Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Business.
Basis of Presentation	2. Basis of Presentation On December 19, 2024, the board of directors (the “Board”) of the Company determined to effect a one-for-twelve (12) reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share and corresponding reduction in the total number of authorized shares. The reverse stock split ratio approved by the Board is within the previously disclosed range of ratios for a reverse stock split authorized by the stockholders of the Company at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“Annual Meeting”) held on June 4, 2024. The reverse stock split became effective at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, December 30, 2024, and the Company’s common stock began trading on a split adjusted basis on The Nasdaq Capital Market as of the opening of trading on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the reverse stock split. Stockholders who would have otherwise held a fraction of a share of common stock of the Company received a cash payment in lieu thereof. In addition, proportionate adjustments were made to the number of shares underlying, and the exercise or conversion prices of, the Company’s outstanding stock options, and to the number of shares of common stock issuable under the Company’s equity incentive plans. Accordingly, all share and per share amounts for all periods presented in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto have been retroactively adjusted, where applicable, to reflect the reverse stock split. The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements include the results of the financial operations of Cara Therapeutics, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Cara Royalty Sub, LLC, or Cara Royalty Sub, a Delaware limited liability company which was formed in November 2023 for the purpose of the transactions contemplated by the HCR Agreement described in Note 10, Royalty Purchase and Sale Agreement. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. Accordingly, they do not include all information and disclosures necessary for a presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or GAAP. In the opinion of management, these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting primarily of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of results for the periods presented. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted from this report, as is permitted by SEC rules and regulations; however, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2023 were derived from audited financial statements, but do not include all disclosures required by GAAP. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and accompanying notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Use of Estimates The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The more significant estimates include the fair value of marketable securities that are classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the amount and periods over which certain revenues will be recognized, including licensing and collaborative revenue recognized from non-refundable up-front and milestone payments and future ex-U.S. royalties and milestones projected in relation to the HCR Agreement, related party accounts receivable reserve, as applicable, inventory valuation and related reserves, research and development, or R&D, clinical costs and accrued research projects included in prepaid expenses and accounts payable and accrued expenses, the amount of non-cash compensation costs related to share-based payments to employees and non-employees, restructuring costs, the amount of lease incentives, as applicable, and the incremental borrowing rate used in lease calculations, and the likelihood of realization of deferred tax assets. The impact from global economic conditions and potential and continuing disruptions to and volatility in the credit and equity markets in the United States and worldwide are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including impacts from global health crises, geopolitical tensions, such as the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East, and increasing tensions between China and Taiwan, and government actions implemented as a result of the foregoing, fluctuations in inflation and interest rates, uncertainty and liquidity concerns in the broader financial services industry, and a potential recession in the United States. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty and therefore require the exercise of judgment. As of the date of issuance of these condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company is not aware of any specific event or circumstance that would require the Company to update its estimates, assumptions and judgments or revise the reported amounts of assets and liabilities or the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. These estimates, however, may change as new events occur and additional information is obtained, and are recognized in the condensed consolidated financial statements as soon as they become known. Actual results could differ materially from the Company’s estimates and assumptions. Significant Accounting Policies There have been no material changes to the significant accounting policies previously disclosed in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, or ASU 2023-07, which expanded the disclosures for reportable segments made by public entities. These amendments within ASU 2023-07 retained the existing disclosure requirements in ASC 280 and expanded upon them to require public entities to disclose significant expenses for reportable segments in both interim and annual reporting periods, as well as items that were previously disclosed only annually on an interim basis, including disclosures related to a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets. In addition, entities with a single reportable segment must provide all segment disclosures required in ASC 280, including the new disclosures for reportable segments under the amendments in ASU 2023-07. The amendments did not change the existing guidance on how a public entity identified and determined its reportable segments. A public entity should apply the amendments in ASU 2023-07 retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Upon transition, the segment expense categories and amounts disclosed in the prior periods should be based on the significant segment expense categories identified and disclosed in the period of adoption. The amendments in ASU 2023-07 are effective for annual periods for all public entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and in interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company adopted ASU 2023-07 on January 1, 2024, and expects to comply with any new applicable disclosures in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material effect on its results of operations, financial position, and cash flows. Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, or ASU 2023-09, which applies to all entities subject to income taxes. ASU 2023-09 requires disaggregated information about a reporting entity’s effective tax rate reconciliation as well as information on income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 is intended to provide more detailed income tax disclosures. For public business entities (PBEs), the new requirements will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. ASU 2023-09 will be applied on a prospective basis with the option to apply the standard retrospectively. The Company expects to adopt ASU 2023-09 on January 1, 2025, and it does not expect the adoption to have a material effect on its results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

2. Basis of Presentation

On December 19, 2024, the board of directors (the “Board”) of the Company determined to effect a one-for-twelve (12) reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share and corresponding reduction in the total number of authorized shares. The reverse stock split ratio approved by the Board is within the previously disclosed range of ratios for a reverse stock split authorized by the stockholders of the Company at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“Annual Meeting”) held on June 4, 2024.

The reverse stock split became effective at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, December 30, 2024, and the Company’s common stock began trading on a split adjusted basis on The Nasdaq Capital Market as of the opening of trading on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.

No fractional shares were issued in connection with the reverse stock split. Stockholders who would have otherwise held a fraction of a share of common stock of the Company received a cash payment in lieu thereof. In addition, proportionate adjustments were made to the number of shares underlying, and the exercise or conversion prices of, the Company’s outstanding stock options, and to the number of shares of common stock issuable under the Company’s equity incentive plans.

Accordingly, all share and per share amounts for all periods presented in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto have been retroactively adjusted, where applicable, to reflect the reverse stock split.

The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements include the results of the financial operations of Cara Therapeutics, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Cara Royalty Sub, LLC, or Cara Royalty Sub, a Delaware limited liability company which was formed in November 2023 for the purpose of the transactions contemplated by the HCR Agreement described in Note 10, Royalty Purchase and Sale Agreement. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. Accordingly, they do not include all information and disclosures necessary for a presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or GAAP. In the opinion of management, these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting primarily of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of results for the periods presented. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted from this report, as is permitted by SEC rules and regulations; however, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2023 were derived from audited financial statements, but do not include all disclosures required by GAAP. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and accompanying notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The more significant estimates include the fair value of marketable securities that are classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the amount and periods over which certain revenues will be recognized, including licensing and collaborative revenue recognized from non-refundable up-front and milestone payments and future ex-U.S. royalties and milestones projected in relation to the HCR Agreement, related party accounts receivable reserve, as applicable, inventory valuation and related reserves, research and development, or R&D, clinical costs and accrued research projects included in prepaid expenses and accounts payable and accrued expenses, the amount of non-cash compensation costs related to share-based payments to employees and non-employees, restructuring costs, the amount of lease incentives, as applicable, and the incremental borrowing rate used in lease calculations, and the likelihood of realization of deferred tax assets.

The impact from global economic conditions and potential and continuing disruptions to and volatility in the credit and equity markets in the United States and worldwide are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including impacts from global health crises, geopolitical tensions, such as the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East, and increasing tensions between China and Taiwan, and government actions implemented as a result of the foregoing, fluctuations in inflation and interest rates, uncertainty and liquidity concerns in the broader financial services industry, and a potential recession in the United States. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty and therefore require the exercise of judgment. As of the date of issuance of these condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company is not aware of any specific event or circumstance that would require the Company to update its estimates, assumptions and judgments or revise the reported amounts of assets and liabilities or the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. These estimates, however, may change as new events occur and additional information is obtained, and are recognized in the condensed consolidated financial statements as soon as they become known.

Actual results could differ materially from the Company’s estimates and assumptions.

Significant Accounting Policies

There have been no material changes to the significant accounting policies previously disclosed in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, or ASU 2023-07, which expanded the disclosures for reportable segments made by public entities. These amendments within ASU 2023-07 retained the existing disclosure requirements in ASC 280 and expanded upon them to require public entities to disclose significant expenses for reportable segments in both interim and annual reporting periods, as well as items that were previously disclosed only annually on an interim basis, including disclosures related to a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets. In addition, entities with a single reportable segment must provide all segment disclosures required in ASC 280, including the new disclosures for reportable segments under the amendments in ASU 2023-07. The amendments did not change the existing guidance on how a public entity identified and determined its reportable segments. A public entity should apply the amendments in ASU 2023-07 retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Upon transition, the segment expense categories and amounts disclosed in the prior periods should be based on the significant segment expense categories identified and disclosed in the period of adoption. The amendments in ASU 2023-07 are effective for annual periods for all public entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and in interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company adopted ASU 2023-07 on January 1, 2024, and expects to comply with any new applicable disclosures in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material effect on its results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, or ASU 2023-09, which applies to all entities subject to income taxes. ASU 2023-09 requires disaggregated information about a reporting entity’s effective tax rate reconciliation as well as information on income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 is intended to provide more detailed income tax disclosures. For public business entities (PBEs), the new requirements will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. ASU 2023-09 will be applied on a prospective basis with the option to apply the standard retrospectively. The Company expects to adopt ASU 2023-09 on January 1, 2025, and it does not expect the adoption to have a material effect on its results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.