreement in Note 10.
Contingencies
The Company accrues contingent liabilities to the extent that the liability is probable and estimable. There are no accruals for contingent liabilities in these consolidated financial statements.
The Company may be subject to various legal proceedings from time to time as part of its business. As of December 31, 2025, the Company was not a party to any legal proceedings or threatened legal proceedings, the adverse outcome of which, individuallyor in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.
- Leases
On March 28, 2022, the Company entered into a License Agreement (the “License”) with MIL 40G, LLC (the “Licensor”), pursuant to which the Company leases approximately 13,000 square feet of office, research and development and laboratory space located at 40 Guest Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02135 (the “Office and Laboratory Space”). The Company recognized a right of use asset of $9.1 million and an operating lease liability of $9.1 million which were recorded as of the Term Commencement Date (as defined below) related to the License. The term of the License commenced on April 15, 2022 (the “Term Commencement Date”).
On May 3, 2022, the Company entered into the First Amendment to the License ("First Amendment”) with the Licensor, pursuant to which the License was expanded to include an additional room effective July 15, 2022. On July 7, 2022, the Company entered into an operating lease for additional laboratory space (the “Additional Laboratory Space”) at 40 Guest Street for the period from December 1, 2022 through December 1, 2024 (the “40G Additional Laboratory Lease”).
On November 20, 2024, the Company extended the term of the 40G Additional Laboratory Lease through July 14, 2026. The monthly rental rate for the Additional Laboratory Space is $61,519 through November 30, 2025 and $63,979 for the remainder of the term until July 14, 2026. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recognized a right of use asset of $1.1 million and short term and long term operating lease liabilities of $0.7 million, and $0.4 million, respectively, using a discount rate of 10%, which were recorded as of the term commencement date related to the 40G Additional Laboratory Lease.
On June 30, 2025, the Company entered into the Second Amendment to the License with the Licensor. Pursuant to the Second Amendment, effective June 30, 2025, the monthly rental rate for the Office and Laboratory Space decreased from $235,884 to $147,546, subject to a 4% increase on April 15, 2027, and the term of the License was extended from April 14, 2026 to April 14, 2028. In addition, the Licensor agreed to provide the Company a partial credit of $44,169 for rent the Company had paid at the new monthly rental rate for the month of June 2025.
For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company recorded$0.4 million and $0.3 million, respect ively, in interest expense to the lease liability.
At December 31, 2025, the Company recorded$4.1 million to operating lease right-of-use asset, and$1.9 million and$2.3 million to the short-term and long-term operating lease liability, respectively. At Dece mber 31, 2024, the Company recorded $4.4 million to operating lease right-of-use asset, and $3.5 million and $1.0 million to the short-term and long-term operating lease liability, respectively.
Future minimum lease payments under these leases at December 31,2025 are as follows:
| Year | (in thousands) |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $2,228 |
| 2027 | 1,884 |
| 2028 | 559 |
| Total lease payments | 4,671 |
| Less: present value discount | (474) |
| Present value of lease payments | $4,197 |
For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, total rent expense of$2.9 million and $3.4 million, respectively, was included in the consolidated statements of operations.
The weighted average remaining lease term and discount rate related to the Company's leases were as follows:
| December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Weighted average remaining lease term (years) | 2.12 | 2.16 |
| Weighted average discount rate | 9.77% | 6.25% |
- Cue Biopharma 401(k) Plan
Effective as of January 1, 2017, the Company adopted the Cue Biopharma 401(k) Plan (the “Plan”) for all employees of the Company. Employees may participate in the Plan upon complying with the Plan’s eligibility requirements, subject to limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. Under the Plan, the Company may match employee contributions at its discretion. The Company made contributions of$0.2 million and $0.3 million to the Plan for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
- Subsequent Events
The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date on which the consolidated financial statements were issued, to ensure that this submission includes appropriate disclosure of events both recognized in the consolidated financial statements and events which occurred subsequently but were not recognized in the consolidated financial statements.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.