Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Use of estimates

(a)Use of estimates:

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Significant areas of estimates include, but are not limited to, revenue recognition including estimated timing of completion of performance obligations and the determination of stock-based compensation. These estimates and assumptions take into account historical and forward-looking factors that the Company believes are reasonable. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed quarterly. All revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.

Cash and cash equivalents

(b)Cash and cash equivalents:

Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into cash with terms to maturity of three months or less when acquired. Cash equivalents are recorded at cost plus accrued interest.

Marketable Securities

(c)Marketable securities:

Marketable securities are debt securities with original maturities exceeding three months and accrue interest based on a fixed interest rate for the term. Effective July 1, 2022, the Company classifies its marketable securities as either trading securities or available-for-sale securities. Marketable securities are carried at fair value.

Fair value gains and losses for marketable securities classified as trading securities are recorded through the consolidated statement of operations. These securities are classified as current assets as the Company has the intent and ability to convert these securities into cash without penalty within the next 12 months.

Unrealized fair value gains and losses for marketable securities classified as available-for-sale are recorded through other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders' equity. When the fair value of an available-for-sale security falls below the amortized cost basis it is evaluated to determine if any of the decline in value is attributable to credit loss. Decreases in fair value attributable to credit loss are recorded directly to the consolidated statement of operations with a corresponding allowance for credit losses, limited to the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. If the credit quality subsequently improves the allowance is reversed up to a maximum of the previously recorded credit losses. When the Company intends to sell an impaired available-for-sale security, or if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security prior to recovering the amortized cost basis, the entire fair value adjustment will immediately be recognized in the consolidated statement of operations with no corresponding allowance for credit losses. Realized gains and losses and credit losses, if any, on available-for-sale securities are included in interest income, based on the specific identification method. Available-for-sale securities are also adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity, with such amortization and accretion included within interest income. Available-for-sale securities with a remaining maturity date greater than one year are classified as non-current assets.

Intellectual property

(d)Intellectual property:

The costs incurred in establishing and maintaining patents for intellectual property developed internally are expensed in the period incurred.

Property, plant and equipment

(e)Property, plant and equipment:

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and/or accumulated impairment losses, if any. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed in the period incurred.

Property, plant and equipment are amortized over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method based on the following rates:

Asset	Rate
Research equipment	5 years
Office furniture and equipment	5 years
Computer equipment	3 years
Leasehold improvements	Over the lesser of lease term or estimated useful life

Impairment of long-lived assets

(f)Impairment of long-lived assets:

The Company monitors its long-lived assets for indicators of impairment. If such indicators are present, the Company assesses the recoverability of affected assets by determining whether the carrying value of such assets is less than the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows of the assets. If such assets are found not to be recoverable, the Company measures the amount of such impairment by comparing the carrying value of the assets to the fair value of the assets, with the fair value generally determined based on the present value of the expected future cash flows associated with the assets. No impairment of long-lived assets was noted during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

Leases

(g)Leases:

Leases classified as operating leases are recorded as lease liabilities based on the present value of minimum lease payments over the lease term, discounted using the lessor’s rate implicit in the lease or the Company’s incremental borrowing rate, if the lessor’s implicit rate is not readily determinable. The lease term includes all periods covered by renewal and termination options where the Company is reasonably certain to exercise the renewal options or not to exercise the termination options. Corresponding right-of-use assets are recognized consisting of the lease liabilities, initial direct costs and any lease incentive payments. Lease liabilities are drawn down as lease payments are made and right-of-use assets are depreciated over the term of the lease. Operating lease expenses are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, consisting of interest accrued on the lease liability and depreciation of the right-of-use asset, adjusted for changes in index-based variable lease payments in the period of change. Lease payments on short-term operating leases with lease terms twelve months or less are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company has elected to not separate non-lease elements embedded in its lease agreements.

Concentration of credit risk and of significant customers

(h)Concentration of credit risk and of significant customers:

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities. The Company's investments are limited to investment-grade securities with strong credit ratings with the objective to preserve capital and maintain liquidity. Cash and cash equivalents were held at major financial institutions in Canada and the United States which may at times be in excess of federally insured limits. The Company does not believe that it is subject to credit risk beyond the standard credit risk associated with commercial banking relationships.

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. ("Neurocrine Biosciences") accounted for 100% of revenue recognized for the year ended December 31, 2022. Neurocrine Biosciences and Pacira BioSciences, Inc. (“Pacira BioSciences”) accounted for 84% and 16% of revenue recognized for the year ended December 31, 2021, respectively.

Financial instruments and fair value

(i)Financial instruments and fair value:

The Company measures certain financial instruments and other items at fair value.

To determine the fair value, the Company uses the fair value hierarchy for inputs used to measure fair value of financial assets and liabilities. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels: Level 1 (highest priority), Level 2, and Level 3 (lowest priority).

•Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments.

•Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (i.e., interest rates, yield curves, etc.), and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs).

•Level 3 - Inputs are unobservable and reflect the Company’s assumptions as to what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The Company develops these inputs based on the best information available.

Assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification of levels for certain securities within the fair value hierarchy. The carrying amount of accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates fair value due to the nature and short-term of those instruments. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level of fair value hierarchy utilized is described in note 5.

Revenue recognition

(j)Revenue recognition:

The Company recognizes the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled, for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers under a five-step model: (i) identify contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when or as a performance obligation is satisfied.

Collaboration agreements may require the Company to deliver various rights and/or services, including intellectual property rights or licenses and research and development services. Under such collaboration agreements, the Company is generally eligible to receive non-refundable upfront payments, funding for research and development services, milestone payments, and royalties.

In contracts where the Company has more than one performance obligation to provide its customer with goods or services, each performance obligation is evaluated to determine whether it is distinct based on whether (i) the customer can benefit from the good or service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available and (ii) the good or service is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract. The consideration under the contract is then allocated between the distinct performance obligations based on their respective relative standalone selling prices. The estimated standalone selling price of each deliverable reflects the Company’s best estimate of what the selling price would be if the deliverable was regularly sold on a standalone basis and is determined by reference to market rates for the good or service when sold to others or by using an adjusted market assessment approach if selling price on a standalone basis is not available.

The consideration allocated to each distinct performance obligation is recognized as revenue when control is transferred to the customer for the related goods or services. Consideration in exchange for research and development services performed by the Company on behalf of the licensee is recognized upon performance of such activities at rates consistent with prevailing market rates. Consideration associated with at-risk substantive performance milestones, including sales-based milestones, is recognized as revenue using the most likely amount method when it is probable that a significant reversal of the cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. Sales-based royalties received in connection with licenses of intellectual property are subject to a specific exception in the revenue standards, whereby the consideration is not included in the transaction price and recognized in revenue until the customer’s subsequent sales or usages occur.

Research and development costs

(k)Research and development costs:

Research and development costs are expensed in the period incurred.

Research and development expenses consist of costs incurred in performing research and development activities, including personnel-related expenses, consisting of salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation for employees engaged in scientific research and development, third-party expenses incurred in connection with the pre-clinical and clinical development of product candidates including under agreements with clinical research organizations, third-party expenses relating to formulation, process development and manufacture of drug substance and drug product for use in pre-clinical testing and clinical trials, third-party acquisition, license and collaboration fees, laboratory consumables and certain indirect costs incurred in support of overall research and development activities, including facilities, depreciation and information technology costs. The amount of expenses recognized in a period related to service agreements is based on the work performed using the accrual basis of accounting. Third-party service providers generally provide estimates of proportionate performance to allow the Company to determine an appropriate accrual. When determining the adequacy of an accrual, the Company analyzes progress based on the level of services performed, progress of the studies, including the phase or completion of events, and contracted costs. Payments made to third parties under these arrangements in advance of the receipt of the related services are recorded as prepaid expenses until the services are rendered.

Stock-based compensation

(l)Stock-based compensation:

The Company grants stock options to employees, consultants, directors and officers pursuant to stock option plans described in note 10c.

Employee stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense, net of actual forfeitures, over the requisite service period with a corresponding increase in additional paid-in capital. Stock-based compensation expense is amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award, which is generally the vesting period of the award. Any consideration received on exercise of stock options is credited to share capital.

Foreign currency translation

(m)Foreign currency translation:

The functional and reporting currency of the Company and its subsidiary is the U.S. dollar. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar are re-measured into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate prevailing as of the balance sheet date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities acquired in a currency other than U.S. dollars are translated at historical exchange rates prevailing at each transaction date.

Revenue and expense transactions are translated at the approximate exchange rate prevailing on the date of transaction. Exchange gains and losses on translation are included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) as foreign exchange gain (loss).

Income taxes

(n)Income taxes:

Deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and net operating loss and credit carryforwards. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at enacted rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided when realization of deferred income tax assets does not meet the more-likely-than-not criterion for recognition.

Segment and geographic information

(o)Segment and geographic information:

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company views its operations and manages its business in one operating segment.

Recent accounting pronouncements

(p)Recent accounting pronouncements:

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other standard setting bodies that the Company adopts as of the specified effective date. The Company has evaluated recently issued accounting pronouncements and, based on preliminary assessment, does not believe any will have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.